My mother died happy, at peace.

She clutched my hand, pressing it against her cold cheek. Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, but her eyes were gentle, joyful as they looked at me. Like a child who had done something great and was seeking praise. Adorable and pitiful.

"My Shay, when you grow up, you won’t have to be a stepping stone for your father and brothers," she whispered, her voice weak but filled with conviction. "My Shay, you can study, you can find your true mate, and live a life full of joy."

At that moment, her eyes were brimming with hope, hope for a future where I would walk a smooth, unburdened path. But, Mother, a she-wolf’s life is never without thorns. To be a Luna, a chosen mate, or even an Omega—isn’t it all just survival under the shadow of a male’s dominance?

Her grip on my hand tightened, though her strength was fading. Her breathing grew shallow, and I could feel the life slipping from her. The poison she had taken to maintain her beauty had finally done its work. She had always been so proud of her looks, her grace, her Beta bloodline. But in the end, it was all for nothing. Her life had been a pawn in the games of others, and now she was leaving me to navigate the same treacherous waters.

"Promise me, Shay," she said, her voice barely audible. "Promise me you’ll find your own path. Don’t let them use you as they used me."

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. "I promise, Mother."

She smiled then, a small, satisfied smile, as if she had finally accomplished something meaningful. Her hand fell away from mine, and her eyes closed for the last time. The room was silent except for the sound of my own sobs.

As I sat there, holding her lifeless hand, I couldn’t help but think of the future she had envisioned for me. A future where I would be free, where I would find love and happiness. But I knew better. The world of werewolves was not kind to females, especially not Omegas like me. We were tools, bargaining chips, and pawns in the games of Alphas and Lycans.

My mother had been a Beta, beautiful and talented, but even she had not been able to escape the machinations of those around her. She had been used, discarded, and ultimately destroyed by the very pack she had served. And now, I was left to pick up the pieces, to navigate a world that would see me as nothing more than a means to an end.

But as I looked down at my mother’s peaceful face, I made a silent vow. I would not let them break me. I would not let them use me as they had used her. I would find my own path, my own destiny, and I would carve out a place for myself in this world, no matter the cost.

My wolf stirred within me, a quiet, determined presence that gave me strength. She had always been there, a silent companion in my darkest moments. Together, we would face whatever came our way. Together, we would survive.

And maybe, just maybe, we would find the happiness my mother had so desperately wanted for me.

The first time I saw Lycan Prince Leo Mills was when he and my sister, Capri Jordan, confirmed their mate bond during the marking ceremony.

At that moment, I knew.

No matter the cost, no matter the means, I would become his mate.

Because he was the stepping stone I had chosen for myself.

I would climb over him, step by step, until I reached the highest position.

From then on, my word would be law.

No one would ever use me, enslave me, humiliate me, or trample me again.

I was grateful that the Moon Goddess had finally taken pity on me.

Capri had been spoiled rotten by Angie Carr.

She was rebellious, unconventional.

She loved books, especially those filled with tales of rogue werewolves and their adventures, and she idolized the characters within them.

Running through the forests, howling at the moon, hunting with abandon, drinking without restraint.

And above all, pursuing true love.

At first, our father, Alpha Carmelo Wilson, was furious. He confined her, punished her with endless pack training.

He broke three canes trying to discipline her, but her will never wavered.

She would shift into her wolf form and escape through the woods.

Father fell ill several times from stress, sighing deeply in frustration.

Meanwhile, I had always adhered to the standards of a perfect Omega.

I excelled in pack duties, training, and obedience, with a temperament and appearance that were beyond reproach.

Father feared that Capri would bring disaster to the royal pack if she became the Lycan Prince’s mate.

So he discussed with Leo the possibility of breaking the bond or choosing another mate.

When I heard this news, my heart pounded like a drum.

I thought my chance had finally come.

All those years of relentless effort had not been in vain.

Finally, I could be the one my father proudly presented to the world.

I looked at the calluses on my hands, tears of emotion welling up in my eyes.

Until Leo firmly declared:

"I find Capri to be exceptional, unlike any other female in the pack.

"They are lifeless, rigid, and dull, lacking even a fraction of Capri’s vivacity, honesty, and innocence.

"I admire Capri for who she is, and I will protect her unique spirit. Alpha, you need not worry. I will ensure she remains true to herself."

So, Capri forcing me to act as her mount was vivacity? Making me fight with a rogue for food was honesty? Secretly replacing my medicine, nearly killing me, was innocence? Holding my head underwater to see how long I could survive was her unique spirit?

Moon Goddess.

You truly are unfair.

After a long silence, Father tried again.

"My second daughter, Shay, is the epitome of pack decorum. She excels in all aspects of pack culture, and even Lycan Queen Marilyn Jones has praised her grace and composure, saying she would make an exemplary mate."

Leo dismissed me without hesitation, negating everything I had worked for.

"As for Shay, she is no different from the statues in my courtyard.

"She may be the model Omega, but to me, she is just a stone with no thoughts or desires of her own, destined to be shaped by others.

"Females like her are as common as summer cicadas.

"I want only Capri, the one who is truly unique."

That night, I sat before my mother’s memorial, watching the incense burn to ashes, watching the dawn break.

Seeing the courage I had lost ignite like embers bursting into flames before me.

A cicada lives for eight days, born from death.

Until the very end, there is always a chance.

I could not surrender, I could not falter.

My father, Alpha Carmelo Wilson, had received Prince Leo Mills’ promise to leave Capri Jordan be, and so he no longer restrained her. She was free to cause chaos as she pleased. Even when she severed the hands of a maid for spilling hot tea on her favorite dress, he turned a blind eye.

I stood nearby, frozen in horror as I watched the scene unfold. Capri casually flicked the blood from her claws, ignoring the maid’s agonized screams as she collapsed to the ground. She pointed at the damp stain on her dress and looked down at me with a cruel smirk.

“Clean it up,” she ordered.

I didn’t hesitate, not even for a second. I knelt and licked the stain clean, my stomach churning with disgust. Capri burst into laughter, her voice ringing through the room.

“You’re such a dog,” she sneered.

I forced a smile, swallowing my pride. Without power or status, any show of defiance was a death sentence. I knew better than to challenge her.

Not long after, I conveniently fell “ill,” burning with a fever that left me bedridden.

Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, a pack tournament had taken place. The winner, a Delta named Karim Scott, had stunned everyone with his skill. He was a low-ranking wolf, yet he’d defeated every high-born warrior in the competition. His precision with a bow and mastery of close combat left the crowd in awe.

As the tournament ended, a bold female admirer stepped forward, declaring her feelings for him. Karim, however, remained unfazed.

“My heart belongs to another,” he said calmly. “I cannot accept your feelings.”

When pressed, he revealed the name of the one who held his heart: Capri Jordan.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the pack. Capri, already marked by Prince Leo, had been avoided by every male in the city since the bond was announced. No one dared to show her such public affection.

But Karim had, and it intrigued her.

Capri, who prided herself on her combat skills, had always been frustrated with her sparring partners. They were too afraid to truly challenge her, knowing her volatile temper. She had killed before in fits of rage, and no one wanted to risk becoming her next victim.

Curiosity piqued, Capri ran out to meet the man who had openly declared his love for her. She wanted to see this bold, reckless wolf for herself. After all, since her marking ceremony with Prince Leo, the males of the pack had kept their distance. Karim was the first to break that unspoken rule, and Capri couldn’t help but wonder what made him so different.