Chapter 1 The beginning

She woke up with aching joints, stretched, yawned, and opened her eyes to an unfamiliar bed.

Her body was naked and bruised, and the events of the previous night were hazy. One thing was clear, though: she had been deceived and exploited by a stranger who had claimed to be her mate.

That was a total lie.

As she ventured into the large hall, the sound of whispering filled her ears. She bowed her head, feeling the weight of their stares and judgemental looks. The cruel words echoed in her mind:"Fat, useless, and ugly." That's what she was.

Standing in the crowd, she watched as Scott, the man who had ravished and used her the night before, took center stage. Her stepsister stood beside him, and she felt a mix of fear and confusion.

Why was her step-sister standing with him?

Alpha Scott's voice boomed through the hall. "Good morning, everyone. I've called you all here to announce my mate." Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she felt important.

Was Alpha Scott going to acknowledge her as his mate, despite her appearance?

But all those hopes were shattered when Alpha Scott turned to her step sister and declared, "I announce to you all the first princess of the Dante's moonlight pack, my mate, and your Luna, Harley Dante."

The crowd erupted in applause, but she felt only shame and humiliation. Tears burned in her eyes as she wondered what she had done to deserve this.

How had she even ended up in the Princeton red moon pack??

~~~~~~~~~

The sunlight streaming into her tiny room cast an unforgiving glare on her face, but Zara's gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, unblinking and unyielding.

It was a familiar routine, one she'd grown accustomed to.

Every morning, she'd wake before dawn, lying motionless as the silence stretched out, waiting for someone-anyone to remember she existed.

Her stomach growled as if reminding her that she hadn't eaten since last noon, and she clutched her abdomen pleading with it to silent its angry growls.

Just then, the door swung open and a beautiful woman glided in, her elegant demeanour a stark contrast to Zara's disheveled state. A maid followed closely behind, holding a tray loaded with all manner of tasty but unhealthy snacks.

Zara's heart skipped a beat as she sat bolt upright, her eyes wide with alarm as the woman, her step mother, approached her bedside.

"It's been really long, Zara," the woman said, her smile faltering. "How have you been doing?" She asked, her tone detached.

Zara instincts screamed to reveal the truth–that she was suffocating under the weight of her confinement. But she bit back her words, forcing a bright smile instead. "I'm doing fine, Mo....."

The woman's glare cut her off, and Zara hastily corrected herself, her laughter sounding forced. "I mean, Luna Sophia." The title felt like a bitter taste on her tongue, a reminder that her step mother had forbidden her from using the one word that should have been hers to claim: Mother.

Her step mother nodded once in approval and told the maid to place the food on the stool beside the bed.

The maid did so and left the room, closing the door behind her. Then, Sophia the Luna of the Dante moonlight pack, gazed at Zara and said, " You may start eating."

Without a word, Zara brought the tray onto her lap and began devouring the high-calorie food.

She knew it was unhealthy, but she felt powerless.

As the daughter of a mere slave and the illegitimate daughter of a father who didn't approve of her, she knew she was at her stepmother's mercy.

Sophia's laugher cut through the air. "Slow down, fatty. The food isn't going anywhere."

Zara paused, her eyes fixed on the food.

Her step mother continued, "That's not why I'm here, anyway. I've come to select a suitable dress for you." She walked over to the wardrobe, her heels clicking on the floor. "I want you to look really nice."

Lifting her head, Zara curiously watched her as she select a yellow gown and silver shoes.

What was her stepmother's motive this time?

"This outfit will make you stand out," Sophia said with a sarcastic tone, eyeing Zara up and down."Tonight, we're celebrating your nineteenth birthday."

Zara eyes narrowed. "But I already turned nineteen last month."

Sophia snickered. "Does it look like I care? Your father and I just needed an excuse to invite the alpha of the Princeton red moon pack, and your birthday was the perfect opportunity."

Zara's eyes widened in shock, and she Instinctively clutched her skirt, biting back a scream as a wave of anguish washed over her.

As usual, they had just wanted to use her for their own interests.

Her stepmother's grin was menacing. "Just play along, and you'll have a birthday celebration like never before."With that, she stormed out of the room.

Zara stared after her, confused and worried.Before she could process what had just happened, the maid whose name was Eve returned, calling out softly. "Zara?"

"Yes, what is it?" Zara looked away, her gaze drifting back to the ceiling.

Eve let out a deep sigh and sat down beside her on the bed, her hand gently stroking the beautiful yellow gown. "I know you're upset, but you just have to do as she says."

Tears rolled down Zara's cheeks as she turned to face Eve, her friend and confidante, the only one who truly understood her within the pack. "But why, Eve?" Her voice cracked. "Why must they always hurt me? They've never cared about my birthday before. Why now?"

"It's about Harley, your step sister." Eve's whisper was almost inaudible.

Zara's eyes widened, shock etched on her face. "Why...I mean, how?"

Eve's eyes locked onto hers, her expression somber. " Your dad wants to form an alliance with the Princeton Red moon pack by arranging a marriage between Harley and the pack's alpha."

Zara's eyes dropped, and she nodded slowly, the painful truth sinking in: everything was always about Harley, never about her. "I hope they get what they want," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her words a genuine wish despite the pain and feeling of being used that lingered with in.

"I hope so too," Eve said softly, clearing the empty tray and setting it on the table. She then helped Zara sit at the dressing table and began to style her hair with skilled hands, getting her ready for the birthday party that felt more like a burden of celebration.

~~~~~~~

Time flew quickly, and soon it was 9:00 pm. Zara gazed nervously at her reflection, and her eyes narrowed in self-criticism. She saw a round face with a double chin, and a stomach that seemed to bulge noticeably beneath the tight yellow gown, staring back at her.

She let out a despairing sigh. Could she look any worse today? Her hands were sweaty as she tried to pop the acne on her face, but Eve's hand caught hers, stopping her.

"You can't do that today," Eve said firmly.

Zara rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Eve led her out of the room and out of the mansion, the moonlight casting a silver glow behind them.

As they walked through the large garden, Zara's eyes sparkled with curiosity, taking in the sights. Her stepmother usually kept her confined to her tiny room in the mansion, claiming her presence would embarrass her father. Today was a rare exception, and Zara was determined to make the most out of it.

They approached a very grand building and Eve told her, "That's the hall where the celebration will take place."

Zara's eyes sparkled with excitement as she nodded eagerly. She had been to the pack house only a few times.

Holding up her gown, she quickened her pace, walking ahead of Eve. She was bursting to see the hall's decorations. But as she stepped inside, her excitement faltered, replaced by a wave of nervousness.

The room was packed, with what seemed like the entire Moonlight pack in attendance.

Zara's gaze swept through the crowded room, expecting to be noticed, but she was invisible.

Every eye was fixed on her step sister, who was beaming beside a tall, handsome stranger.

"That is Alpha Scott,"Eve said, raising her voice slightly over the gentle hum of the music. "He is the alpha of the Princeton Red moon pack."

Zara nodded, her eyes fixed on the said man now laughing at something Harley had said.

He was tall, handsome, and exuded power, with broad shoulders and piercing green eyes. His dominant aura commanded respect and attention, and Zara felt shiver down her spine.

Just as she was taking in his imposing presence, their eyes met, and she quickly looked away, her heart racing.

TBC