I was treated like a Omega servant by my "family", and forced to serve drinks at my step-sister’s 18th birthday. She told everyone I was pregnant with a "mutt" even if I begged her not to tell anyone. Just when all the guests gasped at the shocking news, the most famous Alpha prince took off his blazer and covered me with it.“Enough. The baby is mine.”

Maeve POV

I never thought I would lose my V-card on such an ordinary day… and with the most unexpected person.

I had indeed fantasized about leaving my current pack, leaving behind my Alpha father, stepmother, and half-sister, and escaping this “family” that treated me like I was nothing but a servant.

The day everything happened, however… I was completely unprepared.

That morning began like any other.

Breakfast had been served—all homemade and carefully prepared by our diligent and hard-working chefs—and my family had seated themselves around the grand dining table, each dressed in some of their most luxurious day attire. Meanwhile, I stood quietly in my dedicated spot in the corner, wearing my usual rags.

My sister Sarah, adorned from head to toe with exquisite jewelry, tapped on her porcelain cup with her silver spoon.

I immediately stepped forward to pour freshly brewed coffee.

“Bah—this tastes awful!” she spat with a curled lip, startling me silently. I could see her roll her eyes indiscreetly at me as she dabbed at her glossed mouth with a napkin. “Is it truly so hard for you to make a decent cup of coffee?”

I floundered. “But—”

“Honestly, after so many years, you’d think she’d have learned how to do it by now.” The harsh, refined voice that spoke immediately made me tense. Victoria—Luna of Moonstone, as well as Sarah’s mother… and my stepmother, if she could be called that—glared at me with utter disdain. “What a pathetically useless mutt our little Maeve is.”

Useless mutt…

My jaw clenched and my fists tightened almost painfully in my skirt. I could feel my eyes start to water and it took everything in me to keep them from falling… from defending myself. Insults, unfortunately, were not a new occurrence in this household, but regardless of how much they still hurt to hear, I had to take it.

If I didn’t… they would not hesitate to lock me in the storage room again…

I lowered my head, hiding my face from view. “Please, forgive me,” I whispered. “I’ll do better next time.”

A deep, heavy sigh took command of the room, prompting everyone else to fall silent. I glanced up and met the disapproving eyes of my father, who shook his head. “Leave us, Maeve,” he said, turning his focus back to his breakfast, “and find something productive to do with your time.”

I gritted my teeth. “Yes, Alpha,” I said before retreating to the kitchen to begin cleaning.

Indeed… my father was Alpha Burton of Moonstone, a minor but growing pack in the Werewolf Kingdom, and with that came many great expectations. I may have been his daughter, but I’ve never been treated as such. Washing the dirty kitchenware while the rest of the family feasted lavishly in the grand dining room, I truly was no better than an omega servant.

And Victoria always made sure I knew I was a mistake.

Well… Father's mistake.

My birth mother's identity has long since been a mystery—all I knew was I was not of Victoria's blood. The Luna, herself, had told me the story of Father's sin. It was the worst night of their lives, she’d said… that night my father suddenly brought me to the packhouse as an infant baby.

A horrible accident, he’d called me.

Victoria had to announce that she was pregnant with an unplanned baby. It wasn't until enough time for a premature werewolf baby to be born that I was eventually introduced to high society as the miracle daughter of Moonstone. And now, we appear to be the ideal upper-class family to the outside world.

The Alpha, his Luna, and their two… cherished daughters.

I ran a dry cloth over a stainless steel pan, swiping away the little droplets of water that remained until I saw nothing but my reflection staring back at me. My hand slowed, placing the cloth down on the counter. This girl in my reflection—her lifeless eyes that hid everything she’d yearned to say but lacked the freedom to… her skin pale after being confined to the packhouse for so long… her dark, unkempt hair that didn’t suit her face…

She was nothing more than a facade.

A blemish on the great Moonstone pack that needed to be concealed.

Lost in thought, I solemnly ran a hand through my dull black hair. There was apparently a time when it was the most beautiful, vibrant shade of red, but I never get to see it. Father and Victoria forced me to dye it because they are all dark-haired, fearing it would expose the truth behind our family. But even with the hair they desired, they forbade me from attending public events unless necessary.

I don’t understand…

If they were so miserable with me around, why did they keep me?

I didn’t have to stay here. I’d be more than happy living with another pack, or even in the capital—alone but completely and utterly free. Ever since I reached 18, according to the birthday my father told me, I’d begged to talk about leaving here with my father.

But he never would make time for me.

“Ah, that reminds me,” Father said, his voice booming throughout the dining room and into the kitchen. “My darling Sarah, a very special guest has agreed to attend your eighteenth birthday party.” In the boastful way he spoke, he was undeniably pleased with the news he had to share.

I heard Sarah gasp dramatically.

“Are you saying…?” Victoria began to ask, sounding hopeful.

Father cleared his throat. “His Royal Highness—Prince Xaden, himself—will be there.” Silence filled the room for mere moments before total chaos broke loose.

“Oh—my—God!”

“Sarah, this could be your chance! We need nothing but the finest for the party!”

“I know! Oh my—what should I wear?”

I frowned pensively, opening the cupboards and slowly putting away the kitchenware.

Of course, I knew who Prince Xaden was… well, I knew of him, at least. Word around the kingdom, and especially our packhouse, was that he was likely to become our next Alpha King. Young and formidable, he was the pride of all werewolves alike, and every young woman dreamt of catching the prince’s attention.

After all, becoming his mate meant possibly becoming the future Luna Queen.

And this, in turn, meant that he had lines of Alphas and their daughters constantly at his doorstep, which now included my own family. It had only been a matter of time before they started acting on their schemes… and Sarah’s birthday party was the best opportunity for that. As the beloved youngest daughter of an Alpha, her coming-of-age birthday was certain to be the most extravagant of social events.

Inviting the prince only seemed like the logical thing to do.

Meanwhile, mine was skipped because they wanted to save some money and told everyone I was sick.

“Ugh—none of my clothes will do! I can’t meet Prince Xaden in these ugly, outdated rags! I need to go to the capital—I’ll be able to find the perfect outfit there… is that acceptable, Daddy?”

“What an excellent idea, sweetheart,” Father cooed. I could practically see the love and adoration all over his face.

A gleeful squeal echoed in the dining room.

It wasn’t long before the car pulled up to escort Sarah to the capital, which she was quick to run to. Due to the expensive and delicate nature of her dress, however, she had to enter the car slowly and carefully. Victoria rushed to aid her, while Father and I stood near the front door of the packhouse.

Father suddenly jabbed his finger toward me, and I couldn’t help but instinctively recoil. “You, go with her.”

A small shriek emerged from the car, with Sarah staring between our father and me in disbelief. Victoria, standing near the open car door, glowered dangerously at me before turning to her husband. “Dear, that isn’t really necessary, is it?” she asked, shamelessly betraying her sheer disgust.

“Daddy, don’t make me be seen with her at the capital!”

“S-Sir, there’s nothing I need to buy,” I stammered, confused. “Is there something—?”

Father ignored all the commotion. “You will need a dress for Sarah’s birthday party. Buy something decent to wear.”

Shock.

Bewilderment.

Dare I say… hope.

Maeve POV

None of these words could adequately describe what I felt at that moment. Had I heard him correctly?

I… could go to Sarah’s party?

“Why is she allowed to come?” Sarah whined. “It’s my birthday party!”

Father approached the open car door and affectionately patted her decorated head. “I know, dearest, but the Royal family knows I have two daughters. They expect Prince Xaden to meet you both at the party.”

I could feel Victoria’s sharp gaze pierce me like daggers. Swallowing, I purposefully avoided eye contact with her.

I should’ve known. He didn’t really want me there.

“Then… why does she need a new dress?”

“Imagine if word began to spread that I mistreat my daughter. The reputation our family worked so hard to build would fall apart. You don’t want the Alpha Prince to get angry with me, do you?”

Sarah sulked. “Well… no, but…”

“Tell you what,” Father cooed. “How about you get five new dresses this time? Any five dresses you want.”

“I want ten!”

Father smiled, and the sight made my chest pang. “Anything for my princess.” I’d never seen this side of him unless it concerned my sister. He would do anything to see her happy, to make her dreams come true.

And he couldn’t even spare me a passing glance as I walked to the car.

Our driver shut the door behind me, and we left Moonstone for the capital. The drive itself was simple enough, despite being an hour long, and Sarah managed the whole trip by sitting as far away from me as the car allowed, without so much as a word. I didn’t mind—I rarely got to visit the capital, let alone leave the packhouse, so I used the opportunity to take in as much of my surroundings as possible.

The scenery, the buildings, the people…

I wanted to experience everything like it was the last time.

Something about the capital always took my breath away, and as we exited the car, the reason struck me once more. With its modern skyscrapers and clean streets filled with happy people, it was a far cry from the cold, conservative pack my father ran where I always walked on eggshells.

Breathing the fresh capital air, I felt weightless.

But this was Sarah’s territory, not mine. She knew this place like the back of her hand, whether to meet friends or shop on her own.

As we explored the capital’s grandest shopping mall, stopping at every high-end boutique Sarah could find, it was obvious she had no intention of shopping for me. Every dress she picked out and tried on was catered to her tastes alone. And she made sure to preoccupy me by making me follow her around and carry all of her boxes and bags.

It didn’t seem to matter that it meant disobeying Father’s orders. She was perfectly keen on keeping me out of the picture as much as possible.

This day was for her.

“I love this store!” Sarah exclaimed as a store clerk rang up her items. “I can always find such beautiful dresses here!”

“They’re only as beautiful as the woman wearing them.” The clerk smiled at Sarah’s delighted face before turning to me, his smile swiftly disappearing, as he handed over a bag. Of course, he was one of many who assumed I was a mere omega servant. “Don’t soil these.”

I sighed, taking the bag. This is going to be a long day.

Hours had passed since we began shopping and the sun started to set. I was overwhelmed with bundles of Sarah’s purchases, but she still wasn’t satisfied. So, we wandered through the last boutique on her list.

Suddenly, one dress in particular caught my eye, not because of its extravagance, nor did it have a trendy designer name on the label. It was a simple, white chiffon dress with delicate lacework on the bodice and sleeves that could be mistaken for one of Sarah’s nightgowns, but there was beauty in its simplicity. None of the other girls who vied for the Alpha Prince’s attentions would wear such a dress.

And that, I thought, made it special.

“Um, what about this one?” I offered. “It’s not as luxurious but it’s still quite lovely—”

“Do you even hear yourself?” she said with a sneer, not bothering to spare a glance in my direction. “If it’s not exquisite enough to catch the attention of Prince Xaden, then I want nothing to do with it. Now, be a good mutt and shut your mouth.”

My jaw clenched. “I was only trying to—”

“If you like it so much, why don’t you put it on?” she muttered, distracted by a gaudy line of rose-pink dresses. “A boring dress for a boring servant.”

Her rude comments made me fume, but I stayed silent.

I did need an outfit for her birthday, after all. And, looking at the dress, I knew I could do way worse as far as options went, and I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing something of Sarah’s style.

Maybe I should try it on…

After a few minutes in the boutique dressing room, I emerged wearing the simple dress.

And for a moment, Sarah actually looked rather stunned. “It’s…”

“Beautiful!” A passing group of girls stopped to gawk at me in the dress, thus attracting the attention of other nearby customers, and I couldn’t help but blush at the sudden attention. “That looks like it was made for you!”

What?

I looked into a nearby mirror, awkwardly fidgeting with the sleeves. Sure, the dress was more to my taste than anything else I’d seen in the mall and it felt nice to the touch, but… to be called beautiful?

I wasn’t worthy of the name.

“It’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen,” Sarah growled with a hateful glare, startling me. “Take it off immediately and get it out of my sight!” With a push towards the dressing room, I solemnly changed back into my normal attire and we left the boutique… without the dress in hand.

Resentment rolled off her body in waves as we walked to the car.

As I carefully loaded Sarah’s dresses into the trunk, I heard her address our driver: “Wait here. We’ll be back shortly.” And once I closed the hatch, she grabbed my wrist and lured me away from the car.

Her sudden resolution gave me a bad feeling. “Where are we going?”

“I have a gift for you.”

And with that, she led me further into the maze of the capital.

Soon, we stood outside an alley in a part of the capital I was unfamiliar with—one I had no interest in ever visiting again. Large buildings loomed over us, their presence foreboding in the setting dusk. Men who stunk of alcohol and scantily-clad omega women littered the street, radiating sin and trouble.

“Why are we here?” I asked, nervously looking around. “We should go.”

Girls like us didn’t belong here.

Even Sarah’s eyes swam with fright but she remained determined. “No, we’re not leaving yet.”

She approached a nearby liquor vendor and soon returned with a suspicious-looking yellow drink. “This is for you,” Sarah said with a grin that only increased my unease. “Consider it my present for you.”

I didn’t have much experience with alcohol. The few times I recalled having a sip or two were only ever at the social events I was allowed to attend as a daughter of Moonstone. With memories of being surrounded by distinguished, critical strangers and a family that loathed my very existence, along with its strong and unpleasant aroma—I had no burning desire to taste the stuff.

Especially not in this place that reeked of bad news.

“I… don’t want that,” I grimaced, slowly backing away. “Please, Sarah, let’s leave. It isn’t safe—”

Suddenly, her hand shot out and jerked me into the darkness of the alley. With little time to process what was happening, let alone defend myself, she managed to tackle me to the ground and force the drink down my throat. Instantly, a sharp, bitter taste and a peculiar plant scent overwhelmed my senses, nauseating me.

I struggled to stand. Even a breeze could’ve toppled me over. “What—” I coughed, “what was that?”

“Just a shot of alcohol… infused with Ylang essence.”

Ylang…?

“It's not poison. It’s meant to loosen you up…” she said with a leer, “maybe get a man or fifty to screw you over to their heart’s content. With the capital’s famous brothel right here, they won’t be able to tell the difference between you and one of those street walkers… so you might as well lay back and take it like the wretched mutt you are.”

I was horrified. This was a new low, even for her.

A deafening thump, thump, thump began to echo throughout my body, though whether it was because of fear, outrage, the aphrodisiac, or some potent mix of the three, I couldn’t tell. Something hot and feral and completely unfamiliar stirred within me. Panting and trembling, it felt like a terrible fever slowly took hold of me.

Is this…?

Sarah observed me. “You’re already in heat,” she remarked, sounding surprised. “What a powerful cocktail.”

“Sarah, please…”

“Enjoy your night with the wolves,” she snickered. And just like that, she was gone.

Time moved differently under the influence of the drug, and my head reeled with confusion. But one thing was certain…

A group of men swaggered their way toward me. I smelled the alcohol radiating off their bodies and I knew what they were here for. Sarah might not have intended to kill me with that drink, but she sentenced me to death, nonetheless.

One of the men ogled at me. “You look like you could use some company, little lady.”

I froze, pressing myself into the alley wall with all the strength I could muster. Drugged or not, this was my first heat and I was powerless against its influence. All my body wanted to do was yield to the will of these terrifying men, and I…

I couldn’t let that happen!

“G-Get away from m-me,” I tried to growl. “I don't w-want you!”

Another man laughed. “Looks like we got ourselves a feisty one, lads.”

Tears started to well. “I-I’m warning you!”

“Come on, baby,” a third slurred, reaching his large, grotesque hands towards me. “Let us show you a good time…”

My heart lurched in my throat and I gasped, shutting my wet eyes. I couldn’t resist my heat any longer—these urges were suffocating and it felt like I couldn’t breathe unless I gave in. Any moment now, my weakened resolve would break and I’d be stuck with these ruffians all night long—

“LEAVE HER ALONE!”

—or so I thought.

Xaden POV

“Take me home, please,” I sighed. “And don’t stop for anything.”

My driver nodded. “Yes, Prince Xaden, sir.”

It had been a long, long day… and I wanted nothing more than to go home and rest.

I’d met with yet another Alpha’s daughter tonight. Hypothetically speaking, the girl was perfect—dressed to the nines in nothing but the finest clothes, well-educated on both pack duties and the rules of high society, and all backed up by an impressive Alpha lineage nearly worthy of the crown.

By all accounts, she was an ideal candidate for the Luna of the Alpha Prince.

But… I felt nothing for her. Every word she spoke, every move she made seemed rehearsed.

I lowered my window. As we drove through the capital, past building after building, the cool evening air helped calm me down. It wasn’t long, however, before I found myself in an area of the city that I wasn’t particularly fond of.

The Diamond Cage. The capital’s famous brothel.

It was full of nothing but drunks, perverts, and bad news… a place I wanted to avoid at all costs. I prepared to roll up my window when, all of a sudden, I caught a whiff of something. The sweetest, most delicious scent I’d ever smelled enveloped me… like something out of a dream.

“Driver, stop,” I ordered. “Now.”

As instructed, the car came to an abrupt halt. The partition slowly rolled down, revealing my slightly concerned driver. “Is… everything alright, Your Highness?”

I paid him no mind.

No matter what, I had to find the source of that wonderful scent. Exiting the car, I followed the trail to a dark, dank alley that led behind the brothel. And as I peered down the alleyway, I found it: a terrified young woman, dressed modestly in plain clothes, surrounded by a group of belligerent drunks.

A prostitute? Impossible.

How could she smell so good?

I watched those lowlives reach their filthy hands toward her—and I just saw red. Before I knew it, I yelled at the top of my lungs with all the force my royal Alpha blood could muster: “LEAVE HER ALONE!”

Vaguely, I heard one of the men scoff. “Back off, hero, and go find your own whor—”

“Wait. I recognize that face…” another stammered.

“...Shit… y-you’re…”

I approached them and the girl they’d cornered, glaring murderously, feeling a twisted sense of pleasure at seeing them cower in my presence. “If you know what’s good for you,” I growled, “get lost.”

And with that, they fled the alley like the vermin they were. I turned my attention to the girl.

“Leave...I don't...want...” she whispered.

“What happened?” I prodded. “Were they… clients of yours?”

The second those words left my mouth, a wave of awkward tension and embarrassment washed over me. I wasn’t sure if that was an appropriate question to ask the poor girl, but the more information I had, the better I could help resolve the situation.

She shook her head lazily, in complete discordance with the fear that lingered in her face. “Not… here… I-I’m not from here…” she slurred, and I realized the problem was more severe than I could’ve guessed. “Th-That drink… it—it tasted wrong…”

My jaw clenched.

This girl had been drugged.

“Don’t… don’t like it h-here…” she mumbled. Tears began to well in her clouded eyes, and I was quick to wrap an arm around her quivering body, unsure if it was to comfort her or keep her securely upright. “I w-wanna… leave… please…”

I didn’t need to hear anymore.

I swept her up into my arms and carried her to my car. “Don’t worry,” I said reassuringly, placing her onto the leather car seat, ignoring the startled remarks made by my driver. “You’ll be alright. Where is your home?”

“It's far... away from here...” she whispered.

“Drive to the nearest hotel.”

My driver appeared momentarily stunned but composed himself. “Y-Yes, sir.”

To say that the drive to the hotel was the longest drive of my life was the understatement of the century.

Being stuck in such a confined space during a powerful, drug-induced heat seemed to worsen the girl’s condition. She squirmed uncontrollably, whimpering and panting and moaning the whole time, and her lustful scent only intensified. Something began to stir deep within me seeing her like that… smelling her like that…

Calm down, Xaden. You’re probably just worried about her.

I took a breath. I needed to focus.

Once we were finally in the privacy of the hotel room—disregarding the intrigued looks the staff gave us on the way up—I led her to the bed and sat her down. “You’ll be safe here,” I said stiffly. “Take however long you need.”

“W-Wait.”

That was the most I’d be able to help her without losing any more of my senses. Any moment longer and her scent would further drive me into a corner, which neither of us needed right now. I was not willing to take advantage of her, regardless of how bewitched I was by her presence.

I have to leave and lock the door behind me.

“I wish you luck.” I had started to make my way to the door when a hand suddenly took hold of my arm.

She looked up at me through dark, long lashes, her eyes black and wild with lust, yet wide with fear and confusion. Her trembling hands clung to my arm for dear life. “What should I-I do…?”

Puzzled, I frowned. “Are you a virgin?”

Her face turned bright red and she nodded without breaking eye contact or saying another word. I felt an immediate pang in my chest—I couldn’t help but feel for this girl, how alone and scared she must have felt. And, at the same time, I was incredibly drawn to her—that charming innocence… those pink, luscious lips and a soft dusting of freckles hidden behind unkempt hair and rags… the dark desire that swirled in her eyes. I’d only just met her and she was already so unlike any Alpha daughter I’d ever met.

To stay would be a terrible idea, but how could I possibly leave her alone like that?

Against my better judgment, I sat down next to her. “What’s your name?” I asked gently.

“... Maeve…”

“Do you want me to help you feel better?”

Maeve POV

Help?

If I’d been in my right state of mind, I might have taken a minute or so to consider just what that meant. But I wasn’t… and all I heard was that I would finally get the relief I so desperately needed...from someone I was magically attracted to.

I didn't know this man, but ever since I met this man, I got the distinct feeling that I would be taken care of… that I could trust him. I knew he was different from the drunkies who tried to take advantage of me.

I eagerly nodded, giving him my consent and relinquishing control.

Please make me feel better—!

He swallowed and gave a brisk nod. “Alright.”

hifting closer to me, his strong hand slid delicately under my skirt. My heart pounded furiously against my chest—I wasn’t sure what he planned to do, and yet, I spread my legs for him without hesitation, my body knowing what it needed before my mind did.

“Good girl,” he purred. And then he moved his fingers down there.

“O-Oh…” I bit my lip, moaning softly as he touched me.

Whatever he was doing, it was exactly what I needed and, at the same time, it wasn’t enough. I wanted more… and more. The second that thought crossed my mind, two fingers dipped inside me.

I gasped and instinctively wrapped my hand around his wrist.

His hot breath brushed against my cheek. “Trust me,” he whispered, and I gulped, feeling warmer and warmer by the second. My grip eased ever so slightly, allowing him to continue but still, I held on, guiding him as he pleasured me, and I lost myself again.

He sighed into my ear. “You… you’re beautiful…”

Just then, I realized that a grand mirror stood opposite the bed. Gazing into it, I saw a feral creature of a woman, feverish and flushed with untamed arousal. What a force of nature she appeared to be… but I was taken aback.

I didn’t know this woman.

She was not the one I saw in my reflection every day.

Breathless and blushing, I shifted my gaze to his reflection, who could not seem to take his own eyes off me. His kind and considerate eyes which were originally a lovely shade of green quickly morphed into something dark and unrecognizable before me. And suddenly, there was a pleasant, sweet scent in the air that wasn’t there before.

I whirled around to face him.

“Strange…” he murmured, licking his lips as his eyes—black and intense and swirling with desire—bore into my own. “No one has ever triggered my heat before, let alone an omega...."

“You know what—it doesn’t matter right now,” he muttered.

It was all a blur. Somehow, I ended up flat on my back in the middle of the bed with a shirtless man hovering above me as he slowly pulled my underwear off and tossed it to the side.

A belt unbuckled. “I will do everything in my power to make you come,” he swore ardently, huskily. “Do you still trust me, Maeve?” It was probably unconscious on his part, but the way he spoke my name… so full of passion and care…

It melted me.

I let out a breath. “I-I do…”

He kissed me, and nothing else existed but him and I.