~CHAPTER ONE~

SILVANNA.

"Are you trying to get us killed?" My mother hissed, her manicured fingers digging into my arm as she snatched the vial of synthetic beta musk from my hands.

"I was just putting it on," I said, my voice barely a whisper as I stared up at her.

"Then put on more!" She yelled as she poured the bitter, ash scented liquid onto her own palm and rubbed it roughly against my collarbone. The chemical burned my skin, but I didn't dare flinch. "The Alpha King is already downstairs. If he, or any of his ruthless warriors, catches a single whiff of your omega smell on you, our entire family is dead. You know what they do to your kind."

I swallowed the lump of fear rising in my throat. I knew it too well. In our era, Omegas weren't just low ranking wolves, we were viewed as a cursed plague that were hunted down and systemically executed to keep the bloodlines pure. For twenty two years, my parents had kept me hidden in the dark, windowless rooms of our estate.

I was nothing but a shameful dangerous secret that they intend to hide from the world forever.

Today, my twin sister Morgana's wedding day was the first time I was allowed to step into the light. But I wasn't here to celebrate. I was dressed in a plain, oversized maid's uniform meant to blend into the shadows as a servant.

"Make sure to stay in the back corridor away from sight," My mother warned, her eyes wide with terror as she dropped the musk onto the table. "Do not speak to anyone. Do not look anyone in the eye and most importantly do not get caught!"

With one last glance at me, she hurried out, leaving me alone. The stifling smell of the synthetic musk was making my head spin. Needing a breath of fresh air, I slipped out of my room and walked down the quiet service hallway, hoping to find an open window.

As I turned a corner, I collided directly into a wall of solid muscle.

"Watch where you are going," A deep voice rumbled. The sound sent a violent shiver staright down my spine. I stumbled backward, my chest tightening as I tried to regain my balance.

Standing before me was a man so imposing he seemed to swallow all the light in the corridor. 

Alpha King Garrick.

I had only read about him in books and saw glimpse of his profile from the windows.

He looked more intimidating and unbelievably handsome in person compared to the scripts in the library.

He didn't wear a groom's suit, he wore dark tactical leather, looking more like a conqueror than a man about to get married. His eyes were a piercing cold black that stared down at me with irritation.

I swallowed, forcing my head down to stare at his heavy combat boots, terrified he would look too closely at my face.

"I...I apologise, My Lord. Forgive me." I whispered, keeping my voice as flat and gravelly as possible.

He took a step closer. He tilted his head, his chest expanding as he took a sharp breath.

My blood ran cold as I imagined the worse case scenario. He possible couldn't be sniffing me? Had the blocker worn off by his presence?

"You smell like burnt ash," he murmured, his tone dropping with disgust. "Who authorized a servant with such a foul scent to walk the main halls today?"

"I am sorry, My Lord. I'll leave at once." I squeaked, still keeping my face hidden from his piercing gaze.

"See that you do," He warned. "And find your Alpha. Tell him the bride has twenty minutes to present herself at the altar or I will take my warriors and tear this pack house apart to find her."

"Y-yes sire."

He swept past me, his oppressive aura heavy enough to make my knees tremble. I leaned against the stone wall, catching my breath. He was every bit the monster the rumors claimed.

Tall and extremely intimidating.

Never for once had I felt so small until now.

I hurried back toward the family quarters, eager to lock myself away. But before I could reach the hallways that led to my room which was in the tower above, my mother burst out of Morgana's chambers, her hair uncharacteristically messy and her eyes wide with terror.

"Silvana!" She gasped, grabbing my shoulders. "Have you seen Morgana?"

My brows furrowed. "No," I replied. "I thought she was in her dressing room."

"She isn't there!" My mother whispered, her voice cracking as her eyes danced around the hallway as if Morgana would appear from the walls. "She's nowhere to be found."

"Maybe she just has pre wedding jitters," I suggested, trying to calm her panic. "It's a massive transition mother. She's marrying the Alpha King who's known to be one of the deadliest ruler."

Before my mother could answer, three maids rushed down the hallway, gasping for air.

"Luna!" One of them cried out. "We have detached the entire estate. Lady Morgana is not in her room or anywhere in her palace!"

"What?!" My mother shierked.

"Possibly she could be in the garden or-"

Just then another maid ran up to us. "The Lady Morgana's travelling trunk is messing from the closet."

My mother let out a strangled gasp, her hands flying to her mouth but I refused to let my fear freeze me to the ground. I grabbed my mother's hand, pushing past the sobbing maids and entered Morgana's room. It was in complete disarray.

"What the hell-" I muttered as I stared at the mess.

Silk clothes, discarded jewelries and half packed vanity items were scattered across the floor. I felt presence from behind me, I turned to see my father, Alpha Thomas, standing by the door, his chest heaving as he entered the room like a rabid beast.

"She fled," my father growled, his knuckles white as he slammed his fist into the wall. "The useless girl actually fled!"

I stepped further into the room, my eyes searching the mess. On the floor, near the bedside table, a heavy leather book lay open. Peeking out from beneath the pages was a folded piece of white paper.

I walked over, picked it up and opened it. "Father. She left a note.'

He snatched it from my fingers so hard the paper ripped at the edges. My mother and I crowded around him as his eyes scanned the messy handwriting.

'I can't do this' the note read. 'I will not be a lamb led to the slaughter. I cannot marry Garrick. He's a monster and not whom I love so I'm leaving, and I am never coming back. Do not look for me.'

"No no no!" My mother cried, collapsing onto the edge of the unmade bed. "Garrick will kill us. He will view this as a personal insult and slaughter our entire pack."

I wanted to comfort her but the horrifying reality sank in. Alpha King Garrick was known to never accept defeat and he certainly didn't tolerate humiliation either. If he discovered his bride had run away to escape him, he would raze our lands to the ground.

Suddenly, my father's breathing suddenly stopped alongside his chaotic pacing. Slowly, he turned his head toward me. The bonding rage in his eyes had hardened into something cold, calculating and terrifying resolved. 

He walked closer, his eyes tracing my face. He stopped few inches away and lifted my chin with his index finger.

"Thomas," my mother whispered. "What are you doing?"

He ignored her, his gaze drifting to the pristine white lace wedding dress hanging on the wardrobe beside me.

I swallowed hard as I saw the thoughts forming in his mind. "Father?" I gulped, a terrible dread pooled in my stomach.

"Get dressed," he ordered, his eyes locking with mine. "You're getting married today instead."