Winter had enveloped the pack in a blanket of snow and cold, and although for many it was a season of celebration and warmth, for me it only meant another mark on the calendar of loneliness.

The festivities filled the air with laughter and songs, while I watched from the shadows, feeling out of place in a home that had never been mine.

December 10th would be my birthday, but nobody remembered or cared. That day was also the birthday of the Drake quadruplets, the heirs of Alpha Caspian, destined to become the next leaders of the Winter Moon pack. Wealth, beauty, and power seemed to be part of their DNA, as was the contempt they felt for me. All except one. Ian, the youngest of the four, had moments of kindness that allowed me to dream, even if only for a moment, that not everyone in this place was against me.

My memories constantly took me back to that day when my parents left me at the house of Alpha Caspian and Luna Ivy. I was only seven years old, and fear had taken root in my heart from the moment I crossed the threshold of that immense mansion. "You'll be safe here, they'll take care of you," they had told me. But the reality was very different. Without explanation or promises of return, I became a burden, one that had to pay my parents' debt. How could they have left me to settle their debt?

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, each one heavier than the last. My life in the Alpha's house was limited to fulfilling an endless list of tasks that seemed to grow with each passing day. While the quadruplets enjoyed their childhood surrounded by luxury and attention, I struggled to find a moment of peace amid the responsibilities that had been imposed on me.

Alpha Caspian's house was majestic, a fortress of stone and glass that rose imposingly among the snow-covered pines. In summer, the gardens flourished with life, but in winter, the landscape became a reflection of my own existence: cold, desolate, and hopeless. I spent most of my days in the common room, a vast room with a fireplace that barely managed to warm the frigid air that surrounded me.

Tomorrow I would turn eighteen and finally receive my wolf. This thought was the only thing that gave me a glimmer of hope. Soon, I wouldn't be alone anymore. I would have someone to hold on to, someone who could understand my pain and my fears. But, on the other hand, the idea of finding my mate terrified me.

What if he also despised me, as almost the entire pack did? What if my destiny was to be alone, even after getting my wolf?

I remembered my past birthdays, marked by the cruelty of the quadruplets. The first one, at eight years old, had been a cruel lesson in the nature of those around me. Axel, Sam, and Ian had barged into my little imaginary party, destroying any hope of happiness I might have harbored. Their taunts and laughter echoed in my mind, an echo that never faded.

.........

It was the day before my eighth birthday, a day like today, and excitement bubbled inside me like the soda I had planned to serve at my party. I imagined the balloon decorations, the chocolate cake I had always wanted, and my friends laughing and enjoying themselves. The idea of a day filled with laughter and surprises filled my heart with joy as I combed my hair in front of the mirror, dreaming of how it would all be.

However, the reality was different. When the quadruplets appeared on the scene, the magical atmosphere I had built in my mind vanished instantly. Axel, Sam, and Ian burst into the room like a whirlwind. Their laughter echoed in the air, but it wasn't laughter of joy; it was mocking, filled with a cruelty I couldn't quite comprehend.

"Look who thinks she's the birthday queen," Axel exclaimed, with a twisted smile that made my blood run cold.

His gaze was full of mockery as he looked around.

"Do you really think anyone cares about your birthday?" Sam joined in, with a sneer in his tone that hit me like a punch in the stomach. I writhed inside upon hearing his words; his laughter echoed like my worst fears.

I tried to keep my head up, clenching my fists at my sides.

"Yes! My friends care!" I shouted, but my voice barely had any strength.

Axel came closer and looked me straight in the eye, his expression hard.

"Friends? Do you think anyone would want to be with you, Kitten? Not even you are your own friend."

Each word cut deep, tearing the veil from my dreams and revealing the harsh reality that surrounded me. Ian, who had been silent, took a step forward, looking at me with a mixture of pity and defiance. But even his presence, once comforting, felt like a betrayal, being a part of that hurtful moment.

"Maybe we could come to your party," he said, trying to break the tension, but his effort was in vain.

What he said couldn't erase the words of the others. Instead, it felt like he was opening the door to more pain, making it clear that even if they attended, it would only be to laugh at me.

Axel and Sam didn't stop there. They began to tell stories that had never happened, inventing taunts about my imaginary friends, laughing at things that should never have been laughed at. Their cruel show continued, each joke a direct blow to my heart, each laugh an echo that resonated in my mind.

When they finally left, leaving me alone with tears and the echo of their cruel words, I knew that on that day, at least in that moment, in the darkest corner of my heart, the idea of a happy birthday no longer existed.

.........

My eighth birthday had been stolen by the cruelty of those who should have always protected me.

Every year I tried to ignore them, I tried to keep alive the illusion of a special day, but it always ended the same way. The hurtful words and cruel laughter destroyed any happiness I might have felt. My birthdays became a reminder of my place in the pack: alone, unwanted, and always in the shadow of the future Alphas.

I looked out the window, watching the snowflakes fall slowly, covering everything in their path. Life inside the house went on as usual, with preparations for the grand celebration of the quadruplets underway. I was just a shadow in the background, busy fulfilling my duties.

I went to the small bathroom in the common room and took a quick shower, wishing I could vanish with the steam that filled the room. The reflection in the mirror showed a tired face, with shadows under my eyes and an expression of resignation that I couldn't shake off.

I had grown, but the burden of my past years still weighed on my shoulders.

With my hair pulled back in a tight bun, I went to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast for everyone. Although the house was huge, with luxurious rooms and endless amenities, I had been assigned a small room barely furnished. It was a reflection of my place in the pack, a constant reminder that I didn't belong there.

That day, like all the others, I would work tirelessly, attending to the needs of those who despised me. But a small spark of hope burned inside me: soon, this would all be over. And when it did, I would leave behind the Alpha's house, the Winter Moon pack, and the quadruplets who had turned my life into hell. My freedom was only six months away, and although the path was uncertain, I knew I wouldn't look back.

The den was always warm, thanks to excellent heating that contrasted with the relentless cold outside. I finished getting ready, slipping on a pastel pink long-sleeve shirt and some worn black jeans. I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the quadruplets.

It was Quadruplet Week, and since they were little, a week before their birthday, they had been spoiled and pampered in everything they desired. It was like a seven-day birthday celebration, culminating in an extravagant event on the seventh day.

I prepared a variety of dishes, including fluffy waffles, golden pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and juicy sausages. I set out butter and maple syrup on the table. I brewed coffee. I quickly drank a bit of sweet coffee with milk to get some energy and started to set the table. I wasn’t allowed to eat breakfast with them, nor could I have the same food they were having. I had to prepare their breakfast first, let them eat, and then make mine.

Luna Ivy, a woman with pale skin, green eyes, and golden curls, entered the dining room to check that everything was as she wanted. She looked at me with distaste.

"Have you washed the dishes? Make sure to do it properly before you eat. The quadruplets will be down soon," Luna Ivy said coldly.

Alpha Caspian walked in calmly, kissing his Luna deeply and nodding at me. He was neutral towards me; he wasn’t harsh, didn’t demand things, but he didn’t treat me kindly either. It was as if my very existence meant nothing to him. Following him like a procession came my "executioners," the quadruplets.

They stood six feet four, twenty centimeters taller than me. They resembled their father with thick, glossy black hair cascading to their shoulders, chiseled faces, baby blue eyes, dimples, and chin clefts. Being Alphas, they all possessed broad, muscular shoulders, blessed with super speed and super strength that far exceeded what was considered extraordinary for a werewolf.

They were perfectly identical and perfectly horrendous, at least to me. Their deep voices resonated as they shouted enthusiastically, playfully shoving each other. They would turn twenty-one tomorrow, but they still acted as if they were twelve.

Alex was the eldest and most serious, the one who would surely rule with an iron fist. He was also the hardest to approach. I held a lot of respect for him; he wasn’t one to have girlfriends, and whenever someone asked him why, his response was the same: that title only belonged to his Luna.

Next was Samuel, or Sam as everyone in the pack called him. He was the second in line. While he was also serious, he was usually a bit easier to approach than Alex, though it was best to keep your distance when he got angry. He was also the most explosive. Unlike Alex, he always had a she-wolf hanging on his arm, though they rarely lasted long. The longest relationship he had was three months.

Then there was Axel, the typical playboy and bad boy. His girlfriends cycled every two months, almost religiously. He never stayed with the same girl for more than that time; sometimes they lasted even less. He was also the one who made my life miserable whenever he could, which was always. He and Sam were the ones I feared the most.

Lastly came Ian, the youngest of the four. He was the sweetest, most pampered, and charismatic. He had never had a girlfriend. In my view, he was the best of the four.

He never been with a wolf. At first, he wanted to experiment and tried to be with some girls, but he always returned disappointed. One day, out of nowhere, he declared himself celibate. He said he would save himself for his Moon. His words were: “No wolf has managed to ignite the spark in my heart. I won’t waste my time on empty relationships. I will wait for my Moon, and when she arrives, I will love her with all my being, making her feel like the shining jewel she is.” I remember that Luna Ivy was euphoric when she heard this. After the Alpha, Ian was the one I envied the most. There was something about Ian that drew me in. Maybe it was because he always tried to make me laugh or saved me from his brothers; I really don’t know. What I do know is that without him, my life would be worse than it already is.

"Did you prepare all this for me, Kitten?" Ian said with a beautiful smile, pulling me out of my thoughts.

As he walked by me, he attempted to remove the ribbon from my hair and let it loose. I wasn’t afraid of Ian; he used to say he liked my hair down, and every chance he got, he would steal my ribbons. But this was the last one I had; I couldn’t let him take it. I dodged him by taking a few steps back without looking, and I bumped into something hard. I turned, and there was Axel, looking at me with a playful grin. I knew that couldn’t be good. He held me by the shoulders, bringing his face dangerously close to mine until our noses touched.

"Mischievous little kitten" he said with a smile on his face.

"If Ian wants that ribbon, you have to give it to him, clear?" Sam said as he placed himself behind me and finished removing the ribbon.

He turned and tossed it to Alex, who caught it and tucked it into his pocket. With one on either side, they began to squeeze me, burying their faces in my neck and inhaling my scent. I felt trapped, almost suffocated.

I started to wonder what was happening; they had never behaved this way before. My eyes filled with tears at their attempt to humiliate me, but I refused to let them fall. I had promised myself not to cry over them; I wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

With a swift motion, I freed myself from their grip; it was my last ribbon, and I couldn’t lose it, but the future Alphas weren’t willing to let me go so easily. Ian, seeing my attempt to resist, stood still, while Axel and Sam exchanged knowing glances, enjoying the situation.

"Come on, Kitten, you don’t want this to get any more complicated, do you?" Axel said, moving in a little closer. His tone was playful, but there was an edge of threat in his voice.

"Don’t touch me, Axel. Give me back my ribbon!" I shouted, trying to keep my voice steady, even though I knew I was losing the battle.

Sam let out a laugh that echoed in the air, causing my cheeks to burn with embarrassment and rage. They were enjoying my struggle; they fed their egos on my little defeats. I tried to take a step back, but Sam's back blocked my way.

"Why don’t you just give up?" Sam murmured, leaning toward me, his warm breath brushing against my skin. "You can’t win."

My heart raced, and a knot formed in my throat. I had never wanted to fall into their game; the pressure of their bodies and their words was wearing down my resolve. I looked at Ian, who was still watching the scene with interest, making no move to help me. Disappointment washed over me; he, the sweetest and kindest among them, was just observing as if this were a show.

"Why are you like this?!" I shouted at them, feeling tears starting to well up in my eyes.

I knew I had to stay strong, but the feeling of helplessness was overwhelming.

"Because we can" Axel replied, a mocking smile forming on his face. I held my head up, trying to challenge him, but deep down, my determination was fading.

In that moment, I felt them closing in more, the air becoming thick with the challenge they were throwing at me. Desperate, I pushed Axel away to free myself, but all I managed to do was make him laugh even more.

"Hey, take it easy. We’re just playing" Sam said, as if that justified it.

My brave resistance slowly crumbled, and at the sound of their mocking laughter, their cruelty, and the sensation of being trapped, I let the sobs escape. I could no longer fight; the tears were inevitable, and I surrendered to their amusement, staring at the ground, defeated.

"It's fine, you can take her, Alphas" I whispered through my tears, my voice breaking. "Just… leave me alone."

Axel and Sam exchanged surprised glances before smiling in unison.

"That's our Kitty" said Sam, reaching out to touch my arm with false gentleness. Axel burst into laughter.

As they walked away, leaving me trembling and with shame clinging to my chest, I realized that even though I had lost this battle, the war was far from over. I would need to find a way to change the rules of the game.

"I'm hungry, stop playing around" Ian said in a vain attempt to lighten the mood.

When I turned to try to escape, I saw Luna Ivy glaring at me with hatred; if her stare could kill, I would already be three feet underground.

Before I could make my escape, Alex approached me. I always tried to avoid him and not look directly into his eyes; I was terrified of angering him. Although he was one of the calmest of the four, when he was angry, he was the most ruthless. He leaned down to my height and lifted my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye.

"You must respect your Alphas, Kattie. Do you understand?" he asked, looking at me seriously.

Looking into his eyes, I nodded, no longer having the strength to even respond.

"Words, Kattie" he said without breaking his gaze.

"Yes, Alpha Alex" I said almost in a whisper, knowing he could hear me.

When Alex released me, I ran to the kitchen. My heart raced so fast that it felt like it would burst from my chest at any moment.

I started to tidy up and clean all the dishes. I hadn't eaten anything yet; the only thing in my stomach was the coffee I had managed to drink quickly, and I was very hungry. I felt a little dizzy. That was a characteristic of mine: when I went too long without solid food, I would start to feel lightheaded and get a headache. That morning, I had taken only a few sips of coffee and still hadn’t eaten anything.

When I stepped out to clean the dining room, I saw a waffle left with a bit of bacon and egg. My mouth watered at how hungry I was. 'Perfect, I won't have to cook for myself,' I thought, since I was short on time; I was going to be late for school. I hurried to grab the plate when I heard a voice that froze my blood.

"What do you think you're doing, Kitten?" Axel asked, his tone calm yet laced with mockery. I froze, the waffle in my hands, remembering what had just happened moments ago, unable to respond.

"Can’t you wait until you finish your chores?" Sam said with a mischievous smile.

"Let her eat" Ian interjected, his voice softer "She needs energy to work too."

Both of them looked at him, but they didn’t say anything more. Looking at Ian, I nodded quickly, grateful for his intervention. I took the waffle to the kitchen and ate it rapidly, barely tasting the food. Then I returned to the dining room to finish cleaning. As I worked, I felt the eyes of three of the quadruplets on me, especially Sam’s, always watching me with that smile that made me shiver.

Finally, I completed my tasks and headed to school, trying to shake off the weight of breakfast. I knew the day was just beginning and more challenges awaited me, but I also knew I had to be strong.

...POV Ian...

When I woke up this morning, I felt strange. I spent the night dreaming of Kattie, my beautiful and lovely Kattie.

Although she was always present in my thoughts, today there was something odd, a longing I couldn't ignore.

My wolf was restless, urging me to seek her out. The first thing we wanted to do was see her. Even though we couldn't get close in the way we truly desired, we longed to have her near. I groomed myself and changed as quickly as possible, striving to look as good as I could for her to notice me.

I rushed out of my room, but I wasn't fast enough. My brothers were already about to head downstairs. I had no choice but to calm myself and follow them. Axel and Sam began to wrestle on the stairs, playfully pushing each other and laughing, while Alex just watched, chuckling and ruffling my hair.

Normally, I didn’t mind, but today I wanted to be presentable for my goddess Kattie. With a quick swipe, I brushed his hand from my head, and he looked at me in surprise, as I had never done such a thing before.

""Someone woke up in a bad mood?"" he asked with a smile, trying to lift my spirits.

""Sorry, brother,"" I mumbled, staring at my feet. Alex was the one who cared the most about me, always attentive to what was going on.

Upon arriving in the dining room, there she was, the one and only, the most beautiful and lovely. Ever since she arrived at the pack’s house, I had fallen hopelessly in love with her. Even though she was only seven years old and I was ten, she seemed to me the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

The first time I saw her, she looked like a princess out of a fairy tale. Her black, straight hair slightly damp from the falling snow. Her hazel eyes, filled with tears, broke my heart. She wore a beautiful sky-blue dress, with thermal tights and brown boots. I fell madly in love with her at that moment.

I tried to date other wolf girls, hoping they would make me feel the same way, but none could have that effect on me. During those dates, I always wished Kattie were by my side. After a while, I decided that if I couldn’t be with my goddess, I wouldn’t be with anyone.

""Did you prepare all this for me, kitten?"" I said, smiling. She returned my smile, and my heart filled with joy. I loved every gesture of hers. I loved being the only one to receive smiles like that.

As I passed by her, I attempted to tousle her hair, to take down the bun that restrained her beautiful black locks. But she leaned back, smiling… at that moment, she collided with Axel. Her smile faded instantly. He began to tease her alongside Sam, and what they did left me bewildered: they buried their faces in her neck, inhaling her scent.

My instincts kicked in. The rage and desire to protect her clouded my mind. I had always kept my distance. That act was an outrage. My eyes turned black, the urge to defend her surged instantly, but fear crept in. The fear that by defending her, my mother would then take action against her, and instead of helping her, I would only make things worse.

I recalled a moment when I had acted to defend Kattie.

It was at a family gathering, and my brothers had been mocking her, pushing her around. Without thinking, I stepped in between them and Kattie, shouting for them to leave her alone. My mother, seeing my reaction, became furious; her anger didn’t fall on me but on Kattie.

From that day, I learned that openly defending her could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Kattie ended up crying, and my mother, in a fit of rage, decided to take it out on her. She began to harshly criticize her, disparaging even her appearance and the way she behaved. She forbade her from joining family activities and even took away her favorite things as punishment. The brutality of her words made Kattie feel so humiliated and rejected that she couldn't hold back her tears. I, helpless, watched as my mother inflicted that cruel punishment, feeling that not only had she hurt Kattie, but she also had drawn a line between us.

The guilt of having made things worse tormented me. Instead of encouraging her, I had made her suffer more. From that moment on, I decided to stay silent, convinced that my desire to protect her only brought more trouble. Every time I saw her sadness, it felt like a weight in my heart increased, sensing that I had failed in the most painful way.

"I'm hungry, stop playing" I said, trying to raise my voice in a tone that could pass for authority. My brothers looked at me and finally left her alone, but that impassive tone left a bitter taste in my mouth.

However, Alex didn't miss the opportunity and told her that she should respect her Alphas, forcing her to look him in the eyes. It was something typical of him; he just wanted her to look at him, asking for respect. Meanwhile, I was urging myself to assert what I felt, but my mother's shadow kept telling me it was dangerous. Kattie didn't deserve to be treated this way, and I needed to find the courage to defend her from everything and everyone.

...POV Alex...

Ian was acting strange today, but I decided not to think too much of it. I assumed it was just nerves about our upcoming ascension as Alphas of the pack.

To calm him, I ruffled his hair as I usually did, but this time he pulled away and then apologized. I couldn't blame him; he was my younger brother, probably too nervous.

“Relax, pup, it will be fine. Don’t be nervous,” I tried to comfort him through our mental link, but received no response.

When we arrived at the dining room, there was Kattie. She had lived with us since she was little and took care of all the house chores. She was like a maid, except she got no pay for her services.

My parents said she was “paying off her parents' debt,” but I always found that wrong. How could a seven-year-old girl bear the burden of her parents? It was incomprehensible, but I was not the Alpha of this pack yet; I couldn't do anything about it; that would change tomorrow.

I had mixed feelings about Kattie. Something about her sparked my curiosity, an intense attraction that only grew with time. But it also made me angry and frustrated.

She always kept her distance from me, as if my mere presence repelled her. But why? I had never done anything bad to her, or at least I couldn't remember. Of the four of us, I was the only one who treated her neither well nor poorly, simply because she wouldn't let me get close.

I envied Ian, whose ability to make her smile was evident. The few smiles I had seen from her were all for him. No one else seemed to notice that he was always there, rescuing her from Sam and Axel when they bothered her.

That need to make myself noticed, without being able to find a way to get closer to Kattie, gnawed at me from within. My position as future Alpha should suffice for her to respect me, but her indifference only left me frustrated. I felt a mix of curiosity and anger that I could not ignore. Every time she turned her back on me, something tightened in my chest. The balance of power has always been essential in our pack, and I, as Alpha, could not afford to be ignored. So, with authority in my voice, I made an effort to make Kattie see me, even if it meant acting firmly.

That's why I wanted her to look me in the eyes and demand her respect. It was the only way I found to make her notice me, but her indifference filled me with frustration.

One day, I saw her looking so pale she was about to faint; there was no one nearby to help her because she was cleaning the dining room alone after breakfast. I acted quickly, catching her in my arms and preventing her from falling to the ground. It was the only time I had her so close, and it felt incredibly good. But as soon as she realized, she pulled away, looking at her feet and apologizing. That infuriated me. I asked her what was wrong and if she had eaten breakfast. Her hesitant reply was that she hadn’t been able to eat anything, which was causing her dizziness and headaches.

Since that day, every morning I served a little more of my portion and left it in the center of the table, as if it were leftovers. It was a way to ensure that he always had something for breakfast. At first, I tried different options, hiding to make sure he ate. Thus, I discovered that his favorites were savory items, except for vegetables; every time I left him some, he separated them and set them aside. He didn't care much for sweets; he only ate a little to have something in his stomach.

Today was no different. There was only one waffle left. I hurried to grab it along with some eggs and bacon. However, Axel didn’t take his eyes off me; he was the greediest of the four and turned red with rage. Annoyed that I didn't give him the last waffle, he stormed off to his room. But I couldn't stay to check if Kattie was having breakfast; I had a meeting with dad to discuss pack matters.