Chapter 1

Seraphina’s POV 1

9:00 P.M.

I dragged myself down the cobblestone path. My body ached. My feet hurt. But my heart was singing.

“Just a few more hours,” I whispered. “Until tonight.”

Tonight was everything. No more going back to that house. No more pretending they were family.

I’d already asked for time off work. My boss spat at me. Called me lazy. Typical. Omegas always got the worst treatment.

But I didn’t care tonight.

I was going to Gabriel’s. My boyfriend. Soon-to-be fiancé.

Tomorrow was the Lunar Assembly. Sacred ceremony. Wolves finding their mates under the Moon Goddess. Tomorrow was also my

eighteenth birthday. Finally old enough.

Gabriel promised we’d bond tomorrow. I could escape forever.

Gabriel. Rich. Gorgeous. An Alpha’s brother. Sure, I was just an omega. But Gabriel said bloodlines didn’t matter. Love mattered.

I practically skipped toward his house. My heart hammered with excitement. Beautiful stone building in the center of town. So much

better than our pathetic wooden shack. Soon I’d live here. With Gabriel. Forever.

I knocked eagerly.

Nothing.

My smile faltered. That’s… odd. Gabriel said he’d be waiting. He promised.

I tried the handle. Unlocked. Relief flooded through me. He must be inside. Maybe preparing a surprise?

“Gabriel? It’s me!” I called out cheerfully.

Silence.

Wait. What was that? Sounds from upstairs. My heart lifted again. He was home after all.

Then I heard it clearly.

Laughter.

Female laughter.

Moaning.

My world stopped spinning. No. No, that couldn’t be-

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The sounds grew louder. Clearer. Destroying me with every breath.

Gasps. Bed springs creaking. A voice that made my soul shatter.

Gabriel… right

Valerie. My stepsister.

wasn’t happening. This was a nightmare. I’d wake up

hung slightly open. Like a cruel invitation to

Moving. Valerie’s pale body beneath him. Her golden hair fanned across his pillow like a victory

no no

better

thousand pieces. Each word was

knew so well. “Better than

what to do with

left my lungs. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Could only feel the agony ripping

“Don’t

like she owned him.

could never satisfy

backward, gasping for air. My shoulder slammed into the wall. The sound echoed

gunshot.

that?” Valerie

wolf surged forward. Rage I’d never felt before. My foot connected

THE HELL

fell off the bed scrambling for his pants. Valerie just sat up.

Gabriel went white. “I can

My voice cracked. “Explain how you’re

“It’s not what you

think-”

WHAT I THINK!” Tears streamed down my face. “You lying, cheating

for Gabriel’s shirt. “Oh, sister dear. You really thought he’d choose you?” She tilted her

sympathy. “How cute.”

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But his voice

truth?” Valerie stood up slowly. “That Mom and Dad have known about us for months? That they practically

spun.

Ran her fingers through her hair. “Why don’t you go home and ask them? I’m

with our

got his pants on. “This doesn’t have to change anything between us.

toward him. He caught

need to calm down,” he said. His grip was tight. Bruising. “Think about your position. Your family. You don’t

worse.”

into his eyes. Eyes that had whispered promises just

of me,”

“Sera-”

“LET GO OF ME!”

front door. Victor and

table

showed no surprise

voice was barely

ice. “Yes, we know about Gabriel and Valerie. We

picked up the invitation. Held it out. “This is their engagement

hope

beautiful invitation. Gabriel and Valerie’s names in gold. The

would you do this

the face.

abandoned child we took in out of pity. What right do you have

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