Chapter 1 One

• Evana’s POV
• The bonfire crackles, its glow casting eerie shadows across the clearing. Laughter rings through the night, but none of it is for me. It never is.
• I keep my head down. My fingers clenching the hem of my worn out sweater. The air is thick with the scent of roasted meat, ale and burning wood but it’s the underlying stench of resentment that tightens my throat.
• “Why is she even here?” A voice cuts through the din.
• “She shouldn’t be.” Another scoffs.
• “Cursed bitch.”
• I don’t flinch. I’ve heard it all before.
• Instead, I stare into the fire willing myself to become invisible. It’s foolish of course. No matter how much I wish otherwise, I am here and everyone sees me.
• And they hate me.
• A sharp nudge on my back nearly sends me forward into the flames. I spin around, my teeth clenching as I face Morgan one of the warriors. His smirk is cruel, his gaze filled with the same loathing I’ve seen my entire life.
• “Watch it,” I snap, regaining my balance.
• His smirk widens. “Or what?”
• I say nothing. There’s no point. Morgan like the rest of them knows I won’t fight back though he wants me to. He wants a reason to put me in my place beneath his boot. Beneath all of them.
• “Leave her alone, Morgan,” a soft voice murmurs from behind me.
• I don’t have to turn around to know it’s Clara. She’s the only person in this pack who still acknowledges me with something other than disgust. But even she keeps her distance careful not to associate with me too much.
• Morgan snorts. “Why? It’s not like she belongs here. Shouldn’t she be locked away in whatever rat hole she crawled out of?” His words ignite the simmering anger inside me but I force myself to exhale slowly.
• “Go to hell” I whisper and that is a mistake because his eyes darkens, the smirk fading.
• “What did you just say to me?”
• Before I can open my mouth, a booming voice cuts through the tension.
• "Enough"
• The firelight casts eerie shadows over Alpha Mikhail as he steps forward. His expression is unreadable but his presence commands obedience. Deafening silence falls over the gathering.
• Morgan huffs but steps back, his hands raised in mock surrender. “Whatever you say, Alpha”
• I exhale in relief , my pulse still racing.
• "Evana," Alpha Mikhail says, his gaze locking onto mine.
• I stiffen. "Yes, Alpha?"
• His eyes assess me in a cold and calculating manner. Then, with deliberate slowness, he turns to the rest of the pack.
• "Tonight, we gather not only to strengthen our bonds but to make an important announcement" A murmur spreads through the crowd. My stomach twists as if I can knew, Alpha Mikhail's gaze swings back to me.
• "Evana Stanford, Step forward"
• A lump forms in my throat but I force my feet to move and the whispers start immediately.
• "Finally, she’s getting what she deserves."
• "They’re kicking her out, right? Goddess, let it be that."
• I bite the inside of my cheek so hard I taste blood.
• Alpha Mikhail waits until the murmurs die down before he speaks again.
• "You are all aware of the growing tensions with the Caballo brothers. We were able to come to an agreement onsomething that the brothers really wants"
• Tension ripples through the gathering. The Caballo pack is feared, their alphas_Luciano and Sebastian Caballo are ruthless. Stories of their brutality send shivers through even the strongest warriors.
• Alpha Mikhail’s expression hardens. "They have requested something of value from us as a sign of good faith."
• The moment the words leave his mouth, my stomach drops.
• No.
• I hold my breath as his gaze pins me in place.
• "You, Evana."
• The world suddenly freeze as soon as he said that. I can tell my alpha have sold me out because he's a coward. He always takes the easy way out. He was never one to protect anyone.
• "You will go with them willingly" Alpha Mikhail continues, his voice firm and absolute. "As a show of goodwill."
• I stare at him, my mind struggling to process the words then I hear the pack members laughter. They are mocking me. Jeering at my predicament.
• "Let them deal with her"
• "Maybe they’ll kill her and do us all a favor"
• My pulse quickens in my ears.
• I suck in a shaky breath to say the next words "You’re— You’re selling me out?"
• Alpha Mikhail’s expression remains impassive. "Yes but they're not paying for it"
• A sharp, cruel laugh erupts from the crowd.
• "They should have demanded something worth keeping," Morgan sneers.
• My fingers tremble but I curl them into fists locking my jaw. "You’re selling me like livestock?"
• Alpha Mikhail exhales heavily. "You should be grateful Evana. The twins could have demanded blood Instead, they’ve agreed to take you" What? Did he just say that? Grateful? Grateful for being discarded like trash?
• Grateful for being thrown away like a burden they’ve been dying to be rid of.
• Something inside me snaps.
• A slow smirk tugs at my lips, but there’s no humor in it. Only cold simmering rage.
• "Fine," I whisper. My voice is soft but it carries.
• "Let’s see if the Caballo twins enjoy broken things."
• I turn on my heel, my heart pounding so hard it hurts.
• I don’t look back.
• I refuse to let them see the way my vision blurs, the way my hands tremble. I refuse to give them the satisfaction to see me weak and broken but one thing is certain
• Tomorrow, I’ll be in enemy hands.
• And I have nothing left to lose.