Sofia pov. I was in a deep sleep when icy water splashed on my face, jolting me awake. Disoriented and panicked, I struggled to process the chaos around me. A stinging slap snapped my head to the side, and Vanessa's venomous voice pierced my eardrums, 'I told you to iron my dress, but you burnt it, you useless, worthless omega!' Two pairs of hands yanked me up, forcing me to my knees. Trembling, I stammered, 'V-Vanessa, I didn't burn your dress... I ironed it and put it on the bed like you asked...' But she was beyond reason, her face twisted in rage. 'You're calling me a liar? See this? This dress costs Three hundred dollars and you've ruined it! I will make you pay for this. Her friends, Rachel and Tiffany, chimed in, mocking me as a 'weak omega' who couldn't even iron a dress. Vanessa's eyes blazed, 'Drag her out!' They hauled me to the abandoned park basement, a place where nobody comes to. The three of them circled me, their words a toxic mix of insults and threats. Another slap and hard kick to my stomach sent me reeling, and I stumbled, my vision blurring. 'Moon Goddess please help me out this time, i can't die just few days to my birthday. I've been walking on eggshells for as long as I can remember, trying to avoid the toxic wrath of my own sister. I looked up, my eyes meeting Vanessa's cold gaze. 'Why, Vanessa? Why do you hate me so much?' My voice was barely above a whisper, but the words hung in the air. Vanessa sneered, her face twisting in disgust. 'You're a waste, Sofia. You brought shame to our family the day you were born. Why should I like you?' Her words cut deep, but I needed to understand. 'I'm your younger sister. We're supposed to love and protect each other.' Vanessa's laughter was like ice. 'Love you? You embarrass me. I'm ashamed of you. I wish our parents had gotten rid of you when they had the chance.' Her words stung, but I knew they were rooted in something deeper. 'Grandma loved you because you were a weak omega,Vanessa spat. 'She favored you, left everything to you... and nothing for me she didn't even consider me her granddaughter. A cold smile spread across her face. 'I'll make sure you don't inherit a thing. and send you to go live with our grandmother in hell today, and don't expect anyone to save you. Moon Goddess please help me. As I struggled to get up, a baseball bat hovered above me, Vanessa's face twisted in a snarl. But just as she swung, a thunderous growl echoed through the doorway. Damian pov: As I settled into the backseat of the car, the familiar landscape of the werewolf kingdom gave way to the winding roads leading back to Blackwood Park, my ancestral home. As the future alpha, I've been traveling the realms, learning, training, and forging alliances with Josh and Mark, my future beta and gamma. The kingdoms we've visited have been welcoming, Vampire Kingdom Vamporamin, Witch Kingdom Mysticlandmin,Fairy Kingdom Fleuria,Dragon Kingdom Ignis,Troll Kingdom Kragnir,Shifter Kingdom Versatia, Bear Kingdom Ursaval, elves kingdom Elvern. The warm hospitality was amazing. We've been granted access to all these territories and shared knowledge, thanks to Blackwood's reputation for transparency and loyalty. As one of the royal parks, we're next in line to rule the werewolves kingdom if anything should happen to the current king and his bloodline. I'm Damian Blackwood, future alpha of Blackwood Park, a name that commands respect across the supernatural territories. Our pack's reputation for transparency and loyalty has earned us access to even the most guarded realms. We could've flown back to Blackwood territory on the private jet, but the guys and I decided to make it a road trip instead. Just the five of us - Josh, Mark, Philip, Martins, and me, Philip and Martins being the two park warriors who escorted us throughout our journey. We decided to savor the freedom, knowing that once we set foot back in the park territory, it'd be all business. My dad's not showing any signs of stepping down, and I'm not complaining. At ninety, he looks like he's in his mid-twenties, Supernatural's age differently, and once we hit twenty-five, we stop aging. Dad met Mom when he was already in his sixties, and they decided to have just me for now. To be precise, they're not planning on stopping at just me, they plan on having more kids later, but for now, they're good with just having me. No pressure, no rush. The alpha position can wait; it's not like I'm in a hurry to take the reins. As we drove,I felt a familiar ache in my chest, a sharp stab that felt like my heart was being squeezed. Josh noticed it immediately, 'Hey, Damian, the pain again?' I nodded, gritting my teeth as it intensified. Mark chimed in, 'Your parents are fine . It's not them so what exactly is causing the pain? Because the only time we get this kind of pain is if our loved ones are hurting. Josh's eyes narrowed, 'Have you found your mate without telling us? Or knowing? I scoffed, 'No, I would know if I found my mate.' Mark countered, 'Not necessarily. Maybe you've met her, but she's not come of age yet. but you might have touched her and made eye contact with her. That's why you're feeling this pain.she's probably in pain or something. The thought sent a growl rumbling through my chest. 'If someone's hurting her...' The pain surged again, and I gasped, my vision blurring. The last thing I heard was Josh asking, 'What's going on?' before everything went black."

Sofia pov. I finished making breakfast for the pack and slipped back to my room, avoiding the morning chaos. I've learned to move quietly, avoiding unwanted attention from the other members of the pack. Being seen is a luxury I can't afford, especially not with Vanessa around. I'm getting dressed, careful not to disturb the bandages on my wounds. The painkillers helped, thanks to the park doctor. I'm grateful that Luna intervened yesterday, when Vanessa and her friends were about to kill me. Luna Elena is finally back from her business trip in the human world, and things will get a bit easier. She's always looked out for me, making sure I eat and dress okay. She's given me nice clothes and even the phone I'm currently using. The alpha's busy, but he's a good person too. Sometimes he tries to help, but my father's stubbornness gets in the way. I've noticed something strange about my dad. Whenever the Alpha's command is directed at him, it doesn't seem to work. I've caught snippets of arguments between him and the Alpha, usually about me, when I've gone to clean the Alpha's office. The Alpha tries to assert dominance, but his commands have no effect on my dad. No pack member has noticed that the Alpha's command doesn't work on him. I'm not sure what it means. It's as if my dad is somehow immune to the Alpha's authority. I've been wondering why this is the case, and it's got me curious. I finished dressing, covering up my wounds. I grabbed my packed lunch and headed downstairs. I was about to slip out of the pack house when Luna called out, Sofia, how are you feeling today? Hope the wounds are healing well?" I responded with a soft smile, "Yes, Luna, they're healing well. The pack doctor gave me some pain relief to help with the pain." The Lunar's warm smile reassured me. "Well, you don't need to bother with dinner today. The other omegas will handle that. Just focus on getting your strength back and healing well for your birthday. You need your strength to shift into your wolf, you know right?" I nodded, "Yes, Luna, I'm aware of that." She asked, her voice gentle, "Did you pack lunch?" I nodded again, "Yes, I did." It was a bittersweet truth. I only got to eat well and pack lunch when Luna was around, and I couldn't help but hope she'd stay longer. With a soft goodbye, I slipped out of the pack house and headed to school. "I walked into the school compound, keeping my head down, trying to avoid the usual drama. Vanessa and her crew were already inon the prowl, but I dodged them, making a beeline for my locker. As I swapped out my books, Lily appeared beside me. 'Hey, Sofia, how was your weekend?' I grimaced. the usual please don't even remind me.' She spotted the bandage on my neck and her eyes narrowed. 'What happened?' I hesitated, but she was my partner in crime. 'My sister Vanessa happened, luckily, Luna intervened.' Silver's expression turned sympathetic. 'Sorry, Sof.' We headed to class, sitting at the back, trying to blend in. Our history lesson was a blur, but the bell ringing signaled our reprieve. Physics class was next. As we walked, a group of bullies blocked our path. 'Hey, freaks, where are you going?' Lily stood tall, 'Back off, jackass. Leave us alone.' Matthew, the captain of the baseball team, pushed us. 'You think you're smart, huh? You'll never amount to anything. Omegas, stuck in the pack, forever as sleeves.' Lily's eyes flashed, but I grabbed her arm, pulling her away. We walked in silence, fury simmering beneath the surface. We wrapped up our morning classes and headed to the cafeteria, the scent of food and chatter filling the air Lily, chatting about her weekends. She was bubbling with excitement, telling me about her brothers' taking her on a picnic on their park grounds. As the youngest and only girl, she was used to being spoiled rotten. Her family's love was palpable, and it was clear she was cherished. Her pack is also really good, the silver moon pack. As we walked, I told her to grab a seat without me. "I'll meet you there, need to use the restroom," I said, and she nodded, continuing on. I slipped into the restroom and took care of business. As I washed my hands, the door swung open, and Vanessa strode in, her minions closing in. Our eyes met in the mirror, and my heart sank. 'Great, just what I needed,' I muttered. Vanessa sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. 'Well, well, if it isn't my pathetic omega sister.' I turned, trying to keep calm. 'Vanessa, what do you want? I don't want trouble.' She prowled closer, her smile twisted. 'You think you're special now, huh? As I struggled to break free, Vanessa's grip tightened, her eyes blazing with anger. "You think the Luna's protection makes you invincible?" she spat, her voice full of hate. "You're still going to pay for the dress you ruined, it was a gift from Damian, my boyfriend and future Alpha of this pack. Her words hurt, and I couldn't help but think about Damian. He stood by and watched Vanessa bully me, doing nothing to stop her. I wondered how someone so mean could be the son of the kind Luna. "No matter how much the Luna shields you, you'll never escape me," Vanessa sneered, her smile twisted and cruel. "I'm going to be the future Luna, because Damian's has promised me. And when that happens, I will make your life a living hell in this pack. She slapped me hard, her rings cutting into my skin. Her friends held me down as she hit me again and again. The world around me blurred, and I felt like I was going to faint. I managed to struggle free, but Vanessa yanked me back, slamming my head against the sink. The room spun, and I felt blood trickling down my face. As I looked up, Vanessa's face loomed, her eyes cold and hard. "You're just a weak omega, and your wolf will be just as weak," she sneered. "I'm doing our parents a favor, taking you down." The door opened, and Matthew, the school bully, stepped in, holding a baseball bat. My heart sank as he approached. Vanessa's voice was a distant echo, "Finish her. I closed my eyes, bracing for impact. The bat swung down, and I was too weak to move. But then, the bathroom door burst open, and a fierce growl filled the air. The bat froze in mid-air, and I saw Damian standing by the door, his eyes blazing. I tried to speak, but everything went dark. The last thing I heard was his voice, shouting my name...

Damian pov: We finally entered Blackwood territory, the familiar landscape a mix of relief and tension. We could've made it here yesterday, but after I passed out, the guys decided to stop at a neutral ground and rent a cabin for the night so I could recover. Now, driving through the park lands, all I could think about was my mate. What's happening to her? and who is she? I closed my eyes, reaching for Storm my wolf. "What's going on, Storm? Why've you been silent?" I asked, but he didn't respond right away. When he did, he sounded drained. Sorry, Damian. I've been taking away the pain. The closer we get to our territory, the worse it gets. I've been shielding you. What's happening? Who's our mate? I pressed, but Storm didn't answer. I don't know, Damian. I have suspicions, but I can't say anything until we get to the pack house and confirm." I sighed. I hope whatever our mate's going through isn't serious." Storm's response was grim. "For us to be feeling this pain, it's serious. We need to get to her. Just then, Josh spoke up. Storm finally responding to you?" Yeah, I replied. Mark ask's "So, now that we're back, are you seriously going to choose Vanessa as your mate? I scoffed. "What? Why would I choose Vanessa?" Because Vanessa's been telling everyone you're going to make her your chosen mate," Josh said, sounding irritated. "She's delusional," I said, shaking my head. "I never promised Vanessa anything. She's just got her hopes up, that's all. Josh nodded. "Apparently, she's been telling everyone you're going to make her your chosen mate." I scoffed. "That's news to me. You all know how Vanessa is. She started dating me, and I just went along with it. She got the wrong idea, and now she's running with it." Mark chuckled. "You know, it's a good thing you're not gonna reject your mate for her. you're mom's furious, by the way." I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Mark grinned. "She's waiting for you to get back so she can give you a piece of her mind. She's convinced you're gonna reject your mate for Vanessa, our mom told us when we called them last night. I laughed. "No way. Mom knows me better than that." As we drove through the park gates, the townspeople waved, happy to have their future leaders back. We drove up to the pack house, and our parents were waiting with smiles on their faces. Mark was the first to jump out of the car, running to hug his parents, yeap my future garman is a mama's boy. I followed, exchanging hugs and greetings with my folks, my Dad having a proud smile on the face and complimenting my new looks, I have filled out more. My mom looked at me, her expression serious. "You're not thinking of rejecting your mate for Vanessa, are you? I sighed. "Mom, I never promised Vanessa anything. I don't know where she got that idea from. My mom nodded, relieved. "I knew my son wouldn't disappoint me." Aunty Linda, Vanessa's mom, tried to support Vanessa's wishful thinking , but my mom shut her down with a firm look. "My son will not reject his mate for Vanessa. He's meant to be with his true mate, and that's all there is to it." As they talked, I got distracted by a familiar chocolate and vanilla scent wafting from inside the pack house. I followed it, my curiosity piqued... I followed the scent, my heart racing with anticipation, not knowing where it would lead me. The scent led me to the storage room, my heart racing. "Storm, is this...?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Sofia's room," Storm confirmed. "Mate scent." I felt like I'd been punched. Sofia's our mate?" I demanded, but before Storm could answer, a searing pain hit me like a truck. I dropped to my knees, gritting my teeth. I groaned, clutching my chest. "What's happening?" I asked Storm. "Mate's in trouble. We need to shift and get to school," Storm replied, his voice urgent. Josh and Mark rushed to my side, trying to hold me up. "Damian what's going on?" Josh asked. I looked at them, my eyes wild. Sofia's in trouble. We need to go." They exchanged confused glances, but didn't hesitate. The three of us shifted into our wolves and took off, running out of the pack house. My parents shouted after us, but I didn't look back. We tore through the forest, our paws pounding the earth. I could feel Sofia's distress, and it was driving me crazy. What was happening to her? As I entered the school ground, the students' heads snapped down in unison, recognizing my Alpha aura. I sniffed the air, my heart racing with anticipation, and caught a whiff of the scent. But something was off. The scent was mixed with something else, blood. My heart sank, and I took off, following the scent to the school bathroom. I could feel Sofia's pain, and it was tearing me apart. I burst through the door, shifting back into my human form as I entered. The sight before me was like a nightmare. Sofia lay on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading beneath her. Her eyes were closed, her skin deathly pale. I felt like I'd been ripped apart. "No...no, no, no!" I rushed to her side, scooping her into my arms. I glared at Vanessa, who was trying to approach me. My growl sent her falling to her knees, and the others followed, trembling in submission. Sofia, baby, please...please wake up, I whispered, tears streaming down my face. I held her close, rocking her gently. "Moon Goddess, please...please don't take her from me. I'll do anything, just please...please let her be okay." I felt a faint tingle in my fingertips, but it was weak, almost non-existent. She hadn't received her wolf yet. The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through me. "Please, Sofia..please don't leave me," I begged, my voice breaking. I held her tighter, as if I could make her stay with me. "I can't lose you...I can't..." Sofia baby, stay with me," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. " As I held Sophia, Josh and Mark rushed to my side. "Damian, you need to calm down. We gotta get her to the pack hospital, now," Josh said, trying to pry her away from my hand. I growled, refusing to let go. But Mark added, "Damian, we need to get her help. Let's go." Just as they convinced me to move, a bright light appeared before us. My mom stepped out of the portal, her eyes calm. "It's okay, Damian. We'll get her to the hospital faster this way." She pointed revealing the pack hospital within. I nodded, still shaken, and followed her through. The healers rushed to take Sofia from me, whisking her away for treatment. I stood frozen, watching as they disappeared behind a curtain. My mom's hand on my shoulder was the only comfort I felt. "She'll be okay, Damian," she said softly. I turned to Josh and Mark, my voice low and deadly, my eyes blazing with fury. "I want everyone responsible for this locked in the dungeon. Whipped ten lashes every day for the next week. No one, absolutely no one, is to get them out until I say so." My gaze narrowed. "And those teachers who stood by and did nothing, knowing full well that Sophia was being mistreated... I want them sacked from the school. Everyone who has hurt my mate is going to pay." My words dripped with venom, my anger palpable. Josh and Mark nodded. "Yes, Alpha," they said in unison, before turning to carry out my orders. They knew better than to question me. My mate had been hurt, and I would stop at nothing to make those responsible pay. The dungeon would be their home for now, and I'd make sure they regretted ever hunting her.