Chapter 1

SOLANA

"You filthy mutt! How dare you lay your hand on Kamala!" Alpha Elric, my mate, yelled as he kicked me on the ribs over and over again until I was seeing stars.

I curled tighter on the floor trying to protect the life growing inside of me. If he knew that I was carrying his child for the second time, he would beat me halfway to death just to make sure he kills my pup. Apparently, he didn't want trash like me as the mother of his pups. As if it wasn't bad enough that he had rejected me the instant he'd sensed our mate bond.

Kamala, Elric's heavily pregnant mistress, stood beside him with teary eyes, clutching at her bloody nose. I didn't even touch her.

What did I ever do to deserve this?

"Elric, please!" I cried, sobbing as I coughed up blood, wrapping my hands tighter around my middle.

Tara, my best friend, ran to me, throwing herself over me. She didn't let out a sound as Elric's boot connected with her back.

"What are you doing, Tara?! Get away from her!" Elric roared, and she shook her head.

Tara was the old Beta's daughter, the only person who knew I was pregnant again. I knew it was breaking her heart to see me like this, but Elric had always been a brute.

Elric grabbed her by the hair and pulled her off my body, tossing her to his men while she screamed and thrashed.

Kamala's gaze met mine, and she smirked. My heart sank.

Oh no. She knew.

She knew about my pup.

"Elric, darling. The mutt is keeping something from you," she said, her tone sickly sweet.

Elric narrowed his eyes at me. "What is it, bitch? What are you keeping from me?"

I whimpered, shaking my head. His face contorted with rage, and he stormed towards me. He yanked my hair, forcing me to meet his gaze. Then he slapped me, hard.

My head snapped to the side, and Tara screamed for me, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Talk!" He snapped, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

"She's carrying your pup in her rotten womb, darling," Kamala finally said, and all hell broke loose.

My vision blurred as my mate stomped on me repeatedly, agony ripping through me. I could vaguely hear Tara screaming.

I was bleeding. My underwear was soaked with blood.

My baby. My poor baby. I failed you too.

Forgive Mama for not being strong enough. I'm so sorry.

These were my last thoughts before I gave in to the darkness.

...

I awoke to the feeling of a damp towel on my forehead. I groaned, feeling like I'd swallowed cotton.

"Oh, thank the goddess you're awake!" Tara said, and I sighed.

She didn't understand that I wished I was dead.

"How long was I out?" I croaked.

She grimaced. "A week. Elric has been coming here. I barely kept him from you."

Of course, he just couldn't stand me being left alone in peace. He intended to make me pay for his mother's death the only way he knew how. I couldn’t remember the details, but everyone in the pack was certain that I'd committed murder at age seven. Therefore, I had to live every day of my life in penance.

"Today is your sister's wedding to the demon alpha, do you remember? There's a pre-wedding feast going on. The alpha will be here soon," she said, and I stiffened.

The demon alpha.

That name alone was enough to send shivers down my spine. His reputation was shrouded in blood and gore. I couldn't help but be worried about my sister. We were not related by blood. Still, she was the only family I had left.

"Where is Selene?" I asked, pushing myself to a sitting position.

"Looking for me?" I looked up at the sound of a familiar voice.

It was my sister. Her golden curls were pulled up in a beautiful bun, and she was wearing the ceremonial dress.

"You look beautiful," I said, amazed at how well the dress fit.

She folded her arms, looking away from me.

"Well, you look like death," she said.

I lowered my gaze, my fingers curling in the blanket on my lap.

"The least you can do is comfort her! She just lost her baby," Tara hissed, and Selene scoffed.

"She knew what was going to happen when she spread her legs for a mate who rejected her. Why should I feel sorry for her?" She scoffed, and I gulped, feeling like shards of glass had just pierced my heart.

Tara made to rise to her feet, but I held her back, knowing that Tara would undoubtedly slap her across the face if I didn't stop her.

"Why are you here, Selene?" I asked, finally meeting her blue-eyed gaze. She looked away from me again, and my stomach tightened.

Even my own sister couldn't hold eye contact with me.

"You're always so dramatic," she said, running her hand down the wedding gown. "I guess I should be grateful. It must be difficult knowing that you'll never wear something like this."

It hurt because she was right. I was the undesirable one.

"Is that all?" I rasped, and she smiled.

"You know, I almost feel sorry for you," she continued, and Tara bared her teeth at her.

Selene chuckled. "Okay, chill. I'm leaving."

Then she left. Tara growled.

"I don't care that she's your sister, Lana. Someone has to set that bitch straight," she spat, and I smiled weakly.

"I know. I'm just so tired. I'm going back to sleep," I said, gingerly laying down.

Tara sighed, tucking me in.

"It's okay. Get some rest. I'll go ask the pack's healer for something to help with the pain."

I wanted to smile and tell her that there was no need for those. When you've been poisoned with wolfsbane every day of your life since you first shifted at age five, you get used to searing agony.

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relax until sleep pulled me in.

….

"Get up!" A loud angry voice yelled, and cold water was dunked onto my face, soaking my mat. I sat up with a jolt, my gaze meeting Alpha Elric's.

His mud-colored eyes were filled with rage. I knew I was in trouble. Again.

He grabbed me by the forearm and dragged me to my feet, ignoring the whimper that escaped my lips as agony assaulted my brittle bones.

"Where is your sister?!" He roared, and I flinched.

What on Earth was he talking about?

"I-I don't know," I croaked.

His palm collided with my cheek so hard that my head cracked against the wall, blood filling my mouth. I coughed, lifting a hand to my now bleeding nose.

Selene didn't care that she'd put me in trouble. The brat had taken advantage of my unwavering love for her and left me to deal with the mess she'd left behind.

"Answer me, you wench! You planned her escape with her, didn't you?!" He screamed at me, and I froze.

Escape?

Selene was gone?!