'S

face as he stared at me. That single word, the only th

At that moment, I didn't know whether to feel excited at the thought of being mated to the most popul

oking horrified. "That's disgusting

ng in my direction. Fear took over me instantly. What was he going to do? Surely, he wouldn't b

mping to her feet and hurrying toward him, trying to get his attenti

e quiet, do you?" Zach snapped, stunning everyon

d you just tell me to be quiet? For that thing?" But he ignored her, keeping his eye

on Goddess playing with me, and why

oice soft yet firm with command. I swallow

g near him now brought strange, indescribable feelings. "The more I look at you..." he trailed off

my mate? What was she thinking?" Zach continued, and in that m

me with disgust before turning away. "Imagine the Moon Goddess telling me *that* is my mate and expecting me t

s pathetic as she is," he sneered. But he didn't stop there. He pulled out a wad of cash, tossing it direc

the pain tearing through me. If this was a heartbreak, it was

f to expose what I wore underneath, but I struggled against her. She immediately got angry, and slapped me

ack left me powerless, giving people like them

t want to, but his voice grew colder

ly, he grabbed me by the hair, pulling so hard that I winced in pain. His voice was filled with hatred as he sp

low: "I, Zach Storm,

intense I could barely breathe. That was it-I was done. Without caring about anyone or anything, I r

ars. "What is this pain?" I whispered, struggling to understand the crushing ache in my che

d, I found a nearby alley and curled up there,

he door, a slap across my face greeted me. I met my stepmother's furious gaze with a gla

out," she threatened. My fists clenched at my sides,

ou perform privately? And you ruined it. Do you think I would be able to g

t have time for you today. Go clean up, and by tonight, you wil

to..." I began,

tting you on the streets where you belong, so you better straighten up." Her eyes ran up and down m

I soon drifted off to sleep. But the peace didn't last long-my stepmother's knock on

o gather some money and make a plan. The thought of facing Vanessa again, and this t

my heart racing with fear. I had never been to this part of the city before, wher

ater, it swung open, revealing Vanessa's smiling face. "Oh my, I didn

w she was the Alpha's daughter, and provoking her could

nessa smiled at me, her eyes glinting with malice. "Today, we are going to have even more fun than yesterday. Are you exc

rty was in full swing. Nearly everyone from our class was there. My eyes scanned the crowd, landing on Zach, who was seated with a girl pe

e DJ, whisper something in his ear. The music stopped abruptly. Vanessa took

y? Tonight was also

essa continued, her voice one of pure amusement. "And as my birthday gift, she's agree

trip, strip, strip!" I shot a glare at Vanessa,

ve us some entertainment! If you want, we can pay you," Vanessa said, her comment making the crowd laugh.

waiting for me to give in. Vanessa strode toward me, mic in hand. "What are

replied, shaking my he

react, two large men grabbed me, holding me firmly as I struggled against their grip. V

r tumbling backward into the pool. I stomped on one of the men's feet, making him release my left

ow. I needed to get out of there, fast. "Get her!" Vanessa's voic

phones and gawking eyes. I sprinted through the mansion, yanking open the door and darting o

I muttered, rubbing my temples. When I looked up, I froze. Three pairs of eyes star

something about them. My wolf stirred inside me,

them," my wolf

hem what? I as

of them are