: The Moo

distant figure I knew; he was a stranger, radiating pure contempt. "You're a disgrace!" he spat, his w

ess the venom. This was my father. The man who was supposed to protect me, to cherish me.

y eyes squeezing shut, bracing for the impact, for the final, humiliating blow. A lifetime of

formidable shield against my father's wrath, was Alpha Lucien. The Alpha of Lake Park. My mother's best friend. He was a beacon of strength in the chaoti

d silence of the crowd. Every word resonated with controlled power, demanding attention. "Your daughter couldn't t

es narrowed at Lucien, a venomous glint in their depths. "Don't you dare, Alpha Lucien! You have no

is tone laced with chilling irony, "you truly have no heart. Imagin

from Lucien's grip. "How dare you speak

fury that matched my father's own. "Your senses have been completely clouded by this woman! Why can't yo

, loud and shattering, tearing through the last ve

he humiliation burned hotter than any fire. I trembled, my entire body convulsing with silent sobs. "No, Dad, no,

e tears. "I can't believe you would accuse me of something like this, Mira," she sniffled, clutching my father's arm. "A

e believe her? "Dad! Dad, please!" I pleaded, dropping to my knees on the cold, hard ground, my voice cracking w

ssness. "Get out of my sight!" he yelled, his foot lashing out, connecting with my side. The pain was

sition like this! According to the ancient laws, a full five months are given to a newly turned eighteen-yea

ck in his hardened façade. He knew the laws. He was an Alpha. His

nt. "Five months. If you don't get back her wolf, the throne will be given to my yo

my life. Five months. Five agonizing months to prove my worth to a father who h

upport. I looked back at the crowd-a sea of faces filled with pity, disgust, or cold indifference. My stepmother's smirk was wide and triumphant, Kelly's eyes gleaming

dark and inviting. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions: pain, fury, despair, and a terrifying sense of emptiness. How could

eavier, as if the forest itself mourned my fate. Lucien turned to me, his expression grave. "Mira," he began, his vo

ding lights of the pack house, a place that was no longer home. My eyes drifted to the full moon

A sharp, burning pain flared in my stomach, and I stumbled, falling to my knees as the world spun around me. My vision blurred, and the last thing I saw was