Chapter One
The night was a living entity, breathing shadows and whispering death. Amelia Whitmore fled through the forest, her feet barely touching the ground as she sprinted away from the nightmare that had been her life. The cold air burned her lungs, her heart hammering a frantic rhythm against her rib cage. Her mother’s death had shattered her world when she was just a toddler, and her stepfather, Argus' betrayal, had stripped her of everything she once held dear. Now, as a runaway Omega, she was nothing but prey—chased by the relentless hunt of Victor Federico and his merciless pack.
Every branch and twig seemed to claw at her, the darkness around her pressing in like a suffocating shroud. The howl of a wolf echoed in the distance, sending a fresh wave of terror through her. Victor’s men were closing in, their growls and shouts growing louder with every passing moment. Amelia's breaths came in ragged gasps as she stumbled through the underbrush, her mind a whirlwind of fear and desperation.
She burst through the tree line, her feet skidding onto the paved surface of a deserted road. The harsh transition from forest to concrete disoriented her, but she kept running, her eyes scanning desperately for any sign of refuge. The road stretched out into the darkness, and Amelia’s hopes began to wane until a glimmer of light caught her eye—an old, abandoned gas station with a shadowed parking lot.
Amelia darted towards the gas station, her heart pounding as she ducked behind a rusted pump. She could hear the distant sound of vehicles, the growls of wolves, and the clamor of her pursuers growing nearer. As she crouched in the shadows, her gaze fell on a sleek, black luxury car parked at the far end of the lot. It was her only chance.
With a surge of adrenaline, she sprinted across the lot, the ground cold and unforgiving beneath her feet. She flung open the car’s trunk, slipping inside with a mixture of desperation and relief. The confined space was stifling, but it was a brief respite from the relentless chase. The muffled sounds of the outside world were a haunting reminder of the danger still lurking.
Finally, the car’s engine roared to life. Amelia’s heart raced as the vehicle began to move, her body trembling with the uncertainty of where she was headed. The ride was tumultuous, the vibrations and jostling making her stomach churn. Hours seemed to stretch on as the car sped through unfamiliar terrain.
When the car finally came to a halt, the engine’s roar died down to a menacing rumble. The trunk’s lid lifted, and Amelia was momentarily blinded by the bright lights of an expansive garage. The sudden shift from darkness to light was disorienting, and she squinted against the harsh glare. The garage was enormous, filled with gleaming cars and the faint scent of luxury that clashed violently with her own desperation.
She moved quickly from the trunk to the back seat, her movements cautious and frantic. A side door of the car stood open, and Amelia seized the opportunity to slip out. Her surroundings were unfamiliar but opulent—richly upholstered furniture, high-end finishes, and a sense of wealth that was both alluring and intimidating. She took in the scene with a mixture of awe and anxiety, her senses heightened by the danger she still faced.
A guard by the gate shouted, “Stop there!” The command sliced through the tension, and Amelia’s instincts propelled her into action. She screamed in terror and fled towards the imposing mansion looming in the distance. The mansion was grand, with towering columns and intricate stonework that spoke of both elegance and power. The front entrance was a massive wooden door, ornate and imposing.
She burst through the door, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she stumbled into the foyer. The interior was lavish, with marble floors and a sweeping staircase that led to an upper floor. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden light that contrasted sharply with the cold fear gripping her heart.
Amelia’s eyes darted around wildly as the footsteps behind her grew louder, her pursuers closing in with every passing second. Her legs moved instinctively, propelling her up the grand staircase, her mind too consumed by fear to form a coherent plan. Panic drove her to the end of the hall, where she flung open the door to a room—a bedroom, not just a guest room—and hurried inside, slamming the door shut behind her.
The room was enormous, its opulence almost suffocating. The king-sized bed remained the focal point, commanding the center of the space. On either side, ornate nightstands held elegant lamps, their soft glow casting long shadows. A plush bench sat at the foot of the bed, its velvety cushions beckoning despite the terror gripping her heart. Amelia’s legs trembled as she approached it, her fingers grazing the fabric in search of some fleeting comfort. Her eyes quickly scanned the room, taking in a grand chest against one wall and a sitting area where two couches faced a stately fireplace, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise intimidating space.
To her right, instead of walls, there were large, paneled windows framed by intricate draperies. The room exuded a welcoming warmth, but to Amelia, it felt like a prison cloaked in darkness. Her breath quickened as she heard someone at the door, the doorknob twisting ominously.
“No, no, no,” she whispered to herself, her panic reaching a fever pitch. Desperately, she searched for a place to hide. The bed was the nearest option, and without a second thought, Amelia dropped to the floor and crawled beneath it. She curled up on her side, pulling her knees to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Squeezing her eyes shut, she prayed fervently that whoever was at the door wouldn’t find her.
The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the soft rustle of bedding and the distant sounds of the mansion’s inhabitants. The contrast between the chaos outside and the muffled quiet of the room was jarring. As she lay there, hidden and shivering, Amelia clung to the fragile hope that this dark sanctuary would keep her safe, even as the world outside threatened to tear her apart.
