Chapter 3~ Eighteen at last

Two years later...

Gianna. 

A genuine smile crosses my lips for the first time in two years.  

I stretch my limbs on my makeshift bed in the attic that I transformed into my bedroom. 

The place is tiny and no matter how much I clean the cobwebs, they still grow back with vengeance. 

But I’m not worried about all this anymore. I turned eighteen yesterday and coincidentally there happens to be a full moon tonight. 

I’m excited because I might meet my mate who will take me out of this hellhole. 

Although things at the academy were different. No one apart from my sister bullied me and I was given a nutritious meal every day... things had gotten worse at home. 

My stepmother was suspicious that I gained weight from nowhere so she thought I was stealing food. I denied the accusations but she still had me whipped with a lash dipped in silver and wolfsbane. 

These two components are deadly to wolves. Especially an Omega like me who is at the last of ranks. 

This is why I was so ecstatic to come of age, I can finally leave this shithole of a house and live happily ever after with my mate.

“Gia! Downstairs, now!” Norah, my stepmother yells out and I flinch. She always likes doing this. 

The mindlink works well but she prefers to scream at the top of her voice.  

Reluctantly, I force myself up and head downstairs but before I can even say anything, she slaps me viciously across the face and I see stars. 

“What did I tell you about breakfast? Why is it not ready and yet it’s seven?” 

She glares at me with so much hatred that sends a shiver down my spine. I know why she hates me though... she’s my father’s fated mate and yet he had an affair with his ex-girlfriend whom he wanted to keep as his chosen before he found his mate. 

Unfortunately, my mother died during birth and I’ve been alone ever since. 

“I’ll hasten with it,” I say and run into the kitchen before I get more slaps. 

The packhouse is huge and making food for about twenty or more people is very tiring. 

I take out the huge kilograms of bacon and some trays of eggs and get to work. 

By the time I'm done, my face is covered in sweat and I am tired like no man’s business.  

Today is my last day at the academy and yet I’m going to be late as usual. 

I save the breakfast and rush to get the mop and broom and begin to clean. I think the excitement of meeting my mate made me sleep in. 

When I’m done, I quickly fetch some water into a basin and take it to my so-called room to wash up since I’m not allowed in any of the showers. I use the forest to relieve myself because the toilets are out of bounds. 

No one wants to share stuff with an Omega. 

I’m used to such treatment so it doesn’t bother me. I force myself into the basin and quickly wash up. After I’m done, I look for some clothes that I used to wear when Dad still liked me. 

I pick a black dress that reaches my mid-thigh. It's hugging my body since I have grown and it has sheer long sleeves. 

It was a little tight and short but it was decent. I don’t want to meet my mate in tattered clothes. 

Brushing my hair up into a high ponytail, I apply some lip balm that I had stolen from Sophia on my lips. It was just a tiny scoop... my lips were too dry and cracked. 

I rush downstairs and bump into Dad who looks at me with furrowed eyebrows. 

“Where are you going dressed like a whore?” He spits and I feel my heart clench. 

“W-we have an after-party a-after the exam today. This is the only dress I have.” I say gingerly, hoping he doesn’t kick me in the stomach like he always does. 

I see his frown deepen as he opens his mouth to say something but I quickly run past him. No one will stop me from wearing this dress. 

“Fuckset.” I hear him hiss and I ignore him. His insults still get to me but not today. 

The school bus has already left so I walk all the way to the academy and it’s about a two-hour walk. By the time I’m arriving, the exam is almost starting, my throat is dry and I’m hungry. 

Deciding to skip breakfast, I run in the direction of the exam hall when someone stops me before handing me a bowl of oat porridge. 

“Gianna... I told you not to miss your meals. Eat this quickly before your exam.” He says. 

The man is none other than Myles. 

Myles is a nice man who works in the academy's cafeteria.  He suddenly began to give me free meals and although I was wary at first, I really couldn’t stand on ceremony when I was freaking starving. 

I look at him and smile. “Thank you, Myles. The past two years have been bearable because of you.”

He smiles sheepishly and scratches the back of his neck. “I’m not the one you should be thanking.” 

“Huh?” I ask with raised brows. 

“It’s nothing. You’re welcome and all the best in your exam.”

He walks away and I’m left wondering what he meant. 

Ten minutes later, my belly is full as I head towards the exam hall entrance, only to find Alpha Mason standing there with a bouquet of roses.

My heart pounds and I glance at my feet. Is he here for me? Are those flowers for me? He had been coming frequently recently and although he would just say hi, I felt like there was a connection between us. 

I’m about to pretend I didn’t see him when he stands in front of me, handing me the bouquet. 

“All the best, Gia.” He says and I glance up at him gingerly. He’s smiling warmly at me showing his dimples and I blush, feeling my heart skip a beat. 

I grab the bouquet and avert my gaze. “Thank you,” I say shyly. 

He chuckles and tucks a strand of loose hair behind my ear. “Be sure to ace the exam. I’ll see you at the party.” 

My eyes fly open and I look up at him. He looks so handsome with his sandy brown short hair and hazel-green eyes. I gulp as excitement brews within me. 

“See you there,” I say, hoping he turns out to be my mate. 

Hours pass by and the final exams are done. Although everyone avoids me now, they can’t help but stare at me like I was some animal on display in the zoo. 

Some guys walk over to me and apprehension fills me. 

“Is this really you, Gia? You look different.” One of them says and I blush in embarrassment.  

“Well, let’s go to the party. It’s in the auditorium and since you look sexy tonight, we wouldn’t mind going in with you.” The other guy says. Goddess, what are their names again?

I shake my head. “I-it's fine. I-I can go alone.” I say, playing with the hem of my sleeve. 

I wasn’t dumb. I didn’t miss their leering gaze on me... they saw me as an object to sexually use but I’ll only give myself to my mate. 

Realising that I won’t budge, they scoff at me, “suit yourself then. Go ahead and have the most boring night of your life.” 

They laugh like hyenas as they walk away and I clench my hands into fists. If I had powers, I would kill them with a swipe of my hand. 

I head to the party and decide to sit in a secluded corner so as not to attract attention. From here, I watch as everyone has fun and drinks the night away.

Couples were kissing, grinding on each other on the dance floor while I have been seated like this for hours. 

Those boys were right. This is the most boring night of my life. 

I notice Sophia with her click drinking some shots. She’s dolled herself up in a sequined short champagne dress. Compared to her, I look like shit.  

Perhaps I should just go home. 

Standing up from my seat, I quietly make my way out and find the full moon at its peak. 

My heart pounds and I feel restless all of a sudden.  

I feel my wolf stir and it leads me along a narrow forest path which I walk through cautiously. 

I’m suddenly hit by the most intoxicating scent I’ve ever smelt and it makes my mouth water. 

I whip around, only to bump into a hard chest. Looking up, I find hazel-green glowing eyes looking down at me. 

Something pulls in my chest and I feel the mate bond click in as I look into Alpha Mason’s eyes. 

“Mate.” 

We say at the same time.