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CHAPTER 1: THE UNWANTED OMEGA

The moon concealed its light from the night creatures. Ava, however, sat on the cold floor of her room, staring at the blood on her hands. She had just consummated her marriage with Elijah. All she had been told were lies about it being painless-or was it only painful because he still held spite toward her?

According to pack traditions, when the Alpha of a pack gets married, he must consummate the union with his mate or risk bringing bad luck to the entire pack.

Ava's past decisions had clearly affected the Alpha-now her husband-and shaped his reaction toward her. He left her alone as soon as he was done. Her body ached with pain, but she endured it. Standing up, she limped toward the bath that had already been prepared for her. The maids stood waiting for their new Luna.

With their help, Ava eased into the bath and allowed herself to be washed. She trembled under the warm water cascading over her. Though it was hot, she still felt cold.

She had caused this. And if pain was the only way to regain his love and favor, then she would endure even more.

Elijah was four years old when Ava, from the Ravenwood Pack, was promised to him. She had carried his mark on her neck ever since.

Because the Nightshade and Ravenwood packs were close, it was easy for the two to be wed once they came of age. Ava was born first, followed by her twin brother, Adrian. Her red hair and emerald green eyes were as captivating as her mother's. In her family, everyone was born Alphas, and the entire pack had no doubt that Ava would be one too. Adrian had dark hair but shared their mother's striking green eyes.

Despite being twins, the only differences between them were gender and hair color-they otherwise looked nearly identical.

Samuel Rummon, Elijah's father and Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, had taken his son to the Ravenwood residence. Their Alpha, Michael Cordell Samuel's close friend-was hosting a grand celebration for the birth of his children. Alphas from other packs had been invited as well.

It was an essential ceremony. When an Alpha child is born, it's common for mates to be identified during such gatherings. Once the moon rose and bathed the land in its silvery light, the ceremony began. Freya held Ava, while Michael held Adrian. It was a joyful moment for them and the entire Ravenwood Pack.

Michael stood up, raising his glass, and handed Adrian to Freya, who now cradled both children. Drawing everyone's attention, he began:

"Tonight, under the watchful eyes of our goddess, we dedicate our daughter Ava, the next Alpha of Ravenwood, to our pack."

Cheers erupted.

Michael turned to the pack elder and gave him the signal to proceed.

"We have honored this tradition for centuries, and once again, we are gathered," the elder began. "As per custom, Alphas from different packs will now approach the Alpha daughter. Tonight, we discover which pack Ravenwood will ally with through marriage."

"Let the mark-matching begin," the elder said, his voice ringing with authority. Though small and seemingly fragile, he had once been one of Raven wood's fiercest fighters.