CROWN OF CLAWS

Chapter Two: BEFORE THE FALL

He came closer and closer. He suddenly stopped and closed his eyes for a second. I assumed he was receiving a mind-link, probably from that dog Alpha. Who knows? Anyway, I'm not connected to anyone in this pack. I can't even mind-link, not even with the Alpha.

Then Collin turned to me. "Seems someone got lucky today, but I'll be back, pretty face."

They all laughed and left.

God, I got lucky today. But that brainless man might come back. I knew it.

I immediately bolted back to the servants' courtyard, trying hard to ignore everyone.

"Look who it is, the slave without an origin."

God, did I really have to run into Emily now? This girl was so annoying.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

I stopped in my tracks and turned to her with an icy glare.

"Yes, Emily. Do you need something?"

She smiled. "What would I possibly need from a mere slave like you?"

Wait... is everyone in this pack dumb or something?

I needed to get rid of her.

"Emily, has your brain been eaten by a dog? I'm a slave, you're an Omega. That's basically the same thing. If you don't know what you're talking about, please do me a favor and close that garbage you call a mouth."

That felt good.

Emily and everyone around us looked at me like I'd grown a second head. After all, I always kept my head down and never said anything. I used to endure everything, but I'm not that timid princess from two years ago anymore.

"Y-you... you littl—"

"Yes, me," I interrupted before she could finish.

Emily's face went livid. She was burning with anger. Well, seeing her like that was satisfying, not gonna lie.

While Emily was still pointing at me, I took the opportunity and went back to my room. I lay there, staring at the rust-stained ceiling, remembering all the terrible things I'd had to endure in the Blue Moon Pack. The humiliation, the beatings, the insults... everything.

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

If only my parents were alive, I wouldn't have to face this kind of humiliation.

FLASHBACK

"Look how beautiful you are, Amara," my mother, Lady Seraphine, the Luna of the Red Crescent Moon Pack, said.

"Mother, you always say that. Aren't you worried someone will cast the evil eye on me?"

My mother laughed.

"Nonsense. No one can do anything to my precious princess as long as I'm still breathing."

My heart leaped with joy. My mother was the most beautiful and elegant woman I had ever seen. Even though she was middle-aged, she was still breathtaking. Her smooth skin, her sweet vanilla scent, her warm smile, her brown eyes... everything about my mother was perfect. I knew that whenever my mother and father were around, nothing could possibly happen to me.

My eyes burned with tears of joy.

"Amara, why are you crying, my child? Did something happen?"

I wiped away my almost nonexistent tears.

"No, Mother. I'm just happy to have you here."

She smiled.

"Oh, silly baby. Mother will always be here to guide you into becoming the greatest Luna to ever exist. And who knows? Maybe your mate will be a strong Alpha."

"Mother, you know I want to marry Rowan."

My mother's smile faded a little.

"Mara, are you sure you want to marry that boy? He seems shady and unreliable."

My mother had always been against me being with Rowan. She never liked him at all. I always thought she was biased because she wanted me to find my own mate, but I didn't need a mate. I was perfectly happy. My family was here, my cousins were here, and most importantly, Rowan was here... but for some reason, I felt sad.

"Mother, Father approves of him. Uncle and Aunt think Rowan is a good man too. Don't worry, he'll make a good chosen mate."

My mother looked at me.

"Amara... are you sure about this?"

For some reason, that question stung.

"Yes, Mother."

Even I didn't know whether I was truly sure. I quickly tried to change the conversation.

"Mother, where is Father?"

"Your uncle called him to the edge of the pack. Some rogues have been troubling us lately. We need to maintain peace in the pack, so your father went to make sure the borders are secure."

For some reason, that didn't feel right.

"Did he at least take some guards with him?"

My mother chuckled.

"Nonsense. Your father is the strongest Alpha alive. Besides, his brother is there with him."

That's right. Uncle Darius had always fought by Father's side. Even though he was the elder brother and never became Alpha, he never seemed to mind Father taking the throne. I was glad my father had an elder brother like him.

Shortly after that, my mother's expression suddenly changed. She had just received a mind-link.

"Amara, stay here. Don't move. Your father is in danger."

Before I could say anything, my mother shifted into her white wolf and sprinted toward the edge of the forest.