Chapter 1

I looked at the three people in front of me: my birth father, Alpha Marcus; my birth mother, Luna Elara; and the fake heiress they raised as their own, Grace. My eyes were cold, as if I were looking at strangers.

"Can I help you?"

"Amelia, come home." My mother looked at me, her face a mask of fake pity. "We can arrange some job for you in the pack. Anything is better than... this. Working as a servant."

I froze. My eyes flickered from the diamond necklace at her throat—the showstopper from last month's Vienna auction—to my own bare skin. A servant. That's what she thought I was.

My Beta, Chloe, had insisted I wear the moonstone necklace, but I'd refused.

I like flying under the radar.

"Yes, sister," Grace chimed in, her voice sickly sweet. "Our estate happens to need a gardener. You should come. We'll provide food and lodging, and I'll take care of you."

A gardener?

I had to bite back a laugh. "No, thank you."

My father, Marcus, frowned, his gaze falling on the deep scar that snaked up my wrist.

I got it in prison. From another inmate.

A flicker of… something crossed his face. Guilt? "Amelia, that scar…"

But I had no desire to talk about it. I pulled my hand behind my back. "If you're here to reminisce, save your breath. I'm not interested."

Just then, Grace's eyes suddenly welled up.

"Father..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "Sister won't accept our help. She must still blame me."

She looked up at me, her tear-filled eyes the picture of innocence.

"Sister, I know what happened back then cost you your spot at the Elite Academy, and… and gave you that reputation. I blame myself every day," she choked out. "But you're out now. You can't go on like this. Without the Academy, what kind of good job can you possibly find?"

She sounded so sincere, as if my refusal was a personal attack.

The same old trick. I was so tired of it. I turned to leave.

But my mother, Elara, blocked my path.

"Grace is just trying to help you!"

"Your father and I made that decision. If you're going to hate someone, hate us! Don't take it out on an innocent girl!"

My patience snapped. "Move."

My mother flinched, and Grace burst into full-blown sobs.

My parents quickly pulled her behind them. "Amelia!"

They frowned at me, waiting for an apology, just like they always did.

But I just turned and walked away without a backward glance.

My mother's raised voice followed me. "That ruling was for the good of the pack! Your father and I weren't favoring Grace. The evidence was right there. As leaders, we couldn't play favorites…"

My father added with a sigh, "Amelia, no matter what, the Silver Moon Pack will always be your home."

Home?

A sarcastic smile touched my lips.

I stopped wanting a home a long time ago.

"Alpha."

Chloe walked over with a glass of wine, glancing curiously at the trio.

"I saw you from across the room. Isn't that the Alpha family from the Silver Moon Pack? Do you know them?"

I didn't answer.

Chloe’s expression brightened. "This could be a good opportunity. I heard they're here looking for an alliance and a match for Grace. Silver Moon has been declining, but they're still powerful. They control resources in the three western states. If we could form an alliance with them…"

"No alliance."

I downed the wine in my glass.

"Why not?" Chloe asked, confused. "The opportunity is right in front of us."

I watched the hem of Grace's white dress disappear around a corner, a cold smile on my lips.

"Chloe, does a queen beg for an alliance with a pretender?"

Chloe's eyes went wide. "What?!"