I gasp as pain throbs in my lower abdomen, as if I'm being split in half. "First time?" he asks, lowering his hand to my abdomen, his body tensing. I bite my lip to keep from answering, sensing his eyes flash with something dark. He pushes deeper inside me, and I wince. Pain shoots through me, but pleasure quickly follows, numbing me to the world. The sparks and tingles distract me from the discomfort. "So tight," he murmurs as he pulls out. "Please," I moan recklessly, knowing I should stop him but unable to resist the overwhelming pleasure. It feels so good. "Eager to feel my c**k," he growls as he thrusts back inside me, his voice making me forget the pain. The stretch burns as he goes deeper, but the pleasure consumes me. I lose myself, existing only for the man inside me. As the thrusts cease, his ragged breaths send shivers down my spine. I press my forehead into the pillow, disoriented. Suddenly, his teeth sink into my earlobe, pain shooting through my flesh. I try to grasp the pillow, but it slips away. "Mine..." He says in a low menacing voice whispers. Asher takes a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. Then, he says the words that shatter my heart. "I, Asher Knight, Alpha of the Redwood Pack, hereby reject you, Alethea Weaver of BloodMoon pack as my mate." ******** Alethea Weaver has always felt out of place, the youngest of three sisters and the only one who hasn't fully awakened her wolf. Haunted by mysterious dreams of a powerful mate, her life takes a darker turn when her father forces her to be a breeder to Xavier, the Beta of the Bluemoon Pack. But when Xavier's jealous girlfriend threatens her life, Alethea has no choice but to run. Alethea is attacked and saved by a shadowy figure-Alpha Asher, when he is hunting in the woods, knowing she is his fated mate. With her wolf still dormant, Alethea remains unaware of the deep connection between them. As their forbidden romance blooms, Asher, torn between duty and desire, ends things. A brutal accident leaves Alethea with no memory of her past-and no idea that she's carrying Asher's child. As she rebuilds her life, hidden truths, and long-buried secrets begin to resurface. Can Alethea unlock her true identity? Will she uncover why Asher pushed her away? And as rival packs close in, will she discover her power before it's too late?
Chapter 1 Alethea
Alethea
I take a deep breath as my head plunges under the river, the freezing water knocking the air out of my lungs.
I panic with fear as I try to fight against the hand gripping the back of my head, pushing me down.
"You deserve to die, bitch," the voice growls, and I instantly recognize it as Maya's, grabbing my head out of the water.
I gasp for air, trying to wipe the water off my face, but before I can, a sharp slap stings my cheek. The force makes me stumble back.
I lift a shaking hand to my burning cheek, trying to make sense of what's happening.
"This is just the beginning, Alethea," Maya hisses. "If you don't refuse to be Xavier's breeder, I'll make sure you regret it."
Xavier is the beta's son. I've been chosen to be his breeder by the Alpha's command. And Maya, his furious girlfriend, is ready to kill me if I don't refuse.
Maya's eyes flash with anger, but for a brief moment, I see a crack in her tough front.
I remember the rumors. Her mother was replaced by a breeder, a woman her father truly loved and cared for.
Is this the cause of Maya's anger? The fear that it might happen again?
"I'll do more than drown you," Maya sneers, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"I'll kill you, and no one will ever find out."
She pulls out a silver knife.
I gasp at the sight of the blade. My heart races, and I look around in panic, hoping for anyone, anything, to save me.
But deep down, I know better. Even if someone is close by, no one will help.
This has been my life: marked as cursed by the Blood Moon pack's strict law that wolf-less omegas are outcasts.
As the youngest of three girls, with my father as the head warrior, my failure to shift is more than just an embarrassment. It's a shame that clings to our name like a curse.
My parents would probably celebrate if I simply vanished into thin air.
If only I could find my wolf and my mate. It's the only way out of this suffocating life. I dream of him every night, but how can I scent him without a wolf to guide me?
But more than anything, I long to prove myself. I want to show everyone that I am more than just a wolf-less warrior's daughter. I'm capable of carving my path, even without a wolf.
My family talks down to me and treats me like an outsider. And now, Maya is here, pushing me further.
"I'll give you one last chance," she growls, narrowing her eyes.
"Run away from this pack, and never show your face again, or I..." She stops.
"Or else w...?" I barely manage to say, with a weak voice. But Maya's hand strikes my cheek before I can finish.
The slap is fast and harsh, snapping my head to the side. I stumble back, tasting blood as my lip splits.
I lift a shaking hand to the throbbing spot, my eyes are on Maya's face.
"Or else you will die," she whispers in a dark, dangerous voice, with a twisted smile on her lips.
Without another word, she turns and leaves, leaving me alone, reeling from her threat.
I stand there, frozen in shock, my heart pounding in my chest. My face and hair are soaked, and I shiver in the biting cold.
I wish my life could be as easy and carefree as my sisters'. But no, each day brings only pain.
I curl up against a tree, my body shaking, and tears fall freely like rain. I can't stop until I finally drift into sleep from exhaustion.
When I wake up, it's dark, the sky pitch black.
"Shit," I mutter, scrambling to my feet. My whole body feels heavy, my bones ache as if something's pulling me down.
I sigh and step into the river, kneeling to wash my tear-stained face. What's the worst that could happen?
My mother will probably make me go hungry tonight, another punishment for being the weak one.
I stare at my reflection, wishing for a way out.
I'm lost in thought when suddenly, the bushes near the road rustle.
I freeze, my heart racing as I can hear the noise again. My instincts scream at me to run, but my legs feel heavy, stuck to the ground.
Two wolves burst from the bushes, their snarls cutting through the air as they charged at me.
My heart leaps to my throat as it pounds against my ribs, I stumble back, lifting my arms to protect myself, as if it can prevent it, but they're too fast.
One wolf lunges toward my chest, while the other circles, blocking any escape. I was frozen with fear, and I didn't know what to do.
Then I hear a bone crack, sickening sound. I blink, my heart still racing, as one of the wolves begins to shift.
My breath catches in my throat, and I take a step back, my eyes are wide in shock as I see Maya standing there, her gaze locked onto mine.
She steps closer, getting right in front of me. Her eyes glow as she bares her fangs, and my pulse races with fear. She grabs my arms, pulling me closer.
"Stop pushing my limits, you wolf-less omega," she hisses, her fangs dangerously close to my neck.
I feel a chill shoot through me, and I know I'm in serious trouble.
The other wolf circles closer, growling, ready to end my life.
But Maya raises her hand, stopping it.
Her grip is painfully tightening on my arms as she tilts her head, her eyes locked on mine.
"Leave, or I'll tear you apart myself," she whispers, with a voice that sends chills through my bones.
I swallow hard, frozen in place, with one thing for sure I'm on the edge of life and death.
"Now," Maya growls, with a deep, angry voice that sends fresh fear rushing through me.
Finally, my legs move, and I stumble back, almost tripping over my feet before breaking into a desperate run.
I don't dare look back, but I can hear the other wolf chasing me, its growls echoing in the darkness, closing in with every step.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a shadowy figure sweep past me, fast and silent.
My heart skips a beat, caught between confusion and fear. I can't tell if it's friend or foe, but I don't have time to think about it.
The wolf chasing me lunges from behind, its teeth snapping just inches from my back, it's as if life is out of me
The shadow moves between me and the wolf, throwing it off balance with a powerful force.
They clash fiercely, the wolf snarling, but the shadowy figure doesn't relent.
With a swift, deadly motion, it snaps the wolf's neck in an instant. The wolf's body goes limp and hits the ground with a heavy thud.
I stay frozen on the ground, my heart racing. The shadow creature moves like smoke, with a surge of power that is thick in the air. It turns to me, with its glowing green eyes locking onto mine.
A strange connection stirs inside me as if something long dormant is waking up. Its gaze feels ancient, as though it holds endless knowledge, a legend comes to life.
I'm frozen, trapped in its piercing gaze. Suddenly, memories flood my mind, and I realize I've seen this creature before - in my dreams.
The creature's glowing eyes lock onto mine, sending shivers down my spine. "Are you alright?" its deep voice rumbles, vibrating the air.
I try to respond, but the shock of the dead wolf and the familiar shadow creature overwhelms me.
"No," I whisper, horror creeping up my throat as darkness closes in.
Just as I'm about to collapse, the creature lunges forward, with its massive wings. I feel its icy breath on my skin, and its voice whispers in my ear.
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