Chapter 1

When disaster struck, my parents grabbed my foster sister and her doll, leaving me forgotten inside the silver cage in the basement.

Curled up in a corner, I could hear the sounds of celebration from upstairs.

Tonight was the full-moon awakening ceremony. My foster sister Emma would undergo her first transformation under the moonlight. Even though I had turned 18 as well—the age of awakening—I was left imprisoned here, locked away in a silver cage.

The silver bars scorched my skin, suppressing my inner wolf clawing to break free.

“Hurry! The Blood Moon is coming!” James, the pack's Beta, could be heard yelling from above.

The Blood Moon Eclipse, a once-in-a-century event, could drive any werewolf out of control.

“Everyone to the safehouse! Now!” My father’s command sounded across the entire place.

Panicked footsteps thundered overhead.

“Darling, where’s Emma?” It was my mother’s anxious voice.

“Mom, Dad, I’m here!” Emma’s sweet voice rang out.

I pounded the silver cage with all my strength. “Dad! Mom! Take me with you! I’m still in the basement!”

The silver burned my palms, and blood dripped from my hands.

Suddenly, I heard Emma’s voice. “Wait, she hasn’t come out yet…”

My heart skipped a beat, and tears sprang forth before I could stop them. She remembered me!

“I’ll go get her!”

I heard my father’s footsteps heading for the basement.

My whole body trembled with hope. “Dad! I’m here!”

The footsteps stopped at the stairwell, then turned into the storage room. Moments later, he rushed out holding something.

“Found it!” he called out loud.

Then came my mother’s gentle voice. “Oh, thank goodness. You found Emma’s precious wolf doll.”

“Hurry! The Blood Moon is almost here!” an elder urged.

From inside the silver cage, my voice cracked with rage. “I’m no worse than a toy! I’m your daughter! Don’t leave me behind!”

Still, only receding footsteps and the oncoming roar of the Blood Moon answered me.

I collapsed onto the floor, the truth finally crashing over me.

The 'she' Emma had spoken of was her wolf doll. How could I have forgotten? To them, I was worth less than Emma’s toy.

The full-moon ceremony had never been meant for me.

Three days ago, my mother had excitedly prepared the ritual items. I said in a low, careful voice, “I’m 18 this year too. It should be my time to awaken as well.”

My father did not even look at me. “Do you even have a wolf? Emma’s gift is stronger. She goes first.”

“But I’m your real daughter…”

“Emma may be adopted, but she’s shown signs of being a White Wolf since she was little. You’re too weak," my mother cut me off.

I begged through my tears, saying I was willing to risk it. I even knelt, promising that if they let me participate, I would give every resource to Emma afterward.

They exchanged a glance before my father replied impatiently, “Enough. Stop causing trouble. Stay in the basement until Emma’s ritual is over.”

My mother added with a pretense of concern, “The silver cage is for your own safety. What if you lose control?”

Then, James locked me in. They had never intended for me to awaken from the start—even though I was their blood and even though Alpha blood flowed in my veins. It was all because Emma—their foster child—was prettier, more likable, and more 'gifted'.

I, the true daughter, deserved to be forgotten.

The red glow of the Blood Moon slipped through the cracks in the basement ceiling.

Something inside me was tearing free. It was my inner wolf struggling against the silver’s suppression!

With a thunderous crash, the basement ceiling began to collapse. The Blood Moon’s power shook the entire territory. A massive stone slammed into the silver cage, and darkness swallowed me whole.