The morning light streamed through the kitchen windows as I carefully placed the last strawberry on top of the chocolate cake. Three years. Three whole years since I'd been bound to Austin as his chosen mate, and today I wanted everything to be perfect.

I stepped back to admire my work. The cake looked beautiful—Austin's favorite dark chocolate with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of honey. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted the single candle in the center.

"Is that for Alpha Austin?" Elena, one of the pack's cooks, asked as she passed by. Her eyes held that familiar mixture of pity and curiosity that I'd grown accustomed to over the years.

"Yes," I replied softly, unable to suppress the small smile that formed on my lips. "Today marks three years since our bonding ceremony."

Elena's eyebrows rose. "Three years already? Time flies." She glanced around before leaning closer. "You know, I've never seen an Alpha treat an Omega so... attentively before."

I nodded, my heart warming at her words. It was true. Despite my wolfless status—a defect that earned me constant whispers and sidelong glances—Austin had been nothing but tender toward me. His Alpha aura, once volatile and dangerous, had stabilized remarkably since our union. The pack whispered it was because of me.

"I sometimes wonder if maybe I'm not so defective after all," I confessed quietly. "Maybe I'm just... late in blooming."

Elena smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Perhaps." She turned away, busying herself with the morning bread. "Though I've never heard of an Omega's wolf awakening after twenty."

I swallowed the familiar lump in my throat and carefully covered the cake. Twenty-three now, and still wolfless. Still an Omega. Still the object of pity and scorn.

But Austin made me feel like none of that mattered.

I carried the cake carefully through the pack house corridors, my heart fluttering with anticipation. Three years ago, when Whitney fled her arranged mating with Austin, I'd been thrust into her place as a political substitute. I'd expected cruelty, indifference—the treatment I'd received all my life from my adoptive family in the Blood Moon Pack.

Instead, Austin had surprised everyone. His possessive attention, his protective Alpha aura constantly surrounding me, his tender words in private moments... they made me believe that perhaps the Moon Goddess had a different plan for me after all.

His office door stood slightly ajar when I reached it. I balanced the cake in one hand and reached for the door with the other, pausing when I heard his voice inside.

"—has worked perfectly, Marcus." Austin's voice was low, controlled. "Three years of playing the devoted mate, and now Whitney's finally returned."

I froze, my fingers an inch from the door.

"Are you certain she'll fall for it?" Marcus asked, his Beta tone respectful but questioning.

Austin's laugh was cold, nothing like the warm sound I'd grown to love. "She's always been jealous of attention given to others. Three years of watching me fawn over Kya—an Omega no less—was exactly the push she needed."

My breath caught in my throat.

"And Kya never suspected?" Marcus asked.

"Why would she? She's nothing but a convenient pawn. A wolfless Omega with no real value beyond political alliance." Austin's voice dripped with disdain. "The perfect tool to make Whitney jealous enough to return from that pathetic Midnight Pack."

The cake slipped from my suddenly numb fingers, landing with a soft thud on the carpet outside his door. I barely noticed.

"The plan worked better than expected," Austin continued. "My pack's territory has nearly doubled in size during these three years. And now that Whitney's back, I can finally have what I've always wanted."

"And Kya?" Marcus asked.

"She'll understand her place soon enough. An Omega is an Omega—useful for some things, but never meant to stand beside an Alpha permanently."

I pressed my hand against my mouth to stifle the sob building in my chest. Three years. Three years of tender touches, of whispered promises, of making me believe I mattered.

A lie. All of it.

Before I could retreat, a piercing wail cut through the air—the pack's alert system. Footsteps thundered down the corridor behind me.

"Alpha!" A young Delta burst around the corner. "The Midnight Pack delegation has arrived at the gates!"

Austin's office door swung open fully, and his eyes—those eyes I'd gazed into countless times—widened slightly at the sight of me standing there, the cake at my feet.

"Kya," he started, his expression shifting to the mask of tenderness I now recognized as false.

But I didn't stay to hear more. I turned and fled toward the pack square where everyone was gathering.

In the center stood Whitney—my adoptive sister, the beautiful ranked she-wolf who had always had everything I didn't. Her perfect blonde hair gleamed in the sunlight as she smiled triumphantly at Austin.

"Austin," she purred, her scent—deliberately enhanced with something floral and alluring—wafting across the square.

Austin's entire demeanor changed. The cold calculation I'd heard in his voice moments ago vanished, replaced by something warm and genuine as he strode forward.

"Whitney," he breathed, his Alpha aura flaring protectively around her. "You've finally come home."

I stood frozen at the edge of the square, watching as he embraced her—the same embrace he'd given me just this morning.

"Kya." His voice cut through the crowd like ice when he finally acknowledged me. The warmth vanished, replaced by the commanding Alpha tone that no wolf could disobey. "Return to your duties in the Omega quarters. Whitney will be taking your place in the Alpha suite."

The pack watched in silence as I lowered my eyes, submitting to his command even as my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

The morning after Whitney's return, I found myself back in the Omega quarters—a stark contrast to the Alpha suite I'd occupied for three years. The small, sparsely furnished room felt even colder than I remembered.

I was arranging my few belongings when the door burst open. Whitney stood there, her perfect blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, her ranked aura filling the tiny space.

"Still here, Kya?" she asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I thought you'd have learned your place by now."

I kept my eyes downcast, the way I'd been taught since childhood. "I'm just putting my things away."

"Good." She stepped closer, her artificial floral scent overwhelming my senses. "Because Austin wants to see us both in the main living area. Now."

I followed her through the corridors, keeping a safe distance behind. The pack members we passed averted their eyes from me—the fallen "fake Luna"—but nodded respectfully to Whitney.

When we entered the living area, Austin was standing by the window, his powerful frame silhouetted against the light. He turned as we entered, his eyes immediately finding Whitney.

"There you are," he said, his voice warm in a way it had never been with me—not even during our three years together.

"Alpha," Whitney purred, her scent intensifying as she approached him. "I've brought the Omega."

Austin's gaze flickered to me, cold and distant. "Kya. The floor needs cleaning. Now."

I stared at him in disbelief. The floor was spotless—I'd cleaned it myself just yesterday.

"But—" I began.

"Now." His Alpha tone brooked no argument.

Whitney's laugh tinkled like breaking glass as she deliberately tracked mud across the pristine floor. "Oops," she said with mock innocence.

I swallowed my pride and retrieved the cleaning supplies. As I knelt on the hard floor, scrubbing around their feet, Whitney made a show of draping herself across Austin's lap.

"You know," she said loudly enough for me to hear, "I've missed this so much. Being where I belong."

Austin stroked her hair, his eyes never leaving her face. "You should never have left."

I kept my head down, focusing on breathing through the pain of their words.

---

Days later, I woke with a start, my stomach twisting in familiar agony. The cramps had begun again—sharp, stabbing pains that left me doubled over and weak.

Another fever. The third this week.

I dragged myself to the kitchen, hoping to find something bland to settle my stomach. Elena frowned with concern as I leaned against the counter.

"You don't look well, Kya," she said quietly. "Let me make you some broth."

I nodded gratefully, watching as she prepared a simple meal. "Thank you."

"It's nothing," she replied, glancing nervously toward the door. "Though you should be careful. Whitney's been spending a lot of time in the kitchens lately."

Something in her tone made me pause. "What do you mean?"

Elena hesitated, then leaned closer. "I've seen her... adding something to your food. I couldn't tell what it was."

My blood ran cold. Whitney knew about my sensitivity to wolfsbane—a weakness that ran in wolfless Omegas. Even small amounts could cause severe reactions.

"You're sure?" I whispered.

Elena nodded. "Be careful what you eat."

Too late. The broth was already making me feel worse.

---

That evening, I served dinner to the pack members gathered in the main hall. My hands trembled as I placed plates before each ranked wolf, my vision blurring from fever.

"Look at her," a Delta sneered to his companion. "Pale as death and shaking like a leaf. Pathetic."

Laughter rippled through the lower ranks as I moved to the next table.

"Can't even hold a plate steady," another commented. "No wonder she's just an Omega."

I kept moving, one foot in front of the other, though each step felt like walking through quicksand.

Suddenly, a ferocious growl reverberated through the hall—so intense it made the glasses on the table rattle. Conversation died instantly.

Austin stood rigidly at the head table, his eyes flashing amber as his wolf forced its way to the surface.

"Enough," his wolf's voice rumbled, the sound barely human.

Whitney's hand flew to her throat. "Austin?"

But the growl wasn't directed at her. His wolf was staring directly at me, at the mocking Delta who had spoken loudest.

The pack froze in stunned silence.

Then Austin blinked, his human consciousness reasserting control. He cleared his throat, pushing his wolf back down.

"It's nothing," he said dismissively. "The Omega is obviously unwell. Her weakness is... disappointing."

Whitney pouted prettily. "She's ruining dinner with her sickly presence."

"Agreed," Austin replied, not even looking at me. "Kya, leave. You're making everyone uncomfortable."

I stood there for a moment longer, watching as Austin's wolf continued to struggle beneath the surface—fighting against his human arrogance, demanding respect for me.

But Austin won the battle, as he always did.

"Did you hear me?" he snapped. "Get out."

I turned and walked from the hall, my legs barely supporting me, wondering why Austin's wolf would defend me when he himself could not—or would not.

The Blood Moon Pack's annual Moon Festival was approaching, and the air buzzed with excitement. For others, that is. For me, it meant more humiliation to endure.

I stood before the mirror in my tiny Omega quarters, trying to ignore the dark circles under my eyes. The wolfsbane Whitney had been slipping into my food had taken its toll—my skin was pale, my limbs weak. But I couldn't refuse to attend. The festival was mandatory for all pack members.

"Kya." A harsh voice cut through my thoughts. "Alpha Judson wants to see you in his office. Now."

I nodded at the messenger, a young Delta who couldn't quite hide his pity. "Thank you. I'll go right away."

The walk to Alpha Judson's office felt longer than usual, my poisoned body protesting each step. When I arrived, I kept my eyes lowered, as I'd been taught since childhood.

"You wanted to see me, Alpha?" I asked softly.

"Look at me when I speak to you," he commanded.

I raised my eyes to meet his cold gaze. My adoptive father—the man who had never shown me anything but contempt.

"The Moon Festival is tomorrow night," he said, circling me slowly. "You will attend as a servant, showcasing the strength of our alliance with the Silvermane Pack."

"I understand," I replied.

"Do you?" He stopped directly in front of me. "You understand that you are nothing but a pawn in my political game? That your entire purpose is to serve this pack's interests?"

I swallowed hard. "Yes, Alpha."

"Good." His hand shot out suddenly, striking me across the face with enough force to make me stumble backward.

The blow stung, but I didn't dare touch my cheek. "May I ask why, Alpha?"

"Because you've forgotten your place," he snarled. "Three years playing pretend Luna has given you ideas above your station. You are wolfless. Worthless. A defect."

His words cut deeper than his hand ever could.

"You will serve at the festival," he continued, "and you will remind everyone of exactly what you are—an Omega. Disposable. Understand?"

"Yes, Alpha," I whispered.

---

The full moon hung heavy in the night sky as the festival began. Lanterns illuminated the sprawling grounds, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air. Music played, wolves danced, but I had no time to enjoy any of it.

"Kya!" A Beta barked at me. "More wine for the northern tables!"

I nodded, lifting a heavy tray of crystal glasses. My arms trembled with the effort, my vision blurring from the accumulated wolfsbane in my system.

"Careful," the Beta warned. "Break anything and it comes from your rations."

I moved through the crowd slowly, my legs unsteady. Every step was agony, but I forced myself forward. Around me, pack members laughed and celebrated, their joy a stark contrast to my suffering.

As I approached the edge of the festival grounds, something caught my eye—a massive shadow moving among the trees. I paused, squinting through my blurred vision.

A figure stood at the edge of the forest, tall and imposing. Even from this distance, I could feel the power radiating from him. His eyes seemed to lock with mine for just a moment—eyes that glowed with an intensity that made my breath catch.

Lycan Prince Leandro.

I'd heard whispers of him—Austin's uncle, a royal among werewolves. What was he doing here, watching me?

Before I could wonder more, a strange warmth spread through my chest—brief but unmistakable. Then he was gone, melting back into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared.

"Kya!" Another voice shouted. "Stop daydreaming and get back to work!"

I hurried away, the strange moment forgotten as I continued my endless tasks.

---

The night was at its peak when the first scream tore through the festival.

"Rogues! Rogues at the perimeter!"

Panic erupted instantly. Music screeched to a halt as wolves transformed, preparing to defend their territory. Women and children were rushed toward the safety of the pack houses.

"Kya!" Someone grabbed my arm. "Run! Get inside!"

I tried to follow, but my poisoned legs gave out. The tray I'd been carrying crashed to the ground as I stumbled into an open clearing.

Around me, chaos reigned. Feral wolves burst through the trees, their eyes wild with bloodlust. Pack warriors rushed to meet them, but they were outnumbered.

I crawled desperately toward a fallen log, hoping for shelter. My vision swam, darkness creeping at the edges.

"Help," I whispered, though no one could hear me over the screams and growls.

A massive rogue lunged toward me, teeth bared. I closed my eyes, bracing for pain.

But it never came.

Instead, a thunderous roar shook the ground beneath me. Something huge and powerful landed between me and the rogue.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw only a massive shadowy form standing protectively over me—before everything went black.