Chapter 1 Survive, Emilia

• "Happy birthday, my darling."
• I looked at the smiling faces in front of me, holding my parents' hands, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and started blowing out the candles on my birthday cake.
• Eighteen candles. I couldn't blow them all out in one breath, and I could still feel the warmth of the candlelight.
• Today was my big day. I had come of age, and I had got my wolf. As the Alpha's daughter, I had always been the apple of my parents' eye, the darling of everyone. Today, everyone from my pack had gathered to celebrate my birthday. I stood in a luxurious hall, dressed in an expensive gown, receiving everyone's blessings. I couldn't imagine a happier day in my life.
• Everything was perfect.
• I wished time could freeze in this moment forever. Little did I know that in the very instant I blew out the candles, my world would plunge into darkness and pain.
• "Attackers!"
• I hadn't finished blowing out all the candles. I opened my eyes. In the darkness, there were screams and shouts. Before I could react, I saw many shadows appearing around me, like phantoms.
• Then I heard screams and the sound of chaos footsteps.
• "Security!"
• I was pushed by a strong body into a corner, and a man stood in front of me.
• "Protect my daughter!"
• I hadn't recovered from the shock. I saw the shadows pounce on my father. My father rushed toward them, blocking their view of me.
• "Ah!"
• People were pushing and shoving in panic, running around like headless flies. Many figures collided with my father, but his body just swayed for a moment, then he stood firm in front of me. Facing the enemy, he was like a mighty tree shielding me from all the horrors.
• "Ron, take my daughter away!"
• My father shouted loudly at his beta Ron.
• "No." I exclaimed in shock. In the darkness, I saw a dagger reflecting a faint light. The next moment, it stabbed into my father's chest.
• "Dad!"
• Someone pulled out the dagger, and blood spurted out from my father's chest like a fountain, splashing on my face.
• My vision turned red. All I could smell was the scent of blood.
• A hand reached into my father's chest. I trembled as I looked up. I would never forget the face of that person. He was my father's Beta—Ron.
• I didn't have time to stop him. His hand tore open my father's chest. I watched in horror as my father's heart was taken out and squeezed in his palm.
• "Soldiers, hurry! Save my father!" I cried out in desperation.
• Soldiers rushed in. But they weren't here to save us; they, too, stabbed their daggers into my loved ones. I couldn't believe that the soldiers who had sworn allegiance to my father had betrayed him.
• It was then that I realized, Ron had betrayed us. The Beta whom my father had trusted wanted to take his place. He killed my father on the happiest day of my life.
• "Emilia, run!" My mother shouted in my ear, pushing me towards the door.
• To buy me time to escape, my mother stood before me, choosing to face the rebels alone. As I turned to run, I heard her scream, and the room filled with a thick smell of blood.
• "Emilia, run!" My mother's voice echoed in my ears, urging me on.
• The door was right in front of me, and I had to get out alive. I needed to tell the alliance pack about Ron's betrayal; I had to seek their help.
• A tall figure jumped in front of me, his clothes and hands stained with blood. He looked at me with a fierce gaze. I knew I couldn't escape unless I killed him.
• I tried to call my wolf, but she remained unresponsive. It was then that I realized I couldn't shift. What was happening? I successfully shifted this morning. Why couldn't I do it now?
• The man in front of me waved his hand and struck me hard on the head. I didn't have time to dodge and fell to the ground. A shard of glass pierced my hand, and the pain made me remember something.
• At my birthday banquet, Ron had given me a bottle of wine as a gift. He had also handed me and my parents a glass of wine. He must have poisoned it, preventing us from shifting.
• It was all part of his plan.
• My mother lay in a pool of blood. I lay on a pile of glass shards, and when I turned to look at her, I saw her throat being torn apart by the rebels. Blood gushed out like it did with my father. She lay with her head tilted, her wide eyes staring at me.
• "Mom!" I shouted, crawling at her with all my strength, clutching her hand and crying.
• "Emilia," she weakly spoke, "promise me, survive."
• My mother's last words echoed in my ears.
• Survive. Only by surviving could I seek vengeance for my family.
• "I beg of you," I clutched Ron's boots and said, struggling.
• "What? I can't hear you," Ron mocked, "Maybe you can speak louder."
• "I beg of you," my voice hoarse, "please let me live."
• "Such a pitiful girl," Ron moved his foot away from my hand, "Congratulations, you have my mercy. From today, you are my slave."
• The Alpha's daughter had become a slave. It was so absurd. Ron humiliated me and disgraced my father in this way.
• The surrounding werewolves jeered and mocked, their voices echoing in my head. The flames danced wildly in front of me like a serpent.
• Survive, Emilia. Even as a slave, as long as you're alive, there's hope.