Chapter 1 Unwanted daughter

Selena’s POV

The cold night air stung my lungs as I ran barefoot through the woods, chains dragging against the dirt, clinking like a cruel reminder of my prison. My legs trembled, every step burning, but I forced myself forward. This was my chance. My only chance.

The wind whispered freedom, but the shadows whispered fear. My father’s hunters weren’t far behind. I could feel their presence, hear the heavy boots snapping twigs behind me.

Faster, Selena… just faster…

But the chains slowed me. They always slowed me. My wrists were raw, bleeding from the rusted shackles, and my body screamed for rest.

“Stop her!” a voice bellowed from behind.

I pushed harder, though my vision blurred with tears. My heart pounded so loud I swore it would give me away. I could almost taste freedom when—

A hand yanked the back of my hair, snapping my head backward.

I screamed as my body was dragged into the dirt.

“Thought you could run from me?” His voice was low, venomous, cold. My father. Alpha Noah. His boots pressed into my chest, forcing the air out of me.

I coughed, clawing at the ground, choking under his weight. “P-please… Father… I wasn’t— I wasn’t running—”

His hand shot to my throat, fingers tightening like iron. My voice broke into a rasp.

“You dare lie to me?” His eyes were blank, merciless. “You shame me again, cursed child.”

I gasped for air, clutching at his wrist. “I’m sorry! I just— I can’t—” My voice cracked. “I can’t breathe in there anymore…”

His palm cracked across my face before I could finish. The sting burned my cheek, and stars burst behind my eyes.

“Ungrateful wretch,” he spat. “I feed you. I keep you alive. And this is how you repay me? By trying to flee like a coward?”

I shook my head desperately, tears slipping down my cheeks. “No… please, Father. I wasn’t—I swear it. I just wanted air. Just for a moment…”

He laughed. A hollow, bitter laugh. “Air? You don’t deserve air. Murderers don’t breathe the same air as the rest of us.” His boot slammed into my stomach. Pain shot through me and I curled up, gasping, choking back a sob.

“I didn’t kill her!” My voice cracked, weak but raw. “I didn’t kill Mother. I was just a baby—”

“Silence!” he roared, kicking me again. “Your birth killed her. The gods cursed me the moment you came into this world. Nothing but misfortune since then. My son, my heir—dead because of you.”

His words cut deeper than his blows. My brother. The only one who’d ever smiled at me. Gone. And his death pinned to me like another scar.

Tears blurred my vision as I reached for his hand. “Please, Father… I’ll do anything. Don’t hurt me. Please.”

His grip on my hair tightened, yanking me to my knees. My scalp screamed in agony.

“Anything?” His tone was ice. “You’re nothing. You will never be more than nothing.”

“Then kill me,” I whispered, trembling. “If I’m such a curse… just end it. Please.”

For a moment, silence hung heavy between us. His cold eyes searched my face, and for one foolish second, I thought I saw hesitation.

Then his lip curled. “Death would be mercy. And you don’t deserve mercy.”

Before I could move, he struck me again, my head snapping to the side, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.

He dragged me by my chains through the dirt, my knees scraping against roots and rocks. My body was too weak to fight back. All I could do was beg.

“Father, stop! Please! I’ll obey, I’ll stay—I won’t leave the basement again, I swear!” My voice cracked in desperation.

His only answer was a cruel laugh.

He hauled me into the clearing where torches flickered. The metallic stench of iron hit me before I saw it. The cage. An iron monstrosity waiting like a hungry beast.

“No… please, not the cage…” I whimpered, my body thrashing weakly against his hold. “Anything but that. I’ll be good. I’ll be quiet. Just don’t—”

He slammed me against the bars, forcing me inside. The iron burned my skin where it touched, the chains biting deeper into my flesh as he shackled me tighter, locking me in like an animal.

My breath came in ragged sobs as I clung to the bars. “Father… please look at me. Just once. Please. I’m your daughter…”

He stared at me with that same blank coldness I’d known all my life. As if I were nothing but dirt at his feet.

“My daughter died the day your mother did,” he said flatly.

My heart shattered, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Why do you hate me so much? I just… I just wanted you to love me…”

His face twisted in disgust. “Love you? You’re a curse. A burden. And now… finally, I’ll rid myself of you.”

My stomach dropped. “What… what do you mean?”

His smirk was cruel, chilling.

“Tomorrow,” he said, locking the final chain with a loud clang, “you’ll be dragged to the black market. Let the world see what a cursed she-wolf is worth. If you will ever find your worth."

“No…” My breath caught in my throat. My hands rattled the cage desperately. “Father, please! Don’t sell me—don’t— I’ll die! Father, please!"

“That is the point,” he said coldly. “Maybe the world will finish what I should have years ago.”

“No!” My scream echoed through the trees, raw and broken. “Father! Please, don’t do this! Please! I'll be good! I won't escape anymore! Please, I'm begging you!”

But his back was already turned, his figure swallowed by the shadows. Only his pack remain, leaving in agony on the state of my life. The rain start dripping, wetting my body but I endure it. I endure the cold the covering me.

And I was left in the cold, rattling chains, choking on the truth—tomorrow, I would be sold like nothing. My world shatter into worst.