Chapter 1

It was the third year since I'd been exiled from the Moonshade pack when Alpha Rex Hemmond found me in an underground fight club in the neutral zone.

He slammed his fist against the steel cage beside me, his eyes red with rage.

"Alicia, you've been off the grid for three years just to embarrass yourself here?"

I didn't flinch. My expression was calm.

"Rex, 100 bucks per punch. If you're not satisfied, feel free to keep going. It's just enough to cover my rent for the month."

At my words, the anger in Rex's eyes faded slightly, replaced by shock, pity, and guilt.

He reached for the cut on my lip from the fight, but I pulled back.

Noticing that, he said softly, "Come back to the Moonshade pack. Apologize to Daisy, and I'll speak to the Elders' Council. They'll forgive you and let you stay as an Omega."

I stared him down and replied coldly, "No thanks. Being on the same land as you and Daisy disgusts me."

Rex's expression darkened, and he sneered. "Disgust? Could anything be more disgusting than you, covered in blood? Alicia Russell, you really should look in the mirror and see how hideous you've become!"

I clenched my fists and turned to leave.

What Rex didn't know was that the night before I was exiled, I had lost my wolf.

He also didn't know that bloodshed and a fighting instinct were all I had learned to survive after the exile.

"Don't forget—I'm still your fated mate!" Rex yelled at me.

My steps faltered.

How could I forget?

Three years ago, the night after the bonding ceremony, my adopted sister, Daisy Russell, drugged me and sent me onto the stage of the werewolf black market auction.

That night, they injected me with aphrodisiacs, causing me to lose control and humiliate me in front of the entire pack.

And the one who signed the contract for my sale was my mate, Rex.

Just then, I heard mocking laughter behind me.

Rex was furious.

It was probably humiliating for him, the Alpha of the Moonshade pack, to see his fated mate fighting for a few thousand bucks in a cage with Rogues and humans.

I ignored him and climbed back into the ring.

The lights hit the massive cage on the other side, and the roar of a beast echoed through the arena.

It wasn't a wolf. It was something larger and more primal.

"Tonight's fighter, No. 13, is facing off against a brown bear! Place your bets now before it's too late!"

The steel door swung open, and the huge, bloodthirsty bear was right in front of me.

I gasped at once.

"Alicia."

I looked up and saw Daisy, dressed in designer clothes, leaning against the VIP railing, her smile smug.

"I heard you're desperate for cash. To help you out, I've arranged a special gift." Her tone was innocent yet cruel.

"I bet 100 grand on you. Don't disappoint me."

100 grand.

I clenched my fists. As I thought about my parents' estate that was about to be auctioned off, I stepped forward without hesitation.

Just then, Rex walked in, and Daisy immediately rushed into his arms.

"Rex, I know Alicia's proud, so I'll let her earn that 100 grand herself. I heard she's been winning a lot. The fight club's owner must really be taking care of her."

Rex glanced at me, his expression complicated. "Apologize to Daisy in front of everyone, and I'll pay you the money. Otherwise, you'll be fighting for your life in that bear's jaws."

All eyes in the crowd were on me, expecting me to back down.

But without a second thought, I strapped on my gloves.

Rex's expression darkened instantly. His eyes smoldered with a murderous rage as a low growl escaped his throat.

Meanwhile, the bear lunged at me. I rolled forward to dodge its heavy paw and kicked it in the head.

But the difference in strength was enormous.

The bear's claws came dangerously close to smashing my skull multiple times.

Rex stared at me, his expression twisting into a darker scowl.

But I refused to quit. After several rounds, my arm was shredded by the bear's claws.

With a loud bang, the tranquilizer gun went off, and the bear collapsed to the ground.

Rex threw the gun aside. Consumed by rage, he seized my arm in a crushing grip and roared, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Blood dripped onto the floor of the cage. I was sweating with pain, but I kept my teeth gritted.

"I didn't lose. Don't forget to pay me."

He suddenly seized my throat in a crushing grip as he glared at me coldly. "You're beyond saving. If money's all you care about, maybe I should've just let them buy you outright at that auction!"

My body shivered at those words. My vision went black, and I collapsed into unconsciousness.

As I drifted out of consciousness, the secret I'd overheard back then began to echo in my ears.

"Alpha Rex, we've completely ruined her reputation tonight. We finally got some payback for Ms. Daisy."

Rex's voice sounded so cold as he replied, "She deserves it. This is the price of slandering Daisy."