Chapter 1

"Your fate is sealed. The Shadowmoon Clan has claimed you. From now on, you belong to the Shadowmoon Clan … a slave to Alpha Kieran."

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Mira’s POV,

The evening sun settled below the horizon, covering its long shadows over the pine forest as I finally headed home. The soft forest breeze carried a faint aroma of pine and damp earth, still it could not relax my nerves.

I picked up my pace, holding the basket of herbs tightly. Just as I slowed down as I got closer to my village, I heard someone’s quiet voice behind me.

"Lost, little Omega?”

I wasn’t alone anymore! Damn!

My steps halted as I heard a voice behind me and instantly turned towards them. My heart started pounding like a crazy dog as I saw a group of men stepping out from behind the trees, their dark, greedy eyes glistering in the last sun light.

“Wanna have some fun with us?" One of them spoke again mocking me. His gaze swept over me from my head to toe, lingering a little too long over my body, making my skin crawl.

I body instantly froze, my heart pounding in my ears. I saw a tattoo bore the markings of the Shadowmoon Clan in everyone’s arm. Their alpha was already well known for his brutality.

I had heard thousands of stories about their raids, rapes, violence, and worse. And now they were here right in front of me and I was all alone.

I staggered few steps back, gripping my basket handle tighter. My heart throbbed like a scared rabbit as my trembling eyes met their leering eyes. "Hey you, stay back. Don’t dare to get closer to me," I warned them, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not scared of you guys."

Their laugh echoed in the quiet forest, sending another shiver across my skin. "Oh, you should be," One of them said, stepping closer. "That pretty face of yours deserves some special attention."

"So far from your pack," Another one sneered, stepping closer. "What’s in your basket? A little welcome gift for us?"

"Hey, back off. I don’t want any trouble." I warned again. "Just let me go in my own way."

"Trouble? Huh?" The man with scar let out a low, sinister laugh. "Looks like trouble just found you, little wolf."

Slowly, they surrounded me moving together around me. I gripped the handle of my basket tightly and tried to turn back, but they had already blocked my way.

"Please, just let me go," my voice was shaking. "I haven't done anything wrong with you."

"But you are standing here, little wolf. That’s so wrong," One of them said, grinning. "Looking like that? Smelling like that? That’s enough for us."

A rush of panic swept over me. I stepped few steps back, my thoughts racing. I was clearly running out of time as their laughter filled the lonely forest, drowning out everything else in my mind.

"Just leave me alone!" I yelled desperately.

One of them charged at me, trying to grab my arm. Without thinking for a second, I swung my basket with all of my strength, smacking his head. He gasped out a startled grunt and loose his grip over me, giving me just enough time to run.

"Get her!" One of them shouted behind me.

I run through the forest, my breath becoming ragged gasps. But my pack village felt miles away, and the trees seemed too dense around me making me stumble few times.

Their footsteps hit against the ground, getting closer each second. Then, a hand grabbed me from my back and yanked me with full force. I lost my balance and instantly hit the ground hard.

“Ahh…”

Pain shot through my knees and swollen palms, but it didn’t stop me. I dug my fingers into the ground, trying to crawl away from them, but they were too strong. A pair of rough hands grabbed me, pressing me down on the ground.

"Crazy little bitch!" One of them snapped. "We’re done being nice."

I tried to fight back with everything I had, kicking and scratching them, my nails digging on one man’s face. He cursed, clutching his cheek. “Fuck! What have you done to my face!”

"She’s wild," Someone chuckled. "Shame it won’t last."

Tears blurred my eyes. There were too many of them, too strong for me to fight alone.

"Let’s see what you’re hiding under your clothes," One sneered, his hands moving toward my clothes.

"No... stop!" I screamed with everything I had. "Please, stop!"

But they ignored my scream, shoving my body on the ground forcefully. One of them grabbed my arm, twisting it so hard that I had to stop struggling. Another one yanked my clothes ripping as I tried to push them off from me.

"Get off me!" I yelled, kicking and throwing my hands aimlessly. However, I suddenly landed a solid kick on one of them, making him stumble back, groaning and clutching his groin. I tried to run again, but a heavy blow struck my face, knocking me back to the ground.

“Ahh…!!!” I screamed again but one of them quickly covered my mouth with his hand so I couldn’t make any sound.

“Only a good f*ck can calm you down, bitch. Now spread your f*cking legs for us.”

Two of them pinned my legs down as the scar-faced man loomed over me. His rough hands dug into my chest, making me wince in pain.

“Mmm… so soft…” his breath hot against my skin before he buried his face in my bare breast.

Tears pooled in my eyes as I whimpered for them to stop, but it didn’t change a thing.

"What the hell is happening here?" Suddenly a sharp voice shouted, cutting through the chaos. I looked up through foggy eyes and saw the elders of my pack stepping forward.

"Save me… please…," I muffled in pain.

The men from the Shadowmoon Clan stiffened at the sudden interruption. But they finally stepped back, loosening their grip on me.

"She attacked one of us first," One of the men sneered, pointing at me. “Our Alpha won’t be too pleased about that.”

“Is that true?” Bran, one of the elder asked, his cold gaze locked on me.

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say anything, one of them hissed. “Hurry up and deal with this crazy bitch. We don’t have all day for this drama. We want our revenge.”

“Stop lying… you tried to rape me…” I snapped.

But our Luna Mora raised her hand, silencing me instantly.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Mora hissed. “What matters now is you’ve caused trouble with the Shadowmoon Clan. We can’t risk any conflict over some mere Omega like you.”

I stared at them, totally shocked. “But I was just defending myself!”

“You, stop talking,” Bran growled, turning to the men from the Shadowmoon Clan. “We’ll handle this matter sincerely. Go back to your Alpha and tell him we’ll make it right.”

I stared at the elders, confused. What does that even mean?

“So, you’re sending us back empty-handed to report to our Alpha, huh? This how you plan to deal with the Shadowmoon pack?”

The scar-faced man lunged forward, grabbing my neck in a flash. “How about we snap this little neck and bring her head back as proof of your sincerity?”

Bran’s face turned pale instantly. “No… Wait. She’ll go with you. I’m offering her to Alpha Kieran in exchange for peace and cooperation.”

A chill ran down my spine blurring my world in an instant. “You… what? You’re selling me?”

Slap!

This time Mora stepped forward blowing a hard slap over my face. “Keep your mouth shut. You do as you're told, or your parents will pay the price.”

I shook my head hard, still couldn’t believe those words. “Please, no. Don’t do this to me.”

Bran sneered, grabbing my chin roughly. “You don’t have a choice. We’re not suffering for your stupidity. Try using that pretty face to earn some pity from Alpha Kieran.”

Their words hit me hard, like a ton of bricks were crushing my heart. I wanted to yell at them, to fight back, but thinking about my parents’ safety compelled me to stay quiet. I nodded numbly, sealing my cursed fate.

“We're settled then,” Bran said, letting go of my chin. “She’s all yours.”

As the elders slowly moved away, I slumped to my knees, my whole body shaking with muffled sobs.

For the first time in my life, I could feel there was something worse than death… the pain of being betrayed by your own people.

Suddenly, a sinister voice whispered near my ear as a pair of hand grabbed me again. "Welcome to hell, sweetheart! Now, you’re just a slave of the Shadowmoon Clan… Alpha Kieran’s slave."