Chapter1
THE SCENT OF LOVE
Ema, a Stevenson slave, trudged toward the estate, her boots sinking into the thick snow. The icy wind bit at her skin, but she welcomed the cold—it was the only thing that made her feel alive.
Jaime Stevenson had taken her in when she was three years old, after the Supreme Werewolf Council executed her parents for fraternizing with witches. From that moment on, she ceased to be a person.
The thought of what the Stevenson brothers might do to her today sent a fresh wave of dread through her. Maybe they'll spill something on the floor just to watch me scrub it up. Maybe they’re planning another assault. She swallowed hard and kept walking.
For a brief moment, she enjoyed the snowfall. Out here, she could pretend she was just another girl in the world. But in mere seconds, she would step through the Stevensons’ grand iron gates, and reality would come crashing back.
She entered through the towering front doors, the warmth inside doing little to ease her fear. Mrs. Hayley Stevenson had returned from shopping, her arms full of lavishly wrapped presents. Before Ema could make sense of the occasion, the sharp click of footsteps echoed from the second floor.
“Did you get the groceries?” Luna Hayley asked as she descended the staircase.
“Yes, ma’am,” Ema answered quickly, keeping her head low.
“Good. Finish cooking, freshen up, then come help me wrap the gifts.”
Ema nodded and hurried to the kitchen. Luna Hayley was the only person in this house who spoke to her as if she were human. Others called her "the seed of traitors" or simply "slave." She sometimes forgot her real name.
As she prepared breakfast, the blare of a car horn jolted her. Her stomach clenched. Jeremy.
Jeremy Stevenson had tormented Ema since childhood. He whipped her for amusement, ridiculed her for sport. And since she turned fourteen, he had taken far worse from her.
Luna Hayley disapproved, but Alpha King Jaime Stevenson forbade her from interfering.
“Offspring of traitors are no better than rags,” he had once declared. “You can use them however you want.”
The kitchen door swung open. Jeremy and his younger brother, Stephanon, strolled in. Jeremy glanced at the stove, then smirked.
“Be quick. I’m starving.” Without warning, he struck her forehead with the back of his hand.
Pain shot through Ema’s skull, but she held back a gasp. She had vowed never to cry in front of him again.
Stephanon, though younger, was no less cruel. He never touched her like Jeremy did, but he enjoyed humiliating her. I should hate them both equally, she thought. But somehow, he still seems more human than Jeremy.
Ema finished cooking, washed up, and returned to Luna Hayley.
“Our firstborn, Lucious, is coming home today to take over the pack,” Hayley explained, noticing the curiosity on Ema’s face.
Before Ema could react, Jaime Stevenson entered the room. He scanned his surroundings, nodded in approval, then turned his cold gaze on her.
“I’ve told you before—slaves do not sit on my chairs,” he growled.
Ema leapt to her feet, trembling.
“My apologies, my lord,” Luna Hayley answered on her behalf.
Jaime said nothing more and ascended the staircase. Even Luna Hayley, his mate, feared him. He was the Alpha King of Attah, leader of the Supreme Werewolf Council. His word was law.
“You can go to your room,” Hayley said gently.
Ema whispered her thanks and fled.
She curled up in her tiny space on the second floor, pressing a hand to her still-throbbing forehead. This is my life. It will never change.
But fate had other plans.
Improved Version
The next day, the Stevensons’ mansion buzzed with activity. Alphas from various packs gathered to witness the arrival of the future Alpha King.
Ema had been banished to her room by Jaime, who didn’t want Luscious to be irritated by her presence. She remained inside, peeking through the window, watching the grand occasion unfold.
Shortly after noon, a sleek white limousine pulled into the driveway. The Stevenson family, friends, and well-wishers immediately surrounded the vehicle. Ema squinted, trying to get a better look at the person stepping out.
A tall, broad-shouldered young man emerged from the car, his striking features exuding confidence. He rushed forward and embraced Luna Hayley Stevenson.
"Luscious, my boy," Jaime Stevenson announced, his voice filled with pride.
Lucious moved toward his father, embracing him stiffly. He appeared nervous around Jaime—just like everyone else.
As he greeted those gathered, Ema studied him carefully. He was born to be an Alpha, she thought to herself. Yet, unlike his father, she sensed that he might be different—more like his mother, compassionate rather than cruel.
The murmurs of the crowd confirmed that she wasn’t the only one fascinated by him.
"The young Alpha is yet to take a Luna," Celestine, the daughter of Alpha Afonso from the Winter Moon Pack, whispered to her friends. "I wish it would be me." Her tone dripped with longing.
After a grand welcoming speech from Jaime, the celebration officially began. Luscious was toasted as the future Alpha King, and the festivities continued for hours with music, drinking, and dancing.
As night fell, Luscious finally requested to be shown to his room. He had been away from Attah since he was seven, and the mansion was unfamiliar to him.
The Stevenson estate was an imposing five-story structure. The first floor housed the living room, kitchen, dining area, and conference room. The second floor was designated for servants, including Ema. The third floor accommodated guests, while the Stevenson children resided on the fourth.
The fifth floor, however, was a mystery. No one except Jaime and Hayley was allowed access—not even Ema, despite her duties as a servant. She had always wondered what secrets it held but knew better than to ask.
As Luscious ascended the stairs, a scent stopped him in his tracks. The fragrance was unlike anything he had ever encountered—warm and rich, reminiscent of chocolate but with an intoxicating sweetness that made his head spin.
Instinctively, he turned toward its source, but before he could investigate, Hayley stepped in front of him.
"You should get some rest, my love," she said, guiding him away. "There will be plenty of time to settle in tomorrow."
Luscious hesitated but nodded. He retreated to his room, showered, and lay down, his mind still lingering on the scent. What was that? he wondered as he drifted into a restless sleep.
---
Meanwhile, in her small room, Ema was equally unsettled. The same scent had overwhelmed her senses, sending an unfamiliar heat through her body. She was only fifteen, too young to shift, so it was impossible for this to be the scent of her mate.
Right?
---
The next morning, Luscious descended the stairs for breakfast, and the scent struck him again—stronger this time. His heart pounded as he followed the trail to the kitchen.
Whoever this is... she is my mate.
His pulse quickened at the realization. He had hoped to find his mate upon returning to Attah, but he never expected it to happen so soon.
Determined to see her, he reached for the kitchen door—only for Hayley to step out just in time to block him.
"Luscious, what are you doing here?" she asked, her tone casual but firm.
Caught off guard, he scrambled for an excuse. "I came to get some juice."
Hayley studied him for a moment before stepping aside slightly. "I’m preparing a surprise," she said, subtly preventing him from looking inside. "Now go freshen up and come back for breakfast."
Frustrated but obedient, Luscious turned and left. He quickly showered and returned downstairs, eager to uncover the truth.
Hayley had already set the table, serving him his favorite meal alongside a glass of juice. But his attention was elsewhere.
The scent was here. Stronger.
Then, finally, he saw her.
A young girl stood before him, her delicate features and striking beauty momentarily stealing his breath.
The room seemed to freeze.
"Whoa!" Luscious blurted out, drawing Hayley’s sharp gaze.
Ema shrank back slightly, unsure what she had done to attract such attention.
"Who are you?" Luscious asked, his voice thick with emotion.
