1

The school is just down the road. I pull my hood low over my head and weave my way through the crowd of students. They quickly part to make space for me, but it’s not because they want to. When they catch sight of the bruises on my skin—marks left by the Alpha and Luna, my parents—they look away, pretending I’m not there.

It’s no secret that the Alpha and Luna despise me. But the pack can't do a thing about it, even if they wanted to. After all, they are my parents.

Yes, I am the daughter of our pack's Alpha and Luna.

I don’t fully understand why they loathe me so much. There are whispers that they were forbidden from finding their true mate and forced into this union when they were too young. Over the years, their resentment toward each other and the marriage has twisted into something darker—a hatred that now extends to me, the living proof of their bond.

At least, that's what I’ve pieced together from the pack’s gossip. Or maybe they simply hate me for reasons I’ll never understand.

I shut my eyes, and the memory of this morning floods back.

"Did you make our food?"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied quietly, unable to hold her sharp green gaze, lowering my eyes instead.

"Get lost," the Luna—my mother—ordered coldly.

I sighed and bolted from the house, moving as fast as if the devil himself were on my heels.

"Katerina! Wait up!" A familiar voice calls, pulling me from my thoughts.

I slow my pace, letting him catch up. As always, he drapes his arm casually over my shoulders. He’s at least five or six inches taller than me, and even though I’m taller than average, he still insists I’m small.

"David."

I greet him with a faint smile, feeling a little lighter under the warmth of his friendly presence.

David is the only person in the pack who still bothers to talk to me.

His brown eyes are soft and warm as they meet mine while we walk. "No fresh marks."

I quickly avert my gaze, trying to hold onto my smile, but I can feel it fading. David lets out a small sigh. He hates seeing what our leaders do to me, but he’s powerless to stop it. If he were to challenge the Alpha, he’d be locked up in the cells for weeks—just a boy, no match for the Alpha’s wrath.

That’s why I never ask him for help, never burden him with the truth of what happens at home. I learned to bury my feelings deep down, to keep them hidden, even as a child.

"So, how did it go with Cassy?" I ask, changing the subject as we step into the school building.

"It didn’t," he says with a sigh. "She wants to wait for her mate."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised. "You tried to sleep with her on the first date?"

David shrugs with a sheepish grin. "Not exactly. I kissed her when I dropped her off at her place. She freaked out, thinking it was more than just a goodbye kiss."

I laugh softly, then tilt my head, looking up at him with curiosity. "It’s your birthday next week, right? Aren’t you excited about finding your mate?"

David scoffs, rolling his eyes. "Mates turn us into monsters. I’ll pass."

I didn’t argue with David’s words, even though I couldn’t fully believe them. Werewolves become more dominant when they find their mates. The males change the most—there’s a raw, primal side that takes over their emotions. When it comes to their mates, they’re protective, possessive, and undeniably intense. But there's also a softer side to them, one that’s reserved only for their mate. A tenderness, a love, that no one else will ever witness or experience.

"I’ll see you at lunch," I say, breaking away from David’s side. I give him a small wave before heading toward the back of the school. He’s on the basketball team, while I prefer track. It’s peaceful there, with far less conflict.

After changing in the locker room, I make my way out to the track. I begin stretching, ignoring the dull throb from yesterday’s bruises that spread across my body, from my ribs down to my hips. As I work through the tightness, I begin to feel a little looser, a little more relaxed. Then, I set off, jogging at a steady pace.

Only four other wolves run track, which makes it feel less crowded. Most wolves prefer more aggressive sports—strength and speed are our pride. Track is just… different. It’s not about fighting or proving anything, just about pushing myself.

As I run, I drift into my own world. My thoughts fade into the background, and the pounding of my feet against the track drowns out everything else. The pain in my body, the anger in my heart—all of it starts to melt away. For a while, it’s just me and the rhythm of my steps. Track is my escape, my moment of freedom. It keeps me in shape without forcing my wolf to surface. Alpha Kade and Luna Sasha despise my wolf, and they can’t stand anything about me.

The rest of the school day passes in a blur, and I head straight home after track practice, without stopping to shower or change.

When I step into the house, I rush to my room and toss my bag onto my bed. Even though I’m drenched in sweat and could use a long shower, I know there’s no time. I head back downstairs to begin cooking.

I scrub my hands quickly, then start gathering ingredients from the kitchen. For the last ten years, I’ve been the one cooking, forced to spend hours in front of the stove, beaten if the food doesn’t turn out perfectly. I’m practically the family’s personal chef.

Tonight, I’m making lasagna—classic Italian style, just like last night’s instructions said. I can already tell my parents are expecting guests. They never ask for fine dining, so it’s safe to assume they’re not trying to impress anyone important.

It takes me almost forty minutes to prep everything before the real cooking begins. With only about three hours left before my parents come home, I don’t want to waste a single second. My mind shifts into autopilot as I add ingredients, flavors, and spices, without checking a recipe book. Even then, it still takes me nearly two hours before the dish finally slides into the oven.

After setting the timer, I quickly fill the sink with water and begin washing up. My shoulders ache, and my hands are sore, but I know I can’t stop—not now. My parents will be home soon.

Just as I start drying the pots, I hear the front door open. My body stiffens instinctively. I lower my eyes and continue with my task, drying and putting away the pots without a word.

The sound of my parents’ voices grows louder as they enter the kitchen, no doubt ensuring that I’ve prepared what they asked for. Their sharp green eyes scan the counters, then flicker to the soapy pots resting in the drainer.

“This house smells like sweat. Shower before you even think about coming near our guests tonight,” Mother says, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Yes, Luna," I reply quietly, my head down as I hurry to finish drying the pots.

My father’s gaze lingers on me for a moment, the weight of it making my skin prickle. I can almost feel the heat of their combined glares, the pressure making my palms sweat in nervousness. Only when I hear them step into the hallway do I dare exhale.

How much longer must I endure this?

I quickly finish putting the pots away and head upstairs for a shower. There’s barely fifteen minutes left. I scrub the sweat from my skin, but I know I don’t have time to blow-dry my hair. I towel dry it quickly and pull on a pair of skinny jeans, a fitted hoodie, and ankle boots.

Rushing back downstairs, I throw my hair into a messy bun and grab the oven mitts. The lasagna is bubbling perfectly in the oven. I pull it out, letting it rest for ten minutes as I turn off the oven. Then I chop up a fresh salad and prepare the sides, carefully placing everything into Luna Sasha’s casual serving dishes. I carry the plates through to the dining area and start setting the table.

By the time I bring the food to the table, my parents are already seated in their usual spots, with my brother Randi sitting next to them. He’s a year younger than me and treated far better. I don’t know why—maybe I took all the blame for being the firstborn.

“It’s about time,” Mother says, her glare sharper than usual.

“My apologies, Luna,” I murmur, setting their plates in front of them, then placing one in front of the strange man sitting across from them. I don’t dare meet his eyes. Another business meeting, no doubt. My parents loathe me being around their guests.

“Eat with us.” Randi’s voice is soft, almost kind, as he gestures to the empty chair beside him.

I freeze for a moment, my gaze flicking to my parents. The warning in their eyes is unmistakable, telling me not to accept his invitation.

“I’ve already eaten, but thank you.”

Not waiting for any response, I turn and dash back into the kitchen as quickly as I can.

I place the small piece of leftover lasagna onto a dish, sitting down to eat alone, the sound of laughter and conversation drifting from the dining room. I stopped trying to belong a long time ago. I know I’ll never be welcome at their table.

Once I finish eating, I begin drying the pots from dinner, when suddenly, an unfamiliar scent fills the air.

A stranger.

"May I help you, Sir?" I ask softly, my palms beginning to sweat as I glance up at the large man standing in the doorway.

His scars and tattoos make me uneasy. His imposing size doesn’t help either. He’s a wolf, but not one with Alpha blood—most likely a messenger. That makes sense. My parents don’t need to impress a messenger. To them, anyone below Alpha status is considered beneath them, no matter the rank.

"Who is the firstborn of Alpha Hermansen’s lineage?" The man’s gruff voice startles me, and I answer almost without thinking.

"Katerina, Katerina Hermansen," I whisper my name.

"A female?" His surprise is palpable.

"Yes," I confirm with a small nod.

"Carry on with your duties." He grunts, turning on his heel and quickly leaving the kitchen.

Though his behavior and his question are a little rude, I don’t dwell on it. He assumes I’m a maid—insulting, yes, but it’s nothing new. I know better than to correct another wolf, especially one of his apparent stature.

I finish cleaning the kitchen before heading upstairs to my room. I pull out my study books and papers. The next month will be my final year at school, provided the Elders deem me fit to graduate. They need to be sure that we have control over our wolves before we’re allowed into the human world.

I study for a while, then change into my pyjamas. Crawling into bed, I let sleep take over, knowing I’ll have to be up early again to prepare breakfast.