Chapter 1 A Chance to Escape Hell

Ava Taylor's POV:

My mother, Sarah Taylor, was like the ultimate badass werewolf in the ClearedMoon Pack. She possessed immense strength and was often praised as the reincarnation of the Moon Goddess. Kind and courageous, she was born to be the Alpha's Luna.

Then there was me, Ava Taylor, her oldest daughter. But here was the kicker—my dad was just a regular human. So, my bloodline got all mixed up, and I barely show any wolf traits.

Sarah got tricked into having me with my dad. Because of my mixed blood, I didn't inherit any of the cool werewolf stuff. Sarah always saw me as a mistake, and even at eighteen, I still didn't have my own wolf. Being just a fragile human, my life was a whole lot harder.

My dad got killed when Sarah snapped out of it. He was just a sad guy, easily manipulated by a crazy female werewolf. He was the perfect victim, and I ended up being the stain on the Taylor family, even though it wasn't my fault.

Sarah would lose it over the smallest things, like if her coffee was the wrong temperature or if my little brother Henry Taylor cried. She blamed all her problems on me, just like now, "You useless piece of trash! You can't even make a proper cup of coffee!"

She threw the cup at my head, and the coffee drenched my face and hair. I knew I looked pathetic, but I just crouched down to pick up the broken pieces, even if it cut my fingers.

If Henry stepped on these pieces, I knew I'd be in big trouble.

Luckily, my forehead was only scratched a bit, not bleeding. Compared to before, Sarah's temper was actually better this time.

I got why Sarah was mad. My stepdad, David, was the strongest Alpha in the ClearedMoon Pack. But Sarah had complications during her pregnancy with Henry and couldn't have more kids after him. Even though it wasn't my fault, she blamed it all on me. Since I was born, her life had been a mess.

David hated me too. My existence reminded him that his wife wasn't pure. But he had a bunch of mistresses on the side, so whatever. It was a family tradition, and David and Sarah were the same.

Since I was a kid, David had been despising me, seeing me as a stain on the ClearedMoon Pack. He didn't let me go outside because it would embarrass him.

As I got older, my gray coat couldn't hide my growing chest. One rainy night, a drunk David barged into my room, attacking me like a wild wolf. And that was just the start of the nightmare.

Since that night, David enjoyed letting his friends mess with me, eventually using the same tricks on me but a hundred times worse.

My body was always covered in unhealed scars.

Just like now, my fingers were cut by the shards, the pain making my body tremble uncontrollably.

"Alright, go change your clothes later. There's a meeting at the pack house. Don't be late." Sarah rarely let me off the hook.

This was my first time going to a pack meeting.

I didn't have much to wear. The only decent clothes I had were a mint-sleeved top and a pair of jeans, even though they were a bit faded from washing.

Soon, I got to the meeting place. Looking around, I saw all the young women from the pack, dressed to the nines. Meanwhile, my jeans totally stood out.

Sarah stood in the center, commanding the room like the boss she was. Everyone in the pack treated her like their Luna, giving her the respect and loyalty she deserved.

Across from me was Anthea Jones, the pack's golden girl. She was rocking a strapless top and a confident smile, and all the young male werewolves without mates were totally into her.

"Alright, listen up, everyone. Alpha Noah from the Silver Pine Pack is on the hunt for his Luna. Ladies, you are the best in this pack. There's gonna be a Luna Trial, and I want everyone to give it their all." As Sarah spoke, her eyes landed on me for a second. "If one of you becomes his mate, it would be the highest honor for all of us."

The moment Sarah looked at me, I felt the others' eyes on me, filled with contempt, disdain, and disgust.

I was practically invisible most of the time. If it weren't for Sarah's glance, no one would have even noticed me after the meeting.

"Why is she here? Does a half-human, half-wolf hybrid even qualify to participate?" Adela Wilson shot me a look, then stepped forward. "I, Adela Wilson, am ready to take on the trial and win this honor!"

Sarah smiled and clapped for her.

The Luna Trial meant we had to leave home and head to the Silver Pine Pack. For me, it was a golden ticket out of this nightmare. After years of abuse, I didn't see this place as home anymore.

"I want to participate too." I stepped forward, and the stares from everyone felt like daggers.

Sarah turned around, eyeing the scars on my body. "Ava, this is a trial, not a game. Those who lose might even lose their lives, and you don't even have a wolf. Besides, Alpha Noah would never choose a half-human, half-wolf girl. That would taint his descendants' bloodline."

Everyone burst into laughter at that.

I recognized a lot of faces here. Most of them had bullied me at school, burning my hands and feet with cigarettes, locking me in the bathroom, and doing all sorts of other cruel things.

They loved seeing me in pain and despair, unable to fight back.

"I am the Alpha's daughter. I have the right to participate." I retorted, locking eyes with Sarah. For the first time, I spoke to her as an equal, not as a servant.

I thought she would mock me in front of everyone, but to my surprise, she smiled and nodded, registering my name.

More people laughed at me, but I didn't care. This was my only shot at escaping this hellhole, rather than being tortured here until I died.

A bunch of women stood up, ready to compete for the Luna title. I wanted to leave, but Sarah called me out.

I saw that familiar look on her face, full of disdain and disgust. But usually, she pretended to be a caring mother in front of the pack to keep up appearances. I didn't expect her to show her true colors in front of everyone.

"Ava, good luck with that." she mocked.