Chapter One

Freda’s POV

I woke up with a scream that tore through my room, my hand clamped tight around my thigh. A sharp, burning pain shot through it, pinning me to the bed. I twisted helplessly, each movement sending another wave of agony up my leg.

What’s happening?

A hard knock slammed against the door—my scream had clearly drawn attention. I tried to push myself up, but the pain sliced through me like fire. A shaky gasp slipped out as my thoughts scattered. All I could do was writhe, each breath sharp and punishing.

The door rattled again. Someone tried to force it open, but the lock held.

“Can you find a spare key?” Jenny’s voice trembled outside, panic barely contained.

Footsteps shuffled frantically—probably the maids searching.

“Do you think something happened to Freda? Today of all days?” Nina’s voice shook.

Today.

My wedding day.

The day I was meant to marry Adrian Waters—my mate, the man I’d loved for as long as I could remember. Images flickered behind my eyelids: flowers, vows, a future we whispered about late into the night. A daughter with my silver hair. A son with his brown eyes. Two pups—our little family.

But then another searing ache tore through me, shattering every soft dream. I groaned, eyes squeezing shut.

What was happening to me?

Just last night, I’d fallen asleep smiling—thinking of Adrian at the altar, thinking of forever. I’d even drunk in celebration of turning eighteen.

Of finally reaching the age that would free me from this house.

The door crashed open and footsteps hurried toward me. Someone grabbed my wrist where it pressed against my thigh.

“What happened?” Jenny whispered—her voice calm on the surface, trembling underneath.

Words refused to come. My mind felt foggy; only the fire in my thigh felt real.

Her fingers brushed my hand—and suddenly, a cool breeze washed over my skin.

The pain softened into a warm, tingling ache.

Slowly, I lifted my head. Jenny knelt beside me, Nina hovering behind her, and two Omega maids standing near the doorway. Jenny’s eyes widened when she realized I was conscious.

“Freda, what happened? You scared me,” she breathed.

It was the first time she’d ever sounded like she cared. Was she afraid something would happen to her personal maid?

My heartbeat thudded unevenly. The sharp pain melted into a strange tingling. I pushed her hand away and lifted mine from my thigh.

My breath froze.

A bold crimson mark sat on my skin—a tiny dragon curling inside it, its wings shimmering as though alive.

A scream ripped out of me. I didn’t even realize it was mine until Nina grabbed my shoulders.

My hand flew to the mark, scratching at it, trying desperately to scrape it off. Skin peeled under my nails, streaks of blood smearing the dragon.

Jenny’s sharp voice sliced through my screams. “Get away from her, Nina. That’s a curse.”

Nina jerked back as though scalded. “A curse?”

Jenny wrinkled her nose and backed away until her spine touched the door. She pulled Nina with her—her precious daughter.

“Have you ever seen a wolf with a dragon’s mark? This must be a curse from the moon goddess.”

My gaze dropped to the mark.

A curse.

My heart tightened until breathing hurt. I clutched the bedsheet with one hand while the other hovered above the dragon.

The Omegas whispered from the doorway, inching away from me.

“How unlucky… cursed on her wedding day?”

“Maybe the moon goddess is warning the pack.”

I always knew not everyone liked that I was mated to the future Alpha. But Jenny had cared, once.

I remembered the one moment she held my face close and whispered, “This is the first time I don’t regret raising you.”

It was the first—and last—time.

“Shut up!” Jenny snapped, silencing the maids instantly. “No one speaks of this. Do you understand? Not a word until after the ceremony.”

They nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am.”

She turned to Nina.

“You too.”

Nina swallowed hard.

Tears stung my eyes. “But Mom…” My voice cracked. I’d always wanted to call her Mom, but she insisted I called her Jenny.

I never knew my real mother.

“It’s going to be fine,” she said, though she kept her distance. “We’ll break the curse. I promise. But right now, don’t think about that. Focus on getting married to your mate.”

I nodded weakly, confusion twisting through me.

Why me? Why today?

Jenny straightened. “You two—get everything ready for the ceremony.”

One of the Omegas, Sarah, shook her head. “Ma’am… I don’t want to get cursed too.”

“Shut up!” Jenny snapped. “Say that again and you’ll regret it.”

The maids bowed. “We’re sorry.”

Without another word to me—not even a glance—Jenny and Nina left. The Omegas hurried after them.

“We’re sorry, Freda,” one whispered. “We just… don’t want the curse.”

Their voices faded until the room was painfully silent.

---

I spent longer than necessary getting dressed. My palm slid over the blue dress I designed myself—perfect fit, perfect curves, perfect slit…

A slit that now felt like a curse.

It stopped at my thigh, exposing the mark burning beneath my skin.

I tugged the fabric closed, but a small breeze lifted it again.

Damn it.

If only I could cover it or pin the slit shut. My gaze darted around my workshop. The tables were pushed against the wall, and a baby-blue plastic container sat on one of them, filled with my needles, threads, and buttons.

If a pin existed anywhere, it had to be in there.

I rushed to the table, flipped open the lid, and rummaged through the contents with trembling hands.

Nothing.

A knock hit the door. I froze.

“Are you done?” Nina’s voice drifted in. I didn’t answer. She should’ve been here helping me on the biggest day of my life.

“Freda? Are you alright?” Her voice softened.

Anger flared hot. I stomped toward the door and yanked it open.

Nina didn’t step in. Her gaze dropped to my slit—my thigh—and something flickered in her eyes before she stepped back.

“Everyone’s waiting at the hall,” she murmured. “You’re late.”

My jaw tightened.

Maybe I wouldn’t be late if someone had cared enough to help me.

“I’m not going anywhere until I fix this slit.”

I turned back to the table.

Nina sighed. A sharp whistling sound hit my ears—and before I could turn, two muscular arms clamped around me.

“Stop it!” I screamed.

“Enough of the delay. Get her to the hall immediately,” Nina commanded, her voice smooth as butter.

They dragged me like I weighed nothing. My screams were ignored. My feet kicked wildly.

But instead of turning right toward the hall—they turned left.

My eyes widened. “Hey! This is not the way to the hall!”

They didn’t answer.

Like moving walls, they hauled me to the dungeon door. Before I could protest, they shoved me inside and dusted their hands as if ridding themselves of dirt.

I scrambled up and ran to the door, shaking it violently. “Nina! What is the meaning of this? My wedding is not happening here!”

Nina stood calmly on the other side of the bars.

“Mother believes you no longer have what it takes to represent our family,” she said coldly. “It has been decided. I will be marrying Adrian.”