A voice sneered from the crowd, "What the hell is this whore doing here?" "Does she think that throwing herself at the Alpha makes her walk in here like she owns the place?" another chimed in. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree-her mother-" yet another mocked disdainfully. Anaiah tuned out the daily dose of mockery, her heart heavy with pain. Today, she lacked the strength to let the demeaning remarks get to her , she sighed ducking her head as she made her way through the hallways. The whispers increased, causing her to dig her nails into her skin nervously. She was accustomed to such treatment, but today was different. Today was her birthday and the day she and Jax would consummate their relationship. She loved him with all her heart, and he reciprocated, standing by her against all the torments and hardships she faces in the pack. Anaiah was certain he was her mate from the moment she stepped into the packhouse, where the scent of sandalwood and pinewood hit her fiercely-it was his. A jolt of excitement traveled to her being, her wolf already perked up as As the daughter of an Alpha, she wasn't expected to be an omega. No one took her seriously, except when it came to ridicule and bullying. But Jax saw past her rank, loving her for who she truly was. Taking a deep breath, she tried to shake off the negativity. This day was meant to celebrate her love for Jax and their bond. Yet, the constant mockery made it challenging to hold her head high. To her father, she was merely a reminder of his betrayal-a mistake he couldn't reverse. After everything that happened with her mother, she thought he would show some remorse, but instead, he sent her away to Alpha Caden's pack. Alpha Caden was known for being one of the cruelest Alphas of the time, yet he steered clear of her due to his son's affections for her. Jax always rose to her defense whenever he saw her being bullied. He loved her despite her weak wolf, and she was ready to give herself to him, believing they were truly meant to be. Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when she tripped over someone's outstretched foot and fell face-first onto the ground. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she pulled herself up slowly, dusting off the dirt clinging to her dress. Tears stung her eyes, her anger boiling within her, and the sickening urge to retaliate rose up, yet she stayed silent. Emotionlessly, she watched them continue ridiculing her. "You shouldn't have gotten up, princess. That's where you belong!" one of them sneered. Someone shoved her from behind, making her stumble forward. She bumped into another person, who pushed her back sharply with a harsh slap. "Get your filthy body off me!" Liana, Jax's sister, yelled, her face contorted in disgust. "I wonder what Jax sees in a useless wolf like you!" "She isn't even a full wolf; she's a human. A pathetic human," another added, and they all joined in on the derisive chorus. "You're nothing but a bastard, and I won't stop reminding you of your place," Liana sneered. Her heart ached at the realization that Liana didn't even consider her worthy of her brother. But Anaiah had grown accustomed to it. She responded calmly, "I mean no trouble. I just want to see Jax. He asked to see me today." Liana scoffed, crossing her arms.. "you really have some nerves and some plot, I give it to you. You think just because of your whore mother being married to an Alpha gives you right to hit on my brother ? "Jax loves me, and we would be mated; I promise I would hold this against you." Liana laughed. "Fine fine, I hear you. He is right upstairs." Impatience filled her as a familiar scent of sandalwood and lavender wafted toward her-Jax was near. Anticipation surged through her, igniting a warmth in her palm, the urge to be near him overwhelming every other feeling that had threatened to consume her. "This is going to be fun," Liana whispered to one of her minions, giggling as she stepped aside. The others followed suit. Confusion washed over Anaiah. Was Liana truly letting her pass without more insults and torment? She shot a grateful smile at Liana and quickly sprinted away, astonished that she'd just received help from her. Navigating her way to Jax's room was second nature to her. Her heart raced as she stood in front of his door. "This is it, Ana. You're finally giving the man you love one of the things that binds you for life," she whispered excitedly to herself. With a deep breath, she opened the door and flicked on the light. In an instant, all her joy was poured out, replaced by an agonizing pain as her eyes fell on the sight before her. Jax lay in bed with her adopted sister, Amelia. His broad, muscled back faced her, and the sound of their intimacy filled the room. Amelia's red nails clawed at Jax's neck as she moaned his name. "You're so good, Amelia. You feel so fucking great and moist for me, baby," he murmured, biting her earlobe, and her giggles filled the air. Anaiah took a step back, feeling as though a thousand bricks had crushed her chest. This couldn't be happening; tears welled in her eyes as the truth settled in. She realized why Liana let her through-to witness the very betrayal that could shatter her heart into pieces. The sight of Jax with Amelia, the one person they both knew despised her, was devastating. "Yeah, baby, fuck me. Oh," Amelia continued to moan, seemingly aware of Anaiah's presence. Anaiah clenched her fists, fury mixing with heartbreak. "Fuck, you're so much better than your useless half-sister! I love you, Amelia," Jax's words pierced through Anaiah like a dagger, stealing the air from her lungs and leaving her feeling lightheaded. How could he ?

"Ana is a fool; she thinks you love her and want to mate with her. She doesn't know it's all a bet." Amelia giggled, catching everyone by surprise. The entire time Ana had spent with Jax had been a farce, nothing more than the result of a cruel wager. "I have never loved that useless bitch, not even for a second. It has always been you." Jax spoke lovingly, a tone that made Ana cringe. "Oh, I have always known that love. The way you slept with me in her room while you waited for her to come back from her stupid diner work told me all I needed to know." Amelia uttered through moans, her words mingling with gasps of pleasure. "Fuck yeah!" Jax grunted, clearly nearing his climax. Ana stood frozen, goosebumps sweeping across her skin. She heard Brenda laughing in the hallway, her voice echoing as she entered. "Now she finally knows her place; no one wants her, least of all my brother, the soon-to-be Alpha. How can he be mates with a pig?" They all erupted into fits of laughter, their mockery filling the air and causing Ana's vision to blur with tears. She remained rooted to the spot, trembling with humiliation. "Isn't it my lovely sister, Ana?" Amelia smirked as both women reached their peak of pleasure. "How could you, Amelia?! How dare you sleep with my boyfriend?!" Ana screamed in pain, an overwhelming urge to rush over and smash Amelia's annoying head into the nightstand surging through her. "Uh oh, it seems you misunderstood what you just witnessed." Amelia lifted her finger playfully to her lips. "Jax was fucking me, taking from me what you could never offer to him. You are useless, Ana. Get over it!" "You bitch!" Ana growled, wanting to lunge at Amelia, but an authoritative, deep voice stopped her in her tracks, a whimper of submission escaping her lips. "Take a step closer, and I'll rip your fucking head off." Jax threatened coldly, his icy blue eyes locking onto her. "Jax..." she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. She hoped he would come to her, to tell her that he was sorry and that it had all been a mistake. Even if it hadn't been a mistake, she was willing to forgive him. He was the last shred of hope she clung to in their wicked world. "Don't do this, Jax," she pleaded, taking a small step closer, but his eyes changed to a dangerous glaze. "Don't move a step closer, or you'll lose your fucking head!" He roared, the sound silencing the entire pack, including Brenda and her entourage. "What do you mean by this, Jax? I need an answer!" "It's exactly what you are seeing," he said coldly, as he slipped into his briefs and then pulled on his gray pants, revealing his toned, well-built muscles. His very presence sent inexplicable heat rushing to Ana's abdomen. "That you have been sleeping with my sister all this time? Cheating on me? Making me believe we were a thing, only for me to realize it was just a bet? How cruel can you be, Jax?!" Ana cried, her heart breaking. "Why her? She's a slut; you know well every man in this pack has slept with this bitch!" "Ana," Jax stalked toward her, his tone laced with warning. "Don't talk about her that way." His words filled her with dread; her heart sank. She had always seen him angry with others, but never directed at her. "Did you hear me, Ana? I have chosen her as my Luna. You can't speak to your Luna in such a way." A wave of mock laughter escaped Ana, tears glistening in her eyes. "You've always called her a slut, Jax. You've ridiculed her for being cheap, and here you are, defending her, fucking her, and breaking the heart of the one person who has ever truly loved you." He growled again, and this time, it felt like the ground shook beneath her. He grabbed her arms, holding her tightly as his claws lengthened, digging into her skin and filling her with pain. "You heard me, Ana. She is my mate, and my Luna. Don't say that again, or I'll rip your head off right now." Ana stilled in his grip. Did he just say she was his mate? Mate? If Jax wasn't her mate, then she was doomed. There was no way out of the pack for her, and her suffering as an omega would only worsen. No, this had to be a dream. It could not be true! Suddenly , she found a surge of strength, pushing him away. He watched her intently as she shook her head and whispered, "No. This can't be true. She can't be your mate. My wolf recognized you the moment I stepped into the quarters." "Even if that was true, I would never mate with an omega like you," he spat in disgust. "You're a liar! You lied to me! You led me on!" She screamed, hitting him weakly on his chest. The pain was unbearable. Before she knew it, strong arms pulled her down to her knees. He looked at her with contempt and anger. "How dare you hit your Alpha?!" He crouched low, gripping her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze. "I would do it again!" She yelled, spotting Amelia smirking with the bedspread wrapped around her body. "You asked for it the moment you chose her!" Ana was an omega, but she still had Alpha blood in her. She wasn't going to submit to his abuse. "Take her out!" He commanded, turning away before finishing his command with a cold, stinging tone. "Leave, Ana. I don't want to see you again. If I do, you won't live to tell everyone how dangerous I have become."

It was happening, yet she couldn't believe it. Ana felt her whole life unraveling right before her eyes-everything she had ever hoped for and longed for had been thrown away into the wind. Her hatred for Jax intensified with each passing second. If the moon goddess was kind enough to grant her a chance, she would bring them all to their knees. Trudging through the dark forest, dried leaves crackled beneath her feet. The wind howled, making the night even eerier. All she could see was darkness until a half-moon illuminated the sky. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she looked up. Was this her fate? The full moon would soon be upon her. Would she face it alone? She could die or turn feral without her mate by her side. Lost in thought, she wandered aimlessly until she stumbled upon a small town not far from Riverdale. At first, it seemed calm, but then she recognized the familiar bar, Raves. Her heart raced at the thought of being in her father's territory. Jax had suggested they go there together before, but she had always declined, citing a dislike for social places. The truth was, she feared being recognized by any of her father's men. After he banished her, he spun a tale, portraying her mother as a liar and a cheat who had an affair with a human and bore her. Anyone who knew her lineage would probably seek to inflict pain upon her for their amusement. In the past, she had relied on Jax's protection, though it had been based on lies. It had meant something to her during that time. Amelia was undoubtedly stronger than Ana, perhaps that was why he had chosen her. Pushing those thoughts aside, a daring idea formed in her mind. She needed to escape her suffering. She needed something to lift her from the depths of despair. "What's a beautiful lady like you doing out here?" a voice rang out. She turned swiftly towards the bar entrance and saw an average-height blonde beauty with bold red lipstick radiating confidence. "Care for a drink?" After a moment's thought, Ana shook her head slowly. "I'm just observing the surroundings," she replied, forcing a faint smile while wrapping her arms around herself against the chill. The girl gave her an incredulous look. "Sure, whatever, but you can't stay out here. I don't know if you're looking for trouble, but come inside for a chance at new clothes. You look awful." The girl was already walking away, leading Ana to the back of the bar. She didn't know who this woman was or how she was connected to the bar, but Ana followed her. If she wanted to have the night of her life, it needed to be in style, not in torn clothing. Ana was about to dive into another spiral of hatred toward them all when the strange girl called out again, her voice threaded with impatience. "You're coming?" She raised a brow, holding the door that seemed to lead to a bathroom. Ana stepped inside the small space, letting the girl work her magic on her. "You should try this," she said pleasantly, handing Ana a black, body-hugging dress that flattered her curves. "And I'm Layla." "Nice name, I'm Ana," she replied softly, checking out the clothes. From the looks of it, the dress was very short and incredibly revealing. It made her feel like a real woman. She allowed her hair to cascade down her back and touched up her eyeliner to conceal the telltale dark circles under her eyes. By the time Layla walked into the room, having changed into her own dress, Ana felt a spark of transformation. "Wow, you look stunning, Ana!" Layla exclaimed, her mouth agape. "I've never seen anyone look as beautiful and hot as you do right now. I don't know what messy breakup you've just been through, but with a face like that and a body like this-get yourself in the game, girl!" "Game?" Ana asked innocently, and Layla waved her hands dismissively. "Still so uptight! You need to loosen up," Layla smirked, rushing off only to return shortly after with two bottles of tequila. "This should do the trick, though I'd prefer a martini." "What's that?" Ana inquired, scrunching her face as the tequila burned her throat, almost immediately sending a buzz to her head. "It's a drink, but much stronger than this," Layla gestured to the tequila she was handing Ana. Ana began to feel lighter after a couple of shots, her inhibitions melting away. "Fuck you, Jax! Fuck you, Amelia! Fuck you, Dad!" she shouted as they ran like crazed lunatics into the crowded bar, joining the energetic dance while the music blasted around them. "This feels so amazing!" she whispered over the loud rhythms, and Layla flashed her an 'I told you so' grin. "Now we just need to get you laid," Layla said with a cheeky smirk before darting away. The girl vanished for a moment, then suddenly appeared again, as if she held some magical power. Ana's thoughts were interrupted when a strong hand grabbed her waist from behind, pulling her flush against a muscular body. "You're a strange one, kitten. What are you doing in my VIP bar?" he whispered against her ear, sending heat rushing through her body as she felt his growing desire against her. In a surge of confidence, Ana spun around, wrapping her legs around his waist. He was breathtakingly handsome, with cold gray eyes and a jawline sculpted to perfection. He resembled a god! "Maybe I want you?" she coyly replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Kitten," he warned, but Ana was ready to take risks. His eyes widened with lust as she tantalizingly rubbed against him, prompting him to pull her away from the bustling crowd and discordant music toward the kitchen where the drinks were being served. "Get the hell out!" He ordered the staff there, his presence radiating power as his chest heaved. Once the kitchen was empty, he turned to her, a devious smirk playing across his lips before lifting her onto the counter and pulling her dress up. He cursed under his breath as his fingers brushed against her panties, teasing her with a slow, steady rhythm, his lips crashing down on hers. A moan escaped her as he slipped a finger inside her, and just like that, the rest of the night went blank. Ana woke up abruptly, a sharp pain between her legs bringing her to full alertness. She found herself in a familiar room, panic setting in as she flicked on the light and was met with a photo of her mother that she had always kept in one spot. Her father's mansion. Her room. Her blood ran cold. She was in her father's pack. "I see you're awake," Alpha Jaden spat coldly, his eyes draining the life out of her.