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…

Valerie. My stepsister.

it. This wasn’t happening. This was a nightmare.

a cruel invitation to witness

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

no no

feel so much better

a thousand pieces. Each word

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

even know what to do with a real

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Could

voice was rough. “Don’t

fingers traced his spine like she owned him. “After tomorrow, she’ll know exactly where

never satisfy

blow. I stumbled backward, gasping for air. My

gunshot.

was that?” Valerie

My foot connected with the door.

HELL IS

fell off the bed scrambling for

white.

My voice cracked. “Explain how you’re screwing my

“It’s not what you

think-”

WHAT I THINK!” Tears streamed down my

Gabriel’s shirt. “Oh, sister dear. You

sympathy. “How cute.”

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Gabriel warned. But his voice

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

spun.

hair. “Why don’t

our

pants on. “This doesn’t have to change anything between us. We can still

I lunged toward him. He

Bruising. “Think about your position. Your

worse.”

that had whispered

of me,”

“Sera-”

“LET GO OF ME!”

ran. I burst through our front door. Victor and Elizabeth sat calmly in the living room.

table between

showed no surprise

knew?” My voice

was ice. “Yes, we know

the invitation. Held it out. “This is their engagement announcement. Tomorrow at the Lunar Assembly, Gabriel

Valerie. They hope you’ll attend as

names in

My voice cracked. “Why would you do this to

the face. Hard.

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

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