Linda Ronstadt Simpsons

Briana George believes she belongs in the Moonveil Pack—a place she calls home. As the daughter of fallen heroes, she looks forward to her eighteenth birthday, expecting to begin Beta training, claim her place in the pack, and build a future with her childhood friend and fated mate, Drake Summer. But destiny doesn't always bring joy. In one night, Briana's dreams are torn apart. Betrayed by Laura, the jealous fiancee Drake was forced to claim, and condemned by Marcus, the very Alpha her parents died protecting, Briana is branded a traitor, demoted from Beta to Omega, and cast out as a rogue. Worst of all, Drake-her mate-rejects her before the entire pack, choosing duty and fear over the bond that should have been unbreakable. Exiled and hunted, Briana escapes with her godmother Linda and a few loyal allies, finding strength, resilience, and the hope of a new family in the wilderness. Still haunted by Drake’s rejection, she soon faces a far greater threat when Morgan, the ruthless Alpha of Shadow Moon, rises to power—and sets his sights on Briana herself. Torn between the past she lost, the bonds she is forging, and the power she is only beginning to claim, Briana stands on the edge of a destiny far greater-and far more dangerous-than she ever imagined. But when the shadows close in and her enemies circle, only one question remains: Will Briana George rise from the ashes to lead, or will she fall prey to the Alphas who would rather see her broken than free?

I've just returned from the world's biggest tech summit when my mentor, who's like a father to me, calls. He tells me he's arranged for me to marry his close friend's son, Jonathan Ford. Jonathan is one of Javron's rising stars. A few of my patents are licensed to his company, and they form the core technology of his new product. I work late to wrap up everything in the lab. Then, I dress up and head to the engagement ceremony. Unexpectedly, I'm stopped at the door by Jonathan's secretary, Linda Jones. She wears a lavish gown and looks more like the bride than I do. "Turn around and scram if you know what's good for you," she says with a sneer. "You're just an orphan from the countryside—think twice about whether you're worthy of our CEO." I ask, "Does Jonathan know you're making decisions for him like this?" She lets out a contemptuous laugh. "You're nothing but a pretty face who needs to ride on her mentor's reputation to get married. How can you possibly understand the weight I carry in Mr. Ford's heart?" A blush spreads across her face as she speaks. I study her for a few seconds, then call Jonathan. "If your idea of courtesy is leaving your fiancee standing outside the venue, then here's how I'll repay the favor. I'll let you read the contract and watch as I sell my patents to your competitor. How does that sound?"

After transferring into an elite high school, I was bullied. However, it was not my classmates that bullied me; it was every object in the school. The private bathroom in my dorm only ran icy cold water when I showered, forcing me to trek to the public bathhouse in the dead of winter. When I begged the dorm supervisor, Mrs. Linda Mercer, to submit a repair request, she rolled her eyes and said, "The students who lived here last year never had this problem. Why is it suddenly broken when you move in?" My student ID card never worked in the library or the cafeteria. Every single time, it failed to scan, and I had to register manually. The multimedia equipment in the classroom froze whenever I touched it, dragging down the entire class schedule. I went to the teachers for help. They frowned and complained instead. "Everyone else can use it just fine. Why does it only malfunction when you do?" Even my deskmate rolled her eyes and mocked me. "You put on such a show every day. You are the only one who's so special. Are we supposed to stop studying just for you?" One strange incident after another completely isolated me at my new school. I cried and begged my parents to let me transfer again. They said, "The college entrance exam is right around the corner. Stop making trouble. Just endure it, and it will pass." I listened. I decided to grit my teeth and push through. Then, on the day of the college entrance exam, the security gate malfunctioned and started leaking electricity. Everyone else was fine. I was the only one who was electrocuted to death on the spot. Until the moment I died, I could not understand why the entire school seemed to be pushing me out. I was just a newly transferred student who had no grudges with anyone. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I arrived to register at the new school.