Hate Me, Claim Me: The Luna Who Destroyed Them All.

Tessa Frostmere stood pinned against the cold plaster wall, her plump, four-foot-five frame shivering as Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck towered over her. His five-foot-eight muscular body pressed flush against her curves, his dark scent of cedar and mint completely overwhelming her senses.

"I remember an ancient pack law," Kaelen purred, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous rumble that vibrated straight through her skin. "If a male wolf and his true mate haven't marked each other before breaking their bond, they must finish what they started when they cross paths again."

"Well..."

Kaelen broke his icy composure for a fraction of a second, his dark golden eyes trailing slowly down her throat, past her collarbone, and directly over her chest.

"You certainly seem to be ready for your Alpha."

Following his heavy gaze, Tessa checked her own body. Her black silk tunic only wrapped limited parts of her curvy plus-size frame, leaving her smooth, dark skin completely bare to his intense look. Being the only omega werewolf in the territory, her body naturally radiated an intoxicating heat when her true mate came close, making her look agonizingly delicious.

Any male wolf who saw her like this would lose control of his inner beast.

"I dare you, Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck!" Tessa spat, her dark eyes flashing with pure fire.

"Oops, you finally recall who I am," Kaelen chuckled softly, his hot breath brushing against her lips. "You must have been pretending you didn't know your mate at the Moonhowl Banquet Chambers last night."

Tessa couldn't recall every detail of what she had done the previous night. However, Brynna had phoned her in a panic and wired her silver coins, so she knew she must have done something wild to the pack leader.

"Did you come to the Frostmere Cottage just to get even with a weak omega?" Tessa asked, forcing her racing heart to calm down as a mocking, sharp smile touched her dark lips.

She was completely different than the broken girl he had exiled three years ago.

Kaelen's golden eyes became steely and dark. His large, calloused hand moved up, his thick fingers wrapping gently yet possessively around the front of her throat. They were so close their chests touched with every breath.

"You suddenly vanished from the Silvermoon Dominion three years ago," Kaelen growled, his wolf clawing at the surface. "Now you appear in my territory again. What do you want, Tessa?"

"Suddenly vanished?" Tessa repeated his words playfully, her voice laced with venom. "Is that the lie your noble pack elders fed you?"

Kaelen stared down at her, his grip tightening just a fraction. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing at all, Alpha Thornwyck," Tessa sneered, digging her short fingernails into his rock-hard forearms. "You have a high-ranking betrothed waiting in your den. Please let the bygones stay in the dirt. A qualified ex-mate should stay hidden as if he died in battle."

Kaelen suddenly increased the pressure around her neck, pulling her plump body so close she could feel the rock-hard heat of his thigh pressing between hers.

"Why did you walk into my private chamber last night then?" Kaelen demanded, his tone turning dark and possessive. "Why throw your silver at my face? Tessa Frostmere, what is your game?"

Tessa mocked him openly, leaning into his touch despite the pain. "Alpha, I didn't expect you to be so deeply affected. Have you really failed to forget a tiny omega like me over the last three years?"

Tessa giggled, bringing her small hand up to cover her mouth while her brown eyes sparkled with hate. "I didn't expect the mighty ruler of the Silvermoon Dominion to be so obsessed with my body. I feel honored..."

"You'd better stop challenging my patience," Kaelen growled, his thumb pressing right over her pulsing artery.

Tessa gasped for air as her breathing was cut off, but she stubbornly locked her eyes onto his golden pair, refusing to shed a single tear or beg for mercy. Her omega wolf whimpered for him to kiss her, but her heart burned with pure hatred.

Suddenly, the front door rattled as a heavy-set male wolf with a powerful aura strode straight into the small living room.

"Alpha Thornwyck, release her!" Garrick Frostmere barked, his voice filled with protective anger. "You are standing inside my family's cottage!"

Hearing the deep voice, Kaelen slowly shifted his head, looking Garrick up and down with cold disdain. "Garrick Frostmere."

"Alpha, I appreciate you still remembering my name," Garrick said, stepping forward with his broad shoulders squared. "What brings the ruler of the Dominion down to our humble omega cottage today? What business do you have with my sister?"

"Is this your house?" Kaelen asked, his dark tone dripping with a quiet threat.

"It belongs to the Frostmere bloodline," Garrick answered without a shred of hesitation.

Kaelen darted his dark eyes back down to Tessa's flushed face. Slowly, reluctantly, he released her neck, his thumb tracing her jawline one last time before he pulled away. He shoved his large hands into the pockets of his dark trousers and took several steps back into the shaded corner of the room.

From the shadows, his face was unreadable, but his possessive scent still filled the small room.

"Tessa Frostmere," Kaelen whispered, his deep voice carrying an undeniable promise of capture. "I will see you again very soon."

His low words sent a dark, shuddering electricity straight down Tessa's spine.

Garrick strode over immediately, his large frame blocking Tessa from Kaelen's sight. Gazing at the Alpha's broad, muscular back as he walked toward the exit, Garrick said coldly, "Alpha, remember to close the door behind you."

Garrick was easily the only male wolf in the entire pack with the guts to speak to Kaelen like that.

"Humph," Kaelen snorted, his heavy boots echoing on the porch as he vanished into the morning light.

The moment the door slammed shut, Garrick turned back to his little sister.

"Did that monster lay his hands on you, Tessa?"

Tessa instantly slumped against the wall, taking deep gulps of air as her hands trembled. "No. I'm fine. Why were you so late, Garrick?"

If she had known it was Kaelen standing on her porch, she never would have unlocked the door without checking first.

"The pack guards held up the border roads, so I was delayed," Garrick explained, setting a heavy wooden basket of fresh meat and bread onto the table. "Why did he come straight here?"

Tessa's short fingers trembled against her silk tunic. "Garrick, I asked you for that favor yesterday. Did you manage to get it?"

Garrick had doted on Tessa since they were pups. Seeing her dodge his question, he chose not to push her.

Reaching out, Garrick patted her soft dark hair with a warm chuckle. "Tessa, you are my only sister. How could I fail you? Look at this."

Garrick pulled a thick, silver-embossed parchment from his coat and laid it on the table.

Tessa picked up the heavy invitation, reading the glowing silver letters etched into the surface: Official Moon Ceremony and Birthday Feast at the Thornwyck Alpha Keep. Please RSVP.

The moment her eyes touched the coat of arms, dark memories of betrayal, public humiliation, and broken mate bonds flooded her mind before she coldly pushed them back down.

After eating a quick breakfast, Tessa's communication rune pulsed on the desk again. Brynna's loud voice echoed into the room.

"Hello, my little omega! Have you escaped the territory yet?"

Tessa let out a small laugh, her dimples showing on her dark cheeks. "No. Why would I run?"

Brynna gasped through the rune connection. "Aren't you terrified that Alpha Kaelen will tear you apart for what you did at the tavern?"

"Have you forgotten why I stepped foot back into the Silvermoon Dominion?" Tessa asked, her voice turning icy.

Brynna went silent on the other end for a moment before letting out a loud screech. "Gosh! Don't tell me... Alpha Kaelen is the scumbag mate who rejected you and cast you out?!"

"Congratulations, you score a hundred points," Tessa replied plainly.

"Wait!" Brynna yelled. "I thought you were just playing a dangerous game at the tavern last night! It turns out he was..."

Furrowing her dark brows, Tessa asked, "What exactly did I do to him last night? My memory is completely wiped."

Brynna snorted. "Well, since everyone was drunk out of their minds, one of the tavern guards recorded it. I just sent the memory crystal connection to your desk. Look at it yourself!"

Tessa tapped the crystal, watching the magical projection show her tiny self dumping a full jug of ale over Kaelen's head and throwing silver coins at his face. A slow, satisfied smile spread across Tessa's face as she watched the powerful Alpha stand there soaked.

Brynna giggled loudly. "Well, you certainly gave him a taste of omega rage! You took your revenge fast. Shall we go to the Moonstone Jewel Forge and the silk shops to celebrate?"

"Why not?" Tessa agreed immediately. "I need a high-ranking gown if I'm going to crash the Alpha Keep banquet, and I want to see the new armors and silks."

An hour later, inside a high-end silk boutique in the heart of the Dominion, Brynna pulled a stunning crimson dress made of enchanted spider-silk off the display.

"Tessa, this red dress will look absolutely breathtaking on your curvy body! You have to try it on!"

"Let me see," Tessa said, touching the rich fabric. She loved the bold color instantly and reached out to take it.

Before her hand could touch the hanger, a tall, slender female wolf stepped over, shoving her hand forward and speaking in a high, arrogant tone.

"I want that red dress. Let me try it on first."

The sharp, entitled voice was instantly recognizable to Tessa's ears. They hadn't seen each other in three painful years, but this female hadn't changed a single bit.

The shop attendant bowed her head nervously, looking at Tessa with deep apology. "I am so sorry, young omega. This is Lady Lyssara Thornwyck, daughter of the high bloodline and our top SVIP customer. I must let her try the dress first."

Tessa stood at her short height of four-foot-five, turning her head slowly to look at the high-ranking female with absolute grace and calm superiority.

"Is that so?" Tessa said, her dark voice smooth as silk. "Since she belongs to the Thornwyck family, I am even less inclined to yield anything to her."

Lyssara's eyes widened in utter disbelief as she finally looked down at the short, dark-skinned omega standing before her.

"You! You... Tessa Frostmere?!"

Lyssara took a step back in shock, her high-bred scent spiking with sudden rage.

Tessa took a step closer to her, offering a polite, razor-sharp smile. "Lady Lyssara, why do you look so terrified to see a weak omega return to the pack?"