Chapter 0001

Athena

“Where the hell is she?” Beta Marcus’s furious shout echoes through the halls. I already know he’s referring to me, the only servant in this entire house. I let out a quiet groan and push myself up, grabbing the cleaning basket as I go.

The moment Beta Marcus spots me, he storms over. His hand strikes my cheek with brutal force. I don’t make a sound. Years of conditioning have taught me to stay silent unless spoken to—even when it hurts.

“Alpha Dominic and I are expecting an important guest, and you still haven’t cleaned the office like you were ordered.” He spits the words at me.

I nod, my grip tightening around the cleaning basket. For a second, I imagine swinging it at his head. The thought alone lifts my mood. But I resist. He’s stronger than me, and I can’t afford another week locked up without food. My stomach already aches with emptiness.

“We’re trying to make a good impression on Alpha Alexander. Do you even understand how crucial this alliance is for our pack?!”

I stay quiet. It’s a trap—anything I say will give him an excuse to punish me. I keep my gaze lowered, refusing to meet his eyes.

Alpha Alexander. I’ve only heard rumors about him. Whispers among pack members when they thought I wasn’t listening. From what I gathered, he’s ruthless. A wolf feared by many. He leads the largest pack in the world and doesn’t tolerate fools.

“He’s the Alpha of Obsidian Howl. The strongest pack there is. We need him!” Beta Marcus continues, though he doesn’t explain why.

We’ve never been attacked. We’ve never attacked others. So why do we need another pack’s protection?

He digs his nails into my shoulders, his grip bruising my thin skin. He spins me around and shoves me toward the office, kicking me hard as I stumble forward. “Worthless fucking wolf,” he mutters as he walks away.

I close the door quietly and lean against it, scanning the office. It’s already clean. Nothing is out of place. It’s more than ready for a meeting with some powerful Alpha.

I slide down to the floor, closing my eyes. I hate this house. I thought when I turned eighteen, I’d finally escape. But four years later, I’m still here. A slave in my own home. Doing every dirty task for my brother, Alpha Dominic, and this pack. While my ex-mate, Beta Marcus, parades around, reminding me how useless I am.

Someone clears their throat.

I freeze. I thought I was alone.

I lean forward slowly and see a man sitting in a chair just around the corner. One foot propped on his knee, he holds a glass of amber liquid. His hair is dark, his eyes a deep, unsettling crimson. They shift toward me.

I scramble back against the door, heart hammering.

“Is this how you greet all Alphas?” His voice is deep, rumbling through the room. There’s a hint of amusement in his tone.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, getting to my feet. “I… thought I was alone.” I have no idea who he is, but power radiates from him. Even without my wolf, I can feel it.

“Come here.” It’s an order. A lump forms in my throat. Alpha Dominic will kill me for this.

I step around the corner, doing as I’m told. I let him see me fully. I close my eyes, bracing for the worst.

“You smell strange. Yet you’re a wolf, aren’t you?”

I nod, though I have no idea how he’ll react. Most people laugh when they find out about me.

“I prefer verbal responses,” he growls. “I’m not in the mood for games.”

“Yes,” I whisper. My mind races through all the punishments waiting for me. A whipping? Another week of starvation?

“Why do you smell like that? And how did you not sense me in the room? You should have scented me the moment you walked in.”

“I…” I hate this question.

“Spit it out. I don’t have all day.” He takes a slow drink.

I know why I couldn’t scent him. I know why I didn’t sense his presence. But explaining it is something I never want to do. People never let me finish. They just laugh. They mock.

“You should open your eyes when speaking to someone. It’s rude not to look at them. Has your Alpha taught you nothing?” His voice sends a shiver through me.

Slowly, I open my eyes but keep them lowered. No way am I making eye contact. “My wolf abilities were bound,” I mutter. Twice, I want to add. But he probably doesn’t care.

He leans forward, placing his glass carefully on the side table. I feel his stare burning into me. “Why would someone do that?”

If this is the Alpha my brother is meeting, I could ruin everything by saying too much. “It was a punishment,” I whisper. It’s not the whole truth, but it’s the simplest answer.

There’s a twitch in his cheek. Is he angry? Or amused, like the others? I can’t tell.

The door swings open. My brother screeches, “Athena, what the hell are you doing in my office?!” He turns to the crimson-eyed man. “I apologize deeply, Alpha Alexander. My sister is bothersome.”

Crap. It’s him.

My brother spins, his hand rising to strike me. I close my eyes, bracing for the impact.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Alpha Alexander’s voice rumbles through the room.

I peek through my eyelids. Alpha Alexander is on his feet, his hand wrapped around my brother’s wrist. He’s taller. More muscular.

“Athena,” he says, my name rolling off his tongue, “was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Dominic. Since you failed to meet me at the front as requested. Luckily, someone here understands the importance of this deal.”

What? I have no idea what he’s talking about. And he has no reason to lie for me.

My brother glares, jaw clenched tight. I’ll pay for this later. I’ll have to try to steal some food tonight.

“Go get Beta Marcus,” Alpha Dominic seethes. “Tell him our guest has arrived.”

I nod and hurry out. The last thing I want is to be caught between arguing Alphas.

“Beta Marcus,” I whisper as I enter the dining hall. His dark eyes snap to me. I spoke without permission. “Alpha Dominic is in the office with Alpha Alexander. I was sent to inform you.”

He slams his newspaper down and glares as he passes. “You’re lucky the Alpha sent you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t see sunlight for days.”

He pauses behind me, yanking my head back by my hair. His fingers dig in. He leans close, his hot breath on my neck. He doesn’t speak. It’s his way of reminding me he owns me.

I try to stay busy, keeping far from the office. But my peace doesn’t last. My brother calls for me again.

Quietly, I pad toward the office and force a smile as I open the door.

“Athena, bring champagne and glasses. We’re celebrating.”

I bow my head and hurry to the drinks cabinet. I find what he asked for quickly. As I re-enter, I feel Alpha Alexander watching my every move. The hairs on my neck stand up. No one ever watches me this closely.

I approach the table by his chair and start filling the glasses. He takes the bottle from me. “I can pour my own,” he says.

My cheeks flush. Not from embarrassment, but dread. I’ll be punished for this. I should’ve been faster. I should’ve filled the glasses before entering. I should’ve—

My thoughts freeze when I see my brother glaring. He’s furious.

“Athena is your sister, correct?” Alpha Alexander questions.

“She is,” Alpha Dominic mutters with disgust. He looks away from me, focusing on the other Alpha.

“Why do you treat her like shit?” Straight to the point. My brother won’t like that.

No one has ever challenged my brother about how he treats me. Everyone enjoys beating me. I don’t know what to do. I can’t move, but I know I need to leave. If this deal falls apart because of me, it’ll be my fault.

“Athena was responsible for our parents’ death,” Alpha Dominic spits.

I close my eyes, fighting back tears.

“Responsible how?” Alpha Alexander’s voice rumbles through me. He sounds angry.

“She served them Wolfsbane.”