Chapter 1

Sophia's POV:

Sharp pain shot through my wrists and ankles, dragging me from the depths of unconsciousness.

My head throbbed as fragmented memories crashed back—at the gathering, someone grabbed me from the restroom, a cloth pressed against my face, then... nothing.

I tried to move, but cold metal bit into my skin. Silver chains. The realization sent ice through my veins. My eyes were covered by some kind of blindfold, leaving me in complete darkness.

The air smelled musty, like an abandoned building.

Stay calm, I told myself. Think.

I tested the restraints carefully. The chains were tight, binding my wrists behind what felt like a concrete pillar, my ankles secured to the base. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing.

I reached inward, searching for my wolf's presence, but found only an unsettling emptiness. The connection was so faint that I could hardly sense it.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice hoarse. "What do you want? Money? I can get you money."

The sound of footsteps echoed in the space around me. Multiple sets. My heart hammered against my ribs.

"Well, well. Sleeping beauty's finally awake." A man's voice, rough and mocking. "Those are special silver chains, omega. Made specifically for your kind. You won't be breaking free."

"Please," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Whatever you want, we can work something out. I have access to funds—"

"We don't want your money, sweetheart." Another voice, younger, with a cruel laugh. "We want something much more... personal."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. I heard more movement, the scrape of chairs, whispered conversations I couldn't quite make out. But I caught enough to know there were at least three of them.

"What... what do you mean?" I whispered.

Hands grabbed my shoulders roughly. I flinched, trying to pull away, but the chains held me fast.

"Look at her trying to act innocent," the first man sneered. "After everything she's done."

"Everything I've done?" Confusion mixed with my fear. "I don't understand. I don't even know who you are."

"Oh, but we know exactly who you are, Luna Sophia."You're just some Omega who took what wasn't yours."

My blood turned to ice. This wasn't random. This was personal.

The first man leaned close to my ear, his breath hot and disgusting against my skin. "You made Aria lose her title, didn't you? Aria is Lucas's fated mate. "

"This is Moon Goddess's punishment for evil women like you," he continued, his voice a low hiss. "And we're just her instruments."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Lucas, my husband of four years, but I am not the destined mate of him. Of course I knew about Aria. How could I forget the moment Lucas came home a year after our wedding, his eyes distant and conflicted, telling me he'd found his fated mate, but I believed our love was strong enough to overcome the mate bond. I'd chosen to stay, to fight for our marriage.

"Please," I tried again, desperation creeping into my voice. "Whatever grievances you have, this isn't the way—"

"Shut up." A sharp slap across my face made my ears ring. "We're going to have some fun first."

I heard electronic beeping, the sound of equipment being set up. My stomach dropped.

"What are you doing?"

"Setting up our little broadcast, sweety." The younger voice was gleeful now. "The whole world's going to see what happens to uppity omegas who think they're better than everyone else."

No. No, this couldn't be happening.

"We're going live in just a few minutes," the first man announced. "But first..."

The blindfold was yanked away, and harsh artificial light stabbed my eyes. I blinked rapidly, trying to focus. Three men stood before me—two younger ones behind a camera setup, and the leader crouched in front of me.

"Every day, we're going to train you," he said conversationally, as if discussing the weather. "And every day, it goes online. Unless..." He tilted his head. "Unless you're very cooperative. Then maybe we consider keeping some of it private."

"I'd rather die," I whispered.

He laughed. "Oh, you will. Eventually. But not until we've had our fill."

The camera light blinked red. Recording.

"And we're live!" the younger man announced cheerfully.

Terror paralyzed me as the leader stood up, reaching for my dress. The fabric tore with a sickening sound.

"No, please—" I struggled against the chains, but they held firm. "Please don't do this!"

His hands moved toward me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, tears streaming down my face.

Moon Goddess, please, I prayed desperately. If you have any mercy, let me die before this happens.

But the Goddess wasn't listening.

The man's hands were on me now, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to retreat somewhere deep inside my mind where this couldn't touch me—

Suddenly, the man in front of me flew backward, blood spraying from his mouth as he crashed into the far wall.

"Get your fucking hands off her."

My eyes snapped open. Lucas stood in the doorway, his face a mask of deadly fury. He looked like an avenging angel, his usual composed demeanor replaced by raw, primal rage.

"Lucas!" The word escaped me as a sob of relief.

He was beside me in an instant, his gentle hands working quickly to release the silver chains. The moment they fell away, he pulled me against his chest, his warmth and familiar scent enveloping me like a protective shield.

"I've got you," he murmured against my hair, his voice shaking with emotion. "I've got you, Sophia. You're safe now."

My body trembled uncontrollably against his chest, and I let myself cry.