Chapter 3

The full moon ceremony was approaching, and Freya wanted to make a spectacle of herself. Naturally, she dragged me into her plans.

“Elaine’s been by your side for years. She must have decent taste,” Freya purred to Alpha Lucas, trailing a manicured finger down his sleeve. “And she’s so obedient.”

Lucas didn’t even blink. “If it makes you happy, Freya, then yes—Elaine can help. She knows how to follow orders.”

I stood behind them, silent as always, a shadow in Freya’s light.

At the boutique, Freya twirled in gown after gown while I trailed behind her like a servant. That’s when Anna walked in. The moment she spotted Freya, her lips curled in disdain.

Anna had always been one of those women—beautiful, bitter, and burning with jealousy. When Freya was away from the pack, Anna never missed a chance to throw herself into Lucas’s path, hoping he’d glance her way. He never did.

“Oh, look,” Anna drawled, eyes sliding to me. “This Omega looks so much like you, Freya. If she wore your dress and jewelry, she could almost pass for you at the ceremony.”

It was a jab, aimed as much at Freya as it was at me.

Freya’s smile thinned. “And yet, despite all that effort, you still can't manage to keep Lucas’s attention for more than a second, can’t you, Anna?”

The air turned cold. Freya turned away, her heels clicking sharply as she walked out. But before she left, she glanced back over her shoulder.

“Oh, I almost forgot—one of my earrings fell off. I had it on when I took photos by the lake. I think it fell in the water.” Then her eyes landed on me. “Elaine, go get it.”

The sky bled into shades of red as the sun sank behind the horizon. I waded into the icy lake, the water swallowing me to the waist. My fingers were numb, scraped raw as I searched blindly through the mud.

Freya sat comfortably on a cushioned chair near the shore, her moonstone necklace catching the faint shimmer of moonlight.

“Still not done?” she called lazily. “That earring is an Alpha family heirloom. If you’ve lost it, I hope you’re prepared to pay with more than your pride.”

My hand brushed something hard beneath the water. I dug it out—an earring inlaid with blood-red crystals. My fingertips trembled as I held it up.

“Miss Freya… is this the one?”

She rose, sauntered over, and plucked it from my hand like she was receiving a gift from a servant. “Yes. That’s it. You even brought them to the castle last time. Seems like you’re connected to these more than you think.”

Then, with a sharp sigh, she tilted her head and looked me up and down. I was soaked, shivering, humiliated.

“Omegas who can’t shift are really delicate, aren’t they?” she said with mock pity. “Don’t catch a cold now. That’d be such a waste.”

I bit the inside of my cheek hard, tasting blood. I should’ve been used to this by now—the humiliation, the degradation. I was the only Omega in Snow Moon Pack’s history who couldn’t transform. That title came with its own set of punishments.

Then I felt it—the heavy scent of cedar wood rolling in like thunder.

Alpha Lucas.

He strode toward us, his gaze sweeping over me like I was something pathetic.

“Go change,” he said simply.

I didn’t look up.

“She was just upset,” he added, his voice softer. “She’s fine once she vents.”

I still didn’t move.

His patience snapped. “Elaine, have you forgotten what a stand-in is supposed to do?”

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I held them back. I raised my head and met his gaze. “Alpha Lucas… now that Freya’s back, please… let me go.”

His jaw tightened. “Where would you even go?”

I took a deep breath. “My mother’s Wolfsbane Potionology notes mentioned herbs that can only be found outside the Snow Moon Pack’s territory. I want to leave, research more… and there’s something about my bloodline I need to—”

Before I could finish, his hand wrapped around my wrist.

His palm was blazing hot against my cold skin, his grip unforgiving.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he growled, his eyes dark and unreadable. “You belong here. By my side. Until the contract ends.”

My heart dropped. I wasn’t a person to him. Just a possession. And I had two more years left on the contract.