In the dead of night, soaked and desperate, I find myself once again in a world ruled by The Enhanced, captives of their iron grip. For as long as I can remember, I've been a prisoner of men like them. But tonight, I bear a message—a message that must be delivered to these men, no matter the perilous journey.

I’m a vampire-witch hybrid with a fondness for necromancy. Excuse me if I’m a little dead inside. I tried to attend a human school, but they didn’t appreciate my behavior. Personally, I found biology class more interesting when the dissected animals fought back. The school didn’t. My parents searched for somewhere new to send their deviant daughter, and doors open when your father is Dorian Blackwood. Then they close firmly behind once he dumps you inside an exclusive supernatural academy, along with instructions to become "a touch more amiable".

After the death of my mother and her Bonded, I was relieved to find my own Bonds. I was sure everything would be okay if I had them. It wasn’t. The fate of our people is in my hands, and I know we’re better off if I’m alone. After five years on the run, I’m caught and dragged back to face the men I ran away from. I thought I was doing the right thing. Now, I’m not so sure.

My whole life, I have been a prisoner. Starved. Beaten. Hated. But most of all, I am feared. I am feared because I am the most powerful woman in the world. Most want me dead. Some want to control my magic for their own dark desires. To others, I am salvation. A key to winning a war that has raged for 500 years between those who can use magic, and hunters, who dedicate their entire existence to killing anyone with magic in their blood. I am released from my chains and thrown into a world I am supposed to save. A world that has made me suffer beyond words. Magic must return. But should it?

My parents made a deal with the devil, and now I’m a Hell Fae captive. Enslaved. Owned. Thrown to the Hellhounds and expected to survive. Because only survivors earn their mates. It doesn’t matter that I don’t want to be a bride. I’m a Halfling. Part Hell Fae and part girl-who-doesn’t-give-a-shit. But because of a bargain, he owns me. Lucifer. The Hell Fae King who created this godforsaken realm. Also known as the orchestrator of these deadly bride-trial games.

I refuse to spend the rest of my life with my childhood bully for a mate. I may be a cursed shifter, incapable of shifting—but I wasn't desperate. Not till the Alpha Supreme cast me out of the House of Fire and Fluorite for rejecting his son. Now I'm packless. Homeless. No longer under the protection of a House. Until the dark vampire king of Blood and Beryl turns his sights on me. In return for protection from my former House, I have to become his fake mate. I'll be a queen and a fraud. It's a treacherous lie to live—and I find myself forgetting what's real and what's not.

My life hasn't been typical. All I remember is waking up in an alley when I was ten, scrounging for scraps to survive until I was taken to the Bronzeheart estate. That's where my life began, where I've lived for the past eight years with the ruling family, the Blitz Clan. It's where I found my best friend Gage, the future leader of this clan. At the time, I didn't question my good fortune because I was happy to know I wasn't alone in this world anymore. But maybe I should have. After landing a shocking invite to Dark Imaginarium Academy, I realized how much of a safe haven the estate was.

Welcome to Fortune Academy, a school where supernaturals can feel at home — except, I have no idea what the hell I am. The last thing I remember is arriving at the massive gates with a Bounty Hunter staring me down. I have a feeling he was supposed to take me to the monster holding arena to fight and die. Instead, I'm Fortune Academy's newest student.

Tate is not the sort of neighbor you can ignore. Especially when he walks around half naked for all the world to see. I can't help that I got a weak spot for bad boys. But that was before I became a single mom, and I’m not so weak anymore. Besides, Tate lights my temper without even trying, and I swear he enjoys teasing me. Well, two can play at that game, and I think it’s time someone teaches him a lesson. 

I don't want an alpha. I don't want the legendary Murphy pack as stepbrothers. I don't want to share a house with the four boys every girl in school wants. And I definitely don't want their breath on my skin, their scent in my nose, their marks on my neck. Their father told them to look after me. But he doesn't realize just how they've decided to twist that directive. I'm a pet omega for them to play with. And they're about to give me everything they decide I need.