Unwanted mate:The Alpha’s priceless Luna

Sera’s Point of View“Now this is entertainment! The Alpha’s daughter, fetching drinks like she’s earning her keep. What’s next, shining our shoes?” a woman laughed.Then another replied to her comment. “Well, isn’t this rich? Alpha Thorne’s little girl reduced to serving wine. Should we tip her, or would that be insulting royalty?”My face burned, but I didn’t turn around. Just kept walking, careful not to spill.Goddess, those chandeliers. Way too freaking bright—felt like they were drilling holes straight into my skull.Music blasted from hidden speakers, bass shaking the floor. Laughter, perfume, expensive fabric rustling. The ballroom glowed gold and white, glittering like a dream. Just not mine.I wove through the crowd, clutching another bottle of wine, filling glass after glass while people spun around me. Lydia Axton’s birthday party. Of course.My sister—my perfect sister—was glowing in silk and diamonds. Every time she moved, the room followed. She didn’t have to say a word

Sera's Point of ViewWe just stared to each other, both of us refusing to blink first.Kade looked like hell—shirt hanging open, Lydia’s nails marks running down his chest, hair sticking up like he’d been electrocuted. Lips all puffy. There was no hiding what he'd just done. Hell, he looked proud of it.And the worst part? He didn’t even bother with excuses. Not a word. Not an “I’m sorry,” not even some half-assed attempt at a lie. The fucking bastard just stood there, watching me come apart like it was a spectator sport.My voice sounded like glass breaking. “Why?”He shrugged. Seriously. Like I’d just asked if he wanted fries with that betrayal.Tears burned their way down my cheeks, hot and humiliating. I turned to Lydia, hoping for, I don’t know, something less painful. “You’re my sister. My freaking sister. How could you—”She laughed. Laughed. Like I was the punchline to the world’s dumbest joke. “Oh, Sera, you look so tragic when you cry. Your face goes all blotchy—did you know

Sera’s Point of ViewI needed out. Just—air. Anything but these four stupid walls that smelled like my own tears and sweat and failure. My legs felt like jelly as I stood, but I shoved myself toward the door. Just a walk, I told myself. Just enough to breathe and maybe figure out what the hell I’m supposed to do now.My hand barely brushed the doorknob when—bam—it swung open. Kade barreled in, wild-eyed, chest heaving like he’d just outrun a pack of wolves.I stepped back. “What are you—?”“You’re in danger.” He spit the words out, almost like he was choking on them.I just stared. “What?”“Sera, listen—” He grabbed my shoulders. Instinct took over and I yanked away.“Don’t touch me.”“You have to listen—they’re going to—”And then footsteps. Big ones, moving fast, pounding down the hall.Kade’s head snapped toward the sound, pure panic on his face. “Shit. Shit.”“Kade, what’s—”He didn’t answer. Just rushed to the window, flinging it open so hard it rattled. Night air slapped me in t

Sera's Point of ViewI opened my mouth to scream but a hand slammed over it first.The darkness was total. The kind where you can't even see your own hand in front of your face. My back crashed into stone, cold, rough, and something held me there.Someone.The arm around my waist felt like steel.I thrashed like a wild animal. Kicked back hard enough that my heel connected with shin, but the grip didn't loosen. If anything, it tightened. Like being caught in a bear trap.Then I saw them.Eyes.They materialized out of the blackness—glowing amber, predatory, ancient. Not human. Definitely not human. They pinned me in place worse than the hands holding me, stripping away every defense until I felt naked. Exposed.Prey.My body knew it before my brain caught up. Every instinct screamed run but I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.Something massive shifted in the darkness. I felt it—the sheer size of whatever had me. The heat pouring off a body that radiated power and danger in equal measur

Damon's Point of ViewI gave up looking for her around dawn. Tracked her scent as far as I could, but it just... disappeared. Like she'd vanished into thin air or something.Frustrating as hell.By the time I got back home in the pack, the sun was already climbing and I was in a shit mood. Lost my mate. Got into it with Mother. Spent half the night wandering around like an idiot.Great start to the day.I barely made it through the front door before Giselle came flying at me."Damon! You're back!" She grabbed my arm, practically bouncing. "Oh my goddess, you will not believe what happened last night. I helped someone! Well, the fireflies did, but I directed them so it counts—""Giselle. Coffee first. Talking second." I tried to move past her toward the kitchen.She followed anyway. Of course she did."No, you have to hear this. So I was in my room doing the firefly meditation thing, you know how I practice expanding my range? And I picked up this girl, completely lost in the forest ne