Framed for a crime she didn’t commit by the one person she trusted most — her best friend — Bella’s world crumbled the night her mate, Alpha Kaden, rejected her and cast her out of the pack. Heartbroken and alone, she thought her story had ended.

But fate had other plans.

When a rival pack takes her in, Bella’s hidden bloodline awakens — ancient, powerful, and destined for more than just survival. Now, she’s no longer the broken girl the Alpha abandoned... she’s the Luna their world never saw coming.

And when the past comes knocking, those who betrayed her will learn: the girl they threw away was born to rule.

The Weak Wolf's Curse (1)

I was born cursed — or so my mother always said. In a world where power defined your worth, having a weak wolf was no better than having none at all. The Moon Goddess, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor, because she bound me — the weakest of them all — to the strongest Alpha in the pack: Alpha Kaden.

The moment his scent reached me — cedarwood and pine — my heart skipped, and my frail wolf let out a joyful, hopeful howl. But the look Kaden gave me crushed that hope. His eyes, cold and sharp, were filled with nothing but disgust.

“You?” His voice dripped with disdain as he took a step back. “You’re my mate?”

My heart sank, the rejection in his tone cutting deeper than any wound. I glanced at Lila — my best friend — standing beside him. Her emerald eyes widened in mock shock before her lips curved into a wicked smirk.

“Alpha, surely this is a mistake,” she purred, sliding her arm around his. “How could someone like her ever be worthy of you?”

I opened my mouth, desperate to speak, to explain that it was the Moon Goddess’s will. But Kaden’s growl silenced me before I could utter a word.

“I, Alpha Kaden of the Black Crescent Pack, reject you, Ella Thorn, as my mate.”

His words hit like a blade through my chest. Pain unlike anything I’d ever known shattered through me as the bond broke, leaving only emptiness in its place. I gasped, clutching at my heart as if I could hold the pieces together.

And then — for a fleeting moment — power surged through me. My vision blurred, a flash of white light engulfed me, and I saw him. Kaden. Kneeling before me, regret darkening his eyes. But just as quickly, the vision faded, leaving me trembling and confused.

Kaden’s gaze faltered, uncertainty flickering for a breath before his cold mask returned. “You’re nothing but a weakling,” he spat. “From now on, you’ll live in this pack as my slave.”

Lila’s laughter rang out, victorious and cruel. I saw it then — the hunger in her eyes. She had always wanted him, and now she had him.

“I saw her sneaking into the herbalist’s hut last night,” Lila added, voice laced with poison. “She must have cast some spell on you. That’s the only way she could be your mate.”

My eyes widened in horror. “No! I swear—”

“Silence!” Kaden’s roar shook me to my bones. He turned to the guards, fury blazing in his eyes. “Take her to the dungeons. Let her rot until she learns her place.”

Rough hands seized me, dragging me away. I struggled, desperation clawing at me. “Kaden, please! You’re making a mistake!”

“I see clearly now,” he sneered. “You’re nothing but a scheming, pathetic wretch who tried to use dark magic to trap me. You’ll pay for your treachery.”

As they pulled me from the hall, my eyes met Lila’s. She smirked and winked, satisfaction shining in her gaze.

That was when I realized the truth. This had been her plan all along.

And I’d walked right into it.

---

The dungeon was cold, the walls damp with moisture that dripped and echoed in the darkness. The heavy door slammed shut behind me, sealing me in. I sank to the stone floor, shaking from the pain, the betrayal, the sheer weight of it all.

Lila — the friend I had trusted with my heart, my secrets, my dreams. We had grown up side by side, sharing everything. And she had thrown me to the wolves to get what she wanted.

A sharp, searing ache twisted in my chest, the remnants of the shattered bond cutting deeper than before. My wolf whimpered, her strength fading with each heartbeat.

Time lost meaning in the darkness. Hours, maybe days, passed. My stomach clenched in hunger, my throat burned with thirst, but no one came.

Until the door creaked open, spilling light into the cell. I blinked, my eyes struggling to adjust. And there she was. Lila. Her green eyes glittered with triumph as she stepped inside, every inch of her radiating victory.

She crouched before me, a cruel smile tugging at her lips.

“Poor, pathetic Ella,” she cooed. “Did

you really think you were ever good enough for him?”

The Weak Wolf's Curse (2)

I tried to speak, but my throat was too dry, my voice barely a whisper. “Why, Lila? We were friends…”

Her laughter was cold and sharp. “Friends? Oh, you really are naive. You were nothing but a stepping stone. A useless weakling who didn’t know her place.” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a sinister whisper. “Kaden is mine. He was always meant to be mine. And now, he is.”

My blood ran cold. “You... you lied to him.”

Her eyes gleamed with malice. “Of course, I did. But he believed me, didn’t he? Because no one would ever believe the word of a weak wolf like you. You don’t matter, Ella. You never did.”

She stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her dress. “Enjoy your stay down here. It won’t be long before Kaden decides to get rid of you for good. Until then, maybe you should get used to being on your knees, where you belong.”

With one last smirk, she turned and left, the door slamming shut behind her. Her words echoed in my mind, each one slicing through me like a blade.

I felt the sting of tears, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of breaking me completely.

My wolf was weak, my heart shattered, and I was all alone. But deep within me, a spark of defiance flickered. I wouldn’t let her win. Not completely.

Not yet.

---

Days blurred together in the darkness. The only light came when the guards brought stale bread and murky water, shoving the tray through a slot before slamming the door shut. I ate to survive, but hunger gnawed at me constantly. My body weakened, and my wolf grew quieter with each passing day.

The cold stone floor became my bed, and the damp air clung to my skin. I lost track of time, the endless silence broken only by the distant echoes of laughter and celebration from above. It was a cruel reminder that life went on without me.

I knew what they were celebrating—Kaden and Lila’s union. She must have taken my place at his side, convincing him that she was his rightful mate.

I should’ve hated him for believing her lies, but all I felt was a hollow ache. The bond was broken, but the memories remained. I had once dreamed of standing by his side, of being cherished and loved. The Moon Goddess had chosen him for me, but he had rejected her gift.

Rejected me.

The door creaked open again, and I instinctively curled up, bracing for another round of mocking words. But this time, it wasn’t Lila. It was Kaden.

He stepped inside, his presence dominating the small space. I looked up, my heart clenching as his scent of cedarwood and pine filled the room. Even now, my traitorous heart reacted to him, my wolf stirring weakly.

His golden eyes swept over me, his expression unreadable. “You look pathetic.”

Shame burned my cheeks, but I held my head high. “You did this to me.”

His jaw tightened. “You brought this on yourself. You dared to use dark magic to manipulate me.”

I struggled to my feet, my body trembling from weakness. “I never did anything to you. I never wanted this.” My voice broke, but I forced myself to continue. “The Moon Goddess chose us to be mates. It wasn’t a spell. It was fate.”

His eyes flickered, doubt crossing his face for a split second before hardening again. “Lila told me everything. She saw you sneaking into the herbalist’s hut. She found the potion you made. You heard her yourself... You’re nothing but a liar and a fraud.”

“That’s a lie!” I shouted, anger surging through me. “Lila’s the liar. She wants you for herself. Can’t you see that?”

His hand shot out, gripping my chin painfully as he forced me to look into his eyes. “You dare speak ill of her? After everything you’ve done?”

I glared back at him, my vision blurring with tears. “She betrayed me. She betrayed you. And you’re too blind to see it.”

His grip tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. “I should end you right here. You’re a disgrace to this pack. A weak, pathetic wolf who dared to claim me.”

Pain shot through me, but I refused to look away. “Then do it. Kill me. If you hate me that much, end my misery.”

For a moment, his eyes softened, his grip loosening. He looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. But then he pushed me away, his face hardening once more.

“No,” he said coldly. “Death would be too merciful. You’ll live—and you’ll suffer for your sins. From this day on, you’re no longer Ella Thorn. You’re nothing but a slave.”

The Alpha's Slave (1)

He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. The door slammed shut, the sound reverberating in the darkness.

I sank to the floor, my body shaking with silent sobs. He had taken everything from me—my name, my dignity, my hope.

But even in my despair, the spark of defiance remained. I would survive. No matter what it took, I would survive.

And one day, he would learn the truth.

---

Time lost meaning in the darkness. I didn’t know how long I’d been in the dungeons. Days? Weeks? My body grew weaker with each passing moment, my wolf’s presence fading like a whisper. Sometimes, I wondered if she was even still there, or if Kaden’s rejection had killed her too.

The guards stopped bringing food regularly. When they did, it was moldy bread or scraps that even the kitchen dogs wouldn’t touch. Hunger gnawed at me, sharp and relentless, but I forced myself to eat. I couldn’t die here. Not like this.

Sleep became my only escape, but even that was plagued by nightmares. I saw Kaden’s face, cold and unyielding as he pronounced my sentence. Lila’s wicked smile as she watched me fall. Their laughter echoed in my dreams, taunting me, breaking me.

Sometimes, I thought I heard voices—whispers in the darkness. They were faint, just outside the door, speaking in hushed tones. I strained to listen, but they always faded before I could catch more than a few words.

Then, the hallucinations began. I saw my mother’s face, her gentle smile and warm eyes. She would sit beside me, her fingers stroking my hair, singing lullabies from my childhood. I would reach out to touch her, but my hands would pass through air, and she would vanish, leaving me alone once more.

One night, I heard the door creak open. I didn’t bother looking up. I was too weak, too broken. But then, a familiar voice shattered the silence.

“You’re still alive? Impressive.”

I looked up, my vision swimming, and saw Lila standing there, her arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. Her green eyes sparkled with malicious delight.

“They told me you were dying,” she continued, her tone mocking. “But you’re too stubborn for that, aren’t you?”

I forced myself to sit up, leaning against the cold wall for support. “What... do you want?”

She stepped closer, crouching down so her face was inches from mine. “Just wanted to see for myself. I needed to make sure you were truly broken.” Her fingers gripped my chin, nails digging into my skin. “Because as long as you breathe, you’re still a threat.”

I tried to pull away, but her grip tightened, her nails drawing blood. “You took everything from me,” I whispered, my voice raw with pain. “Why? I thought we were friends.”

Her laughter was cruel. “Friends? Oh, Ella, you were never more than a pawn. I’ve always been stronger, smarter, and more deserving. Kaden should have been mine from the start, but then you were chosen by the Moon Goddess.” Her eyes flashed with hatred. “You, with your pathetic, weak wolf. It was an insult. A mistake I had to correct.”

I stared at her, realization dawning. “You knew... you knew the Moon Goddess chose him for me. And you still did this?”

She released me, standing up and brushing off her dress. “Of course. Fate can be rewritten. I just had to make him see what a worthless creature you are.” She tilted her head, her smile widening. “And it worked beautifully.”

My hands trembled, rage boiling inside me. “You poisoned him against me. You lied... and he believed you.”

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “He loves me now. He’s marked me, made me his Luna. Soon, I’ll bear his heirs, and no one will even remember you existed.”

My chest tightened, a pain sharper than any physical wound. She had taken my place. Stolen my destiny.

Lila leaned in one last time, her voice a venomous whisper. “Give up, Ella. Accept your fate. You’re nothing but a weak wolf, a slave. You’re better off dead.”

With that, she turned and walked out, her laughter echoing down the corridor. The door slammed shut, plunging me back into darkness.

Her words echoed in my mind, over and over again. Better off dead.

Maybe she was right.

Maybe... it would be better to end this suffering.

The Alpha's Slave (2)

But as the darkness closed in around me, I remembered the vision—the brief flash of white light, of Kaden kneeling before me, begging for forgiveness. It didn’t make sense, but it had felt so real.

Hope flickered within me, fragile but persistent. The Moon Goddess didn’t make mistakes. She had chosen Kaden for me. There was a reason, a purpose. I just had to survive long enough to find out what it was.

Lila wanted me dead, and Kaden wanted me broken. But I refused to give them that satisfaction.

I would survive.

And one day, they would all pay for what they did to me.

---

The next day, I was dragged out of the dungeons, my body frail and battered from weeks of starvation and darkness. My legs buckled beneath me, but the guards didn’t care. They hauled me up, their grips bruising my arms as they forced me through the hallways.

The sunlight was blinding after so long in the darkness. I squinted, my eyes burning, and stumbled as they pushed me into the center of the pack house courtyard. A crowd had gathered, their faces twisted in scorn and disgust.

“There she is,” someone sneered. “The traitor who tried to ensnare our Alpha with dark magic.”

“I heard she used potions to trick him,” another whispered, her voice dripping with malice. “That’s why he rejected her. She’s nothing but a filthy witch.”

My heart sank as the rumors spread like wildfire. Lila’s lies had taken root, poisoning their minds against me. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but a sharp slap across my face silenced me.

Lila stood before me, dressed in elegant robes, her emerald eyes gleaming with triumph. “Silence, slave,” she commanded, her voice ringing with authority. “You no longer have the right to speak.”

Slave. The word cut deeper than any wound. She had taken everything from me—my mate, my name, my dignity. And now, she would make sure I never rose above my place again.

Kaden appeared beside her, his golden eyes cold and detached. He looked down at me as if I were nothing but dirt beneath his feet. My heart ached at the sight of him, but I forced myself to stand tall, refusing to cower before him.

“From this day on,” Kaden’s voice boomed, echoing through the courtyard, “Ella is no longer a member of this pack. She is nothing but a slave, stripped of all rights and privileges. She will serve in the pack house, answerable to Luna Lila.”

Luna. The title hit me like a slap. Lila had truly taken my place by his side. She had won.

The crowd cheered, their eyes gleaming with malice. They believed her lies. They saw me as a traitor, a witch who deserved to be punished.

“Take her to the servants’ quarters,” Lila ordered, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Make sure she learns her place.”

The guards dragged me away once more, shoving me into a small, windowless room at the back of the pack house. The air was stale, the walls stained with grime. A thin, tattered mat lay on the floor, my new bed.

I collapsed onto the mat, my body trembling with exhaustion and grief. I had lost everything—my family, my status, my mate. The Moon Goddess’s gift had become my curse.

A sharp knock startled me. The door creaked open, and an older woman entered, her face hard and unsympathetic. “Get up,” she snapped. “I don’t care who you were before. Here, you’re just another servant. You work, you obey, and you keep your mouth shut. Understand?”

I nodded weakly, too tired to argue.

“Good. Your first task is to clean the dining hall. And don’t even think about slacking off, or you’ll go back to the dungeons.” She tossed a rag and a bucket of water at me. “Get to it.”

I forced myself to stand, my legs shaking as I made my way to the dining hall. The grand room was immaculate, the polished floors reflecting the sunlight streaming through the tall windows.

I dropped to my knees, scrubbing the floor until my fingers were raw and blistered. My body screamed in protest, but I kept going, knowing that failure meant punishment.

Laughter echoed from the hall, and I froze, my heart racing as Kaden and Lila entered, arm in arm. He looked at her with warmth in his eyes, his smile softening as she whispered something in his ear.

Pain twisted in my chest, a cruel reminder of what should have been mine. But he didn’t even glance my way, his gaze sliding over me as if I were invisible.

I kept my head down, my hands trembling as I continued scrubbing. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

Lila’s laughter filled the room, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Oh, Ella,” she cooed, her eyes sparkling with malice. “You missed a spot.” She tipped her glass, letting the wine spill across the floor. “Clean it up.”

I gritted my teeth, my fingers curling into fists. But I had no choice. I dipped the rag in the bucket and began scrubbing the spilled wine, my hands shaking with anger and humiliation.

She had taken my place as Luna. She had stolen my mate, my life. And now, she was determined to break me completely.

Slave Among Wolves (1)

But no matter how much she tried to crush me, I wouldn’t give up. I would endure this humiliation, this pain, because deep down, I still believed in the Moon Goddess’s plan.

I would survive. I would endure.

And one day, I would make them pay.

---

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Each day was a new trial, a fresh round of humiliation and pain. I woke before dawn, my body aching from sleeping on the cold, hard floor. There were no blankets, no comforts—only the tattered mat and the drafty room that barely kept out the winter chill.

My hands were raw and blistered from scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and cleaning up after the pack’s feasts. I was forbidden from eating with the pack, relegated to scraps after everyone else was finished. Sometimes, the kitchen maids would “forget” to leave me any food, and I would go hungry, my stomach twisting in pain.

But the worst part wasn’t the physical pain. It was the constant humiliation.

Lila made sure of that.

She took every opportunity to remind me of my fall from grace. I was forced to serve her during meals, pouring her wine and bringing her dishes as she laughed and flirted with Kaden. She would drape herself over him, whispering in his ear, her eyes gleaming with victory as she watched my every reaction.

I learned to school my face into a mask of indifference, hiding the pain that tore through me each time I saw them together. But inside, my heart shattered over and over again.

One morning, I was cleaning the grand staircase when Lila appeared, her voice ringing through the hall. “Ella!”

I jumped, my heart racing as I hurried to her side. “Yes, Luna?”

Her eyes narrowed, and she slapped me across the face, the sting burning my cheek. “Did I give you permission to speak?”

I bowed my head, fighting back tears. “No, Luna.”

She smirked, satisfied with my submission. “Good. Remember your place, slave.” She dropped her handkerchief on the floor, her lips curling in disgust. “Clean that up.”

I knelt down, my fingers trembling as I picked up the delicate lace. It was spotless, but I knew better than to point that out. I reached for my rag, but Lila’s foot shot out, knocking the bucket over. Dirty water spilled across the floor, soaking my dress.

I bit my lip, refusing to react as she laughed, her voice dripping with false concern. “Oh dear, how clumsy of me. Clean that up, too.”

“Yes, Luna,” I whispered, dropping to my knees to scrub the floor. My fingers ached, my knees bruised from the hard marble, but I kept my head down, scrubbing until the floor gleamed once more.

Lila watched me with satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with cruel delight. “You’re lucky I let you live,” she said coldly. “You should be grateful to serve me.”

I kept my eyes on the floor, my hands trembling as anger surged through me. But I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t defend myself. One wrong word, one act of defiance, and I would be back in the dungeons—or worse.

After she left, I sank back on my heels, my body trembling with exhaustion and rage. I wanted to fight back, to scream the truth for all to hear. But no one would believe me. Not when she had Kaden wrapped around her finger.

Kaden... His name was a curse on my lips, a wound that refused to heal. Every day, I served him and his guests, forced to watch him smile and laugh with Lila, his arm wrapped around her waist as if she were his everything.

I was nothing to him now. A slave. A shadow. A ghost of the girl he once knew.

One evening, I was ordered to serve during a banquet. The hall was filled with pack members, their laughter and voices echoing off the walls. I moved through the crowd, keeping my head down as I refilled drinks and cleared plates.

Lila’s voice rang out, sickeningly sweet. “Ella, more wine!”

I hurried to her side, the bottle trembling in my hands as I poured her drink. She watched me with that familiar smirk, her fingers brushing against Kaden’s arm as she leaned into him.

“Careful, Ella,” she cooed. “You wouldn’t want to spill anything on my dress.”

My hand shook, the bottle tipping dangerously. I steadied myself, focusing on keeping my movements calm and steady. But Lila’s foot shot out, kicking my ankle just as I finished pouring. I stumbled, the wine spilling across her lap.

Gasps echoed through the hall. Lila stood, her face twisted in fury. “You clumsy little fool!” She slapped me hard, the force knocking me to the ground.

I tasted blood, my vision spinning as she loomed over me, her eyes blazing with anger. “You ruined my dress!” She turned to Kaden, her voice breaking with false tears. “She did it on purpose, Kaden. She’s trying to humiliate me.”

Kaden’s eyes flashed with anger as he stood, his towering presence suffocating me. “You dare to insult your Luna?”

“No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I didn’t... I would never...”

But my words meant nothing. He grabbed my arm, dragging me to my feet, his grip bruising. “You’ve crossed the line, Ella. You’ll pay for this.”

A Slave Among Wolves (2)

I opened my mouth to plead, but he backhanded me, his strength sending me crashing to the floor once more. Pain exploded in my head, and I tasted blood again.

Lila’s laughter rang out, sweet and mocking. “Take her to the dungeons. Let her rot there until she learns respect.”

The guards seized me, dragging me away as the crowd jeered and laughed. My vision blurred, pain radiating through my body, but I refused to cry. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

As the darkness closed in around me, one thought echoed through my mind.

One day, they would pay for this.

I would survive. And I would make them all pay. Would they really pay for my suffering? It a question I begin to ask myself as the humiliation and bully increased....

---

Life as a slave in the pack house was hell. It wasn’t just the cruelty of Lila and Kaden’s cold indifference that tormented me. It was the constant abuse from everyone around me.

The other servants despised me. They saw me as a traitor, a cursed wolf who had tried to trick the Alpha with dark magic. Lila had spread her lies well, poisoning their minds against me.

Mira, the head maid, was the worst. She took pleasure in making my life miserable. She was tall and strong, her wolf fierce and dominant. I was nothing compared to her—a weak wolf, a slave with no power or protection.

Every morning, she would burst into my room, kicking the door open and yanking me out of bed. “Get up, lazy rat! You think you get special treatment just because you used to be part of the pack?” She would slap me across the face, her nails digging into my skin. “You’re nothing now. Less than nothing.”

I learned to wake up before dawn, washing quickly and hurrying to the kitchen before she could find another excuse to punish me. But no matter how hard I worked, it was never enough.

“You missed a spot,” Mira would sneer, deliberately stepping into the bucket of soapy water and kicking it over. “Clean it up. And when you’re done, scrub the entire hallway again. On your hands and knees.”

The other maids would laugh, whispering cruel things as they passed by. “Look at her, the great Ella, reduced to a dog scrubbing floors.”

“She deserves it,” another would say. “My cousin told me she tried to curse the Alpha. She’s lucky they didn’t kill her.”

I kept my head down, scrubbing until my fingers bled, refusing to react to their taunts. I couldn’t defend myself. If I did, they would report me to Lila, and she would have me thrown back into the dungeons—or worse.

But the work wasn’t the worst part. It was the little cruelties they inflicted when no one else was watching.

One day, I was washing dishes in the kitchen when Mira sauntered over, a wicked smile on her lips. “You missed a spot,” she said, pointing to a clean plate. “Are you blind, or just useless?”

Before I could respond, she grabbed my head and shoved my face into the soapy water, holding me down. My lungs burned, water filling my nose and mouth as I struggled to breathe.

Finally, she released me, and I gasped for air, choking and sputtering as she laughed. “Pathetic. You can’t even clean properly. Maybe I should tell the Luna to throw you out with the trash.”

I coughed, my body trembling with fear and humiliation, but I forced myself to nod. “Yes, Mira. I’m sorry.”

She smirked, tossing a wet rag at me. “Clean up this mess. And if I find even a single spot, you’ll be sleeping outside with the dogs tonight.”

I scrubbed the kitchen floors until my hands bled, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. But I wouldn’t cry. I wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

After that, the bullying grew worse. The other servants followed Mira’s lead, shoving me in the hallways, spilling food on me, and laughing as I cleaned up their messes.

Once, they locked me in the pantry overnight, laughing as I banged on the door, begging to be let out. “Let me out, please!” I cried, my voice breaking. But they only laughed, their voices echoing through the darkness.

When they finally opened the door the next morning, Mira was waiting, her arms crossed. “Lazy, useless slave,” she spat, slapping me hard across the face. “You think you can just hide and avoid your chores?”

I opened my mouth to explain, but she grabbed my hair, yanking me to my knees. “No excuses. Clean the entire kitchen. And you

better be done before breakfast, or you’ll be cleaning the outhouses next.”

Accused And Condemned

I scrubbed the floors, my body aching, my spirit breaking a little more each day.

But the worst was yet to come.

One evening, as I was cleaning the main hall, I heard laughter echoing through the corridor. My heart sank as Lila appeared, flanked by her friends, the elite wolves of the pack. They were dressed in silk gowns, their hair perfectly styled, their faces beautiful and cruel.

“Oh, look,” Lila said, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Our little slave is working hard.” She sauntered over, her high heels clicking on the marble floor. “You missed a spot, Ella.”

I bowed my head, my hands trembling as I scrubbed the spot she pointed at. But she wasn’t done humiliating me. She turned to her friends, a wicked smile on her lips. “Ladies, it seems our little slave needs more practice. Why don’t we help her out?”

Before I could react, they threw their drinks on the floor, red wine splattering across the polished marble. They laughed as I scrambled to clean it up, my heart pounding with fear and humiliation.

“Oh, she’s so clumsy,” one of them sneered, kicking the bucket over and spilling water everywhere. “No wonder the Alpha rejected her.”

Another one grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. “Do you remember, Ella? Do you remember how he looked at you with disgust? How he chose Lila over you?”

I bit my lip, forcing back the tears. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I remember.”

They laughed, their voices echoing in the empty hall. “Good,” Lila said coldly. “I want you to remember. I want you to suffer every single day, knowing that you’re nothing. That you’ll always be nothing.”

She kicked me in the stomach, her high heel digging into my ribs. Pain exploded through my body, but I didn’t cry out. I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

“Clean up this mess,” she ordered, turning away with a flick of her hair. “And when you’re done, scrub the floors in my room. They better be spotless, or you’ll be sleeping outside tonight.”

They left, their laughter echoing down the hallway. I lay there for a moment, my body trembling, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

But I forced myself to get up, to keep moving. I cleaned the hall, scrubbing until my hands bled, refusing to give up.

But before I could plan my revenge, something else happened..

It started with a missing bracelet. A delicate gold chain with ruby stones, a gift from Kaden to Lila.

I was scrubbing the floors in the main hall when the accusation came. Lila’s shriek echoed through the house, her voice full of outrage. “My bracelet! It’s gone! Someone stole it!”

I looked up just as she stormed in, her eyes blazing with fury. She was surrounded by her friends, all of them glaring at me as if I were the culprit.

I lowered my head, my heart pounding. I hadn’t seen her bracelet. I hadn’t even been near her room. But the way they looked at me, the way Lila’s lips curled into a cruel smile, I knew what was coming.

“You!” she shouted, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at me. “You stole my bracelet!”

I froze, the blood draining from my face. “No... I didn’t... I would never...”

Lila’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Liar! You’re nothing but a filthy thief. You’ve always been jealous of me. You probably wanted to sell it and run away.”

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but before I could speak, Mira appeared, her face twisted in disgust. “So, the little rat is a thief too? I knew you were trouble.”

“I didn’t take it!” I cried, my voice trembling. “I swear, I didn’t even see the bracelet.”

Lila’s face hardened, her eyes cold. “Search her.”

Mira grabbed me roughly, her hands digging into my arms as she dragged me to the center of the hall. The other maids gathered around, their faces full of disdain and curiosity.

They ripped through my clothes, yanking at my pockets, tearing my worn dress as they searched for the bracelet. I stood there, humiliated and exposed, my body trembling with fear and shame.

“Nothing,” Mira muttered, throwing my clothes to the floor. “She doesn’t have it.”

Lila’s eyes narrowed, her lips curling in a cruel smile. “Check her room.”

I shook my head desperately. “No, please! I didn’t take it! I swear!”

But they didn’t listen. Two guards dragged me to my tiny room, throwing me to the floor as they tore through my belongings. There was nothing to find—just my old blanket and the rags I wore each day.

But then one of the guards let out a triumphant shout. “Found it!”

He held up the delicate gold bracelet, the ruby stones gleaming in the dim light. My heart stopped, my blood turning to ice. How? How did it get here?

Lila’s eyes flashed with satisfaction as she stepped into the room, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Oh, Ella... I trusted you. I gave you a chance to serve me, and this is how you repay me? By stealing from me?”

“I didn’t!” I screamed, tears streaming down my face. “I didn’t take it! I don’t know how it got here!”

Lila’s face hardened, her voice cold and merciless. “Liar. Thief. You’ve always been jealous of me. Always trying to take what’s mine. First Kaden, and now my bracelet?”

I shook my head, sobbing. “I swear, I didn’t—”

She slapped me hard, the force knocking me to the ground. “Enough! You’ve disgraced this pack long enough. Guards, teach her a lesson.”

Weight Of Regret

Kaden stood at his office window, his eyes locked on the iron gates that guarded the edge of his territory — the same gates where he had last seen Ella, dragged away, her body frail and her eyes filled with terror. Her screams still echoed in his mind, tearing at him, refusing to fade.

He squeezed his eyes shut, his jaw tightening as he fought to block out the memory. But he couldn’t. The image of her tear-streaked face haunted him, each sob a bitter reminder of the choice he’d made.

She had looked at him with betrayal, with heartbreak... and even then, in her final breath before banishment, she had whispered that she loved him.

His chest ached, the weight of it almost too much. He had done what was right. She’d poisoned his mother. She was a traitor.

So why did it feel so wrong?

“Kaden?” Lila’s gentle voice pulled him back. She stepped inside, her face pale, her eyes glossy with tears. “I still can’t believe she did this…”

Kaden’s gaze hardened, his fists balling at his sides. “She’s gone. She won’t harm you, or anyone, ever again.”

Lila nodded, shivering slightly as she wiped at her cheek. “Thank you... for protecting your mother, for protecting us.”

He stared at her, guilt and duty warring in his heart. Lila had always been kind, always soft-spoken. She didn’t deserve to live in fear. He had done what was necessary. For her.

And yet, a shadow of doubt refused to leave him. He kept seeing Ella’s face — the pleading, the desperation.

Had it all been a lie? Or had he condemned the wrong woman?

“Kaden?” Lila’s voice trembled as she searched his face. “Are you alright?”

He forced a nod, his throat tight. “I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t forget her.

---

As soon as Lila left Kaden’s office, the sorrow on her face melted, replaced by a cold, victorious smirk. It had been easier than she expected. A few tears, a mention of Ella, and Kaden had sent her packing without question.

Foolish Alpha. So easy to bend. So easy to use.

Her steps light, her heart pounding with triumph, Lila glided down the corridor. But banishment wasn’t enough. Ella was stubborn — too strong-willed to die quietly. If she survived out there… if she came back…

No. Lila wouldn’t take that chance.

She reached the servants’ quarters and spotted the figure waiting in the shadows — a man with sharp eyes and a cruel grin, a rogue she’d secretly kept in her pocket for moments like this.

“She’s gone,” Lila whispered, her voice sharp as ice. “But I want her dead. Make sure she never returns.”

The rogue’s grin widened. “Consider it done.”

“And make it look like an accident. I don’t want any questions.”

He chuckled, dark and eager. “She’ll just be another rogue lost to the wild.”

Lila’s heart raced with satisfaction. Soon, Ella would be gone for good. And Kaden? He’d be hers to control.

---

Ella stumbled through the forest, every breath a struggle, every step a battle. Her body was battered, her ribs aching from the beating, her face swollen. Hunger gnawed at her insides, her vision blurred and spinning. But she kept moving. If she stopped, it would all be over.

A root caught her foot, and she crashed to the ground, pain bursting through her body. She lay there, trembling, so tired. The darkness tempted her. Just give up. Let it take you.

Then — footsteps. Slow. Deliberate. The crack of branches under boots. Her heart seized with fear. She tried to rise, but her limbs wouldn’t obey.

Laughter echoed, cold and cruel. Figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice.

“Well, well… the little rat didn’t get far,” one sneered.

“She’s done for. Let’s finish this before someone sees,” another muttered.

Ella’s heart pounded. She could smell them — rogues. But these weren’t random scavengers. They were waiting for her. Sent for her.

Lila. It had to be Lila.

Panic surged through her as she tried to crawl away, but they were on her, rough hands grabbing her, dragging her up.

“She’s barely standing,” one spat. “No fight left in her.”

“Good. Makes it easy. Kill her. Leave her for the crows.”

They threw her down, raising fists and boots to strike. Ella braced herself, eyes shut, heart racing.

But then — a growl. Low, deadly, rippling through the air.

The rogues froze. A figure stepped from the shadows, towering and powerful, fury burning in his gaze. An Alpha. Not Kaden. Stronger. Fiercer.

Ella’s breath caught as she tried to focus on him. Who… who was he?

The Alpha’s eyes darkened as he saw her — bruised, broken, trembling. His jaw clenched, his voice a deadly promise.

“You dare harm what’s mine? On my land?”

The rogues quake

d under the weight of his presence. And for the first time, Ella felt the spark of hope.

Lila's Cruelty

The rogues froze, terror draining the color from their faces. Their bodies trembled as they tried to flee, but the Alpha moved faster — a blur of fury and power. His claws slashed through the air, striking with deadly precision. In moments, two rogues lay lifeless at his feet, their bodies broken and still.

“Go,” the Alpha snarled at the last one, his voice like thunder. “Tell your worthless boss — no one spills blood on my land and lives!”

The surviving rogue didn’t hesitate. He bolted into the woods, stumbling over himself in his rush to escape.

Then the Alpha turned to Ella. His fierce eyes softened as he knelt beside her, his touch unexpectedly gentle as he brushed the hair from her bruised face. “You’re safe now. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Ella’s heart raced as her vision blurred, the edges of the world darkening. The last thing she saw before the shadows claimed her was his face — fierce, protective, and filled with something she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Hope.

---

Lila paced her chamber, fury simmering beneath her skin. Days had passed since she’d ordered Ella’s death, and yet no news. No confirmation. No closure.

What was taking so long?

A sharp knock at the door snapped her from her thoughts. Her pulse quickened, and a cold smile played at her lips. Finally.

She smoothed her expression into one of polite curiosity before opening the door. The rogue she’d hired stood there, pale and trembling, fear written across his face.

“Well?” she demanded, her voice like ice. “Is it done?”

The rogue swallowed hard, his gaze dropping. “We… we tried, my lady, but…”

“But?” Her tone dropped lower, dangerous and sharp. “You were supposed to make sure she never returned. How did you fail?”

The man shrank beneath her glare. “She was weak… we had her cornered… she wouldn’t have lasted much longer…”

“Then why is she still breathing?” Lila snapped, her smile vanishing, replaced by fury.

The rogue’s hands shook. “An Alpha. The Alpha of the Shadow Fang Pack… he killed the others. He let me live only to bring you his warning. He… he saved her.”

Lila’s world tilted. Her breath hitched. Alpha Damian? The most feared Alpha in the region? Unstoppable. Untouchable.

“He saved her?” she whispered, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

The rogue nodded, trembling. “He called her his. Said no one would harm what’s his.”

Lila swayed, nausea churning in her gut. His? What did that mean? Why would he — of all Alphas — claim a useless girl like Ella?

None of it made sense. Ella was supposed to die, lost to the wilderness, forgotten. Not fall under the protection of the most powerful Alpha around.

“No… no, no, no…” Lila staggered back, her mind spinning, panic clawing at her chest. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. This wasn’t the plan.

She’d been so close. So close to erasing Ella for good. So close to securing her future beside Kaden. And now it was all crumbling.

“You failed me!” Lila shrieked, lunging at the rogue. Her nails raked across his face, drawing blood. “You were supposed to end her! To make her disappear forever!”

He dropped to his knees, blood dripping from the gashes, his voice shaking. “I tried! Please — mercy!”

“Mercy?” Lila laughed, bitter and cruel. “Why would I show mercy to failure?”

She turned to the guards at the door, her voice cold as stone. “Take him. Make sure he regrets ever disappointing me.”

The rogue’s screams echoed down the hall as the guards dragged him away. Lila stood, breath heaving, her heart pounding with rage and fear.

Ella was still alive — and worse, she had the protection of a powerful Alpha. This wasn’t over. Lila would find a way. Ella couldn’t return. She couldn’t expose the lies. Couldn’t steal Kaden away.

Ella had to die.

Lila sat at her vanity, gripping her brush, her reflection filled with hatred. She had underestimated Ella. Somehow that weak, pitiful girl had slipped through her grasp.

But no more.

Lila’s lips curved into a cold, calculated smile as she reached for parchment and quill. If force wouldn’t work, then she would use something far deadlier.

Manipulation.

“No one is beyond control,” she whispered, smirking as she began

to write. “Not Kaden. And not that little rat. Your time is up, Ella.”

Lila's Next Move

Lila sat at her vanity, her fingers trembling as she brushed her hair, her mind spinning with fury and desperation. She had underestimated Ella. That frail, pathetic girl had somehow survived... and worse, she was now under the protection of the most feared Alpha in the region.

How could this have happened? How had that wretched orphan managed to escape her carefully laid plans?

She stared at her reflection, her eyes darkening with hatred. No. This wasn’t over. She wouldn’t allow it to be over.

Ella still posed a threat. If she found her way back... if she exposed Lila’s lies... everything would be ruined.

No. She couldn’t let that happen.

Lila’s lips curled into a cold smile as she reached for a parchment and quill, her hand steady as she began to write. If force didn’t work... then manipulation would.

The Shadow Fang Alpha may have protected Ella this time... but he was still a man. A man who could be persuaded, controlled... deceived.

She wrote swiftly, her words flowing with calculated precision:

To the honorable Alpha of the Shadow Fang Pack,

I write to you with a heavy heart, knowing that you are sheltering a dangerous fugitive. Ella is a criminal, accused of attempting to murder the Luna of the Blood Moon Pack. She is deceitful, manipulative, and treacherous. I fear she may be using her charms to take advantage of your kindness.

I implore you to see through her lies and return her to us to face justice. It would be most unfortunate if your reputation were to be tainted by harboring a traitor.

With utmost respect,

Lila, Heir to the Blood Moon Pack

Lila set the quill down, her smile widening as she read over her work. If she couldn’t kill Ella, she would destroy her another way. She would turn the Alpha against her, paint her as a villain, make him see her as the treacherous snake she was.

It was perfect.

She sealed the letter and called for one of her spies. “Deliver this to the Shadow Fang Pack,” she ordered, her voice cold. “Make sure it reaches the Alpha’s hands... and no one else’s.”

The spy bowed and disappeared, leaving Lila alone, her heart racing with anticipation. Soon, Ella would be hunted once more... this time, by her own savior.

---

Refusing Kindness

Ella winced as she struggled to sit up, her body aching, her wounds throbbing with pain. She was lying on a soft bed, wrapped in warm blankets, sunlight streaming through the windows.

For a moment, she wondered if she was dead. The last thing she remembered was the rogues attacking her, the pain of their blows, the darkness swallowing her whole.

But then she remembered him. The Alpha who had saved her. His fierce eyes, his powerful presence, the way he had destroyed her attackers without hesitation.

Her heart tightened, her chest aching with confusion. Why would an Alpha save someone like her? A weak, useless rogue... a slave...

The door creaked open, and he walked in, his presence filling the room. Tall, imposing, his dark hair falling over his intense eyes. He looked at her, his gaze softening as he approached.

“You’re awake,” he said, his voice deep and commanding. “I thought you were going to die on me.”

Ella’s body tensed, her eyes widening with fear. She tried to move, but pain shot through her ribs, making her gasp.

“Stay still,” he ordered, his voice firm but gentle. “Your injuries are severe. You need to rest.”

Ella’s heart pounded, her mind racing. She was in his territory. In his packhouse. At his mercy.

“I... I don’t understand...” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Why... why did you save me?”

He looked at her, his jaw tightening. “Because I don’t tolerate scum like them on my land. And because no one deserves to die like that.”

His words were harsh, but his eyes were kind, filled with something she didn’t understand. Concern. Compassion.

No. It had to be a trick. No Alpha would ever care about her. She was worthless. Discarded. Unwanted.

“I... I don’t need your help,” she said, her voice shaking. “I don’t belong here. I... I should go...”

He narrowed his eyes, his face hardening. “You’re not going anywhere in this condition. You can barely move, let alone survive out there.”

His words cut deep, shame flooding through her. He was right. She was too weak to protect herself, too broken to run.

But she couldn’t stay. She didn’t deserve his kindness. She didn’t deserve anything.

“Please... let me go...” her voice cracked, tears burning in her eyes. “I don’t want to be a burden... I don’t want to cause you any trouble...”

His expression softened, his eyes darkening as he looked at her, his voice low. “You’re not a burden.”

Ella’s heart skipped, her chest tightening. No one had ever said that to her before. Not once in her life.

But it was a lie. It had to be.

“I... I don’t belong here...” she whispered, her body trembling. “I’m just... a worthless rogue...”

His eyes flashed with anger, his voice hardening. “You are not worthless. And you’re not just a rogue. You’re my guest. And as long as you’re under my roof, no one will harm you.”

His words were fierce, protective, his power wrapping around her like a shield. It terrified her... and yet, it made her feel safe.

She looked away, her heart aching. She didn’t deserve to feel safe. Not after everything she had been through... not after everything she had lost.

The Alpha watched her, his gaze unwavering, his voice softening. “I don’t know who hurt you... but I’m not them. You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

Ella’s eyes burned, her throat tightening with emotion. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust him.

But trust was a luxury she could no longer afford.....