I’m lying on the cold and damp floor. My feet hurt. Something is chewing on my little toe, and I think it’s the rat. Yet I can’t move my body even for the slightest. Three days without food and water, my energy is drained out.

My name is Ivy Carline, an orphan.

Lady Vania, the manager of this orphanage, hates me to the core. She calls me the “little filthy trash” and always locks me up in the basement when people come here to select children. Apparently to her, I don’t deserve a good life outside of this orphanage.

I vaguely hear car engine and chattering. Someone has come to the orphanage to adopt children. I wonder who is the lucky one this time. Probably Valda. She is Lady Vania’s favorite.

My mind is drifting away. Water drops are dripping from the ceiling and falling on my face, which is the only hydration I have for ages. I think I’ll die today. And it’s probably for the best.

I’ve had enough of this shitty world.

“Hey, you!”

An energetic voice snaps me back to reality. I fight my eyes open, looking over to the iron bars. A boy about my age is standing outside of the cell, staring at me with wide eyes.

He is the prettiest little boy I’ve ever seen. He seems well-fed, unlike any of the skinny child in this orphanage.

“What are you doing down here? I thought all children are upstairs?” he asks, curiously.

I remain silent. Lady Vania has taught me the virtue of silence, using her whip.

“You are beautiful. You know that?” he says.

Really? No one ever told me that.

His eyes bright up with excitement. “I want you!”

Just then, a few mammies rush downstairs. Oh no, they will flog him, and I can’t bear watching it.

Yet to my extreme surprise, those mammies bow to the little boy in an extremely humble manner and ask, “Alpha what are you doing here?”

I can’t believe my ears. Alpha? This little boy?

“Get her out. Now.” he points at me and gives his order.

Mammies didn’t think twice hearing his words and unlock the cell. He takes my hand and leads me upstairs. I stagger behind him. I can’t believe how lucky I am.

The square is packed with people. I see Lady Vania and Valda, who is dressed in a pink dress with white lace, looking like a doll. They both glare at me in shock and disgust, like seeing a cockroach in bright daylight.

“Alpha,” Lady Vania begins. “Don’t let this filthy little trash taint your—”

He cuts her off sharply, “I’ve made my choice. I want her. As my Luna.”

The crowd bursts into a storm of confusion and noise. I think my heart literally just stopped beating.

A noble lady steps out of the crowd frowning at him, “Simon. You can’t just choose a random person as your Luna. You’ll have your mate.”

“But I like her.”

“Then take her to the pack house along with other girls. They’ll be your maids.”

The little boy ponders for a while and then nods. Before I realize what happened, he gives me a quick peck on the cheek and runs away.

“I’ll come and find you! I promise!” he shouts to me in distance, giggling.

This is like a dream, too good to be true. When I’m shoved into a truck with Valda and a few other children, I still can’t believe my hellish life at the orphanage has finally ended.

“Hey, do you know our master’s name?” I hear one of the girls ask Valda.

“He is Simon Holmes, Alpha of Silver Blade Pack. The strongest pack in the world,” Valda says in a dreamy tone. “But I heard that this pack is cursed. They say it’s Alpha is destined to be killed by his Luna.”

My heart tightens. I can’t help but lean forward and jump in, “Why?”

Valda gives me an eye roll. “It doesn’t concern you, trash. Shut your hole and be quite.”

I sit back to my seat. Yet my eyes keep drifting towards the car window. I can see a black Bentley and a side-profile behind the dark window shield.

It’s him. My savior.

Simon…I repeat his name in my heart.

I hope he can remember his promise.