(Mia)

moved around , ensuring everything was spotless, while my so-called parents barked order

on B

st feared-he was legendary for his ruthlessness. Stories of his conquests and the blood he

arry

own that clung to my frame showing the shape of my body

ought color to my pale cheeks. I looked nothing like

f, my hands trembled. I wasn't ready

oor jolted me ou

alled softly.

pped as her he

soon," I replied, my vo

d dominance. It was unlike anything I'd ever encountered before. The roo

d attention. His dark hair was slicked backwards, and his piercing amber

hness toward me replaced with obsequiousness. "Alpha

and for a moment,he said nothing for

it." he replied with a v

y and gestured toward me.

is attention was so suffocating. I forced myself to

and predatory. When he finally stopped in front

said, his voi

ice firm despite the fe

narrowing slightly. Then, without warning,

he murmured, his t

about love or affection. It was a business transac

ned to my father. "May we

dded eagerly. "O

hand shot out, gripping my wrist. "Before th

a split second before he

grip firm but not painful, until we were in a private sitti

he said, leaning cas

king my fear with defi

ut it wasn't quite a

me?" I demanded, my voi

y boldness. "I thought that was obvious.

why

a shadow over me. "Your father has something I

a pawn," I

're all pawns in someone else's game and you just have to be m

g to process his words.

to go," he

ing over me. This could be my chance-a way to re

lifting my chi

pproval. "Good, you have no c

leave, his parting w

and I'll make you wish you hadn

behind him, and I re

me had

ded to win

***

acked with members of the pack, their eyes fixed on

hoed through the hall, my new reality hit me like a t

una Queen of B

lur of rituals,vows

ack members gathered in a semi-circle. Their attention snapped to us the moment we approac

cle," Damion said, his

other," Damion said

she corrected,

gal and commanding, her presence ins

's light. She wore a dark gown that accentuated her sharp features, and her amber eye

er must be so proud of you." she said, her voice calm but i

n honor to meet you," I said, keeping my vo

lasping her own behind her back. "You're... younger than I ex

" I said, quickly dropp

mer Luna," she corrected again. "

over me, taking in every detail-from the modestly

arrangement should serve a good purpose," she said, her tone edged with cond

tone sharp but calm. "This is ne

to be Luna, Mia? Do you truly understand what will be expected of you?"

nderstand that I'll need to earn your respect," I said, my voice ste

was a flicker of something in her eyes-

ng to Damion, she added, "You've made your decision. I onl

you." Damion said quietly, though his tone su

y from us, her presence l

is mother didn't accept me, my place in this pack-and by Dami

. There was no room for mistakes. Not wi

**

it halls of the Bloodhound estate, hoping to clear my mind. The day had been o

in my tracks. Recognizing Damion's low, commanding to

partially open door. "You've brought a traitor's daughter into

n't know who her father is? And What he has done to this fam

cost us your father's life! Do you think I'll stand by and watch h

er words, the weight of th

r father's actions is crazy. Mia is nothing more than a pawn in this game, a means t

ring ruin to everything your father built? You're blind, Damion. She carries the s

ly. "She dare not try to because if she does, I'

he words struck me like a blow. I

" his mother warned. "One your fa

s dead because he let his guard do

I slipped away, the sound of

crashed over me like a tidal wave. The game had beg

ng my revenge as Lyra, I have to face Mia's

n't just be my life on th