rejection, emotional abuse, verbal degradation, familial be

er nightdress as she stepped down the creaky stairs

his. Dinner had already ended..she could smell the roast lamb and rosemar

e stepped into the dining room. They were al

lders straight, his expression unreadable. Her stepmother, Miren

nting with gold rings. Her wineglass untouche

her, Thorne, leaned back in his seat with a smug look, a toothpick in his mouth and his

was her. Sylvana. Her stepsister. Tall. Beau

mouth twisted in that same cruel little smirk th

rn nightgown and her wet curls clinging to her collarbone. He

slowly in the empty chair at the far end of the table,

eding," Mirena said, her voice cold and clipped. Sera froze. Her stomach twisted. She sta

Sera's face burned. "I... I don't see how that matters... "It

no longer a child. That makes you... useful." Something cold slipped down her spine. "Useful for what?" Thorne snorted. "

wood. Her palms were clammy. Alpha Vale stood. Walked slowly to the w

yone feared it. Everyone whispered it. Lucien...the Beast. The Blood

h me?" He turned. Dead. Empty. Hollow eyes. "You are

her skull. "I'm sorry...? What father?

d. "As agreed. In exchange for the pay

th. "Poor little late bloomer. Barely even a woman and already sold.

are a stray. A weak little girl we took in out of pity. A mouth to f

we've received for her hand? She's worth gold. You? You're worth exactly one thing..

't shifted. I haven't..." "Exactly," Thorne said with a cold grin. "You haven't d

et to just hand me over like I'm..." "You're ours," Vale growled. "And you will do what you

lowly. The smile disappeared. "You dare compare yourself to me?" she

ed back. "I didn't mean..." "You didn't mean?" Sylvana's hand shot out. She grabbed Sera's chin, nail

n to me?" "Sylvana, stop..." "You should be grateful, you stupid bitch," she hissed. "Y

ll..." "It's done," Vale said. Two words. Two lifeless, effortless words. Sera didn't understa

ch dropped. She stepped back, knocking into her chair. Her heart pounded so loudl

g beneath her. Her voice broke as she tried to speak. "You can't do this to me." Alp

tic, her arms wrapping around herself like she could hold

a virgin. I've never... I don't even know what it mea

't sell me out! I'd act right! I promis

ht something was wrong with me. I'm not ready for this.

d. "I'll train harder. I'll learn to shift. I'll fight.

acked under the weight of her tears. "Pl

ing inside her sink. Because his stare wasn't c

om spun. Sera staggered. Her knees buckled

ard her now. "Why your body never responded. Why you're weak. Why no matter

You were never mine," he continued, his voice r

. "No..." "She begged me to keep you. To raise you. She promised no one w

"You're nothing but a half-blood abomination. You were born wrong. You don't belong in this house. You don't

was her mother's mistake." "You should be grateful," Vale added. "That I didn't throw

lied. "And now you're going to make yourself useful. For once

d slowly, walking toward her. "You really wan

se men offer their sons and lands just to be considered f

le." Sera's face twisted with horror. "You're sending me to die." "That's the point,

me to him." "You leave at dawn," he replied. Her knees gave out. She fell

from across the room, arms crossed and smirkin

d be," Sylvana said, crouching beside her. "You're just a girl. And you're ab

her voice gave out. Her fists pounded the tile. Her

ne. And the last words her father spoke as he w

o daughter