Born the daughter of an Alpha, Olivia Archer always believed that her life would follow the path of power and respect. But instead, she's been abandoned by her father, tormented by her cruel stepmother and stepbrother, and falsely accused of betrayal. Forced into a life of misery, Olivia knows one thing: she must escape or lose herself entirely. But fate has other plans when she crosses paths with Dalton Skalbeck, the feared and enigmatic Lycan King. He isn't the savior she imagined, nor is he the prince she dreamed of. He's a man cursed by the Moon Goddess, bound to a life of loneliness and duty. And yet, something about him draws her in-a force beyond their control, a connection neither can ignore. As danger looms closer, Olivia must confront the truth: the kingdom she thought she knew is crumbling, and she may be the key to saving it-or destroying everything she holds dear.
Chapter 1 Olivia
Being the daughter of an alpha isn't some glamorous, fairy-tale life. It's hell. Or at least it is for me.
I'm Olivia Archer, the only child of Alpha Drake Archer of the Nightfall Pack. Sounds impressive, right? Like I should be the spoiled princess of the pack, adored and respected by everyone. But reality doesn't care about what should be. My father doesn't see me as his legacy or his daughter. To him, I'm nothing but a mistake-a problem he can't wait to forget.
My mom was different. She was my safe place, my light in the suffocating darkness of my father's cold indifference. She used to tell me that I was her world, that I'd grow up to be someone incredible despite everything. She loved me with her whole heart, even though I could see the pain in her eyes every time my father ignored her.
She wasn't his fated mate, you see. She was his chosen mate, who stood by him when his fated mate rejected him. That should have meant something. It should have been enough. But it wasn't. The day Celeste walked into our lives, everything fell apart.
Celeste-his second-chance mate. Beautiful, perfect, and blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. My father took one look at her and decided that my mom and I didn't matter anymore. We were kicked out of the alpha's mansion within days of Celeste's arrival, banished to a dingy little room in the packhouse. My mom didn't complain, but I could see the heartbreak in her every time she looked at me.
And then she got sick.
I stayed by her side through every agonizing moment, watching as the life drained from her body. My father didn't visit her, not once. Celeste forbade it, and he obeyed like the good little puppet he'd become. When my mom finally passed away, it felt like the world had shattered into a million pieces. No one mourned her but me.
That's when the real torment began.
Celeste became the adored Luna, worshiped by everyone in the pack. Her son, Sid, became the golden boy. And me? I became their favorite target. Celeste's disdain was ice-cold and calculated, while Sid's cruelty burned like fire. Every day was a battle to survive their twisted games and my father's indifference.
This morning I started like all the others-miserable.
"Olivia! Where the hell are you?" Celeste's shrill voice cut through the thin walls of the packhouse like a knife.
I shot upright, heart pounding. I'd been curled up in the corner of the broom closet I called my room, a space barely big enough for the lumpy mattress on the floor and a pile of secondhand clothes. The faint scuttling of mice reminded me I wasn't alone, though they were the least of my problems.
"I'm coming, Luna Celeste!" I called, stumbling to my feet.
I didn't bother changing out of my ratty pajamas. Celeste hated waiting, and the consequences of making her angry weren't worth the effort.
I sprinted toward the mansion, where Celeste was waiting at the front door, arms crossed and eyes blazing. Even in her workout gear, she looked effortlessly perfect. Her dark hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and her skin glowed like she'd just stepped out of a spa.
"What time is it?" she demanded.
"S-six a.m.," I stammered, trying not to trip over my own feet as I came to a stop.
"And where are my running shoes and water bottle?"
"I-I'm sorry, Luna. I'll get them right away!"
She rolled her eyes. "You're useless," she muttered as I darted off toward the pack's gym.
The gym was Sid's favorite hangout, and I prayed he wouldn't be there. But as usual, the universe wasn't on my side.
The door slammed into someone as I rushed inside, and I froze when I heard the low growl behind me.
"Watch it, b***!" Sid snarled, his voice sharp enough to make my skin crawl.
"I'm so sorry, Sid!" I stammered, spinning around to face him.
He stood there, arms crossed and lips curling into a cruel smile. Sid looked so much like Celeste it made my stomach turn-same dark hair, same piercing eyes, same perfect features twisted with malice.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" he accused, taking a step closer.
"No! I swear I didn't see you-"
"Liar," he sneered, grabbing my wrist. His grip was bruising, and I winced as I tried to pull away.
"I didn't mean to-"
"You're nothing but a bastard, Olivia. Do you know what that makes you? Worthless. Lower than an omega."
"Let me go, Sid," I said, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.
His smirk widened, and his free hand slid along my back, making my stomach churn. "You know what omegas are good for?" he whispered, his fingers toying with the waistband of my jeans.
"We're step-siblings," I said, panic rising in my chest.
"Step-siblings," he repeated with a laugh. "That doesn't mean anything."
Rage and disgust surged through me, and I shoved him as hard as I could. He stumbled back, crashing into a bench with a loud thud.
"You'll pay for this, you little b****!" he roared as I grabbed Celeste's shoes and water bottle and bolted.
By the time I reached Celeste, I was shaking so badly I could barely hold the items.
"You're late," she snapped, snatching the shoes and bottle from my hands.
"I-I tripped and fell," I lied, my voice barely a whisper.
"Lazy and useless," she spat. "All you ever do is eat and sleep like a pig. I'll speak to your father about cutting off your tuition fees."
"No! Please don't!" I begged, dropping to my knees. Tears blurred my vision as I clung to the last shred of hope I had. "I'll do anything you ask. Please don't take school away from me."
Her lips curled into a cold smile. "That's the best thing you've said in a long time," she said before turning and walking away.
I stayed on the ground long after she left, trembling and fighting back the sobs threatening to break free. School was the only escape I had-the only place where I could pretend, even for a few hours, that I was more than the unwanted daughter of Alpha Drake Archer. But even that small comfort was slipping through my fingers.