Chapter 2

　　OLIVIA'S POV

　　I wept bitterly, clutching my father's knees as I pleaded for mercy. The sacred code of the pack was absolute—untouchable, even by my father, the Alpha. Once judgment was passed, it could not be reversed.

　　I was his daughter by blood, yet I had never been treated like one. Being the only omega in a family of alphas came with countless disadvantages, but being a wolfless omega was a curse that invited nothing but misfortune and shame.

　　"Don't listen to her, Father," Emma said, her voice dripping with wicked satisfaction. "Let's take her straight to the court!" As the favored daughter, she knew exactly how to twist the knife.

　　"Please, Father," I begged, my voice cracking. "I didn't do it intentionally. I swear on my life, I would never deliberately ruin our reputation."

　　I pressed my forehead harder against his leg, desperate. "Please… give me a chance."

　　He remained silent for a long, suffocating moment before finally speaking.

　　"Fine. Get up."

　　I scrambled to my feet immediately, quickly wiping the tears streaming down my cheeks.

　　"I will give you one month," he declared, his voice cold and commanding. "One month to find the man who did this and bring him before me. He defiled you, so he must take responsibility. If you fail to produce him within thirty days, Olivia, be prepared to face the full consequences—death by hanging."

　　A violent shiver ran down my spine. I bowed my head in submission. "Yes, Father."

　　He turned and left without another word, his heavy footsteps echoing like a death knell.

　　"You think you've escaped, you slutty little bitch?" Emma hissed the moment he was gone, glaring at me with pure hatred. "I'll make sure Father punishes you properly. Just wait."

　　"What are you saying, Emma?" My eyes stung with fresh tears. "Why do you hate me so much? Ever since we were children, you've always been cruel to me. What did I ever do to you?"

　　"Shut up!" she snapped, baring her teeth in a hiss before storming out of the room.

　　I stood there for a moment, trembling, then collapsed onto the bed. Burying my face in my palms, I let out a shaky breath. Where do I even begin? I didn't know the stranger's name, his pack, or even what he truly looked like. All I had was a blurry memory and the faint scent of cedar and spice.

　　Oh Goddess… was I cursed?

　　"Please, just tell me who owns this cheque," I pleaded, my voice strained with exhaustion. "It belongs to your company, right? I only need the name of the man who issued it."

　　The receptionist behind the polished desk gave me a bored look. "Madam, you've been coming here for the past three weeks. I've told you repeatedly—we cannot disclose confidential client information. Do you think if you keep showing up, I'll suddenly change my mind? We've seen your type before. Women who aren't satisfied with what they were paid and come back hunting for the client. Gold diggers."

　　Her dismissive tone and the way she whispered the last word ignited something ugly inside me.

　　In a fit of rage, I reached across the counter and slapped her hard across the face. "I have been pleading with you nicely, but you refuse to listen! Who do you think you are to call me a gold digger? Do you even know who I am?!"

　　The woman shot up from her seat, holding her reddened cheek. "You're Alpha David's disgraced daughter. Everyone knows who you are. You're so desperate that you're ready to pin your own stupidity on any man's head. I won't give you anything. Keep shouting if you want!"

　　I groaned, clutching my throbbing head in frustration. For three long weeks I had searched endlessly, but the only lead I had was this blank cheque. Time was running out, and this rude receptionist was my only bridge to the truth.

　　"Get lost already!" she spat, waving her hand at me like I was filth.

　　"You can't—"

　　"What's going on here?"

　　A sharp, elegant voice cut through the tension. I turned to see a sophisticated woman entering the lobby. Her designer dress and luxurious handbag screamed wealth and power.

　　"Oh, greetings, Luna Diana!" The receptionist's entire demeanor changed instantly. Fear flashed in her eyes as she stood at attention.

　　Luna Diana of the New Moon Pack? What was she doing here?

　　"Is this how you treat people in my company?" Luna Diana's soft voice carried a dangerous edge. "What exactly were you saying to her?"

　　The receptionist stammered, "She keeps coming here asking for information about some man she slept with, Luna. She's just one of those cheap girls—"

　　Before she could finish, Luna Diana delivered a resounding slap across her cheek.

　　"Get out of my sight. You're fired."

　　The woman burst into tears and fled.

　　Luna Diana turned to me, her expression softening remarkably. "I apologize for her behavior, dear. Tell me, what do you need?"

　　I hesitated, gently pulling my hand away from hers. There was something strangely familiar and intense about the way she looked at me. "I… I'm looking for someone."

　　"Why don't we continue this conversation at my home?" she suggested kindly. "I doubt you want to return to your pack empty-handed."

　　I nodded slowly. Maybe she could actually help me.

　　When we arrived at her residence, I was stunned by its sheer opulence. The New Moon Pack was legendary across New Zealand for their immense wealth and power. And at the center of that fear and respect stood their Alpha—the ruthless Alpha Mateo.

　　"Son, come meet someone," Luna Diana called out warmly.

　　I glanced around nervously, half-dreading meeting the infamous Alpha, but my main focus remained on finding the stranger.

　　"Luna Diana, I really—" I began, turning toward the door, when I suddenly collided with a solid chest.

　　"Watch it," a deep, velvety voice warned.

　　The voice… the scent… that same rich, intoxicating Irish cedar and spice from that night.

　　I looked up sharply. A tall, imposing man with a steel-cold expression stared down at me. But those grey eyes… they were unmistakable.

　　"Do I know you?" I whispered, staggering backward as dizziness crashed over me. The room began to spin violently. I tried to steady myself, but my legs gave way.

　　Strong arms caught me before I could fall.

　　"Hey… hey, stay with me," he said, gently tapping my cheek.

　　The last thing I saw before darkness swallowed me were those same piercing grey eyes.