Chapter1

Aurora

I was dreaming of warm blankets, peaceful sleep, and a life without responsibilities—until reality rudely slapped me in the face.

"AURORAAA! GET UP, YOU LAZY ASS!"

The blanket was yanked off me, and the cold air hit my skin like an ice bath.

"Go away, Jay. Shoo!" I grumbled, burying my face into my pillow like it could save me.

"I tried waking you up for fifteen minutes, and you didn’t move. You left me no choice!"

Suddenly—SPLASH!

Freezing. Ice. Water.

"You. Did. NOT. Just. Do. That!"

I shot up like I’d been electrocuted, gasping as the icy water soaked through my shirt. Across from me, Jade stood grinning, looking way too proud of herself.

"Oops," she said, not even pretending to be sorry. "Guess you’re awake now!"

She was laughing like a maniac—no, scratch that, like a hyena on a sugar high.

"Oh, you’re so dead!" I lunged at her, tackling her to the ground.

With my wolf-enhanced strength, she had no chance. She landed flat on her face with a loud THUD!

"MY NOSE! YOU BROKE MY PERFECT NOSE!" Jade wailed dramatically, clutching her face.

I rolled my eyes. This girl deserved an Oscar for the way she acted. "That’s what you get for waking me up with a personal ice bucket challenge!"

Jade, still on the floor, stuck her tongue out at me. "You’re so overdramatic."

"Says the girl crying about her ‘perfect nose,’" I shot back.

She stood up, dusting herself off. "Whatever. You deserved it."

Jade was stunning—flawless curves, long brown hair, big brown eyes. Meanwhile, I was just… me. Beach-blonde hair, green eyes, and an "okay, I guess" kind of body.

I wasn’t ugly, but whenever people complimented me, I never believed them.

"Seriously, Aurora, I had to wake you up," Jade huffed, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Your mom’s already in one of her moods, and trust me, you don’t wanna be late for breakfast today."

At the mention of my mom, my stomach twisted uncomfortably.

My parents.

Of course, they were already mad. They always were.

Jade saw my expression shift and nudged me. "Hey. Don’t let them get to you. You’ve got me, okay?"

I forced a small smile. "Yeah. I have you."

She grinned. "Now hurry up and get dressed before your mom murders you."

After a speed shower (because who has time to enjoy warm water when your mother is the devil?), I threw on the navy blue top and skinny jeans that Jade had picked out for me. If it weren’t for her, I’d be a fashion disaster.

"Thanks, Jay. You’re a lifesaver," I said, blowing her a kiss.

She pretended to catch it and pressed her hand to her heart. "No problem, my dear disaster queen."

With that, we headed downstairs.

By the time we reached the dining room, the tension was thick enough to stab with a fork.

My dad sat at the table, buried in paperwork, as usual. As Beta of our pack, he was always working. I admired his dedication, even if it meant he barely acknowledged my existence.

My mother, on the other hand, was more than aware of me.

"You finally decided to join us," she said sharply. "Do you even know what time it is, Aurora? While you were being lazy, I had to make your father’s breakfast all by myself!"

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but she cut me off.

"As punishment, you’ll be making lunch and dinner today. And if you don’t, you won’t be eating either."

I swallowed hard, clenching my fists under the table.

Typical.

No matter what I did, I was never good enough for them. Maybe if I were a boy—their perfect son—things would be different.

"Yes, mother," I murmured, staring at my plate.

My dad didn’t even look up. He just sipped his coffee like none of this was happening.

Jade’s hand brushed against mine under the table, a silent show of support. I gave her a tiny nod, grateful that at least one person in my life actually cared.

God, what kind of life am I living?

While everyone else my age gets to enjoy their freedom, here I am, trapped, drowning in endless chores like some kind of unpaid servant.

No matter how hard I try, it’s never enough.

My father always wanted a boy—an heir to take his Beta position one day. Instead, he got me. A girl. A "weak and pathetic" disgrace in his eyes.

And the worst part?

To the rest of the world, they were perfect parents. They smiled, they pretended, they acted like I was the most precious thing in their lives.

I hated it.

They were nothing but liars.

"Aurora, everything’s gonna be okay. I’m always with you, okay?"

Jade’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was watching me, concern written all over her face.

I forced a small smile. "Yeah, Jay. I have you."

And honestly? She’s all I have.

Jade’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. "I gotta go, Aurii. My dad’s calling me. I’ll be back later, okay? Love you!"

Before I could even reply, she was already out the door.

"Love you too, Jay," I whispered to myself before turning toward the kitchen.

Because like it or not, I still had a job to do.

I sighed, bracing myself.

As I opened the fridge, my heart sank.

There was nothing left for me.

Like my life.

But before I could spiral further into self-pity, a deep voice broke through my thoughts.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence."

I groaned internally.

Jacob.

The walking red flag himself.

I turned slowly, already dreading the interaction. He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, that stupid smirk plastered on his face.

"What do you want, Jacob?" I asked flatly, not in the mood for his nonsense.

He chuckled, stepping closer. "Now, now, is that any way to talk to your future Alpha?"

I raised an eyebrow. "If you were actually a good Alpha, maybe I’d show some respect. But since you’re a narcissistic man-child, I think I’ll pass."

Jade would be proud.

Jacob’s smirk faltered for a second before he recovered. "Feisty as ever, Aurora. I like that."

I fought the urge to gag. "And I’d like it if you disappeared forever. Guess we both can’t have what we want."

His eyes darkened slightly, and for a brief moment, I thought he might actually retaliate. But then he just laughed. "Oh, sweetheart, you’re gonna regret those words one day."

I rolled my eyes. "Doubt it."

"Aurora!" My mother’s sharp voice rang out from the living room, laced with irritation. "Is that any way to speak to Jacob? Why must you always embarrass us like this?"

Her footsteps grew louder as she approached. Of course, she would defend him. She always did.

In her eyes, Jacob could do no wrong. She worshiped him as if he were a gift from the Moon Goddess herself—flawless, untouchable. Never mind the fact that everyone in the pack knew exactly what kind of man he was. His arrogance, his entitlement, his blatant disregard for anyone but himself—it was all conveniently ignored.

Just like her own faults.

Because my mother, much like Jacob, had perfected the art of selective blindness.

"I'm Sorry Mother" Is all I could say.

Without another word, I turned and walked away. I could hear some curse words from my mom which I chose to ignore and made my way towards the kitchen.

But I could still feel his eyes on me.

Watching.

Waiting.

And that made me more uneasy than I cared to admit.

I hated the fact he paid so much attention to me. I hated the fact that my parents loved this human garbage over me.

His father. Alpha Damon, leader of the Silver Moon Pack, was a strong and fair man. I respected him a lot for it.

His son, on the other hand?

Jacob?

Just thinking about him made my stomach churn.

He was nothing but a disgusting, arrogant man-whore who had made it his life’s mission to sleep with every available female in the pack.

It was almost laughable how we used to be friends. Before puberty turned him into a walking red flag.

Now?

Now, he was just another entitled bastard who thought every woman was his for the taking.

And the way he looked at me? Like I was something to be conquered. Like he had already won.

It made my skin crawl. Jade hated him.

Every decent woman in the pack hated him.

For the love of the Goddess, I just wished his mate would show up already and drag him straight to hell.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be me that Jacob set his sights on?

Little did I know, my life was about to change forever.