Nina's Pov

They're calling me “The Moonveil's Demon” now.

It's cute, isn't it? Like I'm some monster in a twisted bedtime story. Not that I mind. I've been called worse — "cursed child," "bastard brat" and every other uninspired label they could throw at a kid with no parents. And honestly, I think they're running out of ideas.

I kick a pebble as I stroll down the beach.

I can feel them watching me with curious and hateful eyes. I can even hear them whisper behind me.

“Isn't that the traitor's child?”

“Don't go near her, or you'll be cursed.”

“I hear anyone she stares at, instantly carries her curse.”

The last comment sent a smile to my face and I whipped around to look at them.

“Cover your face!” the mothers screamed, running for their children.

A cackle escaped my lips and I clutched my stomach. This never gets old.

“You witch! "You'll never place your curse on us!” An elderly woman covering her face hollered from where she stood.

“Oh please. "If I was cursed, don't you think you all would've been cursed too?” My lips curled into a smirk. “Or… maybe you all are already.”

“Nina!” a deep voice called behind me.

I rolled my eyes, already knowing who it was.

“What?” I spun to find Beta Jasper glaring at me as he approached.

“Your presence was needed in the Gamma's chambers an hour ago,” he said through gritted teeth.

Oh. Shoot.

“You mean Lorlei?” I asked, stroking my chin.

“You know I mean her!” he barked.

“Easy there, big wolf. "No need to get violent.” I rolled my eyes again.

“Get moving!” He grabbed my elbow.

I shoved his arm away from mine. “Don’t touch me!”

His eyes darkened. “Move it!”

I stomped my feet before turning towards the castle.

Move it, my ass.

“You keep up this behavior, and you'll be punished!” He called behind me.

I flipped him the bird and twirled my hair behind my ear. Punish me? Please. I've seen and heard worse. I've been beaten with clubs, stoned, forced to walk on hot coals. What's the worst that could happen?

I picked up my shoes where I kept them by the door and slipped them on. Then I pushed it open and entered. As usual, they all started.

The rumors about me being a “cursed child” are taken seriously in Moonveil Castle, especially among the maids. They eat that sh*it up.

Out of all the hypocr*ites dressed in the traditional red apparel maids wear, only one person could look me in the eye.

“You're late, Nina. "This time they'll have your head or worse, banish you!” she whisper-yelled.

“Wouldn't that be better?” I scoffed.

“That's not funny,” Anna pushed the golden jewelry box towards me. “Go to the Alpha Hall. Now!”

“Okay. Okay.” I took it from her.

“Hurry!”

“Fine!”

I cut through the hallway, ignoring the stares and whispers, before I arrived at my destination — The Alpha Hall. I haven't been here since I was 5. Hadn't been here since I saw my parent's corpse.

With a sharp exhale, I knocked and entered. The sharp scent of wine, cake and perfume filled my nostrils. Rich wolves have a wonderful sense of smell.

The Alpha's throwing a party for his Gamma's daughter — Lorlei, the girl who is going to marry his son, Gordon. I watched him all smirk and blush, his arms wrapped around Lorlei’s waist as they danced to the pipers. He was happy. I almost pitied the poor guy. He didn't know his father was frolicking with his wife-to-be.

His eyes locked on mine and he pulled away. “Ah ha! There it is!”

He reached with three long strides and grabbed the trinket box.

Lorlei turned and her cheeks pinked. “Is that for me?”

“Yes,” Gordon smiled, passing the box to her.

She quickly opened it and a light gasped left her. “Oh, it's beautiful, darling.”

Alpha Nero cleared his throat. “I picked out the jewelry for you. All Gordon did was put it in the box.”

The hall erupted into a laugh.

That was obviously not funny, but they laughed, including Gordon.

“Thank you, Alpha.” Lorlei threw her arms around his neck in a hug and the room applauded.

I wanted to say something, but you know what, it's none of my business. I turned around and left the ring, but not before glaring at the Alpha. He was a scumbag through and through.

That evening, I was summoned to Lorlei's chambers. She would give me an earful, no doubt.

“You sent for me, my lady,” I said, bowing my head.

“Come here.” She didn't care to hide the spite in her voice.

I sighed and walked to where she sat behind her dresser.

She turned, still holding the trinket in her lap. “You recognize this?”

I nodded quietly, not knowing where this conversation was headed. “Yes, I do.”

“The Alpha gave me this gift for my birthday,” she kept it on the table, rising to her feet. “He didn't give it to you.”

“Sorry?” My brows knitted.

“I saw the way you looked at him earlier,” she kept walking towards me and I kept moving back. “I know you want the Alpha, but you'll never have him.”

Want the Alpha? Excuse me, lady!

“A cursed child like you can never have him!” She hissed.

“I don't even want him. "What are you talking about?” I tried not to yell. I really tried.

Footsteps approached and she smirked. Wait, what does that mean?

Immediately, the door flew open and several guards entered.

Lorlei let out the fakest sob I've ever heard in my life before she fell to the floor.

I stared at her, confused. Like lady, what is wrong with you?

She pointed at me. “The cursed child stole my jewelry!”

I did what now?

The guards didn't even ask. They came into me, grabbing my hand and shoving me facedown on the floor.

“Hey!” I yelled. “Let me go!" I didn't do anything!”

A guard helped Lorlei to her feet and she smiled.

My eyes fell on the trinket box and all of a sudden, it clicked. There was nothing inside it.

“It's here,” a shrill voice called out.

I'd recognize that voice even in my sleep.

Anna!

She stepped into the room, holding the exact blue jewelry Alpha Nero had gifted Lorlei. And when she spoke, she didn't even look at me.

“I found it under Nina's pillow. She…” Now, she looked at me. “She stole it.”

My blood froze. “What?... Anna… I never did!”

“Liar!” Lorlei screamed.

“What is going on here?!” An authoritative voice boomed in the hall before the owner surfaced from the shadows with his men behind him.

Alpha Nero himself, the bastard king.

Lorlei ran to his arms, sobbing. “It's the cursed child. She… she stole the jewelry you gave me.”

Alpha Nero’s face wasn't red with rage. “She what?”

“I did not!” I growled, attempting to flee. If only my wolf weren't dormant, I would've long escaped.

Alpha Nero glared down at me, his eyes taking a darker shade of red. Those were the same eyes he used to glare at me that night in the Alpha Hall. The same night, he killed my parents.

“Nina Whitestone…” he began in a deep voice sharp enough to cut through steel. “You are guilty of theft…”

“I hereby sentence you to banishment. "You are no longer welcome here.” He finished.

“I didn't steal!” I screamed, but no one listened to me. They never listen to the cursed child.