The whispers from my pack mates grew louder as I stepped forward to receive my test result.

As the alpha's only child, the pack was interested in knowing my wolf type because the pack's future would be determined by my result.

I would marry Ethan, have a male heir, and hand him over to my father to raise as the heir.

I was afraid.

My stepmother was convinced I didn't have Alpha blood. I waited with fear in my heart to turn eighteen and meet my wolf.

Sweat trickled down my neck, and I wish I didn't have to feel so exposed.

“Please, let me have Alpha blood,” I prayed to the moon goddess.

“Step forward, child,” an elder said softly. “Don't be afraid.”

I stole a glance at my dad. He wore a bored frown and didn't bother to soothe my fears. My stepmom and her daughters were making mocking faces at me from a few feet away. It was a shame that my dad treated my step-sisters, who were born from their mom's first marriage, better than his own child.

If only someone could be by my side and assure me that everything would be okay.

“Iris!”

My boyfriend, Ethan, waved and ran towards me, holding flowers and my favorite brand of chocolates.

Ethan was one year older and met his wolf last year. He had beta blood. He bowed respectfully to my dad before gripping my trembling palm.

"Don't be afraid, honey. You have a strong Alpha wolf, and we'll make very beautiful babies.”

I offered him a weak smile and went on autopilot, with my heart thumping like a marathon runner.

“Shift into your wolf,” the elder instructed me. “Embrace your wolf and feel its strength flow into you.”

With a deep breath, I lifted my chin high and closed my eyes. My breathing slowed. Otters who had done the test were in their wolf form, celebrated by their parents and families.

I wanted that.

I looked up into Ethan's warm eyes for encouragement. It took a moment for my wolf to come. Everything felt strange. My bones snapped, and thick, brown fur sprouted all over me.

The crowd gasped in horror. My subconscious knew there was a big problem. My wolf was the size of a puppy!

My dad cringed. His eyes glowed red like a demon waiting to devour me. Alpha wolves were always huge and magnificent. This could only mean one thing.

“Shift!” my dad cried out. I needed to get back to my human form, but it was so painful. Ethan wasn't by my side anymore. My stepmother was laughing.

After a painful eternity of shifting back, I finally collapsed onto the ground. The pain in my chest and legs was dull and throbbing.

Ethan rushed forward to help me up. The word ‘Omega’ was written in a large, bold font in my file.

My dad rushed forward and snatched the file. Everywhere was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Dad spoke after a long pause.

"I have always suspected that your filthy mother cheated on me with an omega slave," he exclaimed, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Now this proves that you're a bastard!"

My life was over.

Right before me, my worst fears were manifesting: Ethan couldn't face my father's wrath, and my stepmother beckoned the wardens from the Sisters' Sanctuary, a prison where omega women spent the rest of their lives, to take me away.

I tried to fight the wardens, but they grabbed my arms, dragging me along with them, and led me to a van.

As soon as they opened the door, I began screaming, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Where are you taking me?!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I struggled against them."Dad! Please don't abandon me with them. Help me!"

My dad turned around, and the hatred in his eyes told me all I needed to know. I stopped struggling and got into the van.

Three years later Returning home every year for my birthday was a painful reminder of my worthlessness, with Dad constantly putting me down.

The Sisters' Sanctuary was a terrible place, but I'd rather stay here than face my dad.

The matron tapped on my bunk and handed me a vest and jeans to wear.

“Happy twenty-first birthday! Enjoy the evening with your family.”

I gave her a deadpan look, and she dragged me up. "Hurry to the van."

Like a lamb, I was bundled home. I looked in the van's mirror and saw a pair of sad eyes looking back at me.

Sighing, I tied a scrunchie around my unusual chocolate and burgundy hair, a unique trait that unfortunately wouldn't be inherited by any children.

Ethan hadn't written or visited in weeks, but I knew he loved me. I hoped to see him today. We arrived at my dad's four-story townhouse.

The music and distant voices signaled a celebration inside. My stepsister Bianca, cradling her young son, looked up as I stepped into the foyer.

"Of all days, you had to show up today? That's just rotten luck!”

I shot her a confused frown. "And why is that? I was forced to return home."

"You should leave right now because you'll never be able to unsee it."

This made me curious. What was she talking about? I pushed past her attempts to stop me and entered the large hall, where my dad held pack activities.

My feet wobbled when I saw Ethan, my last hope of leaving the sanctuary and getting married to a very beautiful woman.

Ethan promised to get me out of the sanctuary. We had a detailed plan.

He was my last hope.

This wedding explained his prolonged silence. My stepmom’s eyes shone with amusement.

"Iris, what a surprise! Ethan's bride is stunning, isn't she? I made sure your dad sent a letter to the sanctuary so you could join us. I'm glad you made it just in time; the ceremony is almost over."

She toned down her voice. "His wife is beautiful. She has beta blood. Ethan wouldn't have to be concerned about Omega contamination anymore.”

I ignored her and moved through the crowd. When Ethan's eyes met mine, his face paled. My dad noticed my presence and, as usual, humiliated me.

"Who let you out?"

“It's my birthday," I choked out and turned to face Ethan. “I'll just leave. Happy married life.”

"Go upstairs to your room," Dad ordered after dragging me out to the foyer.

"I'd rather return to the sanctuary. Could you please request that one of your drivers take me back?"

He let go of his grip on me and slapped me across the face. The force knocked me to the ground. Except for Bianca, who looked very sorry, my family looked down at me in disgust.

"You bastard spinster. You make my skin crawl. I wish you'd disappear forever.”

"Dad!" Bianca cried out. "That's unfair.”

Tears choked my voice. Dad and Ethan's rejection crushed me to my core. Ethan was rushing out when my stepmom, Victoria, stopped him.

"My dear boy, don't bother yourself about her; you did well to dump her.”

Ethan looked guilty and refused to meet my gaze. "I'm sorry you found out this way, Iris. But I can't marry an omega. You're weak and destined to spend your life in that sanctuary."

Those words hurt me more than a gunshot. Ethan walked away without sparing me another glance, and Dad ordered a guard to seize me.

"Return her to the sanctuary.”

The drive back was depressingly quiet. The sky darkened in minutes, and it began raining. When we got to the sanctuary, I rushed to the gate and knocked hard.

The old man who manned the gate was deaf in one ear. My dad's guard drove away, leaving me in the rain.

Like lightning, an idea struck me: freedom was right at my fingertips. It was time to escape.

The old man must have heard the bell because he stepped out with an umbrella. While he was struggling with the padlock, I turned around and began running.

"Hey! Stop right there!" he cried out from behind me. "Get down here."

"Sorry, but I want a better life," I dared, and I fled, making sure he could never catch me.