Chapter 1

Thomas POV

We are shuffled into the town's square like cattle. The tattoos on our wrists are scanned to keep track of who is in attendance. To not attend the Summer Solstice celebration is a death sentence, or worse. The lycan that scans my tattoo eyes me suspiciously before allowing me through the gates. It is getting harder to hide what I am.

My father nudges me on the back, forcing me forward. There is no time to mingle; we have to find our seats. We settle into the seats in the back. It is strategic, so we can make a quick getaway.

Our neighbor, George, sits behind us and gestures to the women awaiting their fate. "It's a good thing you have a son, or he would be down there with them."

I glance over my shoulder, and he winks at me. Father hits me in the side, and I turn my attention back to the square. He has never let me socialize with our neighbors. It is too dangerous.

"I am sure the beasts would take him," George continues. "He is pretty enough to be a girl."

Panic rushes to my chest, causing my cheeks to blush. Father grumbles under his breath. "Thomas is as strong as the rest of the men in this town."

George taps me roughly on the shoulder. "He is kind of small, but I was talking about his face."

"Shut up, George," Father growls.

I understand my father's anger. If anyone would ever find out who I am or what I am, it could mean death for the both of us. After all, it is law that all women of age be offered to the lycans. But I am not a woman, at least not one that they know of.

Humans and Lycans had coexisted for hundreds of years, until the plague wiped out half of the lycan population. Their numbers dwindled, and relations became tense. I was only a child when it happened, and didn't fully understand what happened. But I was old enough to know something bad took my mother from me.

Once a year, the beasts ascend into the human cities looking for women to bear children. Every woman over the age of eighteen is forced to offer themselves to the lycans. First, the Alphas come inspecting the women like cattle. Once they have had their pick, their Betas choose. It goes on until all of the beasts have a woman or there are no more.

I keep my eyes on the tributes and thank the gods that I am not down there with them. They are all wearing identical white dresses, and their hair is pulled into tight buns on top of their heads. A few are foolish enough to look excited, but the rest are terrified. As they should be. Tonight is the end of their lives.

Some women return, but most don't. I can only assume the worst has happened to them.

The clock in the town's square chimes midnight, and a dark shadow casts itself over the crowd. Children in the crowd shriek in fear, and the older women cry. It never gets easier. They descend upon us in their human forms. It is a ruse to make us comfortable, but we all know what monsters hide beneath their false skin.

One by one, the women tributes drop to their knees. Some beg not to be taken from their families, but their cries fall on deaf ears. The beasts do not have souls or a conscience. They only care about their dying population.

Murmurs from the crowd pull me away from my thoughts. There are three new beasts that I have not seen before. They are weaving their way in and out of the women, wearing identical scowls.

I nudge my father in the side, gesturing to the newcomers. He shoots me a warning glare. I am not to draw attention to myself in public.

George leans over my shoulder to answer my unspoken question. "Those are the Lycan Alphas. Triplets from the Winter Pack. It is their first time at the Solstice."

I have more questions, but I couldn't voice them if I tried. I haven't spoken since my mother was taken fifteen years ago. My throat grows thick, but I keep my eyes glued to the new Alphas. They are terribly handsome, but I know looks can be deceiving. The way they look at the tributes stirs something within me. Unlike the Alphas that came before them, they look disinterested, and I think I see a hint of pity in their eyes.

Suddenly, a growl echoes through the night, and my eyes fly to the lycan triplets. One of the other Alphas has his nose to the air, and the others have their eyes on me. Their black eyes pierce through the night and meet my gaze.

I keep my legs pressed together and avert my eyes to the ground. I can feel them moving toward me, and I pray that the crowd keeps him from reaching me.

The crowd parts as one of the Alphas storms toward us. I suck in a sharp breath, not daring to move. He is standing before me, and I hang my head in fear.

"What is your name?" The Alpha demands to know.

My father stands quickly at my side. "His name is Thomas. He doesn't speak."

The Alpha leans closer to me. "Stand."

My eyes dart to my father, and he nods shakily. I get to my feet, and blood trickles into my panties. Tears fill my eyes and spill over onto my cheeks. There is no hiding what I am now.

"Thomas is a strange name for a female," the Alpha growls at my father.

"He is not a female," my father lies.

"Do not lie to me," he shouts at my father. "I can smell her blood."

My father is shaking, but he doesn't back down. "You will have to take her over my dead body."

"That can be arranged," the Alpha snarls.

He grips my father around the throat, and his claws puncture his frail skin. Blood streams from the wounds, but he doesn't stop glaring at the Alpha.

"Do you want your father to live?" He asks me.

Tears swarm in my eyes, and I nod.

"Go stand with the rest," the Alpha snarls.

"No," my father chokes out. "She will not be a slave to your kind."

"Just for that," the Alpha sneers. "I will take her personally to the Spring Pack."

When he releases my father, I watch in horror as he crumples to the ground. I bend down to help him back to his feet, but the Spring Alpha throws me over his shoulder and carries me through the crowd. No one dares to stop him and no one dares to help my father. He has defied the Alphas. He has signed his death warrant. Even if I make it back to the city, he will not be here to welcome me.