Chapter 1

Renna's POV

Tonight was the beginning of the winter solstice and it just so happened to be the day my sister got crowned as the Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack. The festivities were in full swing with the full moon starting to peak, casting its ethereal glow over the misty forest where our pack had made home.

 Dozens of people mingled about, the air filled with excitement as male and female shifters cheered my sister on, applauds ringing out from all directions while I gazed at the absurdity unraveling right in front me.

"Renna, make sure you attend to the guests and see to their needs.” the maid mistress ordered with a stern look on her face as I made my way out. “If I hear of any mistakes, I'd have you starved and punished for the week!”

We stood outside the main pack halls that were a banquet was held in my sister's honour to bestow upon her the title of a leader. I wasn't even allowed to be a part of the occasion, all I could do was watch from the sides, where the maids were asked to stay.

By birth, I was the rightful heir to lead the pack but I had lost connection with my wolf when the grief and trauma of losing my mother became too overwhelming. Then they deemed me unworthy of the title even before I could understand what the position truly meant. 

There was no place for a human in a pack of wolves and no pack was ever going to allow a non-shifter to lead them. I never thought seeing what was mine get taken away from me would hurt so much but it did. Small jolts of pain cascaded through me as a reminder of what I had just lost.

But nobody knew the that Leia was born with a disease and my blood was the cure. I existed solely to sustain her and to keep her alive, while I on the other hand had to suffer. I tried to think about my mate instead. Kieran was the son of a beta and had always being my happy place whenever I was sad and disheartened.

We’d been friends since childhood, and fell in love in highschool. When the pack had treated me unjustly, he stood up for me and defended me. Then when I turned eighteen, he’d openly declared to take me as his mate and he did. I still couldn't help but feel a small tinge of pain when I realized that we’d suddenly gotten distant and Kieran had been too busy to visit.

Circe, my step mother and Leia's mom strutted towards me, a smug grin on her face as she regarded me with repulse and disdain. I shuffled forward in an attempt to avoid her but her arms reached out to pull me back just in time.

“And where do you think you're going, Renna?” she inquired with a morbid look plastered on her face.

I sighed, kneading my temples before turning back to face her, “Nowhere, mother.”

“It's your sister's big day! Today is all about Leia. Do you not see how stunning and radiant she looks altogether in that dress?”

My gaze flitted from the velvet taffeta dress that made a small dip around her waist, clinging to her like a second skin to the fiery-red lipstick she wore. I nodded sullenly, my gaze fell on the tray I held, clutching it tight against my chest that was beginning to feel stuffy. I knew why mother was here, to gloat and remind me of my place.

“Yes, mother. She's stunning and radiant.”

"I am glad we have the same opinion, for once. Do tell me, child. Do you feel cheated? Do you think that should be you over there?”

I shook my head to disapprove of her words, not daring to raise my gaze to meet hers even as she continued to scrutinize me openly. Suddenly, she jerked my face to hers, her painted nails squeezing my jaws painfully.

“Better.” she scoffed, cackling like a deranged maniac, “Look over there, who do you think is bringing these smiles on people's faces? Huh? It's Leia! My daughter. Nobody cares about you, even your own father hates you. Why? Because you're worthless, useless, and a waste of space and resources. That's what you are so you better behave and be a good little girl because if I as much as see you pulling a long face, I'll make you wish for death. You hear me?!”

She rasped out each snarky remarks and they pierced deep into my soul like poisoned arrows. I faltered where I stood, my breaths coming out as shaky and shallow. Useless, worthless, a waste of space. That was what I was.

Bile rose in the pits of my stomach and the pain I felt was nothing compared to that of her claws digging into the flesh of my cheeks. Tears threatened to spill as they gathered underneath my eyelids but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of watching me break in front of her.

“Yes...yes mother.” I groaned out.

She tossed me to one side and I nearly stumbled if it wasn't for the fact that I had braced myself. Her lips curled back in a smirk and she sighed,

"Silly child.”

With that, she walked away briskly. Clutching my clothes tight, I flattened my palm against my chest as I struggled to breathe, gasping for air. My head hurt, my heart hurts. 

Just when I tried to turn back, I suddenly slammed into firm sturdy chest I exclaimed, “Oh my God! I'm so sorry,”

Apologizing hurriedly to avoid another unpleasant encounter, cerulean eyes stared back at me with worry lines marring the owner's temples. 

“Hey, it's alright.” he chuckled, helping to steady me back to my feet.

Omega Kayden! His brooding physique towered above me and I could notice the stubbles that was beginning to form on his cheeks.

 

"Kayden,” I forced out a smile, sighing out in relief.

Kayden was our Pack's Omega, and I'd found him one night, almost bleeding to death. He'd left his station open, and the Sentinel he worked under, had reported him to my father's Beta. 

As much as I hated Leia, I couldn't just let him die. I'd snuck into the dungeon that night, and fed him my blood to heal him. 

“Hey, Renna. Didn't think I'd find you here,“

I grimaced at his questions, my lips pursing in a grim line, “I was chosen to help out with the festivities.” I knew it still had something to do with Circe.

“Alright. Thanks a lot for the other night. Couldn't have gotten out unnoticed without you.”

“Oh, it's nothing. I promise,”

I flinched when his hand grazed the part of my arms that bruised, and was yet to heal from having to give out my blood to Leia. I shrugged free from his grasp but he noticed just in time and his lips twitched, something dark flashing through his eyes.

“What's wrong,?”

I stuttered, muttering strings of incoherent words, “No.. nothing,”

I grasped my chest again this time, realizing that whatever pain I felt wasn't only from heartache but had to do with my recent blood loss. Kayden nodded but before he could say something else, I had slipped through the crowd to help the other maids pass the food around.

From where I stood, I could see Leia and her group of girl friends discussing while she wore a permanent scowl on her face, a direct contrast to the smile she had on earlier.

"Can you believe my mate is Kayden? An omega?! How am I ever supposed to deal with this?! I'm the Alpha for fuck's sake, and my mate isn't supposed to be a weakling!” she protested.

One of her friends leaned forward, whispering into her ears and her gaze suddenly turned to face me. I fidgeted, turning away from them.