Starlight stumbled backward, her vision blurring through tears as Otto and his friends advanced on her. "Please... please don't do this, Otto," she sobbed, rubbing her trembling palms together frantically, her skin chafing under the friction of her terror. "Please, I beg you. Don't do this to me." Her heel struck the edge of the bed.

The realization that she had nowhere left to run sent a wave of panic crashing through her chest. Otto stood in front of her, tall and handsome in a way she had once found comforting.

Now his smile looked wrong. Cruel. Empty.

"Looks like you're more eager to give yourself to me than you let on," he said, his voice dropping into a mockery of the gentle tone he usually reserved for her. The two boys flanking him, Preston and Ambrose, let out low chuckles under their breath, their amusement making the room feel even smaller.

"Otto..." Her voice cracked. "You love me. You said you loved me."

"Of course I love you," Otto replied, his tone sickeningly gentle. "That's why I want to share you with my beloved friends. Love is sharing."

Ambrose and Preston chuckled harder.

Regret burned in Starlight's throat. If only she had listened to the quiet, persistent warning in her chest. If only she had trusted the unease that had followed her all evening. If only she had stood firm and refused his pleading. Then she would not be standing here now, trapped and terrified. "No... please, just let me go home. Please." More tears streamed uncontrollably down her face as she shook her head.

"You said your body belonged only to me, Star." Otto's smile widened. "I have the right to do with it as I see fit, and I want to share it. Get her, boys."

Fear exploded through her as Preston and Ambrose lunged forward. Starlight shrieked, thrashing her limbs as four strong hands clamped down on her, tackling her onto the mattress. She fought with every ounce of strength she possessed. "No!" she cried. "Otto, please! Tell them to stop! Tell them to let me go!"

"Not happening," Otto said coldly, stepping closer to the edge of the bed. Ambrose grabbed her wrists while Preston caught her around the waist. Starlight kicked wildly, her foot connecting with something solid.

Otto cursed and staggered back, clutching his shin. "You little piece of shit." He glared at her. "Hold her still! How hard can it be to pin down a single human girl?"

"No! Let me go! " Starlight screamed as Preston's heavy weight shifted over her thighs, pinning her down with brutal force. Her lungs burned, and her throat felt raw from screaming.

"Tie her mouth too," Otto snapped, adjusting his belt. "We don't want her waking the neighbors."

The room spun around her as tears blurred her vision. "Otto... ple—hmmhmmm!"

A thick strip of fabric was shoved into her mouth and pulled tight behind her head, turning her pleas into muffled, desperate sounds. She struggled harder, twisting her wrists so violently against Ambrose's grip that the wolf nearly stumbled off the bed.

Ambrose grunted, his fingers digging into her skin like iron cuffs. "How strong is this bitch? Just stay calm and let us take care of you."

With a rough, coordinated heave, the two boys tore away her clothes, stripping her bare before tying her wrists above her head. They spread her legs apart, each holding one thigh down with crushing strength. Starlight lay completely exposed, tears pooling in her ears as they streamed down her face. She sobbed silently against the gag, her chest heaving with panic and terror. Otto's eyes gleamed with raw lust as he took in her helpless form on the massive bed. He palmed the hardness in his trousers, a slow smile returning to his lips. "I can't believe I'm finally getting what I suffered for."

Preston laughed, his grip tightening on her ankle. "The long-awaited prize. Dig in, boss."

"Well, if you say so," Otto said, stepping forward. He slowly licked his lips as his gaze roamed over her. "Who am I to refuse a well-presented offering?" He rubbed his palms together. "Time to dig in." Starlight shook her head frantically against the pillows, her eyes wide with horror as Otto started to undress.

"Sister Star!"

A loud, piercing voice shattered the horror.

Starlight bolted upright with a sharp gasp, her lungs hitching violently as she sucked in air. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and cold sweat clung to her skin. For several disorienting seconds, she could only stare at the familiar walls of her bedroom while the nightmare slowly loosened its grip.

The bedroom door burst open with a loud bang. Aiden rushed inside like a whirlwind. "Sister Star, it's time for the Lunar Lottery!" he yelled. Before she could respond, he launched himself onto the mattress and began bouncing excitedly.

"Come on, let's go watch it"

"Aiden, stop that," Starlight managed tiredly. "Stop jumping. You're going to hurt yourself."

Her younger brother ignored the warning, dropping to his knees and pulling hard at her hand. "The broadcast is starting. Let's go! Everyone's in the living room! Hurry! We can't miss anything! "

Starlight looked down at her small, enthusiastic brother with a weary smile. "Can I... can I just sit this one out, Aiden? Please?"

"No, you can't!" Aiden declared, pulling harder. "You have to watch with us. Today's lottery is different."

Starlight narrowed her eyes. "Different how?"

"I'm not telling." Aiden grinned mischievously. "But you have to come right now, or I'll keep jumping on your bed."

A reluctant laugh escaped her. "Okay, okay. I'm coming. No need to threaten me."

Aiden puffed out his chest in victory and immediately grabbed her hand again, attempting to drag her out of bed. Starlight swung her legs over the side and allowed her younger brother to pull her toward the doorway. Aiden's enthusiasm was infectious, but it did little to ease the suffocating heaviness in her chest.

"Hurry! We can't miss anything!"

What's so special about today's annual lottery?

Starlight forced a smile as she followed him into the narrow hallway. If she were being honest, the last thing she wanted right now was to watch the Lunar Lottery. Every year, the entire empire treated it like a holy event. Millions of humans entered their names in hopes of being chosen. To them, there was no greater honor than attracting the attention of a werewolf. The winners received scholarships to Asterion Academy, the most prestigious institution in the empire, and the opportunity to become future mates to members of the empire's most powerful clan.

People talked about it as though it were humanity's greatest honor, a dream come true. The media painted it as a fairy tale, a blessing bestowed upon the chosen by the Moon Goddess's children. Starlight nearly scoffed.

She couldn't blame them too much. She used to be like them once, until she learned what those monsters were truly like. In the cramped living room, the old box television flickered with static before settling on a bright broadcast image. Her mother, Clara, sat on the worn couch with baby Angel cradled against her chest. She looked up the moment Starlight entered.

"Aiden," she scolded. "I thought I told you not to disturb your sister's afternoon nap. She already has enough trouble sleeping."

Aiden immediately pointed at Starlight. "She was already awake when I got there!"

Clara raised an eyebrow. "With all that yelling, I'd be surprised if she wasn't."

"It's alright, Mom. He's just excited," Starlight said softly. Leaning over the couch, she gently poked Angel's chubby cheek and cooed.

"Hey, Angel. Care to share some of your delicious food with big sis?"

Clara laughed softly. "Go find your own, young lady."

A cheerful female voice suddenly rang from the television. "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived!"

"That's right," her male co-host added. "Tonight, a new group of fortunate citizens will become the envied elite of our great empire."

"It's starting! It's starting!" Aiden whispered loudly, hopping onto a small wooden stool.

Starlight chuckled despite herself.

"Aiden," Clara warned. "Settle down and watch quietly, or I'll turn it off."

The boy instantly folded his hands in his lap and sat perfectly still. The sight was so comical that Starlight almost laughed again.

Shaking her head, she settled onto the couch beside her mother. She might as well endure the shenanigans and get this over with.

"I heard the twin alpha princes are participating in this year's lottery," Clara murmured, her gaze fixed on the flashing screen.

"Humph."

Starlight continued teasing Angel's tiny hand. She couldn't care less who was participating in that glorified mating lottery.

Clara glanced at her thoughtfully.

She had long since noticed her daughter's dislike for anything involving werewolves, though Starlight had never fully explained why. She hadn't always been like this. Something had changed a few years ago, something Starlight refused to talk about.

What Clara didn't understand, however, was why her daughter continued forcing herself to sit through these broadcasts every year when it was obvious she wanted nothing to do with them

...

"Remarkable. Absolutely breathtaking," the elegant, sharp-featured makeup artist breathed as she dusted a final layer of shimmering powder across Mikhail's sharp cheekbones. She stepped back and tilted her head, admiring her work with unconcealed delight.

"Truly remarkable." She clasped both hands to her chest and gushed over Mikhail before turning toward Nikolai, whose makeup had been finished several minutes earlier. "I've worked with actors, singers, athletes, and countless nobles, but the two of you..." She shook her head in awed admiration. "The Moon Goddess was showing off when she created the Alpha Princes."

Nikolai nearly rolled his eyes. The fuck is this idiot talking about?

He slouched carelessly in a leather chair, one ankle resting atop the opposite knee, staring at the ceiling with barely concealed irritation.

What did she even know about the Moon Goddess to be able to speak on her behalf?

He had spent the last few hours enduring endless flattery from her, and every second had felt longer than the last. If the woman kept talking, he might actually start chewing through the last of his restraints.

"The cameras will not do you justice, Your Highnesses. Truly, we are lucky to live in the same era as you." The woman sighed dreamily, completely blind to his irritation. "I can already imagine how the crowd will weep just looking at you. You both are perfection incarnate."

Mikhail stared at his own reflection in the expansive, illuminated mirror, his expression remaining a mask of cold neutrality.

"Are we done here?"

The makeup artist blinked, her smile faltering. "Yes, Your Highness! Of course." She straightened immediately. "You are ready to go break hearts."

"Leave," Mikhail commanded smoothly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he fixed them on her reflection. "All of you."

"Y-Your Highness?"

Mikhail lifted his gaze and looked directly at her. She swallowed audibly beneath the weight of those pale gray eyes.

"My brother and I would like a few minutes alone before the broadcast begins," he said calmly. "I trust that won't be a problem."

The makeup artist laughed nervously, bowing her head quickly. "Well, then, I suppose I'll leave you both to do your thing."

When she didn't make any attempt to leave, Mikhail gave her a cold, unblinking glare. The artist immediately wilted.

"Right. Leaving now."

She hurried toward the door, gesturing frantically for her assistants, who quickly gathered their kits. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Nikolai let out a harsh growl and threw his head back dramatically.

"If I have to sit still for another minute while one of those fragile creatures breathes down my neck, I swear I'll lose my damn mind."

Mikhail calmly adjusted the sleeve of his jacket. "Control yourself, brother. I have no desire to deal with our royal father if you let your temper loose before the broadcast even begins."

"I don't give a damn about the broadcast or what our father thinks," Nikolai muttered. His dark eyes flashed briefly gold before settling again. "And I certainly don't understand why we need to keep entertaining those parasites."

"Those parasites keep werewolves from going extinct," Mikhail replied coldly as he rose from his chair and adjusted the cuffs of his black jacket.

Nikolai made a face as he stood as well.

Mikhail turned to him and took a few measured steps forward. "Father is right about one thing, though. As long as they believe being chosen is an honor, they'll never question the system. It keeps them obedient. It keeps them grateful. Most importantly, it keeps them from asking questions." He stopped in front of his brother. "Now, I trust your list is safely kept where you can easily access it without being noticed?"

A grin tugged at the corner of Nikolai's mouth. He slid a hand into the inner sleeve of his jacket and produced several neatly folded slips of paper hidden within the lining.

"Safely tucked away and ready whenever I need them."

"Good," Mikhail said, smoothing down the front of his brother's jacket. "Make sure you don't lose any of them. We don't want months of preparation ruined because of your carelessness."

Nikolai slapped Mikhail's hands away from his jacket. "Stop lecturing me. Let's just get this over with." Shoving the papers back into his sleeve, he pushed past Mikhail and headed toward the door.

"Wait."

Nikolai paused. Turning around, he raised a brow. "What now?"

Mikhail looked him over and sighed. "Smile occasionally. The audience prefers the illusion that you enjoy their company."

Nikolai stared at him for a long moment.

"Oh, for fuck's sake. Let's go already."

He yanked the door open and disappeared into the hallway. A faint chuckle escaped Mikhail as he followed after him, pulling the door shut behind him.

Neither prince noticed the single folded slip of paper resting beside the leg of the chair where Nikolai had been sitting moments earlier.

xxx

Back at the Dawson family home, Starlight sat with Angel balanced comfortably on her lap, blowing soft raspberries against the baby's stomach until the little girl burst into a fit of high-pitched giggles. Angel kicked her little legs wildly, reaching for her big sister with clumsy fingers while Starlight exaggerated her expressions to earn another burst of laughter.

Clara sat beside them, occasionally glancing at the baby with a brief smile before her focus snapped back to the television screen. Across the room, Aiden perched on the edge of his stool with impossibly wide, unblinking eyes, both fists clenched tightly in his lap.

"To commemorate the sacred tradition of the Lunar Lottery," the female host announced brightly, "please welcome the Minister of Human Affairs, Minister Leonard Fitzgerald."

The crowd erupted into applause as the camera panned smoothly, tracking a blond-haired, middle-aged man as he ascended the stage and approached the sleek podium.

"Citizens of the Lunoria Empire," Minister Fitzgerald began warmly, spreading his arms. "It is my greatest honor to stand before you on this most blessed occasion. We celebrate not only our future, but the sacred bond that has united humanity and werewolves for generations."

More applause echoed through the arena.

"As we all know, centuries ago, when humanity struggled beneath the harsh realities of a dangerous world, the magnificent werewolves looked upon us with compassion. Unable to bear seeing humans suffer beside their strength, they prayed to the Moon Goddess and begged for permission to share their noble bloodlines with mankind."

Starlight nearly choked. Seriously?

She stared at the television in disbelief. Did that man possess no shame whatsoever?

Magnificent werewolves? Noble bloodlines?

The sheer amount of shameless flattery pouring from his mouth was almost impressive.

"The Moon Goddess, benevolent and kind as she is, heard their selfless pleas, as well as humanity's wish to stand beside the supreme werewolf race. Thus, the sacred union between humans and werewolves was born."

Starlight rolled her eyes so hard they almost hurt. Talk about being completely shameless.

The minister continued without missing a beat. "However, not all humans possess the ability to survive the intense power of a werewolf bond. Thus, the Lunar Lottery was established as a sacred tradition through which the Moon Goddess herself guides fate and selects those most worthy of receiving this blessed honor."

The audience erupted into cheers.

"The chosen ones will receive full scholarships to Asterion Academy and the opportunity to become the mates of werewolves, a chance to transform their lives forever. To bond with a powerful being like a werewolf is the greatest honor any human can ever hope to achieve. And today..." He smiled broadly. "One of those lucky individuals could be you."

Thunderous applause exploded throughout the arena.

"Simps," Starlight muttered under her breath.

Clara shot her a look, her brow furrowing slightly. "How many people do you think they'll pick this year?"

"How would I know?" Starlight sighed, gently patting Angel's back. "Probably just enough to keep up the benevolent facade."

A soft chuckle escaped Clara. She couldn't help wondering why Starlight was even sitting here when she hated all of this so much.

The minister waited for the applause to die down before straightening proudly.

"And now, to choose this year's lottery winners, it is my great honor to present the future of our Empire, Their Imperial Highnesses, Crown Princes Mikhail and Nikolai Wolfhart."

The crowd went mad, the cheering deafening even through the cheap TV speakers. The camera shifted toward two approaching figures. Even Starlight had to admit they were difficult to ignore.

The twins moved through the crowd with effortless confidence. Both stood tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in matching black formal uniforms embroidered with golden thread. Their faces were identical, impossibly handsome to the point of appearing sculpted rather than born. The only obvious difference lay in their eyes. Mikhail possessed cool silver-gray eyes, while Nikolai's were blue and sharp, carrying an almost predatory intensity.

"Wow..." Clara breathed. "They're even more magnificent than the rumors said. This is the first time I've seen them this close. I almost wish I were a young girl again."

"Mother, please," Starlight groaned while gently bouncing Angel on her knee. "You're breastfeeding one child while fantasizing about princes."

Clara laughed outright.

Onscreen, Mikhail smiled warmly and waved to the roaring crowd as he approached the massive glass lottery box positioned at center stage. Nikolai followed a few steps behind, his expression considerably more reserved.

The transparent sphere began to spin.

Thousands of folded slips of paper whirled violently inside while the audience watched in breathless anticipation.

After several moments, the machine slowed.

Finally, it stopped. Mikhail stepped forward and opened a small hatch before inserting his arm into the container. He searched for several seconds before withdrawing his hand.

He held up five folded slips of paper between his fingers. Mikhail blinked in mock shock, turning toward the cameras.

"Wow, five lucky winners!"

The crowd roared in approval.

"Looks like fate was feeling generous today," the host said.

The audience laughed.

"Is it just me," Starlight muttered, "or does his surprise seem incredibly fake?"

"It's just you," Clara replied. "And you know you don't have to force yourself to watch this with us, right?"

Starlight shrugged and returned her attention to Angel, who was attempting to chew on her sleeve. One by one, Mikhail read the names aloud. Each announcement was followed by screaming, crying, and celebrations from various parts of the audience. After the fifth winner was announced, he stepped aside.

Nikolai took his place. He flashed a brilliant, flawless smile for the cameras and slipped his hand into the lottery box. But unlike Mikhail, who had drawn his slips without hesitation, Nikolai seemed to be taking an unusual amount of time. His hand lingered deep inside the box. He glanced sideways at his brother, his jaw tightening slightly.

Mikhail slowly raised an eyebrow. Nikolai narrowed his eyes in return before looking away and reaching deeper into the box.

Starlight narrowed her eyes at the screen.

What are those two doing? Why does it look like they're communicating with their eyes?

The female host laughed.

"It seems Prince Nikolai is having a difficult time making his selection."

The crowd laughed along.

Mikhail watched his twin intently, his expression unreadable. Finally, Nikolai withdrew his hand, a slightly strained smile fixed on his face as he held up his selection.

Mikhail offered his brother a swift, reassuring smile. The exchange was incredibly suspicious to Starlight.

Nikolai raised his hand high, displaying five pieces of paper to match his brother's count.

The audience erupted again.

"Five as well!" the female host exclaimed. "Looks like the princes think alike."

"I suppose that means we're getting ten lucky winners this year," her co-host added.

More cheers followed.

Nikolai began reading the names on his list, his voice clear and steady. One by one, the names echoed through the Dawson living room until he reached the very last slip.

He paused, staring down at it for a fraction of a second. The female host leaned toward the camera. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, our final lucky winner of the day. Who could it be?"

The male host grinned. "I hope it's me."

The audience burst into laughter.

Nikolai unfolded the final piece of paper. For the briefest moment, his expression tightened. Then he swallowed.

"Starlight Dawson."

"What!"

Starlight shot upright so abruptly that Angel nearly slipped from her lap. At the exact same moment, Aiden exploded from his stool.

"YES!"

The television audience erupted into cheers.

"And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen!" the host announced excitedly. "Our ten lucky winners of this year's Lunar Lottery!"

"What's going on here?" Starlight breathed.

She turned toward her mother who was already staring back at her with identical confusion. Slowly, both mother and daughter turned in perfect sync toward Aiden. The boy was grinning so hard his cheeks looked ready to split.

"Aiden..." Starlight said slowly, narrowing her eyes at her brother. "What did you do?"

...

"What a historic day!" the male co-host bellowed, his voice practically vibrating with excitement. "Ten fortunate citizens whose lives have changed forever! Future students of Asterion Academy! Future mates to the prestigious werewolves!"

The crowd roared louder, a deafening wave of applause crashing through the arena. Cameras flashed from every direction. Giant screens surrounding the arena displayed the faces of the twin crown princes as they smiled and waved, acknowledging the cheering audience while making their way toward the backstage exit. To the millions watching across the Empire, they looked every bit the future rulers they had been raised to become, composed, charismatic, and flawless.

The moment they reached the privacy of the green room, Mikhail's smile vanished completely. "Everybody out!"

The staff practically scattered, hurrying away and clearing the area with remarkable speed. Within seconds, the room was empty. The last staff member pulled the door shut behind them, leaving the twins in silence.

Mikhail rounded on his brother, his posture hardening into a dangerous line.

"Who the hell is Starlight Dawson?"

Nikolai flinched slightly, raising his hands.

"Listen, Mikhail—"

"I said, who the fuck is Starlight Dawson?" Mikhail repeated sharply. "That is not one of the names we prepared. Who is she?"

"Just calm down first and let me explain," Nikolai pleaded.

He really hated it when Mikhail was like this. They might be twins, but Mikhail had always been the more intimidating of the two when he lost his temper. Worse, Nikolai absolutely hated being the source of his brother's anger.

"You'd better start explaining right now," Mikhail said through clenched teeth, "because I don't have the patience for any of your games today."

Nikolai rubbed the back of his neck, taking a cautious step back from his brother's radiating anger.

"I think I may have encountered a slight problem."

"You think?" Mikhail deadpanned.

"When I reached into my sleeve for the second draw, I only found four slips of paper," Nikolai rushed to explain, his voice low and strained. "One must have fallen out somewhere. I don't know. Not knowing what else to do, since my hand was already in the box, I decided to improvise and draw one of the names from the box since we had already made arrangements for ten candidates."

Mikhail closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. For a brief moment, he genuinely considered strangling his brother. Why was it so hard for Nikolai to go one day without creating problems?

He let out a slow, controlled breath, keeping his eyes shut as he spoke. "Do you have any idea what you've just done, Nikolai? There was a reason we selected those specific humans."

"I know, I know, all right? I'm sorry," Nikolai muttered, looking down.

"You knew, and you still went and messed up like that?" Mikhail snapped, staring at him in disbelief. "Do you know how much work it took to source those candidates? Months, even years, of planning and background checks, all to ensure every single one of them met our requirements." His jaw tightened. "What am I supposed to tell Father? You should have just called out the four names you had left instead of dragging some random girl into this."

"I'm really sorry, Mikhail," Nikolai said quietly, shrinking slightly under his brother's glare. "The slip must have fallen out in that makeup room. If we can just find it and—"

"And just do what, Nikolai?" Mikhail cut in sharply. "The broadcast was live. We can't exactly replace her without exposing the entire system as a fraud. You know how humans can be when they realize they're being deceived."

The words drained what little hope remained from Nikolai's expression. His shoulders slumped.

"I don't know what else to do," he admitted quietly. "We had the entire nation watching, and... and I panicked."

Mikhail exhaled heavily, the anger slowly draining from his face, replaced by grim exhaustion. "This is exactly why I told you to be careful."

"I'm sorry, Mikhail." Mikhail said nothing.

"I'm really sorry, brother." The guilt in Nikolai's voice was impossible to miss. Mikhail looked at him for a long moment, then sighed and extended his arms. "Come here."

Nikolai moved instinctively, stepping into his twin's embrace. Mikhail wrapped him in a firm, warm hug and rubbed his back.

"It's okay. Stop apologizing."

"I messed up, Mikhail. I ruined everything."

"You didn't mean for any of this to happen. We'll figure something out, okay?"

"I'm truly sorry, Mikhail," Nikolai murmured against his shoulder.

"Shh. Is okay" Mikhail gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Everything will be just fine."

Keeping one arm around his brother, Mikhail pulled out his phone with the other hand and dialed a number. The call connected almost immediately. "I want everything on Starlight Dawson before sunset," Mikhail commanded into the receiver without preamble, his voice cold and completely detached from the comfort he was offering his brother.

"Find out who she is. Her family background, education, past relationships, friends, everything."

He ended the call, but before he could slide the device back into his jacket, the phone began to vibrate violently in his palm.

Mikhail's expression darkened the moment he saw the caller ID flashing across the screen.

"Oh, fuck." He closed his eyes.

Nikolai felt his stomach drop and slowly pulled away from the embrace. "Is that—"

"Yes," Mikhail replied. "That's Father."

Nikolai looked genuinely alarmed. The phone continued vibrating in Mikhail's hand.

"What are you going to tell him?" Nikolai asked quietly.

Mikhail stared at the incoming call. His thumb hovered over the accept button while the Emperor's name glowed across the screen.

"I haven't the faintest idea."

xxx

Starlight could not believe Aiden had been sneaking out every day to submit her name at every Lunar Lottery registration booth in their district. He had literally admitted that he made sure her name was entered at every booth he could find because he wanted her chances of being chosen to be as high as possible.

"Aiden!" Clara exclaimed, staring at her son in disbelief. "How could you do something like that without your sister's permission? And how could you be sneaking around the district by yourself? It's already dangerous enough out there, and for a child your age to be wandering around alone..." She pressed a hand to her forehead. "A lot could have happened to you."

Aiden immediately lowered his head.

"I just wanted Big Sis Star to have a better life," he mumbled, blinking back tears. "My friends at school said the people who win the lottery marry rich werewolves and live happily ever after. I thought if Big Sis got picked, she'd never have to worry about money again."

Starlight groaned and buried her face in her hands. Of course. He was only doing this because he thought he was helping her.

And who the heck had even put that idea into his head? They might live in a poor district, but they had never gone hungry a single day in their lives. Her job at the bakery paid well enough to help support the family, and while they certainly weren't wealthy, they managed just fine.

Where had he gotten the idea that she was struggling so badly that she needed a bloody werewolf to rescue her?

"I'm so sorry, Star," Clara said quietly. "I should have been paying closer attention. If I'd known he was doing something like this, I would have stopped him immediately."

Starlight didn't respond. She couldn't.

She just paced the room, her chest tightening with each step until it felt like she was suffocating. This wasn't happening.

This couldn't be happening.

Any second now, she was going to wake up and discover this had all been some horrible nightmare.

Opting out of the Lunar Lottery after being selected was impossible. It wasn't something you could casually refuse and walk away from. Unless you wanted to face public condemnation and spend the rest of your life as a social outcast. Her family was already dealing with enough hardships as it was. She didn't want to add to their burdens.

How in the hell am I supposed to survive living among those monsters?

A sharp knock sounded at the front door.

Star and Clara exchanged a look of sheer panic.

"I'll get it," Clara said, adjusting Angel against her shoulder before making her way toward the entrance.

She pulled the door open and instantly gasped, her entire body locking up at the sheer aura radiating from the figure before her.

The woman standing outside was stunning, impossibly so. She wore a fitted black skirt suit that accentuated her tall, graceful frame, her posture radiating confidence and authority. There was something almost seductive about the way she carried herself. A bright, almost predatory smile stretched across her face.

Behind her stood a crowd of reporters and cameramen. Camera flashes erupted nonstop as journalists jostled for better angles.

"Is this the Dawson residence?" the woman asked brightly. "I'm here to collect Starlight Dawson."