It was finally Ryker's birthday, our future Alpha, and today, he's expected to find his Luna. I hope whoever she is, she has a kind heart and listens to her pack members.

Meanwhile, here I am, helping Cassie in the kitchen with the other omegas. I don't plan to stay for the party. Once we're done, I'll head back to my room and sleep. Cassie already knows my plan. She tried to convince me to stay and enjoy the celebration, but I only raised an eyebrow at her. She knows this pack doesn't treat me like family, or even like a real member, except for her, her mate, Alpha Grey, and Gab. So, why should I stay? To celebrate the birthday of the person who hates my guts?

After preparing the food and finishing my dinner, I bid Cassie goodnight. Before I could leave, she kissed me on the temple and whispered a gentle "Goodnight" to me.

I rushed upstairs, avoiding everyone. Once in my room, I took a quick bath and lay in bed, but no matter how hard I tried, my eyes wouldn't close. My mind kept spinning. Exhausted as I was, but sleep refused to come.

Eventually, I gave up. Maybe some fresh air would help. I changed clothes and carefully checked the hallway before sneaking out using the back entrance. I thought I'd gotten away unnoticed, but luck wasn't on my side.

"Sophia, where are you going?" Alpha Grey's voice made me freeze.

"Good evening, Alpha Grey," I said quickly. "Just getting some fresh air."

"Alright," he replied. "But don't stay out too long. Stay within the territory. There might be rogues lurking nearby."

"Yes, Alpha. Thank you," I said and left.

I ran toward my secret place, a peaceful spot by the water. Slipping off my shoes, I dipped my feet into the cool stream and checked my watch. It was already midnight. Ryker has probably already found his Luna. I wonder what she looks like. All I wish is that she will be a kind Luna.

My thoughts drifted to my wolf. Uncle Seb told me she was probably sleeping inside me, which was why I hadn't shifted yet. Most wolves shift by the age of ten, but I turned eighteen three days ago and still hadn't felt anything. Is there something wrong with me? Aside from being weak, I mean. Maybe my wolf thinks I don't deserve her?

My feet were starting to prune, so I pulled them from the water and laid down on the grass. My eyes grew heavy, and I let them close.

When I opened them again, it was morning. I panicked. My watch confirmed I'd slept through the night. I put my shoes on and ran back to the pack house, sneaking in through the back.

In the kitchen, Cassie had already finished cooking.

"Where have you been?" she asked, clearly worried. "I checked your room last night, and again this morning. Alpha asked about you, too. I told him you got up early and went for a walk."

I ran to her and wrapped her in a hug.

"I'm sorry. I fell asleep in my secret place. Thank you for covering for me. I didn't mean to make you worry."

She chuckled softly and rubbed my back. "Okay, okay. You're forgiven," she said, tapping my nose. "Now go take a bath and come back for breakfast."

I smiled and rushed upstairs. The house was quiet. Probably everyone was still asleep from the party.

As I climbed the stairs, a sharp scent hit me-sandalwood and lemon. My head suddenly ached, and pain coursed through my body. I stopped, trying to breathe through it. The world around me blurred.

Then, just as suddenly, the pain vanished. Everything returned to normal.

What the hell was that? Weird.

I ran to my room to check for injuries or maybe a snake bite I hadn't noticed. I was lifting the hem of my shirt to inspect myself when the door burst open.

Ryker stood there, his eyes full of fury.

"It's you!" he spat. "I can't believe it. YOU!" What does he mean "me"?

He marched forward and grabbed my face tightly, his grip bruising my cheeks. Sparks shot through my skin where he touched me, sending a shiver down my spine.

"W-w-what are you t-talking about?" I stuttered, trying to pry his hand away. "I-I'm sorry if I did something..."

That scent again-sandalwood and lemon. It was coming from him.

Then the headache hit again, much worse this time.

Am I... shifting?

"You!" he growled. "I cannot accept you. You will NOT be my mate. I hate you! You're the one who killed my mother!"

His words froze me.

"M-mate...?"

Realization crashed into me. Ryker-he was my mate?

He tightened his grip, and my face throbbed.

"I, Ryker Knight, future Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, reject you Sophia Martin as my mate," he declared. Then he shoved me violently into the wall.

"May you burn in hell, freak," he hissed, spat at me, and walked out.

He rejected me.

The one thing I'd silently hoped for-the chance to be wanted, to belong-he threw it away like trash. I couldn't breathe. I didn't even realize I was crying until I saw the tears on my hands.

He said that I killed his mother.

But I didn't. I never did.

Black spots clouded my vision. I tried to stay awake, but I collapsed. Unable to take his rejection.

"Wake up, please. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please wake up..."

Ryker?

Does he regret it? Is he taking me back?

"No," the voice said, quieter now. "I'm not Ryker. I should've woken up sooner. I should've protected you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

I opened my eyes.

There was nothing around me but darkness.

"Who are you?" I asked. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm your wolf. My name is Lilith. I saw everything. I'm sorry, Sophia. I'm so sorry."

"You're... my wolf? I thought...I...I don't have one." My voice became almost a whisper.

"You have me..." It's voice broke. "I was just asleep. I was dormant inside you and just woke up when you smelled our mate."

"So you were inside me all along?"

"I'm sorry, " it begged again, its voice filled with guilt.

"It's okay. You're forgiven," I said with a small smile. "However, our mate... Ryker... he rejected us."

"I know," Lilith said. "And now..."

Suddenly, agony stabbed through my chest and stomach.

I screamed.

"What's happening?" I cried.

"He's with someone else," Lilith growled. "He's having sex. I can feel it. I can't forgive him."

Tears streamed down my face. "He rejected us... and just moved on?"

"Pack what you need," Lilith said. "But before that, we need to dull the pain."

"Where are we going? If we leave the pack, we'll be rogues."

"We'll go to our brother," he said faintly.

"I don't have a brother," I whispered. "I'm an only child."

"Just hurry. If they don't want us, we'll give them what they want."

I stuffed money, clothes into a bag. "Do you even know where our brother is?"

"Take a breath. We'll think this through."

I did what he said.

"Alright," I decided. "We leave. I have enough money to survive for a while. No turning back."

"Good. Now go to Ryker's room."

I didn't know why, but I followed.

When I opened his door, I saw him... with Jessica, our pack's biggest flirt.

They both stared, startled.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Ryker roared. "Get the hell out!"

"Maybe he wants to watch," Jessica sneered. "Let's give him a show."

And that's when the pain turned into rage.

"I, Sophia Martin accept your rejection. From now on you're no longer my mate."

"Shit, dude! She's your mate?" A person spoke from behind me. It was Connor along with his other friends.

"Not anymore I rejected her already. Oh, by the way you can have him do whatever you want. But don't kill her. I'm gonna play with her a little and then get rid of her." Ryker said with an evil smile. "Now get the hell out of here!" he looked at me one last time as Connor close the door, I saw his eyes flickering, it might have been his wolf, but I can't say for sure.

"Now what do we do with you, little freak." Connor muttered tauntingly.

"I haven't done anything to you. Can't you just let me go." I said, but he just laughed at me.

"I can't do that. But don't worry. We'll gonna play an exciting game." He stalked towards me while I backed away.

"I'm gonna count to ten, and you better pray I don't catch you. Alright, little freak?"

I looked at him in fear, and the he started counting.

"One..."

I began running as fast as I could while him and his friends all laughed as I dashed my way out.

"Two..."

I don't know how long I've been running but soon I heard footsteps behind me as I sprinted to the woods.

I called out my wolf, and I could feel it through our link that she was weakening.

"Lilith?"

I called again but she didn't answer.

I soon stumbled down the ground and their laughter got nearer and nearer, and they were soon standing in front of me, taunting me as they circled around me.

"Please, just leave me alone." I pleaded to them, but they treated my words like air.

"Now...what do we do with you?" Connor crouched down and grabbed my ankles, yanking me to him.

"Your skin is quite soft. Have you ever been touched before?" His question made me tremble in fear.

"Please...let me go." I cried, trying to get away from him. But his grip on me was firm.

"Connor, dude, what are you doing? Don't tell me you like that freak?!" One of his friends asked, snickering.

"Well, just look at her skin, they are soft and nice to the touch. I'm just curious how it would feel." Connor said, and his friends laughed at him.

But then he suddenly towered me while pinning my hand above me with his one hand. While his other hand started crawling underneath my shirt.

"Connor what are you doing?!" His friends tried to pull him away but he just pushed them and looked at me lustfullly.

"Please, don't do this..." I begged.

"Shut up! Shut up!" He got angry and punched my stomach making me close my eyes in pain.

His friends were now looking worried as they looked around the place making sure no one was around.

He slowly pulled my jeans down and when he struggled with it, he ripped it apart and I couldn't do anything to stop him.

I cried and cried, and when he got annoyed at me again he punched my side and screamed for me to stay still.

"Connor, that's enough!" His friend yelled this time, and then he looked me in the eyes, and as if he finally realized what he was doing, he stopped, and hastily let go of my hands.

"Fuck this! If you ever tell anyone about this freak, you're dead! Or better yet, it's better if you just die here!" He said, standing up, kicking my side and walking away.

I could only cry as his friends slowly turned to leave as well, one of them muttered an apology but didn't bother helping me, afraid that they will anger Connor.

I couldn't move, my whole body was in pain. My heartbeat was also slowing down. Is this it? Am I going to die?

"Sophia," I heard Lilith's voice in my head, it was faint and small.

"Lilith, I'm sorry. I'm too weak. I don't deserve you."

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry. If it wasn't for me laying dormant all these years, you wouldn't have suffered so much." Her voice got quieter and quieter with each word. "I'm weak from the rejection. But don't worry, I will do everything I can to make sure you're well." With that last sentence, I felt something inside me snapped.

Our connection was slowly breaking.

What is happening?

"Lilith?" I tried to call her but she was no longer responding.

I close my eyes in pain. I tried to get up but it was in vain as I crashed to the ground my strength leaving me.

As I tried one last time, my whole body gave out as I fainted, my surroundings slowly turning darker and darker, until the void completely engulfed me.

...

I don't know how long I've been out, but I slowly stirred awake when I heard someone shake me.

"Selene...Selene please wake up."

Who's Selene?

"Oh thank Goddess you're alive." The man hugged me.

Who was he?

I was then lifted from the ground, and I could feel the breeze brushing past my body as he ran through the woods.

"Who are you? Where are you taking me?" I asked him. His eyes, looking back at me tenderly. A warmth I rarely see from other people.

"I'm your brother. And I'm taking you home."

It was the last thing I heard before I fell unconscious once again.

I woke up to the scent of clean sheets. I felt warm, and for some reason it was the kind of warmth I used to feel as a child, back when mom would wrap me in her arms until I could fall asleep safely.

I slowly travelled my eyes around the room. It was dim, the curtains were drawn and the air still.

A faint breeze passed through the slightly cracked window. The sheets under me were too soft, especially the pillows.

Where am I?

I tried getting up but I could barely move without flinching. My body felt sore all over, and my mind was still foggy.

I blinked slowly, trying to make sense of the pain that was laced into every corner of my bones, then all of a sudden, my memories came back in scattered flashes.

Connor.

The forest.

And then... a man. Holding me.

I sat up too quickly and hissed at the pain that shot through my ribs.

"Easy there. Don't move too fast."

I slightly jerked when I heard a deep voice.

He stepped into view from the corner of the room, where he must've been sitting the whole time.

A man with tall and broad-shoulders slowly walked to my side, he had beautiful purple eyes that held a tired kind of sadness, and lustrous silver hair. His scent was unfamiliar, but something about him didn't scare me. I usually get alert around strangers, but him...he feels...safe.

"I was starting to worry you'd never wake up," he said, pulling the chair closer and sitting beside the bed.

I didn't speak. My throat was dry, and honestly...I didn't know what to say.

"W-who...are you?" It was all I could muster to say.

He studied me quietly before finally saying, "I'm your brother."

I stared at him. For a second.

Then I almost laughed. "I think you've got the wrong girl," I croaked. "I don't have a brother."

His lips twitched like he expected that response. He then stared at me for a second before he let out a soft smile.

"I figured you'd say that. But it's true. I'm really your brother."

I frowned at his words. Why does he keep insisting he's my brother.

"Sorry to say this but I'm an only child... My parents... they died in the rogue attack, and my...little brother with them-" my voice quivered at the last part.

He looked at me with a despondent look. "I understand. However, they weren't your real parents," he said gently. "They adopted you when you were just a baby. They were good people... and they loved you. But your real family? Is us. You come from the Blackwood line."

I shook my head, trying to process his words. "That doesn't make sense." I let out a dry laugh. Unable to believe what he's saying.

"Please, just stop, if this is some kind of prank it's not funny..." I said, glaring at him.

"I'm not. This is not a prank. My name is Marcus Blackwood," he muttered. "I'm your older brother. I found you... lying there in the forest...I knew. I knew the moment I saw you. That you're my blood."

His voice sounded so genuine. I couldn't speak.

I didn't know what to believe.

"Our parents," he said carefully, "our real parents-they died when you were just a baby. You've been missing since you were a toddler," he continued, his voice tight.

"Someone took you during a pack conflict. We thought you were dead. We searched for years. And now... now you're here. I didn't even know you were alive until recently. Please...believe me. " he grasped my hand, but I took it back.

"I..." I wanted to say something, but no words came out.

"I know this is a lot," Marcus said gently. "But everything I'm telling you is true. Your real name is Selene. You're my baby sister. And I swear to the Moon Goddess, I will never let anyone hurt you again. I promise."

I listened to him. Our eyes locked at each other. I tried searching in his eyes for the truth, I thought I would catch a glimpse of lies within them, but his gaze only held honesty. No deception.

Selene.

That name. It didn't feel real. I have been Sophia Martin for seventeen years. Eighteen now, actually, but who's counting? Sophia was all I knew. Sophia was the girl they kicked. The girl they whispered about. The girl whose own mate shattered her like she was nothing and walked away without looking back.

I'm the girl who's never wanted. So how can I possibly be his sister?

"I'm sorry...I think you really got the wrong person." My voice trailed off as I tried to get out of the bed with great difficulty.

"Wait, you can't get up yet."

"I'm really sorry but I have to go." my hand slowly pressed against my chest instinctively. Then I paused when I realized something.

Why does it feel empty?

It was too quiet inside my head.

"Where is she?" My voice trembled.

Marcus tilted his head. "What?"

"My wolf," I whispered. "Lilith. I can't feel her.."

His expression changed. He went completely still.

The way he looked at me made my heart sink.

"No," I whispered again, panic rising. "No, no-don't look at me like that. Where is she?"

"Selene..." he said gently, using a name that still didn't feel like mine. "You were dying. Your injuries were too deep. If I was a moment late you would have been gone. I was able to talk to your wolf, she said she had to heal you...but in return..." he paused, looking at me intently, as he let out a heavy breath, "she had to sacrifice herself."

My eyes widened.

He stepped closer, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I shook my head. "No-stop-what are you saying?!"

"She gave herself up," Marcus said, his voice breaking. "She sacrificed her spirit to keep you alive. That's why you're here. That's why you survived."

A sob ripped from my throat.

"No."

"She did it out of love. To protect you."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I shook my head hysterically. "I just met her. I didn't even have time to get to know her, she just got here. Why would she...why would she do that for me?"

"Because your wolf loved you,," Marcus whispered.

I covered my mouth with both hands, trying to stop the shaking, but it didn't help. "It's not fair," I cried.

"She was supposed to be a part of me. And now she's gone?"

Marcus reached for me. I didn't fight it this time.

He pulled me into his arms and held me tightly, like he could take the pain if he just held me long enough.

"I know it's not fair," he said. "And I wish I could change it. I wish I found you sooner. But you're here now. You're alive. And I swear, I won't let you lose anything else this time. I promise, I'll protect you."

I sobbed into his shirt until my voice gave out.

"I don't feel whole anymore," I whispered. "She's gone."

"No. She's still with you," Marcus said quietly. "Even if she's gone... she gave you a second chance. And that means everything." He slowly pulled away and looked me in the eyes, trying to put on a smile as he looked at me. "She will always be in your heart."

I didn't answer.

I just cried until I couldn't cry anymore.

And somehow, I knew.

From now on... everything would be different.