The frigid morning air nipped at my exposed skin as my mother's gentle shake stirred me from sleep. Her tired eyes held worry beneath the dim light of our basement room.
"Seraphina, wake up. Lilith demanded coffee in her chambers fifteen minutes ago."
I groaned, pulling the thin blanket tighter around my shoulders. "Let her wait."
"You can't afford another punishment." Mom's voice cracked. "Please, sweetheart."
Reality crashed back. I wasn't Seraphina Moon, daughter of respected Gamma warrior Silas Moon anymore. I was just Seraphina the Omega, servant to the pack that once respected us.
"Fine." I swung my legs over the edge of the worn mattress, wincing as my bare feet hit the cold concrete floor.
Our quarters were a far cry from the comfortable cabin we'd occupied until three years ago. Now we lived in the windowless basement of the pack house, with just enough space for two thin mattresses and a small dresser. The scent of mildew clung to everything despite Mom's daily cleaning.
I pulled on the standard Omega uniform—gray pants and shirt that hung loosely on my frame—and quickly braided my blonde hair. The dye was fading at the roots, revealing my natural black. I'd started dyeing it after our downfall, desperate for any change that might make me feel like someone else.
Mom handed me a steaming mug. "Drink something warm first."
I accepted the tea gratefully. "Has there been any word of Father?"
Her eyes clouded. "No. The Silver Mountain Prison doesn't allow visitors or messages."
Three years since my father had been framed for stealing from the pack treasury and conspiring with enemy packs. Three years of servitude and humiliation.
"I should go. Lilith will use any excuse to report me." I drained my cup and kissed Mom's cheek.
"Remember—"
"Keep my head down. I know." I finished her daily reminder with a sad smile.
The journey from our basement to Lilith's lavish quarters took me through the pack house's main hall. Morning sunlight streamed through high windows, illuminating polished floors that reflected my hurried steps. Pack members passed by, most avoiding eye contact. Some whispered behind their hands as I passed.
"Traitor's daughter."
"Omega filth."
I kept my gaze fixed ahead, refusing to show how their words stung. My wolf, Luna, growled in our shared consciousness. We are more than they know.
Not anymore, I reminded her silently.
I stopped at the kitchen to prepare Lilith's coffee—strong, with two sugars and a splash of cream. Just like she'd always taken it when we were best friends.
The memory of our childhood friendship twisted like a knife in my chest. We'd been inseparable since we were five, sharing secrets, dreams, and mischief. Until my father's disgrace changed everything.
I balanced the coffee mug carefully as I climbed the grand staircase to the east wing where Lilith, daughter of Beta Malachi Thorne, resided in luxury. My knuckles rapped lightly on her door.
"Enter." Her voice carried that familiar haughty tone.
I pushed the door open and stepped into a room twice the size of our entire basement dwelling. Sunshine poured through floor-to-ceiling windows, highlighting the plush carpet and elegant furniture.
"You're late." Lilith sat at her vanity, applying mascara with practiced precision.
"I apologize." I kept my voice neutral as I approached with her coffee.
The sight beyond her made me freeze. Orion Nightwing, youngest of the Alpha's triplet sons, lounged shirtless on her rumpled bed. His muscular chest bore faint scratch marks, and his cool brown eyes met mine with amusement.
"The Omega finally arrives," he drawled, stretching like a satisfied cat. "Thought you'd never bring Lilith's coffee."
My cheeks burned with humiliation. Even after three years, seeing one of the triplets—my childhood protectors turned tormentors—in such intimate settings with Lilith sent pain stabbing through my chest.
"Don't just stand there gawking," Lilith snapped. "Put it down."
I placed the mug on her vanity, careful not to spill a drop. "Will there be anything else?"
Lilith inspected her reflection, fluffing her perfectly styled auburn hair. "How do I look, Orion?"
"Ravishing," he replied, his hungry gaze confirming his words.
She smirked, casting me a sideways glance. "Remember when we were fourteen and you told me you had a crush on Ronan? How amusing that seems now."
The memory of my girlish confession to my then-best friend stung. The triplets—Kaelen, Ronan, and Orion Nightwing—had been our childhood companions before they were sent to Alpha training. When they returned at sixteen, everything changed.
"I mean, look at you now." Lilith gestured dismissively at my plain appearance. "As if any Alpha would want an Omega."
I kept my expression blank despite Luna's snarls. "Will that be all?"
"Oh, I almost forgot." Lilith reached for her coffee, then jerked her hand back, knocking the mug directly into my chest. Hot liquid soaked through my thin shirt, scalding my skin.
I gasped, jumping backward as coffee dripped down my front.
"Oops." Lilith's smile didn't reach her eyes. "How clumsy of me."
Orion chuckled from the bed. "Better clean that up, Omega."
I bit my tongue until I tasted blood. "I'll bring you another coffee."
"Don't bother." Lilith waved me away. "Just clean this mess and get out."
With trembling hands, I mopped up the spill with a nearby towel, ignoring the burning sensation across my chest. My wolf begged me to retaliate, but we both knew better.
"Oh, and Seraphina?" Lilith called as I reached the door. "I heard the Blackwater Pack is visiting next week. Maybe you'll finally find your mate and escape this pathetic existence." Her laugh was like broken glass. "Though who would want a traitor's daughter?"
I closed the door without responding, then leaned against the wall, fighting back tears. The front of my shirt was stained brown, clinging uncomfortably to my reddened skin. Another uniform ruined, another humiliation to endure.
Finding my mate was my only hope of escape from Silver Crescent Pack. But Lilith was right—who would want me?
As I descended the stairs, a tall figure in the black uniform of the Alpha guard approached. Corbin, Kaelen Nightwing's personal guard, wore his usual stern expression.
"Seraphina Moon."
My heart sank further. "Yes?"
"Kaelen calls for you." Corbin's eyes flicked to my stained shirt before returning to my face. "He seemed really furious."
Perfect. The eldest triplet summoning me while in a rage—exactly what I needed after Lilith's morning torture. Whatever Kaelen wanted, it couldn't be good.
As I followed Corbin toward the Alpha's office, dread weighed heavy in my stomach. The triplets had once been my friends, my protectors. Now they were my nightmares.
And I was walking straight into the den of the most dangerous one.