Chapter 1

_Leah's POV_

Today was my eighteenth birthday. For most werewolves, it is the day we look forward to our entire lives—the day we first shift into our wolf. It is supposed to be magical, exciting, and life-changing. But for me, it was just another day. I was Leah, the omega, the one no one cared about. I was an orphan. I lost my parents when I was young in an accident. This only made things worse. I was used to feeling alone, forgotten by everyone in Alpha Kayden’s pack.

Everyone treated me lowly because I was an omega. I had to do all the chores, clean, cook, serve, and take care of the pack house. The pack members barely noticed me unless they needed something. Their eyes were always filled with pity or, worse, disdain. But I had gotten used to it. It didn’t matter how they treated me—I found my happiness in the little things. And today, even if no one remembered it was my birthday, I held onto the thought that tonight I would shift for the first time. That was enough to keep me going.

I headed to the kitchen early in the morning to prepare breakfast for Alpha Kayden. He liked pancakes, and they had to be perfect. I was focused, flipping the pancakes just the way he liked them, when Selena, the Alpha’s girlfriend, walked in. She was beautiful, confident, and everyone in the pack admired her. But to me, she was a nightmare.

"Make me a coffee," she demanded, her voice sharp.

I quickly moved to prepare her coffee. I handed her the cup, hoping it would be to her liking. But as soon as she took a sip, her face twisted in disgust.

"You didn’t add sugar, you stupid bitch," she snapped. Before I could apologize, she threw the hot coffee onto my hands.

I gasped in pain as the liquid burned my skin, but I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. Complaining to Alpha Kayden would do no good—he would never believe me. He would always side with Selena. So I just bit my lip and endured it.

"Hurry up and bring breakfast to us," she said, her voice dripping with irritation as she walked away, leaving me standing there with red, burning hands.

After a moment, I took a deep breath and continued cooking. When the pancakes were done, I brought them out to the dining room. As I entered, I saw Selena sitting on Kayden’s lap, kissing him deeply. They looked so happy, so in love. For a moment, I wondered if the Moon Goddess would bless me with a mate. Would he love me? Would he treat me with kindness, unlike everyone else in this pack?

My thoughts were interrupted when Selena pulled away from Kayden’s kiss and glared at me. "What are you staring at? Do you want to take a picture?" she sneered. "Get out of here."

I hurried away, my face flushing with embarrassment. I finished my work quietly, avoiding the other pack members as I went about my duties.

In the afternoon, Fred, the Beta, approached me. "Leah, the Alpha’s room is a mess. Clean it up before he comes back from his meeting," he ordered.

"Yes, Beta," I responded quietly and went to clean the Alpha’s room. It was a disaster—clothes everywhere, papers scattered, the bed unmade. It took me hours to tidy it up, but I didn’t mind. Cleaning was what I was used to. It was the one thing I could do without anyone yelling at me.

By the time I was nearly finished, the sun had set. The Moon was high in the sky, casting a soft glow into the room through the large windows. I glanced at the clock—it was already eight. I hadn’t set the table for dinner yet. Alpha Kayden would be furious if the table wasn’t ready when he returned.

Just as I was about to hurry out of the room, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I doubled over, gasping. The pain spread quickly, my joints cracking, my muscles tightening. I knew instantly what this was—my first shift. My wolf was coming out. I was finally shifting.

My body convulsed, bones snapping and reforming. White fur sprouted on my arms, and I felt my body stretching and changing. It was excruciating, but at the same time, there was a strange sense of release, of freedom. After what felt like an eternity, I had fully shifted into my wolf. I glanced down at my paws, surprised at how beautiful and strong my wolf was.

Suddenly, I heard a deep voice behind me. "Who are you?"

I turned to see Alpha Kayden standing in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock. He must have come back from his meeting and found me in his room. But before I could even think about what to do, something else hit me—a scent.

It was intoxicating, a mix of pine and fresh rain, warm and comforting yet powerful. My wolf stirred restlessly, and then I heard her whisper in my mind, "Mate."

My heart stopped. No. This wasn’t possible. Alpha Kayden? My mate? The Moon Goddess couldn’t have made such a mistake. I was an omega, a lowly servant. There was no way an Alpha could be mated to someone like me. It couldn’t be real.

Kayden’s eyes were wide as he stepped closer to me. "You’re… my mate," he said, his voice low, almost in disbelief.

I started to panic. This couldn’t be happening. I wasn’t ready for this. How could I, an omega, be his mate? What would the pack say? What would Selena do?

Kayden took another step toward me, his eyes softening as if he was trying to understand. "Leah…"

I couldn’t handle it. I was very scared and before I knew it, I turned and ran. My wolf instincts took over, and I jumped through the open window, landing softly on the ground outside. I ran into the night, the cool air rushing through my fur, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn’t face him. Not like this.

What was I going to do now?