Then, a month after Katrina and Adrian were paired, she found her fated mate. The real deal, the one the Moon Goddess picks for you. And what did she do? She rejected him. Flat-out turned her back on her true mate to stay with Adrian, to keep her shiny Luna title. I don't know if it was love or power she was chasing, but it made me sick. Still does. She parades around like she's untouchable, lording it over everyone, especially me.

Katrina came back into the dining room, brushing past me where I stood against the wall, trying to fade into the background. I kept my head down, desperate to avoid their never-ending drama. Then a loud crash split the air-glass shattering on the hardwood floor, wine splattering like blood. "Oops," Katrina said, her voice dripping with fake innocence as she turned to me. "Looks like you now have something to keep you busy instead of standing here being lazy." I bit my lip hard and dropped to my knees, picking up the broken pieces of glass. *I'm used to this*, I told myself, trying to calm the fire raging in my chest. My hands moved fast, gathering the shards while her words burned in my ears.

She flounced to the table, letting out a dramatic sigh as she sank into her chair, like she'd just run a marathon instead of breaking a wine glass to mess with me. I kept my focus on the floor, ignoring the sting of her words, the way they dug into me like claws. The pack members around the table didn't even glance my way-they just kept eating, laughing, acting like I was invisible. Fine by me. The less they noticed me, the better.

Once they finally finished their meal, I cleared the table, scraping plates and stacking them in the kitchen. My hands moved on autopilot, washing dishes, wiping counters, prepping for dinner. My mind, though, was somewhere else. In three days, Iron Fang's ninety-sixth anniversary was coming up-yeah, just one day after my eighteenth birthday. Not that my birthday mattered to anyone here. The pack would be throwing a big celebration for the anniversary, and guess who'd be stuck cooking and cleaning? Me. Always me. They had head cooks and omegas who strutted around with fancy titles, but when it came to the actual work i was the one who do all the damn work while they took the credit.

I was so lost in my thoughts, stirring a pot of sauce and chopping carrots, that I didn't hear the kitchen door swing open. Not until Katrina's voice cut through the quiet like a blade. "What are we having for dinner, slave?" she called out, leaning over to peer into the pot, her perfume choking the air. I didn't answer. Didn't even look at her. I just kept chopping, the knife thumping against the cutting board. "Are you deaf or something?" she snapped, her voice sharper now. I stayed silent, focusing on the carrots, pretending she wasn't there. "Ignoring me, huh?" she said, and I could hear the smirk in her voice as she stepped closer.

I braced myself, knowing what was coming. Katrina wasn't one to let things slide-she always had to make a point. Sure enough, she went physical. "You bitch," she hissed, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking it back hard. I yelped, the sound slipping out before I could stop it, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes from the sharp pain. "Let me go, please, you're hurting me," I choked out, my voice shaking. She just laughed, cold and cruel. "Aww, poor little thing. Begging now, are we?" Her grip didn't loosen. "What are you cooking?" she demanded again, her breath hot against my face.

"Steak... steak with sauce," I stammered, the words tumbling out as she pulled harder, my scalp screaming. "Hmm," she said, like she was inspecting some fancy dish at a restaurant, not torturing me in the kitchen. She still didn't let go. "Let me go, Katrina," I said, my voice tight with pain, barely holding it together.

"What did you just call me?" she yelled, her face twisting. "You bitch, you still can't accept that I'm your Luna!" She raised her hand, and I braced myself, squeezing my eyes shut, waiting for the slap to land. But before it could, a voice boomed from the doorway. "That's enough!" Adrian's voice, deep and sharp, cut through the room like a whip.

Katrina's hand froze mid-air, then dropped. She let go of my hair, and I stumbled back, my scalp throbbing. "Oh, baby," she said, spinning toward Adrian, her voice suddenly all sweet and pitiful. "You have no idea what this worthless slave said to me!" She pressed a hand to her chest, playing the victim like she was born for the role. "She said I'm not fit to be your mate and Luna!"

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. I hadn't said a damn thing like that-hadn't said anything at all except what I was cooking. My mouth opened to protest, but no words came out. I just stood there, stunned, my hands trembling as I gripped the counter behind me.

"Enough, Katrina," Adrian said, his voice low but firm. He didn't even look at me, just turned and walked out, his boots heavy on the floor. Katrina's jaw dropped, and for a split second, I saw shock flash across her face. Then it turned to fury. "What the hell, Adrian?" she shrieked, storming after him. "You're just gonna let this bitch insult me and walk away scot-free?" Her voice echoed down the hall as she chased him, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I turned back to the pot, my head still pounding where she'd yanked my hair. My hands shook as I stirred the sauce, the steam rising in little curls. I wanted to scream, to throw the pot across the room, to tell them all what I really thought. But I didn't. I couldn't.

I served dinner, moving quick and quiet around the dining room, setting plates in front of the pack members without making a sound. Katrina's glare burned into me the whole time, her eyes like daggers sharp enough to slice through my skin. If looks could kill, I'd be a goner, sprawled out on the floor. I kept my head down, focusing on the plates, the clink of silverware, anything but her. After serving, I stepped to the side, same as always, waiting to clean up their mess when they were done. My spot by the wall felt like a cage, but I stood there, hands clasped, face blank.

The rest of the evening dragged on without any big blowups, thank the Moon Goddess. Katrina kept up her death stare, though, and gave Adrian the cold shoulder for not jumping in to punish me earlier. I could feel her stewing, her anger like a storm cloud hanging over the table. In the back of my mind, I knew she wasn't gonna let this go. Katrina didn't just drop things-she'd keep poking, scheming, waiting for her chance to get back at me. The thought sent a shiver through me, not because I was scared of her, but because I didn't know what her next move would be. Her "vengeance" was always something twisted, and I wasn't looking forward to finding out what she had planned.

Dinner ended, and I got to work cleaning up the dining room, stacking plates and wiping down the table. When that was done, I headed to the kitchen, making sure everything was in order before calling it a night. The packhouse was a modern mansion, built with all the fancy human stuff-running water, working showers, flush toilets, the works. But me? I wasn't allowed to touch any of it. I had to fetch water in a bucket from the outdoor pump, hauling it up to my tiny attic room for a quick bath. No body scrub, no fancy soaps, just a splash of cold water to rinse off the day. I didn't complain, though. I'd been doing it so long it was just part of the routine.

My clothes were another story. All I had were the five outfits and two pairs of shoes Luna Aurora gave me when I turned fifteen. They were worn thin now, frayed at the edges, but they were mine. The stuff I wore as a kid didn't fit anymore, so those five shirts and pants were all I owned. After my bath, I slipped into something to sleep in-one of the softest shirts, faded but comfortable-and crawled into my narrow bed. The room was small, barely enough space for the bed and a rickety dresser, but it was my space, the only place I could breathe without someone watching me.

Before I let my eyes close, I whispered a quiet prayer to the Moon Goddess, same as I did every night. "Please," I murmured, "grant me my wolf when I turn eighteen." It was a hope I clung to, the one thing keeping me going. With that, I let the weight of the day pull me under, sinking into a deep, dreamless sleep.

**Two days later**

The last two days passed without much drama to talk about, it's been same routine wake up, stay on my toes all day running around to please my dearest pack members and their beloved alpha and Luna then go to sleep feeling like I had been attacked and beaten to stupor, yesterday was no difference and I went to bed feeling exhausted after whispering my everyday prayer to the moon goddess, if she's even listening.

Today's my birthday. Eighteen. A big deal for any shifter, but here? Nobody's gonna notice. No one's gonna wish me happy birthday, and I'm not holding my breath for a cake or a party. That's just not how things work in my life. I rolled out of bed, yawning, my muscles aching from yesterday's work. I stretched, trying to shake off the stiffness, and started getting ready to head to the kitchen. Breakfast wasn't gonna make itself, and the pack would be up soon, expecting their food.

But then, out of nowhere, a voice rang in my head, bright and clear. *Happy birthday, Ashley!* I jumped, my heart slamming against my ribs. "Who are you?" I said out loud, my voice shaky in the quiet room. The voice came again, warm and cheerful. *I'm your wolf!* Tears pricked my eyes, and I pressed a hand to my chest, hardly believing it. "Oh, Moon Goddess," I whispered, my voice catching. "You actually remembered me."

*She never forgets,* my wolf said, her tone soft but sure. I didn't know what to say, my head spinning with joy and questions. *I used to be called Alexa,* she went on, *but you can name me something else if you want.* I shook my head, smiling through the tears. Alexa was perfect, but something about *Alexa* felt right, like it fit her voice in my head. I wanted to ask what she meant by "used to be called Alexa"-who named her? When? But the happiness bubbling inside me drowned out everything else. My wolf was here. I wasn't alone anymore.

With Alexa in my head, I felt different-stronger, like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. I could leave now. Really leave. Even if I went rogue, I wouldn't be some helpless kid. My wolf would have my back, and that changed everything. I wiped my face, making sure no tears were left, and pulled myself together. I had to look normal, like it was any other day.

I headed to the kitchen, my steps a little lighter despite the work waiting for me. I tied my hair back, grabbed an apron, and started pulling out what I needed for breakfast. Eggs, bacon, bread for toast-same as always. But as I prepared breakfast, I couldn't help the way my heart bubbled with a newfound happiness, so different from the tired sigh that usually slipped out of me every few minutes. For once, I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for someone to snap at me. I felt whole, like a piece of me had finally clicked into place.

With my wolf awake inside me, every move I made was quicker, smoother, like I was gliding through the kitchen. My senses were sharper too-I could hear the low murmur of conversations from the dining hall, not just the usual yells or loud laughter that used to be all I could pick up.

I carried the breakfast trays out, keeping my eyes down as I set plates in front of the pack members. Adrian wasn't there, but I placed his and Katrina's plates anyway, then turned to grab the rest from the kitchen. When I came back, trays balanced carefully in my hands, I saw them coming down the stairs together, hand in hand. My breath caught in my throat, like someone had punched me in the chest. I froze, staring at Adrian as he yanked his hand away from Katrina's, like her touch had burned him.

He started walking toward me, slow and deliberate, the air between us growing heavy, thick with something I couldn't name. For a split second, I saw it-his wolf, rising to the surface, his eyes flashing with something wild. He was fighting it, trying to push it down. Inside my head, Alexa's voice chanted, *Mate, mate, mate*, over and over, her excitement ringing through me. But I couldn't move, couldn't breathe, rooted to the spot as he closed the distance.

He stopped just a few inches away, close enough that I could feel the heat coming off him. His eyes locked onto mine, blazing with a mix of fire and hunger, like he was seeing me for the first time. But then, just as quick, that fire turned to anger, his jaw tightening. I braced myself, expecting a outburst, a cruel word, something to cut me down. Instead, he opened his mouth, then closed it, not saying a single word.

He brushed past me, his shoulder grazing mine, and kept walking, not even glancing at the table where the others were eating. Katrina's head snapped toward me, her eyes shooting daggers as she stormed after him. "What the hell is going on?" she yelled, her voice sharp enough to slice through the room, her glare accusing me of something I hadn't even said out loud.

I stood there, heart pounding, Alexa whimpering in my head. *He's going to reject us,* I said to her, my stomach twisting at the thought. Her soft whines echoed my own hurt, the way he'd just walked out without a word stinging more than I wanted to admit. I forced myself to move, setting the rest of the plates down and retreating to the kitchen, my hands shaking as I gripped the edge of the counter.

The rest of the day dragged by, and I didn't see Adrian again. Not once. But Katrina showed up, of course. She planted herself in the kitchen doorway, just standing there, staring at me for what felt like forever. Her eyes were cold, calculating, like she was piecing together some kind of plan in her head. Had he told her? I wondered, my mind racing.

Did she know what Alexa had sensed, what I was too afraid to say out loud? I didn't speak to her-what was there to say? Start explaining that I didn't plan this, that I didn't want her man? No way. Besides, every part of me burned at the thought of her near Adrian, my mate. I wanted to tear her away from him, to claim what was mine. But then the question hit me, loud and heavy: Was he really my mate? Was he worth fighting for if he could look at me like that, with anger instead of anything else, and then walk away without a word?

I kept my head down, chopping vegetables, stirring pots, anything to keep my hands busy while my thoughts spun. Truth was, I didn't know if Adrian was worth it. If he found out I was his mate and his first reaction anger and then stormed off without a word, what did that say about him? About us? I wasn't stupid enough to think he'd pick me over Katrina, his chosen Luna, the one he'd been with for years. The one who fit into his world, his pack, his life. While i was just the orphan, the servant, the girl they all looked down on.

Night came fast, and I was still wrestling with the plan I'd had for so long-to run the second I turned eighteen. That was the deal, right? Get my wolf, get out, leave Iron Fang and all its poison behind. But now, with Alexa in my head, it wasn't so simple. She was quiet all day, her usual spark dimmed, and I knew this was hitting her harder than it was hitting me. My wolf was tied to Adrian and the idea of leaving him behind was tearing her up. I could feel it, like an ache deep in my bones.

*We should wait till tomorrow,* Alexa finally said, her voice soft, breaking the silence that had settled between us. *He might accept us.* I didn't know how to respond. Part of me wanted to believe her, to hold onto that tiny shred of hope. But another part-the part that had spent years being pushed around, ignored, and humiliated-wanted to tell her she was wrong. That Adrian wasn't going to come around, that he'd made his choice long before I got my wolf. Still, I couldn't bring myself to argue with her.

I hauled my bucket of water up to my attic room, same as every night, and took a quick bath, splashing cold water over my skin. No fancy soaps, no long soak-just enough to wash off the day. I slipped into one of my worn t-shirts the fabric soft from too many washes. Then I crawled into my narrow bed, pulling the thin blanket over me. I stared at the ceiling, willing sleep to come, but my mind wouldn't quit. Adrian's face kept flashing in my head-those burning eyes, the way he'd stopped himself from speaking, the anger that had taken over. And Katrina's glare, like she already knew something I was too scared to admit.

I wanted to run. To hell with all of them-Adrian, Katrina, the whole pack. I could leave, start over somewhere new, just me and Alexa. But my wolf wasn't making it easy. She was holding on, clinging to the idea of our mate, and I didn't know how to fight that. So I lay there, eyes heavy, heart heavier, waiting for sleep to pull me under.