Chapter 1 Sisters

Nyra's POV

“Kneel,” My late Alpha father’s biological daughter, Iora Hawkstone barked, voice dripping with nothing but unadulterated hatred for me. “And lick my shoes clean.”

My head had snapped to the side.My cheek was burning like hell. The taste of my own blood filled my mouth.

I hadn't even seen the slap coming.

For a second, everything went quiet.

Not really—the banquet hall was still buzzing with whispers, laughter, the clinking of glasses—but it all blurred into this distant, muffled noise. Like I was underwater.

I straightened slowly, shaking my head.

“No!”

Her eyes flickered. Just for a second.Then her lips curled.

—

It had started hours earlier.

The fucking banquet.The pack’s grand annual harvest banquet.

Except this year, there was barely anything to celebrate. Crops failed. Supplies were low. Everyone was on edge and then they noticed there was a shortage of staff as well.

Guess who got picked?

Yeah. Me.

“Put this on,” yelled one of the Omega she-wolves (ones who wouldn't even dare to look eye level with me had father been alive).She smirked, tossing a maid uniform at me.

I stared at the black-and-white lowcut fabric with satin bows. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?We've got too much workload.So hurry up your fat ass, woman!”

So there I was, a few minutes later, dressed like a damn servant, carrying trays through a hall full of wolves who used to greet me with respect,before everything went to shit.

“Careful, don’t spill, mutt.”

“Didn’t know we let strays serve now.Better check for contaminations before sipping,bro!”

“Pathetic.”

Yeah. They didn’t even bother lowering their voices.

I kept my head down. Not because I was ashamed—hell no—but because reacting would only make things worse.

Except…

“Hey.”

I glanced sideways.

It was Shila, an omega as well. But someone with a soul. Small,quiet,the kind of person everyone overlooked. But her eyes… they were always soft for me.

“You’re holding it wrong,” she whispered, gently adjusting the tray in my hands. “Like this.It’ll balance better.Got it?”

I blinked at her. “Thanks.”

She gave me a tiny smile. “Ignore them. They bark louder when they’re scared.”

I huffed out a quiet laugh. “That's supposed to make me feel better?”

“A little,” she said, shrugging. “Works for me.”

And weirdly… it did.

For a moment, at least.

Because then—The doors opened.

And of course, my ‘beloved’ foster sister had to make a fucking entrance.Her eyes found me instantly.

Of course they did!

She slowed, just enough to let everyone notice the contrast—her shining, silver, moon-kissed, long-trailed gown… and my maid’s uniform (with stains of wine).

She wanted a reaction.Jealousy…anger…pain.I gave her nothing.I just turned around and kept walking.

And that? Yeah…That pissed her off way more.

—

I should’ve known she wouldn’t let it go.

I was heading towards the exit,tray balanced carefully, when her foot slid out.

Right into my path.

“Shit—” I stumbled forward. The tray tilted.And just like that,red wine splashed all over her shoes.

The room went dead quiet.

I froze.

Then slowly looked up.

Iora stared down at her stained shoes, her expression going from shock… to twisted…to something dark.

Before I could even open my mouth—Smack!!! That was the slap! The one that still rang in my ears as she stood in front of me now.

“You did that on purpose,” she said coldly.

“Are you serious?” I snapped, pressing a hand to my burning cheek. “You tripped me.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

She stepped closer. Too close. “I said kneel,” she repeated, softer this time but somehow more dangerous. “And clean your mess.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Yeah,and I told you that’s not happening.”

Her eyes flashed. “I said—”

“And I said no.” I met her gaze head-on. “It wasn’t my fault, and I’m not degrading myself for your ego, princess.”

For a moment, I thought she’d hit me again.Her hand even lifted.

Then suddenly—

Everything changed.Her face crumpled.Her eyes glossed over with tears.And the next second, she was sobbing.

“I— I don’t understand why you hate me so much, Nyra,” she choked out, voice trembling. “I’ve always tried to be kind to you, and you— you humiliate me like this in front of everyone…”

I blinked.What the—

A familiar voice cut through the room.“What is going on here?”

My stomach dropped.

I turned.

And there he was, Alpha Theodore - my ex-mate and Iora's husband.

“Nyra?”

Fuck! Perfect timing.

Memories hit me like a punch to the gut—laughter, stolen moments, promises whispered under the moon... All of it crashing into the present like something dead and rotting.

I swallowed hard.“I didn’t—”

“She spilled wine on me on purpose,” Iora said, stepping closer to him, clutching his arm like she needed protection. “I didn’t do anything to deserve this…”

He frowned then looked at me.

For a second—just a second—I thought…Maybe he’d see through it. Maybe he’d know me well enough to understand.

“It wasn’t like that,” I said quickly. “She tripped me—”

“Enough!!!”

Well, I should have known! Nevertheless, his word hit harder than his wife’s slap.

“Apologize,” he said.

Just like that.No hesitation. No doubt.I stared at him. “You’re not even going to hear me out?Even the worst criminal deserves a fair trial!”

“I don’t need to,” he replied, voice colder than ice. “I saw her state. That’s enough.”

Something inside me cracked.Just… quietly.A bitter laugh slipped out of me. “Wow.”

His expression darkened. “Nyra—”

“No, no, it’s fine,” I cut in, shaking my head. “Really. I mean, why would I even expect fairness from the likes of you?”

His jaw tightened.“Apologize.”

I looked him dead in the eye.“Make me.”

That did it.The air shifted.Power rolled off him in waves, crushing down on everyone in the room. One by one, wolves dropped their heads, bending under the weight of his Alpha aura — the pressure got them all.

Except me.

I stood there,straight,unmoving,staring right into his eyes.His eyes widened—just slightly.Then narrowed. “You’ve grown arrogant.”

“And you’ve grown blind,” I shot back.

Big mistake.His expression turned lethal. “You dare disrespect your Alpha? Your Luna?”

“Oh, please,” I scoffed. “She’s no Luna of mine.”

“ How dare you…” Theodore's fangs were out, his claw elongated. A sharp intake of breath echoed through the hall.When suddenly, Iora interrupted — “I think,” she said softly, wiping at her tears, “we should be practical about this.”

Everyone turned to her.

She looked… thoughtful now. Calculating. “The harvest has failed this year,” she continued. “We don’t have enough to offer the King.”

A pause.

Then her gaze slid to me.“But… we do have her.”

Cold dread crept up my spine. “What—”

“She’ll make a perfect soother,” Iora added sweetly. “A living tribute. I’m sure the Alpha King would be… satisfied.”

The room erupted into whispers.

I stepped back. “I’m not going anywhere.This is my father's pack!”

Hands grabbed me.I fought.Hard! “Let me go—!”

A blow landed across my ribs.Then another. Pain exploded through me as they forced me to my knees.

“Stop!” I spat, struggling. “You can’t —” My breath came in ragged gasps as I looked up at Theodore. He didn’t even look conflicted.

“Throw her in the dungeon,” he ordered.

My chest tightened.

“In three days,” he continued, voice devoid of any empathy, “she’ll be caged and sent with the tribute.”

Silence fell.

I stared at him…at the man I once loved.

And felt…

Nothing but disgust.

“Three days,” I rasped, blood on my lips. “Hope you enjoy the peace while it lasts.”

His gaze hardened. “Take her away.”

As they dragged me out, my eyes flicked once more to the crowd—to Shila.

She looked terrified.But she didn’t look away.She even tried to do a ‘proud-smile’, telling me not to worry with her hand signs.

And somehow…That was the only thing that kept me from breaking.