Violet's POV

My eyes pleaded with my stepfather as I struggled to breathe. "Please, Father, the antidote. I need it. I don't want to die." My voice was barely a whisper, and my body was trembling with each cough.

His gaze remained fixed on his painting, his brushstrokes steady and calm. "I don't care if you die now, Violet. It won't affect my pack." His words were cold as usual.

My hand clutched my chest, and my coughing was growing more intense. I felt my strength fading. I was in this condition because of my stepsister, Jackie, who was suffering from unbearable pain.

I had the power to absorb and heal others' pain, but each time I used my power, it weakened me because my wolf wasn't out fully. This time I had tried to heal her, but I got infected instead.

The healer had made an antidote, but my stepfather refused to give it to me. He didn't care that I was suffering or that my life force was dwindling, as long as his daughter was okay.

"I'll do anything, Father-anything," I begged, my tears dropping nonstop. "Just please, give me the antidote."

"Anything?" he repeated, his voice low and menacing. "Anything at all." I nodded, my coughing subsiding into weak gasps, knowing fully well that his demands could be crazy.

He liked it when I begged and when I acknowledged his power over my life. The room was silent; my stepfather's eyes never left mine as he smirked, his gaze piercing and cruel.

Then he picked up his phone and made a phone call. It wasn't even up to two minutes before a man walked into the room and handed him a box and a file. "Here's the antidote, once you accept my condition."

"What do you want me to do?" I whispered, getting weaker with every passing minute. "You'd have to serve at the Alpha's gathering tonight without any mistakes." He said, walking to me with the antidote.

I had done all manner of jobs in this pack after the death of my mother, the Luna of the Moonlight Pack, and my twin sister, whom they told me, died without even getting to see her body for the last time.

This couldn't be the only thing he wanted me to do. I knew there was something more to it. "Is that it?" I asked, trembling as he stood over me.

"No, darling, my friend and business partner would be present at the Alpha's gathering. We have a contract to sign, so you'd be sent to his room as a gift and to make sure he signs this contract without reading it."

"And if he doesn't enjoy you enough to sign the contract, consider yourself in great trouble," he muttered. I was shocked to the core. How can this man do such a horrible thing to me?

He was sending me to his friend, who was twice my age, just for a contract. "And what if he refuses to sign the documents afterward?" My voice trembled. He scoffed, then smiled, raising his hands and cupping my pale cheeks with them.

"One single slip from you, Violet; trust me, I'd make sure I sell you to the ruthless Alpha of the Blood Moon pack; after all, you're useless in this pack anyway."

Those were his last words as he threw the antidote at me before storming out of the room with his shoulders high and a confident smile on his face. I wondered what was in that document and why he sent me to make his friend sign it.

I pushed the thought aside and hurriedly grabbed the antidote, gulping it down like a hungry lion. I laid there, and after about 30 minutes, I felt better. I stood up and walked away slowly, heading to my room.

I went from being a princess to nothing but a mere slave begging for my own life. My mother had died, leaving me with my evil stepfather, who never seizes to toture me any chance he gets.

I was the heir to the throne, but my stepfather made sure he hid me till everyone forgot my mother had a child. To avoid my stepfather's wrath, I prepared myself for the Alpha's gathering.

I had met a uniform in my room already, so I quickly put it on. It was a simple black uniform, but a bit short and revealing. I wasn't really comfortable in the outfit, but I had no choice but to wear it.

As I entered the grand, dim hall, Madam Jess, the head maid, walked up to me with a cold tone. "Violet, you're assigned to serve the VIP area tonight." My heart skipped a beat as I processed what I just heard.

The VIP area was reserved for the most esteemed guests. Most of them knew how my stepfather treated me and also the fact that I was the heir to the throne, but they all turned a blind eye to everything.

I snapped back to reality as Madame Jess called out my name again, her voice stern. "Violet, are you listening? You'll be serving the VIPs tonight, according to Alpha's orders."

"Don't make any mistakes, got it?" I nodded, and with a deep breath, I forced a calm smile. As I entered, the hum of conversation and clinking glasses filled the air.

I blended into the background, my eyes cast down, trying to avoid unnecessary attention and calls. My heart raced each time I got close to them, fearing any mistake could lead to disaster.

I served until I was out of breath and my legs began aching. The Alphas and their entourages were oblivious to my presence, and I was glad because my dress alone could make them notice me. Just as I was about to walk back to fill my tray, I felt a wave of dizziness hit me.

The moment I stumbled, I felt someone hold me and drag me to the corner. "Are you okay, Violet?" Madame Jess whispered.

"I'm fine, just a little bit dizzy," I replied, my voice barely audible. I still haven't fully recovered from the infection, and I was still made to work.

"Be careful; Alpha Damian has his eyes on you. Any little mistake, and you're gone." Her words sent a shiver down my spine. I picked up the glass of water close to me and gulped it down trying to get myself.

Just when I was about to rest for a second, I heard the voices that made me stand up in a flash. "Wine, girl! Now!" They ordered. Seeing the faces of my mother's trusted allies broke my heart into a thousand pieces.

I hesitated, my instincts screaming warning, but I dared not disobey them. With a deep breath, I approached their table with the tray trembling in my hands.

Getting there, I started dropping off the wine in front of them when I suddenly felt one of the Alpha's hands caressing my lap, which made me flinch. My hands trembled, and the tray wobbled.

I tried to steady myself, but it was too late. The wine fell, shattering on the floor. Red liquid splashed everywhere, including another Alpha's lap beside me. The room fell silent, and I frozen, my heart pounding hard.

The man's eyes narrowed, his face darkening with rage. "You clumsy fool!" he yelled, his voice filled with anger. "You'll pay for this." I dropped to my knees, desperate to clean up the mess.

"Please, I'm sorry," I begged, my voice shaking as tears rolled down my cheeks. But then he shoved me as he rose from his seat, his towering frame exuding authority.

I knew I had messed up, and my stepfather's words echoed in my mind: One single slip from you, Violet; trust me, I'd make sure I sell you to the ruthless Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.

I tried to apologise again, but my words were cut short when he held my chin. He pulled me closer, his face inches from mine. That was when my eyes met with the most handsome middle-aged man I had ever seen.

He had piercing ocean blue eyes and sleek blonde hair with a few black strands. He was a bit tall and had a fit body, which made him look more attractive.

I felt his hot breath on my skin, and my heart raced in terror. Suddenly, the scent of cinnamon and mint hit me like a bolt of lightning. What's that scent? Why does he smell so good? I wondered.

Looking up at him again, I knew what it was. His long fingers wrapped around my chin again, tilting my face upward. Our eyes locked, and my heart raced like a wild animal.

I felt my wolf stirring inside, and then it whispered a single word: "Mate!"