CHAPTER 1

Audrey's Pov

Rain tumbled from a cloudy, gray sky as the cold wind sent chills down to my bones. But I didn't mind though, in just a few weeks I'd leave this hell hole I called home. It was never my home to begin with anyway, not after my mum passed away when I was just six years old. It still feels like yesterday, when my mother was lying on her sick bed and speaking to me softly; 'You are meant for great things Audrey my darling, I'm sorry I won't be here to watch your greatness unfold.' Those were the last words my mother said to me before her warm body which always smelt like butter turned cold.

"Hey, ugly bitch!" My step sister Tamara called out to me. "Dad wants to see you."

I sighed. I already know what this is all about, I overheard the other omega's talking about it.

"I'm coming!" I yelled and ran back into the house

Being the first daughter of the prestigious Beta Russell Bolduc of Dawnstar Pack, one would think that my life was a bed of roses, but my life was nothing short of a continuous nightmare that never seems to end

As soon as I got in front of my Dad's study, I took a deep long breath, before knocking gently.

"Come in," my Dad's baritone voice came from inside the study.

I sighed again and made a silent prayer to the moon goddess to be with me before stepping into the study.

"Good evening father," I bowed my head slightly.

My dad snorted in response. "Here's Gamma Bruno Guilmette, of the Blue lotus pack, he will be taking you to your new home."

I raised my head up sharply, as I stared at my dad in disbelief. I couldn't believe my ears. I knew my dad planned on marrying me off, but why so soon? Does he hate me so much that he can't wait to get rid of me?

Twin tears streamed down my cheeks, as my heart was suddenly filled with thoughts of my mother. Her death anniversary was just a few days away, can't he at least let me pay tribute to her one last time before he sends me away to a faraway pack?

From what I've heard, Blue Lotus Pack was a full three days journey from Dawnstar Pack.

"But father," I argued.

"Don't you dare!" He thundered. "The decision has been made and nothing's changing that, " he said sternly.

"Yes Father," I mumbled because I knew no amount of arguing or pleading would change his mind.

Long before the death of my mother, my Dad loved me dearly, I was his pride and he took me basically everywhere he went and showed me off to all who cared to see. But all that was just a vague memory, as I could not even remember the last time he looked at me with so much love, not since he got married to Samantha.

Samantha used to be a very close friend of my mum. Even though Samantha was just an omega in our home, my mother treated her with respect.

She bought things in pairs whenever she went shopping, one for her and the other for Samantha and she taught Samantha everything she knew.

Samantha was not always the wicked bitch that she is now, she was kind and sweet, and always bought treats for me as a kid.

When my mom passed away, Samantha used to stay up all night comforting me, because I couldn't sleep and had constant nightmares. This was what made my dad decide to get married to her. According to him, he needed someone I would be comfortable with, and Samantha fits perfectly into that picture.

The first year of their union, Samantha was still her old kind self, who loved me, and I hardly felt the loss of my mom, but all that changed when she became pregnant. She turned into a full blown manipulative witch overnight.

When I was seven, she accused me of trying to poison her and her unborn child out of spite and ended up convincing my dad that I was dangerous to her child's safety.

I wiped the tears from my eyes with the back of my hands and then turned to the man who was seated in a chair beside her. "Good evening Gamma Guilmette," I bowed slightly.

"Please, just call me Bruno," he said with a smile putting me at ease instantly. He looked at me with so much pity, I guess this was not what he had expected when he came over.

"Go, pack your things, you'll leave at dawn," my Dad instructed coldly.

I parted my lips but no words came out. My heart was too heavy, and my brain went blank to come up with a response.

"Did you hear what I just said!" My dad thundered.

"Y- Yes Father," I replied, amidst quivering lips. "Please excuse me," I said, bowing my head as I dragged my feet to the door.

"Go see your stepmother before you start packing your things," my Dad instructed, as soon as I was at the door.

"Yes Father," I replied sadly.

I made my way straight to my room as soon as I was out of my Dad's study. I needed to change into dry clothes, I couldn't afford to piss Samantha off, it would only lead to me getting beaten, and this cold weather is not a good time to have bruises. My room was just an old storeroom on the second floor. In it I had an old worn out and flat mattress, a broken mirror, my mother's diary which is the only thing I had which belonged to her, and also some books.

Arriving at the hallway that led to my room, I came across some omega's.

"I feel so sorry for her," the first omega said in a sad voice." No one has ever stayed with Alpha Trudeau for up to a month."

"I heard all his previously arranged Bride ran away in the middle of the night," the second omega added.

I sighed. No matter the rumors going on about Alpha Trudeau, I'm sure it wouldn't be something I can't cope with. No hell could be greater than the one I'm already in right now in the hands of my supposed family, and besides despite all the rumors, none has ever been about him eating one's flesh, so I'll be just fine.

"I guess you guys are being paid to gossip right?" The voice of the head omega, Mrs. Royer echoed in the hallway startling the omega's that were gossiping.

"We are sorry, Mrs. Royer," they immediately bowed their heads and apologized.

I sighed and went into my room ignoring them. It's not like Mrs. Royer's scolding would stop them from gossiping anyway.

"Audrey darling, can I come in?" Mrs. Royer asked as she knocked on my door gently.

"Yes please."

Mrs. Royer was the only one out of all the omega's who still loved and treated me with respect. Every other omega turned their backs on me in order to get in Samantha's good books. Mrs. Royer can't really do anything about the mistreatment I was facing from my stepmother and her daughter, but she always scolds the omega's whenever they are being mean towards me.

"Audrey," she began, as she took a seat on the only stool I had in my room. I turned to face her to hear what she had to say. "This is not the end of life, everything happens the way the moon goddess has programmed it to happen," she advised. "Your father doesn't hate you, he just has a different way of showing it."

I scoffed inwardly. I didn't want to be rude towards Mrs. Royer, but my Dad sure does hate me with every fiber in his body. Just thinking about his hatred for me made my eyes water, I looked up, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

"Audrey," a voice called from outside. "Mrs. Bolduc requests your presence immediately," the voice announced, emphasizing the word immediately.

"Thank you, Mrs. Royer, for your kind words," I said, holding Mrs. Royer's hands and rubbing it gently.

Mrs. Royer patted my hands lightly and gave me a weak smile. She didn't say anything further but her silence spoke volumes. I could see the desperation in her eyes to try and help me, but what could she do? She's just an omega, her words hold no weight, and even if they did, this matter was beyond anyone's control, my Dad has offered me to Lycan Alpha Trudeau, and that decision was final.

My father's love for me reduced gradually and it led to petty arguments between us when Samantha gave birth to my younger sister Courtney. My dad became a complete stranger. I didn't recognize him anymore, as all the love he had for me was transferred to Courtney.

At the age of thirteen, my wolf still had not surfaced, and my dad felt totally ashamed and embarrassed to be addressed as my Dad or me to be identified as his daughter. That same year, Courtney turned eight, and her wolf surprisingly surfaced which was quite rare for her age. My Dad felt immense pride, and his crushed image was suddenly restored. He neglected me completely and focused all of his attention on Courtney. He took it upon himself to train her.

Pow!

My face was welcomed with a slap as soon as I opened the door to Samantha's room.

"You imbecile!" Samantha growled. "Who do you think you are? I sent for you over an hour ago and you are just coming." She fumed.

I stood there in shock staring at Samantha in disbelief, with my hands on my stinging cheeks. Did Samantha just say it was over an hour ago? It's barely three minutes since the omega informed me that she was calling me, and I rushed over as soon as possible.

"I guess she thinks she is beyond control now, simply because she's getting married," Courtney sneered from behind her mother.

"Oh really?" Samantha snarled, grabbing me tightly by my hair and landing another slap on my already stinging cheeks before pushing me hard to the wall.

"Listen here scumbag," Courtney scowled as she walked over to where I was sobbing, trying to nurse my cheeks. "You are still nothing but a worthless piece of trash like you've always been. So, because you are getting married to a Lycan alpha doesn't automatically make you a person of worth," Courtney said mockingly.

"Here," Samantha threw a small bag at me "Put this on when you are going to your new home tomorrow. We wouldn't want you to disgrace our family." Samantha said with disdain.

"Thank you," I muttered, as I bent down to pick up the bag and was about to head for the door.

"And one more thing," Courtney said. "In case you decide to run away, which I'm pretty sure you'd do," she chuckled alongside her mother. "Don't come back here."