I stared in horror, my vision blurring as the scene before me unfolded.

Just two weeks ago, the pack healer had confirmed that my mother, Luna Adley Simmons, was three months pregnant. She had been overjoyed, already preparing for the new arrival. She’d stroked my hair, her eyes shining with happiness as she said, “You’re going to have a little brother or sister soon. Aren’t you excited?”

“Don’t tell your father or your uncle yet,” she’d added softly. “They’ve been so busy with pack affairs. Let’s wait a couple of weeks before we surprise them.”

Her joy had been so genuine, so full of life. Now, that memory cut through me like a knife.

Blood pooled endlessly around her as she curled up in the corner, trembling with pain, her dignity stripped away.

Zaria Morales, the rogue who had somehow wormed her way into my father and uncle’s favor, let out a shrill cry. “Ugh, why does she have to bleed like that? It’s disgusting! I hate the sight of blood—it’s going to give me nightmares!”

My father, Alpha Derrick Rivera, stood there, his face cold and unreadable as he glanced at the crimson stain. “Didn’t you hear her?” he snapped, his Alpha tone cutting through the room. “Zaria’s terrified of blood. Clean it up with boiling water. Now.”

My uncle, Beta Zen Cruz, stepped forward, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. “Boiling water? That won’t do. The best way to clean it is to let the blood drain completely. I’ve got just the thing.”

He pulled out a small golden box, and my heart froze. Inside were the venomous creatures he’d been cultivating for years—horrifying parasites that fed on blood and flesh, their claws laced with toxins. Once they latched onto a victim, death was inevitable within days.

As he opened the box and approached my mother, I screamed, tears mixing with the blood streaming down my face. “That’s her! That’s the woman you swore to protect!”

My voice woke the sleeping wolf within me, and it snarled, its presence surging through my veins. Pain ripped through me, and I doubled over, my legs giving out as blood soaked through my clothes.

I prayed, desperately, that my uncle would recognize her.

But he didn’t.

With a sickening smile, he placed the first creature on her abdomen. “The blood’s coming from here, right? Let’s start here. Let’s see if she dares to bleed and scare Zaria again.”

The creature burrowed into her skin, its claws tearing through flesh as it greedily drank her blood. The more it fed, the more vicious it became, tearing deeper into her body.

My mother’s body convulsed, her legs twitching as she tried to fight, but she was too weak. She collapsed, her face twisted in agony.

On the platform, Zaria clapped her hands, her voice shrill with excitement. “This is amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it! More! I want to see more!”

My father didn’t hesitate. “Bring out more of them. Let Zaria enjoy the show.”

My uncle complied, pulling out more boxes of the creatures. His eyes lingered on the scar on my mother’s ankle—a scar she’d gotten years ago when she’d fought tirelessly to clear his name after he’d been framed by a rival pack.

She’d spent days pleading with the Lycan King, running herself ragged until she’d collapsed. When he’d finally been released, he’d carried her home in his arms, summoning every healer in the pack to tend to her.

“My foolish sister,” he’d said, his voice choked with emotion. “I swore I’d protect you. I’ll never let you get hurt again.”

Now, as I watched him place the creatures on her wounds, my hands clasped together in desperate prayer, I begged silently for him to remember that promise.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “A woman who can’t even protect her own body? She must have been reckless, careless. This scar? Probably from some reckless affair.”

His words shattered me. My mother, the woman who had given everything for this pack, for her family, was being reduced to nothing—a victim of their cruelty and betrayal.

The scent of blood and fear hung heavy in the air as I watched my mother, Luna Adley Simmons, collapse under the weight of the rogue werewolves attacking her. Her once radiant aura, a testament to her healing gifts, had dimmed to a faint flicker, her body frail and lifeless against the cold stone floor. I gritted my teeth, the pain in my wrists sharp as I slammed the chains against the wall, over and over, until the metal finally gave way.

Zaria Morales, the rogue who had been taken in by our pack, stood with my father, Alpha Derrick Rivera, and my uncle, Beta Zen Cruz. She covered her face, feigning disgust as she leaned into my uncle’s shoulder. “How repulsive,” she murmured, her voice dripping with mockery. “She doesn’t even look like a wolf anymore.”

My uncle’s gaze was cold, devoid of the warmth he’d once shown my mother. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he ordered, “Enough of this. Begin the extraction. We’ve had our fun.”

My father, his hand resting protectively on Zaria’s, added casually, “I’ve heard the essence of a blessed healer makes for a powerful scent enhancer. And the heart—perfect for a strengthening elixir. Let’s save the essence for Zaria to use.”

My uncle nodded eagerly. “Brilliant idea! Zaria mentioned just the other day that her scent needed enhancing.”

Zaria batted her lashes, clinging to their arms like a spoiled pup. “You’re both so thoughtful! I can’t believe you remembered something so trivial.”

My father’s smile was cruel as he turned to the pack warriors. “Proceed. Make her into nothing.”

I watched in horror as the warriors approached my mother, a container in hand. My heart pounded, my vision blurring with tears as I threw myself forward, breaking free from the remnants of the chains. My body ached, my wounds reopening with every step, leaving a trail of blood behind me.

I flung myself over my mother, shielding her with my own body, screaming, “Stop! This is my mother! The Luna of the Rivera Pack!”

My father’s eyes narrowed, his Alpha aura pressing down on me like a suffocating weight. “Cadence,” he barked, his voice sharp with authority. “This is not the time for your childish antics. Move!”

I clung to my mother, her skin icy despite the summer heat, and cried out, “This is her! Father, Uncle, please! This is your mate, your sister!”

Zaria pouted, her voice dripping with false innocence. “Alpha, the Luna is at the healing sanctuary today. How could she be here? Cadence is lying again, and now she’s accusing me!”

My father grabbed me, his grip bruising as he dragged me away from my mother and threw me onto the raised platform. “Look at what your mother has turned you into,” he sneered. “Disrespectful, disobedient. You’ve crossed the line this time, Cadence. Go home.”

His words cut deeper than any wound. I struggled against him, but his Alpha tone left me trembling, powerless to resist. “No!” I screamed, my voice breaking. “You can’t do this to her!”

The warriors moved forward, their expressions blank as they prepared to carry out the order. I thrashed, trying to break free, but my uncle stepped in, grabbing the back of my shirt and hauling me up like a misbehaving pup.

“Cadence, be a good girl,” he said, his voice deceptively calm. “Don’t ruin Zaria’s mood, or your mother will have to punish you when we get back.”

The pain in my scalp was excruciating as he held me by my hair, my body dangling helplessly. I could no longer cry, my voice trapped in my throat as I watched the warriors approach my mother, their hands steady and their eyes cold.

And then, my wolf stirred within me, a quiet but furious presence. *We’ll make them pay,* it whispered, its voice dark with promise. *Every last one of them.*

The executioner gripped the massive blade, positioning it above my mother’s arm.

*Crack—*

The sound of bone breaking echoed through the hall.

Alpha Derrick Rivera kicked her, flipping her over, his voice laced with fury.

“Stop pretending to be dead! Zaria needs the freshest heart for her tonic. If she’s dissatisfied, I’ll make sure you suffer for the rest of your miserable life!”

From the jar beside them came faint whimpers, tears spilling over the edges.

Zaria glanced at me, her lips curling into a smug grin.

“Why so much water? Are you still shaken from the rogues’ attack earlier?” she taunted.

Alpha Derrick sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. “Pathetic. How could someone like her ever be blessed by the Moon Goddess?”

He tossed the broken bone into the fire pit, and the acrid stench of burning blood filled the air, making me gag.

Zaria, however, laughed, inhaling deeply. “This scent is divine! Thank you, Alpha and Beta. Today has been quite the spectacle.”

Alpha Derrick and Beta Zen Cruz wrapped their arms around her, showering the crowd with silver coins in celebration.

“Today’s gathering serves as a warning,” Alpha Derrick declared, his alpha tone commanding the room. “Zaria is under our protection. Anyone who dares to cross her will face the same fate.”

The pack members, who had been cheering moments before, now cast fearful glances at my mother before bowing deeply to Zaria.

Amid the laughter, Alpha Derrick announced, “Now, let’s extract the ingredient. I’ll prepare the tonic for Zaria myself.”

My mother lay on the ground, her lifeblood nearly drained. I struggled against the ropes binding me, my scalp tearing as I finally broke free.

I lunged forward, shielding her body with my own, blocking the blade poised to carve out her heart.

Alpha Derrick’s eyes bore into mine, his rage palpable.

“Are you determined to defy me today?!” he roared, his alpha aura pressing down on me like a suffocating weight.

Beta Zen’s voice was cold and threatening. “Cadence, Zaria must have her tonic by sunset. If you delay this, you’ll pay the price.”

Feeling my mother’s faint breath against my skin, I screamed, my voice raw with desperation.

“This is my mother! I’m telling you, this is my mother! No one touches her!”

Alpha Derrick, pushed to his limit, grabbed me by the arm and dragged me away. He snatched the jar that no longer held a body, his voice trembling with fury.

“You think I wouldn’t recognize Adley? Fine! Let’s see who she really is!”

He slammed his fist into the jar, forcing me to look inside.

When I saw the face within, my heart stopped.

Alpha Derrick’s face turned ashen, and he collapsed to his knees, his grip on me loosening.

The room fell silent, the weight of his realization crashing down like a thunderclap.