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.

This wasn’t happening. This was a nightmare.

cruel invitation to witness my

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

no

feel so much better

a thousand pieces. Each word was a

well. “Better than that pathetic omega sister of mine,

know what to do

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

rough. “Don’t mention

Valerie’s fingers traced his spine like she owned him. “After

could never satisfy

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

gunshot.

was that?”

Rage I’d never felt before. My foot connected with the door. It crashed

HELL IS

Gabriel nearly fell off the bed scrambling for his pants. Valerie just sat up. Didn’t even

went white.

“Explain how you’re

“It’s not what you

think-”

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

You really

sympathy. “How cute.”

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But his voice was

“That Mom and Dad have known about us for months? That they practically threw me at Gabriel because they were embarrassed by

spun.

her hair. “Why don’t you go home

with our

finally got his pants on. “This doesn’t have

toward him. He

down,” he said. His grip was tight. Bruising. “Think about

worse.”

his eyes. Eyes that had whispered promises just days ago. Now

go of me,” I

“Sera-”

“LET GO OF ME!”

I burst through our front door. Victor and

table between

no surprise at my tear-stained

My voice was

down.” Victor’s voice was ice. “Yes, we know about Gabriel and

is their engagement

to Valerie. They hope you’ll attend as

the beautiful invitation. Gabriel and Valerie’s names in

My voice cracked. “Why would you do this

his feet. Backhanded me across the face.

but an abandoned child we took in out of pity. What

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