— Kacie –. My name is Kacie and I’m a slave to the Blood Moon pack. Today, I turned 18 and I didn’t miss the way he smiled at me when he wished me Happy Birthday. My dull brown hair falls down my back in chocolate curls. I have round blue eyes and a small straight nose. I don’t bother with my looks but maintain the bare minimum to make sure I’m presentable. My memories from before I came to Blood Moon are gone, my memory stretches back to the day he brought me here. Alpha Ken Steward but I call him Alpha. He had short black hair, a massive build, and towered over me. I grew up in his household, I knew the rules and I followed them to. I knew at an early age what would happen if I disobeyed him. I did everything I could to ensure I never broke any of his rules. I didn’t have parents. Without memories, I couldn’t miss them. There was only ever him and for all I knew, there would only ever be him. My life was Alpha Ken, his daughter Diana, and this house. I dedicated myself to him and followed his rules. It didn’t matter how hard I worked or how well I did. It was never enough. I was never enough. Alpha told me how pathetic I was. I believed it and never questioned him. His words built, raised, and made me. His words made up the laws that governed my world and his anger was something that demanded my obedience. It was only when I messed up that he graced me with his attention. About two years ago, I noticed the look in his eye changed. I could feel his gaze follow me as I cleaned or when I would flit from one room to the other. I’d get this feeling in my stomach and I would break out in a cold sweat. I wouldn’t let him see my tremble, I’d continue on with the task at hand and pretend to be oblivious. As a kid, he’d hit me with a ruler when I did something wrong. Over the past year, he would give m e tasks that were almost impossible to complete. Sometimes he would give me a time limit and he’d smile when I failed. He would bend me over his knee when he didn’t like the results. The embarrassment would wash over my body in waves but I’d bite my lip to stop from crying out. My birthday wasn’t anything special and it went on like any other day. I was almost done with my daily checklist. I’d been vacuuming for about five minutes and I didn’t hear him come in. Alpha doesn’t like noise

I didn’t see him or have the chance to brace myself. A hard hand connected with my cheek, I flew sideways and smashed into the sectional. My eyes widened in shock as I gripped my cheek. I looked around frantically as strong arms picked me u p. I didn’t have a chance to find my balance when I was pulled flush against him. My back pressed to his front, I held my breath and leaned down to turn off the vacuum. “Alpha,” I said, my voice trembling. “I didn’t see you, I’m sorry,” I said after straightening my back. His hands gripped my waist ha rd and I flinched. I kept my h ead bowed and clenched my jaw. He pushed into me and I felt something hard pressed against my back. I closed my eyes and swallowed the l ump lodged in my throat when I realized he was hard. ‘ He leaned his head down to my neck, his lips pressed agai nst flesh and my skin crawled. “Alpha ,” I p leaded. He let out a chuckle but didn’t move away. He inhale d deeply, breathing me in. “If you behave, I’ll give you your birthday pres ent, Kace. I don’t like loud noises in my house, s o you’re not starting this off right. ” He sighed. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. You know I hate noise. What is the first thing I hear when I get home after a long day of protecting this pack?” . “I’m s-so-so rry, Alpha,” I stuttered. “I’ll pay atte ntion next time ,” I whispered. My head bowed lo w and my eyes ca st to the floor. My mind was whirli ng from his lips o n me and I prayed. Prayed to the Goddess for mercy. Please, please, please. Go away. I don’t know how long we stood there. I could hear the ti ck-tick of the clock on the wall. It felt like hours bu t it had probably onl y been a few minutes. “Let me out, I can handle him,” my wol f tried to coax me. I sigh ed inte rnally. “No, Athena. We’re not doing that. Can’t y ou feel him? I’m scared he’s going to do something this time,” I pleaded with her. She fought me for co ntrol sometimes and I didn’t always win

“If you let me out, t here won’t be a next t ime,” Athena promised. I bit my lip to stop the smile from spre ading across my lips. “Don’t let there be a next time,” Alpha growled into m y ear. “Yes, Alpha ,” I said s ubmissively. He let go of my waist and I fought back the sigh of relief that threatened to break free. He walked into the kitchen and leaned on the counter. His eyes on me. “When I walk through those doors, how are you suppos ed to greet me?” He asked. I sw allo wed. “I’m supposed to as sume the position, Alpha,” I whispered. “And what’s th e position, Ka ce?” He asked. I flinched at the nickname, that’s wh at Diana called me. “I’m to fall to my knees, bow my head, spread my legs, and lift my palms up,” I answered. Shame washed over me and I knew my face was beat red. He didn’t say anything bu t his silence was better than his anger. “Good, ” he p urred. “Do you need me to fix you somet hing to eat, Alpha?” I asked him as I kept my eyes on the floor. “No, Alpha Viktor is visiting us tonight. We’re meeting here to disc uss a new alliance. He still hasn’t found his mate yet. I might have a solution to his mate issue but I haven’t decided yet,” he murmured. I knew he was l ooking at me, I could feel it. At this point, I think he’ s talking to himself but I stand in silence listening. “I’m contemplating creating an alliance by asking him to take D iana as his mate,” he continues. I feel fear wash down over m y body as I think of her lea ving me here alone with him. Guilt flares in my chest before it ’s replaced by fear as I wonder abo ut the man she’s being sold off to. What if he’s lik e Alpha?. “He’s going to take Diana?” I asked quietly. I know better than to p ry but when it comes to Diana I can’t help it. “This house needs to be spotless, bring in some flo wers from outside, and I’ll prepare an outfit for y ou,” Alpha ordered, completely ignoring my question. His wife died four ye ars ago and he has ye t t o take a new wife. Him taking me as his d ate and what it implic ates makes me nervous. “Yes, A lpha,” I murmur. I hear the sounds of h is footsteps as he mak es his way over to me. “You’re being such a good girl, should I give you a reward?” H e asked as he grabbed my waist. “Th-there’s no need, Alpha,” I whisper but he ignores me an d presses his lips to my neck. His tongue darts out and slides up my skin. I shud der and try to move away