CHAPTER 001
CHAPTER 001
SELENE’S POINT OF VIEW
The instant my name echoed through the room, I understood everything had ended.
"Selene!"
The voice ripped through my dreams with the intensity of a thunderclap. My eyes snapped open while my body shot up from the bed in the pitch-black room.
The approaching footsteps pounded heavily against the floor, sending a wave of fear through my body. The door to my small room burst open before I could even begin to respond.
There he was.
The man who turned my life into a perpetual nightmare stood before me.
"You useless girl!" His voice emerged as a growling sound filled with barely suppressed anger. "Get up!"
I jumped out of bed while my trembling hands betrayed my fear as I faced him. I held my breath while I refused to meet his gaze.
"Yes, Father," I said in a whisper so faint it was almost silent.
A mistake.
The force of his palm against my cheek caused my vision to blur. My body moved back and forth but I managed to stay upright. I had learned not to.
"You dare call me that?" His voice dripped with venom. When will you finally understand?"
I endured the pain before correcting my mistake. "Yes… Alpha."
He released a sharp breath while stepping back as though my presence made him sick.
"You finally have some value in your pathetic existence," he sneered.
My heart pounded.
I didn’t dare hope. Hope was dangerous.
"What do you mean?" My voice emerged weak and unsure.
He smirked. "I sold you."
The world tilted.
I looked at him while my brain worked to understand his words.
Sold?
He told me to leave now as though he were commenting on the weather. "Pack your rags. His men are waiting outside."
The violent twisting in my stomach made me fear I would vomit.
His men.
Who?
Without saying anything, I spun around and reached for my small bag of clothes. I had only a worn dress and worthless possessions to pack.
I moved beyond him while my feet dragged as if they were made of lead.
A sleek black car waited outside with its engine making a deep growling sound as if it wanted to consume me. A man stood next to the car with his arms folded across his chest.
Tall. Broad. Cold, calculating eyes.
"You must be Selene," he stated.
I nodded.
"Get in."
I hesitated.
He arched an eyebrow. "Now."
I entered the car and heard the door slam shut behind me.
The moment the car started moving, I understood something important.
My old life was gone.
And my new one?
I couldn't tell whether my future would improve or become much worse.
***
The ride was long.
Silent.
The man next to me, whom they called Dragan, remained completely silent throughout the journey. He didn’t have to. His mere presence forced me to remain motionless.
My gaze fixed on the window while my fingers held tightly to my dress fabric. The trees merged into a single shape as we raced through the darkness.
"Where are we going?" My voice was hoarse.
Dragan barely glanced at me. "To CopperHeight Pack."
A chill ran down my spine.
I had heard of them.
Ruled by Alpha Viktor.
The most feared Alpha King of the Seven Regions of the North.
"Why… why does he want me?"
Dragan displayed a smirk that failed to show in his eyes. "You’ll find out soon enough."
***
When we reached our destination, the moon had already risen high above the horizon.
The Packhouse stood as a massive structure that dominated the surrounding landscape. Dark stone. High walls. The building appeared more like a fortress than a home.
I exited the car while my legs felt unstable.
As soon as my feet made contact with the ground, I became aware of them.
Eyes.
Watching.
Judging.
Dragan guided me inside while a shiver traveled down my spine.
Dim lighting filled the halls, which featured torches that flickered along the walls. The atmosphere of this place exuded both ancient strength and power.
We paused in front of a massive wooden door.
Dragan opened the door while announcing, "This is your room."
I hesitated before stepping inside.
The room was breathtaking.
Large. Luxurious. The room completely defied my expectations.
Do all slaves receive accommodations of this quality? I asked cautiously.
Dragan released a hearty laugh. "You’re not a slave."
I frowned. "Then what am I?"
He smirked. "You’ll see."
Then he left.
The door closed with such finality that my stomach twisted in response.
***
The door burst open before I could make sense of anything.
A stunning woman with golden hair stood before me.
Her beauty was poisonous.
Her scowling expression revealed everything.
"So," she sneered. "You’re the breeder."
The air in my lungs froze. "The… what?"
She crossed her arms. Did you honestly believe Viktor brought you here because he wanted you? Her laugh was sharp, cruel. "No, little Omega. The sole purpose of your arrival here was to serve as his heir. To give him an heir."
My body locked up.
The walls appeared to move closer together as I stood there.
"That’s a lie." My voice trembled.
She stepped closer while whispering, "Oh, but it’s not."
I shook my head while my body stumbled backward.
"No… that can’t be…"
Her nails pierced my hair and pulled me toward her.
A sharp pain shot through my scalp as I gasped.
She hissed at me. "You pathetic little thing, listen to me." "Viktor is mine. The wrong glance at him will lead to your death.
I clenched my teeth as I attempted to remove her fingers from my scalp. "I don’t want him!"
She maintained her grip on me throughout an extended period of intense silence.
Then she released me.
I lost my balance and began to massage my head.
"Good," she smirked. "Stay out of my way."
She pivoted around and left the room.
I remained seated while my chest moved up and down quickly.
A breeder.
That’s what I was to them.
A pawn. A tool.
I covered my face with my hands to keep the scream from escaping.
I couldn’t accept this.
I wouldn’t accept this.
Then it hit me.
A scent.
The scent overwhelmed me with its blend of cedarwood and musk along with another mysterious element. Something dark.
My breath hitched.
I knew what this was.
I shifted my position without any conscious thought.
Out of the room.
Down the corridor.
I wasn’t thinking.
I was drawn.
And then I saw him.
He stood at the hall's farthest point.
Tall. Powerful. His presence caused the air around him to tremble.
His eyes locked onto mine.
I froze.
The world stopped.
My lips parted. A single word escaped.
"Mate."
His chest produced a deep growl that sounded menacing.
He moved closer while his voice carried deadly force.
"Not if I reject you first."