The rain pounded against the windows of the Alpha's quarters as I slipped through the side entrance, my heart hammering against my ribs. Tonight was our night—the night Rhett and I could pretend there weren't a thousand walls between us. Or so I'd foolishly hoped.

"Take off your wet clothes," Rhett commanded without looking at me, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the fireplace. "You're dripping all over my floor."

I swallowed hard, fighting the sting of tears. "I came as soon as I could. The border patrols—"

"I don't care about your excuses," he cut me off, finally turning to face me. His eyes, usually warm amber, were cold as stone. "Just do as you're told."

My fingers trembled as I peeled off my soaked jacket and shirt, standing in just my bra and jeans. The firelight danced across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw, the fullness of his lips that had kissed me so tenderly just days before.

"Everything," he said, his Alpha tone vibrating through the room.

I obeyed, though my wolf whined in protest at the humiliation. Once I was naked, he approached me slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. His hands were hot against my skin, his touch sending conflicting signals—pleasure and pain intertwined.

"Remember your place," he whispered against my ear as he pulled me closer. "You're here because I allow it."

Afterward, he stepped back, already reaching for his pants. "Get dressed. Now."

The command hit me like a physical blow. I stumbled to my clothes, my legs still weak from his touch.

"You'll find your payment on the dresser," he said casually, tossing an envelope onto the polished wood. It landed with a heavy thud—the sound of my dignity hitting rock bottom. "For Andy's treatment. Make it last."

I stared at the envelope, feeling sick. "Rhett, please—"

"Saige is coming back tomorrow," he interrupted, his tone final. "Be smart, Mackenzie. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

---

The Moon Goddess Festival transformed the pack grounds into a wonderland of silver lights and flowing fabric. Music drifted through the air as pack members danced and celebrated under the full moon. I balanced a tray of champagne glasses, my injured leg throbbing with each step.

"Mackenzie serving drinks? How... fitting." The Beta's wife smirked as she plucked a glass from my tray.

I bit my tongue and moved on, searching the crowd for Rhett. My heart stopped when I spotted him on the raised platform at the center of the gathering—with a stunning woman at his side.

"Attention, everyone," Rhett's voice boomed across the lawn. The crowd fell silent. "Tonight is special for many reasons, but none more important than this announcement."

His eyes found mine in the crowd, holding me captive as he continued.

"I'm honored to officially introduce Saige Morris as my chosen mate and future Luna of Silver Lake Pack."

Gasps and cheers erupted around me. My tray tilted as my hands went numb.

"Saige brings strength, loyalty, and the perfect bloodline to lead alongside me," Rhett continued, taking her hand and kissing it formally.

The glass slipped from my grasp, shattering against the stone patio. Everyone turned to stare.

"Oh dear," Saige's voice cut through the silence as she approached me. Her perfect nose wrinkled as she inhaled deeply. "What's that smell? It's... familiar."

She knew. She could smell Rhett on me.

"You must be the little Omega I've heard so much about," she said sweetly, then deliberately stepped into my path as I tried to back away.

My ankle twisted on the uneven ground, and I fell backward into the shattered glass. Pain exploded across my back and arms as the shards cut deep.

"How clumsy," Saige sighed dramatically. "Someone clean this up."

---

"Pack your things," I whispered to Andy as I bandaged his thin arms later that night. "We're leaving."

His eyes widened. "Kenzie, what about the healer? What about—"

"I don't care anymore," I said fiercely. "We can't stay."

But we never made it out. Rhett appeared at our hut like a shadow, his Alpha aura filling the small space.

"Going somewhere?" he asked softly.

He dragged me outside, his grip bruising on my arm. We reached the territory border where the healer's hut was visible in the distance.

"One step across this line," he said, his voice deadly calm, "and I call Elena right now. One word from me, and she stops sending spiritual energy to your precious brother."

"Rhett, please—" I begged.

"Kneel," he commanded.

My knees hit the mud as rain began to fall again.

"Swear it," he demanded. "Swear you'll never try to leave me."

"I swear," I choked out, tasting blood and rainwater.

"Good girl," he murmured, cupping my face roughly. "Remember, you're nothing without me. Nothing but a servant who should be grateful for my mercy."

As he walked away, leaving me in the mud, I wondered if the Moon Goddess had abandoned me completely—or if she was saving something worse for later.

The morning after the Moon Goddess Festival, I woke to pounding on my door. My body ached from yesterday's injuries, the cuts from the shattered glass still fresh on my skin.

"Miller!" a harsh voice called. "Alpha wants you in the main hall. Now."

I dragged myself up, wincing as my bare feet touched the cold floor. The pack house was buzzing with activity—servants rushing about with fresh flowers and polished silverware.

"Make way for the future Luna," someone announced as I entered the grand hall.

Saige swept in like she owned the place, her designer heels clicking against the marble floor. Rhett stood beside her, his hand possessively on her waist.

"Mackenzie," he said, his voice carrying that edge that always made my wolf whimper. "Saige has requested you be reassigned to better serve the pack."

I kept my eyes downcast, though my wolf snarled inside me. "Yes, Alpha."

"Saige believes it's best if you're... monitored more closely." His lips curled slightly. "You'll move to the servant's quarters in the basement today."

The basement. Where the oldest, weakest Omegas lived in cramped, damp rooms with minimal light.

"And your duties," Saige added sweetly, "will include cleaning our private suite. Daily."

Rhett's eyes met mine, challenging me to object. I swallowed my pride. "Of course, future Luna."

---

Three days later, I scrubbed the bathroom floor of the Alpha suite on my hands and knees. The smell of Saige's expensive perfume made my stomach turn.

"Oh, Mackenzie," Saige's voice startled me. She stood in the doorway, elegant in a silk robe. "You missed a spot."

I bit back a retort and returned to my task.

"Do be careful with that vase," she said, gesturing to an ornate crystal piece filled with water and purple flowers. "It's from my father."

I nodded, keeping my focus on the tiles.

"Actually," she said, stepping closer, "could you refill it? The water's getting stale."

As I reached for the vase, she suddenly knocked it over—directly onto my hands.

I gasped as burning pain shot through my skin. The water was laced with wolfsbane, a substance toxic to our kind.

"Oh dear," Saige gasped loudly, drawing attention from the hallway. "She's spilling things everywhere!"

Footsteps approached as I frantically wiped the burning liquid from my hands.

"What happened?" Rhett demanded, his imposing figure filling the doorway.

"I caught her trying to poison me," Saige cried, her eyes wide with feigned terror. "The vase—she put something in it!"

"I didn't—" I started, but Rhett's glare silenced me.

"Get out," he ordered me. "Now."

---

The next morning, I served breakfast to the pack's upper members. My hands were bandaged, but the wolfsbane burns still throbbed beneath the gauze.

"More coffee, Omega," Beta Marcus sneered, holding out his cup without looking at me.

I poured carefully, trying not to spill.

Suddenly, Saige's fork clattered against her plate. She pressed a hand to her mouth, her face contorting.

"Saige?" Rhett leaned toward her, concern etched on his features. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she whispered, then louder as more heads turned: "I've just been feeling... unwell."

The pack doctor was summoned immediately. He examined her with exaggerated care while the entire dining hall watched.

"Alpha," the doctor finally announced, his voice carrying through the silent room. "I believe congratulations are in order."

Rhett's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Future Luna Saige is pregnant with the Alpha heir."

The room erupted in cheers. Rhett's face transformed with shock and something like joy.

"A child," he breathed, taking Saige's hand. "Our child."

Something tore inside me—a physical pain that radiated from my chest outward. The mate bond was rejecting this news, my wolf howling in agony at the thought of Rhett's pup with another.

I stumbled backward, bumping into a server. My vision blurred as nausea overwhelmed me.

"Mackenzie?" Someone's voice sounded distant.

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. My body doubled over as I vomited blood onto the pristine floor.

"Clean that up," Rhett ordered without even looking at me. His attention remained fixed on Saige, who smiled triumphantly.

---

Weeks later, I was assigned to clean the pack house attic—a dusty, forgotten space filled with old trunks and forgotten relics.

As I dusted a bookshelf, a leather-bound volume caught my eye. "The Legend of the White Wolf" was embossed on its cover in faded gold lettering.

I opened it carefully, pages crackling with age. Inside were illustrations of a magnificent white wolf with silver markings—the same symbol that adorned my mother's pendant, the one I wore hidden beneath my shirt.

My fingers trembled as I read:

"The White Wolf was no ordinary Alpha, but a Lycan Princess of royal blood..."

Lycan Princess. The words echoed in my mind as I clutched my pendant through my shirt.

That night, I fashioned a new talisman—not just any charm, but one infused with the Lycan magic that apparently flowed in my veins. I worked until dawn, crafting a necklace that could mask Andy's location and my scent.

As the first light broke through the basement window, I held up my creation. For the first time in months, hope flickered in my chest.

"We're getting out of here, Andy," I whispered to the empty room. "No matter what it takes."

The sun glittered off the water as Rhett's yacht sliced through the lake, music and laughter spilling from its decks. I stood at the railing, tray of champagne flutes balanced carefully in my bandaged hands, watching pack members celebrate Saige's pregnancy announcement.

"Mackenzie." Saige's voice cut through the party chatter. She approached with Rhett at her side, her hand protectively cradling her still-flat stomach. "I need to speak with you."

I followed them to the bow of the yacht, away from curious ears. The wind whipped my hair across my face as Rhett's expression darkened.

"Saige tells me you looked at her with malice earlier," he said, his voice dangerously low. "That you wished harm upon her and our unborn child."

"What? No!" I shook my head vehemently. "I would never—"

"Silence!" His Alpha tone vibrated through the air, making my knees buckle. "You dare deny it when she saw the hatred in your eyes?"

Rhett turned to the gathering crowd. "Everyone! Your attention!" The music died as all eyes turned toward us. "My mate has informed me of a disturbing incident involving our Omega servant."

My cheeks burned with humiliation as pack members whispered among themselves.

"Mackenzie," Rhett continued, his voice carrying across the deck, "you will apologize to your future Luna. Now."

I swallowed hard, fighting against the command. "I'm sorry," I managed to whisper.

"Louder," he demanded. "And on your knees."

The Alpha command hit me like a physical blow. My legs trembled as I fought against it, blood trickling from my nose as I struggled to remain standing.

"I said KNEEL!" Rhett roared, his eyes flashing gold with Alpha power.

My knees hit the deck with a painful thud. The champagne glasses shattered around me, but no one moved to help.

"Apologize properly," Saige instructed sweetly. "Kiss the hem of my dress."

I looked up at her, at the triumphant gleam in her eyes, and felt something inside me crack.

"I'm sorry," I repeated, blood dripping onto my lips as I leaned forward to press them against the fabric of her expensive gown.

Rhett watched, his chest tightening with an emotion he refused to acknowledge. He turned away, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from a nearby table and drinking deeply.

---

Weeks passed with no glimpse of Andy. My only connection to him was through brief mind-links, which had become increasingly strange.

"Andy?" I called through our link during one of my rare moments alone in the basement. "Are you there?"

"I'm here, Kenzie," came the reply, oddly mechanical. "I'm fine. The healer is taking good care of me."

Something felt wrong. The responses were too repetitive, too perfect.

"I miss you," I pressed. "Do you remember the time we snuck out to catch fireflies?"

A pause. "Yes. We had fun."

No mention of how we'd gotten caught in the rain. No memory of how we'd laughed when our clothes got stuck to our skin.

A distraction came in the form of smoke billowing from the kitchen. Chaos erupted as servants rushed to extinguish the fire. I slipped away, following the familiar path to the healer's ward.

Andy's bed was empty.

"Where is he?" I demanded when I found Elena alone, tears streaming down her face.

"He's gone," she whispered, her hands trembling. "They took him."

"Who took him? Where is he?"

Elena's shoulders shook with silent sobs. "The dungeon in the rogue territories. It was Saige's orders, not the Alpha's. She wanted... leverage."

The room spun around me. "The mind-links?"

"A witch," Elena admitted, shame coloring her features. "She's been mimicking his signature to keep you compliant."

---

I didn't remember the walk to Rhett's office, only that rage propelled me forward. Beta guards tried to stop me, but I pushed past them, my body vibrating with fury.

"Where is my brother?" I screamed as I burst through the door.

Rhett looked up from his desk, surprise flashing across his face before darkening into anger. "What are you doing here?"

"They took Andy to a dungeon!" I spat, advancing on him. "Your precious Saige had him moved to the rogue territories!"

"That's impossible," he said, rising from his chair. "I would have known."

"You're lying!" My voice cracked with desperation. "Elena told me everything! The mind-links are fake—a witch has been pretending to be him!"

Rhett grabbed my wrists as I lunged at him. "Calm down," he ordered, but I could see confusion in his eyes.

For a moment, his grip softened. He inhaled deeply, scenting my distress, and something flickered in his expression—doubt, perhaps even concern.

His wolf surged forward, eyes flashing gold as he pulled me closer. His face lowered toward mine, and I thought—foolishly—that he might kiss me.

The door opened.

"Mackenzie?" Saige's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "What is going on here?"

Rhett's expression hardened instantly. He shoved me away with such force that I stumbled backward into the wall.

"Get out," he snarled at me. "You're confined to your room for insubordination."

As the guards dragged me away, I caught a glimpse of Saige's satisfied smile—and the dawning realization in Rhett's eyes that something was terribly wrong.