CELESTINE’S POV

The days bled into one another. I could no longer clearly remember what happened after that fateful day. The details had become a hazy blur, overshadowed by the raw, unrelenting pain of my loss. What I did remember was the overwhelming grief that consumed me, the way I cried every single day, missing my parents with a desperation that seemed impossible to ever quench.

Mom... Dad, please come back.

Please, save me.

I ached for their embrace, the warmth of their love that once wrapped around me so securely. I yearned for the days when I was just a carefree girl in their eyes.

The accusations from the pack elders had become a dull, persistent hum in the background of my existence. I was numb to their scorn, their harsh words cutting through me like a knife. They called me selfish and cold-blooded, blaming me for the death of my parents just because they wanted my younger brother, Soren, to become the Alpha instead of me. I had become the scapegoat for their grievances, my very presence a reminder of the family they believed I had wronged.

I closed my eyes tightly.

I wanted to shake my head in denial, to scream that I had never cared about being the heir, that I had never wanted the title of Alpha. I simply wanted to be the little girl who could bask in her parent’s love and protection. But my pleas fell on deaf ears. No one wanted to hear my side of the story, my voice was hoarse from the endless crying that had left me drained and defeated.

Soren, only fifteen at the time, was thrust into the role of Alpha with a cold urgency.    As for me, my brother’s wrath was something I had been enduring since then. No matter how hard I cried and told him the truth, he wouldn't listen. To torment and avenge our parents, he made me a slave in our own pack. My duties were the dirtiest and hardest—cleaning, scrubbing, and serving with no respite.

Beatings became a regular part of my existence. My bones were broken and healed more times than I could count, each injury evidence of my suffering. Bruises covered my body, a patchwork of pain that never seemed to fade. The anger and frustration of everyone in the Ironclaw Pack were taken out on me, leaving me as nothing more than a punching bag for their discontent.

To make matters worse, I was without a wolf. At twenty-two years old, I had still not manifested my wolf. My brother had forced me to take poison to suppress the awakening of my wolf, ensuring that I remained the lowest of the low—far beneath even the omega maids.

Without my wolf, I was vulnerable, subject to the whims of anyone who chose to bully or abuse me.

This morning was no different. The maid’s harsh voice cut through my thoughts as she ordered me to hurry. “Hurry up! Get ready! We have important guests arriving soon. You need to serve wine at the gathering.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. The maid walked away, her words trailing behind her as she chatted and laughed with another maid.

“I heard an Alpha from the neighboring pack is coming,” one of the maids said, her voice tinged with excitement. “Oh my gosh, I heard he’s so handsome and sexy.”

Her companion laughed and added, “He might be handsome, but didn’t you hear? He’s especially cruel and ruthless. He even killed his parents and all the elders in his pack!”

The other maid gasped, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Goodness, just like Celestine. They both killed their parents. How terrifying these people are!”

The narrative that had been painted for me—of a daughter who betrayed her own family—had become a part of my very being.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"This is why I want to join your pack alliances..."

The gathering was a grand affair, the Ironclaw Pack’s great hall abuzz with the murmurs and movements of its members and guests from different neighboring packs. The air was thick with tension as Alpha Soren, now a young and troubled leader, engaged in a critical negotiation with Alpha Gideon Ironhart of the Shadowbane Pack. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, as Soren, once the young boy of the pack, now stood as the Alpha of a faltering pack desperate for an alliance.

Under Soren’s leadership, the Ironclaw Pack had grown increasingly weak. Rogue attacks were frequent, the pack’s borders were collapsing, and they had already lost significant parts of their territory. It was clear to everyone that something had to be done, and quickly. That was why Soren was here today—hoping to secure the protection and strength of Alpha Gideon’s formidable pack.

Alpha Gideon, a tall and imposing figure with a reputation that preceded him, regarded Soren with a steely gaze. His presence alone seemed to fill the room, his aura one of undeniable authority and power. Soren, although determined, appeared slightly anxious under Gideon’s scrutinizing stare. His wolf didn't like the intensity of the other Alpha's wolf.

“I only want the strongest packs in my alliance,” Gideon stated firmly, his voice resonating with a commanding tone. “Your pack is very weak. I heard a lot of news about Ironclaw. Why should I accept you?”

Upon hearing that, Soren swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment. “You can name any conditions you want,” he replied, trying to maintain composure. “I’ll agree to them as an exchange.”

Gideon’s eyes narrowed slightly, considering the offer. “Any conditions?”

“Yes, any conditions,” Soren affirmed. He was willing to do whatever it took to secure his pack’s safety and restore its former strength. Of course, once that happened he would be a lot more powerful.

At that moment, Celestine walked towards them, her presence barely noticed amidst the tension. She moved with practiced grace, a faint smile on her lips as she carried a tray of wine. She approached the table where Gideon and her brother sat, his dark eyes locked onto her. Her heart raced as she approached, aware of the weight of the authority of the man before her.

As she poured the wine for Gideon, she felt his intense gaze upon her. Startled by his intimidating presence, her hand shook slightly, causing the wine to spill over the rim of the glass. The deep red liquid splashed onto the table and Gideon’s fine clothing.

Gideon’s brow furrowed, a slight frown appearing on his face as he registered the mistake. Before he could address the issue, Soren’s mate, now the Luna of the Ironclaw Pack, reacted swiftly. Talia's eyes flashed with irritation as she grabbed a whip from her side.

"Goodness!"

With a harsh crack, the whip lashed out, connecting with Celestine’s back and knocking her to the ground. The sharp sting of the whip was accompanied by a loud gasp from the assembled guests. Celestine’s eyes widened in shock and pain, her body crumpling as she hit the floor.

The Luna’s voice was cold but laced with a false sweetness as she addressed Gideon. “I’m so sorry, Alpha. This slave is too careless and has dirtied your clothes. I’ll punish her right away.”

The Luna raised the whip again, her intent clear in the way she tightened her grip. Celestine, now on the ground, instinctively covered her head with her arms, her body trembling in fear.

Just as Talia was about to whip her again, a powerful hand shot out and gripped the whip.

GIDEON'S POV

Same old boring ones.

This gathering was proving to be as dull as the previous ones. I leaned back in my chair, fighting off the boredom as Alpha Soren of the Ironclaw Pack droned on about his desperate need to join the pack alliance I led.

His pack had been deteriorating under his leadership, their territory shrinking, their strength waning. It was clear he was grasping at straws, hoping to secure an alliance with my pack. But honestly, how could I accept such a weak pack, led by a weak Alpha?

Just as I was about to lose myself in thought, a woman entered the room. Her timid demeanor was evident in the way she moved slowly, almost as if she feared every step she took. She carried a tray of wine, which she carefully set down before me. I noticed her arms, marred with bruises—obviously, the Ironclaw Pack didn’t spare their servants from violence.

Now, that was more of a reason why the pack-alliance bullshit he wanted would not be happening anytime now.

"Hurry and serve Alpha Gideon," Soren’s gaze was sharp as he instructed her to pour wine for me. As she approached, I could sense her nervousness.

"Okay, brother," she absentmindedly uttered. However, that was not what mattered. Did she just call Alpha Soren her brother? What was going on here?

Before I could ask something, Soren, who was enraged by what he heard stood up and slapped the woman across the face. His eyes were red in anger, and the veins on his neck were protruding. "Do you think you deserve to call me brother? Call me Alpha, you dirty slave!"

The woman was on the verge of crying as she tried to calm the frantic Alpha. "I-I'm sorry, Alpha! I didn't mean to! I'm so sorry!"

She immediately went near to serve me, and as she did that, her hand trembled, causing the wine to slosh over the rim of the glass and spill onto the table. The dark red liquid also dripped onto my clothes, an irritating but minor inconvenience.

My frown deepened. Before I could say anything, Soren’s Luna, Talia, whom she introduced earlier, took action. Her face twisted in anger as she whipped the girl across the back, sending her crashing to the floor. The sharp crack of the whip cut through the room like a knife. The girl cried out in pain, her body curling in on itself as she tried to protect her head.

Luna Talia's voice was cold, dripping with a false sweetness as she addressed me. “I’m so sorry, Alpha Gideon. This slave is too careless and has ruined your clothes. I’ll punish her right away.”

She raised the whip again, her intent clear. I caught the movement out of the corner of my eye. Without thinking, I stood and grabbed the whip, pulling it from Luna Talia’s hand. The suddenness of my action seemed to freeze the hall in place.

Now, this is getting more interesting, I thought in the back of my head. “Don’t be so hasty to punish her," I started, then eyed the maid and Alpha Soren. "What’s going on here? She's your sister?”

Soren’s eyes were wide with a mix of embarrassment and anger upon hearing my question. But he knew under my scrutinizing gaze, he had no choice but to answer. “She is indeed my sister,” he said, his voice strained. “But she killed our parents! I no longer recognize her as my sister. She’s just a criminal now, a slave.”

I nodded slowly, taking in his words. “I see,” I replied, my gaze shifting back to the girl on the floor. Her face was hidden, but I could see her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Soren seemed desperate to move on. He quickly redirected the conversation to the alliance. “What conditions will you set to allow my pack to join your alliance, Alpha Gideon?”

I took my time considering his request. Normally, I would have rejected such a weak offer without a second thought. But tonight, the situation had changed. The girl’s plight, the desperation in Soren’s voice—it all added a new layer to this negotiation.

As I weighed my options, I glanced at the girl again. She was still curled on the floor, her body trembling. My thoughts were interrupted by Soren’s hopeful gaze. He was waiting, clearly expecting a positive response.

I took a deep breath and, to Soren’s surprise, I pointed at the girl.

"I want her."