My eyes watched civilization disappear out of the back window. My sister and mother's silhouettes no longer visible. I did a very bad thing, the wrong thing, but for the right reasons. If these wolves found out I wasn't Skylee they would kill me and them. We would be slaughtered, like the sheep they think we are. But I couldn't let my sister die, I couldn't let her be their victim.

Slowly, the smooth pavement roads turned into bumpy gravel. The city plains shifting into dense trees. I've never been this far, the beasts patrolled these lands, stopping all who tried to enter. The driver stayed quiet, scowling at me from the rear-view mirror every time I met his gaze. Their beasts don't like to feel challenged, but I couldn't help my stare. I began to fiddle with my graduation necklace trying to calm my nerves.

It was such a thin, fine chain, easily broken if I wasn't careful. However, my hands needed to feel occupied. I'm sure the wolf up front would chew my head off if I picked the leather from these seats. It's a nervous habit, I just couldn't shake.

Miles from town, the car wound through the mountains path leading to a large clearing. At first glance I saw a pond off to the side, and a few buildings next to a pasture filled with cattle, lambs, and pigs. There was only one large structure that looked like an old stone European building. I wouldn't say it looked like a mansion, but it was large enough to seem like a small castle. Each window had its own style of decorations, from planters' boxes, to medal art and even stained glass. It was beautiful to say the least, but it also gave off a Bram Stoker Dracula vibe.

Please don't let Dracula lie behind that door.

The driver pulled the car up to the front entrance, stopping abruptly, causing my body to jolted forward. In the rush of overwhelming emotions from earlier, I had forgotten to put my seatbelt on. My hand reached out pushing on the back of his seat, slightly jostling his shoulder. The silence in the car disappeared with a low growl from the back of his throat. Snapping my hand back to my side he opened his door and I followed his action.

Noticing the trunk wasn't popped, I watched him walk away. Two-seconds later a small girl, shorter than me by a few inches, addressed me.

"Don't stare." She hissed, pushing me along.

She was wearing the same dress I was wearing except a different color. Nude, almost matching her skin, a few shades lighter. She was wearing black flats and her hair was perfectly tied in a ballet bun on her head. An all-natural look about her, just like the look she was giving me now.

"My name is Jillian, I'm here to escort you to the alpha." She stated, grabbing my elbow rather firmly to make sure I wouldn't run.

"My na-," I was trying to be friendly when she snapped in a harsh whisper.

"Don't talk unless given permission." She scolded, pushing me again. When I noticed one more girl walking behind us, holding my bag. "Keep your head down." She was so harsh, with a mean attitude. "Do as you're told." She finally added, reaching a door on the first floor. "Keep your head down", she informed nastiness in her tone.

Indulging in her words, I tilted my head to the ground keeping my eyes on the floor in front of me. Followed behind in her footsteps, I admired the wooden floor beneath our feet. We approached a large wide wooden door and Jillian wasted no time in asking for entrance. With a knock, a deep, sultry voice rumbled on the other side. "Come in."

Jillian opened the door pulling me beside her, the girl behind us walked past. This Jillian girl was quite pushy and rude and already on a bad note with me. She shuffled her feet, hesitating each step she took as if timid around this Alpha. My eyes followed her steps, until I glanced up and they landed on him.

"Set it down, then leave." His baritone deep voice commanded. I have never heard a voice as deep as his, it was so alluring. Snapping my eyes back to the floor, I felt Jillian tug my arm. Leading me right in front of his desk. Handsy she is and I hated being led. "Wait outside, Jillian." He told her, not leaving room for argument. Jillian's grip vanished and the door clicked shut.

Alphas are possessive, power hungry, ass holes. Always bending people to their will by force, or manipulation. They were animals, in every sense of the word. Predators, always fighting for control for power, for submission. I was never one to be submissive, and bowing down to this ass hat angered me. But I had a year, I had to keep the lie, I needed to please him to go home.

"Skylee Luann Wallen." The rumble of his voice sounded seductive; a slight shiver ran through my spin.

'Luna,' I mentally corrected him.

"Come here," he commanded, and I stepped with caution, rounding his desk, stand in front of his chair. Even while he sat, he was twice the size of me. His bicep looked like the size of my head. His index knuckle, pressed the bottom of my chin, tilting my head up. I kept my eyes lowered, suddenly intrigued by the buttons on his chest. "Look at me." His voice disrupts the silence.

Fluttering my eyes up to the god-like man sitting before me. His beautiful hues looked down at me. His hand pinched my chin, tilting me side to side. He was examining me and by the look on his face, he liked what he saw. He released my chin, brushing his rough knuckle against my cheek, caressing my silky plush flesh.

His touch felt so gentle, yet rough brushing my cheek. Like his knuckles were calloused from punching things. Leaning forward, I felt his nose touch the top of my head. With a deep breath, I watched his sculpted chest rise and fall. Reminding me of nursing school. He was smelling me, taking in my scent, easier for tracking. Letting me know, there's no point in running. Once a wolf has your scent, it never forgets.

Alpha Greyson, leaned back in his leather chair, "Turn around." I followed his command, slowly turning all the way around, until I was facing him yet again with my eyes firmly staring at the floor. Hopefully he doesn't recognize me from the restaurant. Last thing I need is a scorned alpha.

"Jillian," he shouted. Her small presence pushed through the door. "You know what to do," was all he said, before picking up my bag and smelling it. He smelt my bag? That's an odd thing to do. Waving his hand in the air to dismiss me, "Leave," was all he said. His eyes focused on his desktop which was filled with papers.

Perhaps he was smelling to see if I had brought bathing stuff.

I walked towards Jillian, wondering about my bag. Was he going to go through it? Was I ever going to see it again? What if he was displeased with what I packed? If I didn't have my belongings, I'm not sure I could survive a year here. I needed those memories, I needed the reminder of what was on the outside, waiting for me.

Jillian walked at a speedy pace, heading down the hallway to the end of the hall. A dead end with an old looking door to the right. With a creek from its hinges, she pushed open the door. Reminding me of my old rickety house, bringing a sting to my heart. Jillian's little feet carried her down the stairs into the dark of the basement. She turned realizing my presence wasn't following her. I had awful allergies and avoided basements at all costs. There's always mold.

"What are you waiting for? An invitation?" She sassed half-heartedly. What the hell did I do to this girl to make her hate me?

Slowly descending, I watched my feet hit every step on the way down. Once we reached the bottom, I took in my surroundings. Concrete floor and plain grey blocks made up the foundation for the home. It was dusty, and smelled musty, a puddle of water seeped under a door. Jillian stopped, opened it, showing a poorly cleaned shower. Black mold hid in the crevices, rust stained the walls and a small window with bars. The rust was from a small, crusted shower caddy holding a bar of soap, and two unmarked bottles.

Good thing I'm up to date on my tetanus shots.

"This is our shower; we get one bar of soap a week and one of each bottle a week. Shampoo and conditioner, if you were wondering." She joked, like this was funny and my 'ewww' face couldn't be contained. "Not to your liking?" She smirked, enjoying my reaction.

"Who pissed in your cereal?" I snapped, mean mugging the hell out of her. She was nothing to me, we were equals.

Laughter filled the air, as Jillian clutched her stomach. "So, you do have fire?!" She shrieked, smiling at me. This girl is bipolar. "Glad you have some spunk, anyways, this is our shower. We are only allowed to bathe in here." She gestured to the small window with bars. "There's no light in here, so shower at dawn or in the dark." I looked at her, still adjusting to my new life. Feeling flabbergasted about the living quarters.

It's only for a year, you can do this.

Continuing down the hall lined with doors, we stopped at one in the middle, filled with shower towels, and uniforms. That was it, no brooms, no sheets, pillows, blankets, nothing. Taking me three doors down, Jillian walked in plopping on a prison bunk bed. You have got to be kidding me.

"Bottom bunk is yours, tops mine." She pointed, slouching on my bed. The only thing in this room was metal bunk beds and a small desk with a chair, made from scrap wood. What a lovely home.

"So, what do I do?" I asked her as she watched me.

"Well, it depends what the alpha wants to do with you." She plainly stated, as if this was a normal everyday thing. How long has she been here?

"How old are you?" I asked, catching her off guard.

"Eighteen." She said crossing her knees, still leaning back on her hands.

"How long have you been here?" I inquired, was she a harvest girl?

"Three years...," she trailed off, looking at the blank cold walls of our cell.

"Are you going to tell me your story?", I asked as politely as possible. Trying to be friends with this girl seemed like a job. We were going to be spending a lot of time together, might as well get to know each other.

"Nope," She said popping the 'P,' like a little brat.

This girl was starting to infuriate me, first she tells me to shut my trap. Then she's rude, turns around and tries to buddy-buddy me and now she's just being an ass. Fine two can play that.

"When will I get my bag?" I asked, surely she could tell me that. I'm sure it wasn't above her pay grade.

"When the alpha gives it back to you." She said bouncing her foot, up and down.

That's it.

"Get off my bed." I harshly told her, done with her shit. Her response was to stop tapping her foot, looking up at me with a smile. She stood, stepping into my personal space. Inches from my nose, as if we would kiss. Yeah, that's a hard pass from me. I knowingly took a step back.

"Took you long enough." She said, flicking my nose with her finger. What is wrong with you!? "Your blanket and pillow will be under the bed. You get one a week, then it's washed Sunday morning." She smiled, pulling the pair from under the bunk. Great, it's dirty. "Your bag will be stored under your bed along with my bag." She smiled at me, her happiness shown in her eyes. "Welcome to your new home." She chimes, climbing on the top bunk.

This girl somewhat reminded me of Sky, only I didn't love her to put up with her shit.

Ok, calm down, let's try again.

"What time is dinner?" I asked, yet another attempt to talk.

"The alpha eats at seven, we eat at nine." Jillian lulled, bored of my questions.

I looked at the clock on the wall, seeing it was a little after two. Jillian took a snooze, while I made my bed and laid down, looking at the underside of her top bunk.

She better not piss the bed.

Urine stains covered the underside, causing my skin to crawl. If her bed looks this bad, I don't want to even look at mine.

Welcome home Luna, sell the lie.

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Photo above is what I drew my inspiration from, when describing their dresses/uniforms.

Hope your enjoying the book so far! Love to hear your thoughts!