Prologue

The air was thick with excitement in the Nightbane Pack. Tonight was not just another gathering. Tonight, Alpha Glein was going to present his Luna before the entire pack.

Alpha Glein raised his hand, and the crowd went silent. "Pack members," he boomed, his voice strong and clear. "Tonight, under the full moon, I announce my Luna. The one who will stand by my side, lead with me, and strengthen our pack." 

Monica stood at the back of the crowd, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. She kept her eyes on Alpha Glein, a soft smile playing on her face.

He was her mate.

The moon goddess had made it known to them just yesterday when she was assigned to clean his chambers.

Remembering that morning brought a faint blush in her cheeks.

She had been there to clean, carrying a bucket of water and rags. As she bent to wipe the floor, a sharp pull hit her gut, like a string yanking her toward his scent. 

He had frozen, his eyes locking on hers. "Mate," he said under his breath.

She had dropped the bucket instantly, like one electrocuted, water spilling everywhere. 

Fear choked her when she saw who she was mated to. 

An Omega like her, mated to the Alpha?

It made no sense. 

"Alpha," she whispered, her voice shaking. "This can't be right. I'm just an Omega. We should reject the bond now and save the pack from shame."

He had stepped closer, his hand gentle on her arm. 

"Reject? No, Monica. The Moon Goddess chose you for me. Status means nothing. You are mine." 

His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket. She couldn't believe it. He pulled her into his arms, kissed her deep, and led her to his bed slowly. He gently undressed her, his touch soft on her skin. His eyes filled with admiration. He didn't mind her shady appearance. 

He had entered her carefully at first, then harder, his groans of pleasure melted her heart. She was happy she could please him. But as he reached his climax, he had withdrawn and spilled his semen on her ass. She had been confused wondering why he didn't release inside her but she dared not ask him.

Omegas do not question Alphas. 

She felt grateful he had even accepted their bond.

And after that, he had declared for the whole pack to gather and that he would be claiming his Luna before them the next day.

Monica's heart swelled with hope as she watched Glein speak. Finally everyone who had overlooked her will see her. Everyone who had mocked her and treated like trash would be forced to acknowledge her as their Luna.

“Before the pack, my mate will be known,” Alpha Glein said, as he addressed the pack.

Monica's wolf whispered the truth over and over. He’s yours. He’s your mate. The Moon Goddess chose him for you.

She clutched her hands together, trembling from the mate bond that pulsed so strong it shook her to her core.

His gaze locked with Monica's and her heart skipped. But just immediately, he shifted his gaze.

“Liora, daughter of Warrior Thorne, you are my choice.”

What? Monica's mouth opened, her heart went cold, her stomach dropped. 

No. This was wrong. He knew they were mates. 

The crowd cheered as Liora stepped forward and took the Alpha's outstretched hand.

Monica pushed forward through the people before she could think. "Alpha Glein," she called out, her voice trembling, “did you make a mistake?”

Heads turned immediately. A hush fell like ice upon the crowd.

“I'm your mate. The bond—we felt it yesterday. You said the Moon Goddess chose me for you.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Alpha Glein’s face twisted into a sneer as he walked towards her with powerful strides, his eyes cold.

"You? My mate?" He laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the night. "Look at you, Monica. A filthy Omega, scrubbing floors and begging for scraps. You think the Moon Goddess would pair me with trash like you?"

She stepped back, shaking her head, tears stinging her eyes. "But you said—”

"I said?" He grabbed her chin hard, forcing her to look up. "You threw yourself at me in my chambers. Desperate little slut, spreading your legs to climb the ranks. You reek of weakness. Your blood is dirty, your family nothing but servants. The pack would fall apart with a worthless bitch like you as Luna.”

The words hit her like punches. Her knees buckled, but he held her up. 

"Please, Alpha," she begged. "The bond is real. You accepted it. We—”

"Accepted?" He shoved her to the ground. Dirt stuck to her dress. "I used you, Omega. That's all. Took your innocence because it was easy. You were just a hole to fill while I waited for a real woman." 

He turned to the pack. "See this? This is what happens when lowborn scum forgets her place. Omegas should always know their place.”

Laughter broke out from some warriors. Monica curled up, sobs shaking her body. The ground felt cold under her. She wanted it to open and swallow her whole.

Alpha Glein nodded to his Beta, Ronan, and his Gamma, Drake. "Teach her a lesson. Since she wants to climb so bad, let her service you both. Right here, in front of everyone.”

Monica's head snapped up as her eyes widened in shock. “No, no, please you can't do that... I'm sorry please.”

Ronan's eyes lit up. "With pleasure, Alpha." He grabbed Monica's arm and yanked her to her feet. Drake took the other side. They tore at her dress, ripping it open. She fought, but they were too strong.

"No, please," she cried. "Stop. Alpha, don't do this. Please tell them to srop.”

But Alpha Glein crossed his arms and watched, a grin on his face. "Go on, boys. Show the pack how we handle whores.”

Ronan pushed her down again, onto her knees. He unbuckled his pants and forced himself into her mouth. She gagged, tears streaming down her face. The pack watched in silence, some cheering, others looking away. Drake waited his turn, then flipped her over and took her from behind, rough and fast. Pain tore through her. She screamed, but no one helped.

Alpha Glein laughed louder. "Look at her squirm. Pathetic. This is your place, Monica—on your back for any man who wants you.”

When they finished, they left her there, broken and bleeding on the dirt. Semen dripped down her thighs. Shame burned her skin.

Alpha Glein walked back to the platform. "Now," he said, pulling Liora close and wrapping his arms around her waist. "My true Luna. The future of our pack." He bared her neck and sank his teeth into her skin, marking her.

The pack roared, cheering, clapping as his mark sealed.

But Monica’s heart split. She clutched her chest, her knees buckling as the invisible bond between her and her mate tore apart.

Still, she lifted her chin, her eyes burning with tears and rage.

“You humiliated me before them all,” she whispered, though her voice carried enough for many to hear. “You rejected the gift of the Moon Goddess. You branded another while I still carried your bond.”

Her wolf howled inside her, broken and furious.

Monica took a step back, then another. No one tried to stop her. They only stared at the pathetic omega who dared to lay claim on the Alpha.

Hate filled her veins, hot and bitter.

“You will regret this, Glein,” she swore, her voice shaking yet sharp as glass. “You and every child born of your bloodline will regret it. If the Moon Goddess gave me pain, I will repay it with destruction.”

The crowd mocked her, some laughing, others scoffing. But Monica turned and ran into the night, her promise burning like a brand inside her soul.

And though no one knew it then, that night planted a curse that would haunt the Alpha’s line for generations.