The Rejected One

>>Portia

The sting of a hard slap across my left cheek almost made me lose balance and fall over but somehow I managed only to take a step back and keep standing.

“I told you to be careful,” An angry but controlled voice seeped out from Kathrine’s mouth. She’s the Luna of the pack but she despises mistakes, especially the ones made by me.

“I’m sorry,” I bowed my head a little to apologize, “It slipped out of my hand. It wasn’t on purpose,” I glanced at the broken plate on the floor. The Caucasian blue colored print with gold borders lay shattered on the wooden floor.

“Shut up,” She sneered at me, “You’re a disgrace to this pack.” 

Her words stung but they didn’t make me feel all that bad. I’ve been hearing these words for ages.

The Nightwalker pack, the pack I’m living in is one of the strongest packs in the country. The wolves of this pack are known for being strong warriors who live up to the name. The pack always raids and destroys its enemies during the night and is known for its stealth, agility, and strength. 

Seventeen years ago they killed a small emerging pack at the order of the Lycan king. It's said that they were plotting rebellion or something but who could confirm the fact now that all the wolves from that pack are gone?

But it’s against the rules to kill infants and babies up til the age of five and so I was spared since I was only a few months old and was brought to the Nightwalker pack to be raised in the pack house.

“The Lycan prince is going to be here any moment!” She growled at me, “Are you trying to disgrace us?”

I flinched at her words. They were heavy, just like her presence. I’ve feared her all my life. She scares the living daylight out of me.

“I’ll clean it up immediately,” I could feel her glare at me even though I had my eyes down.

She raised her hand in the air in annoyance, “How dare you even make a mistake on a day like this.” Her aim has always been great and so when she hit me again, she was able to strike the exact same spot as before. This time though, as the pain doubled and shot through my veins like electricity, I lost my balance and fell flat on my butt.

The sound of two people laughing came from the entrance of the kitchen and as I gathered myself, I saw the twins, Emily and Lilith, Kathrine’s daughter, standing at the door frame mocking me.

“There better be no more mistakes now Portia,” Katherine’s voice was so sharp I could raise my head to look at her.

I sat up and placed my hands on my knees, “Yes,” My left cheek stung like someone had scraped the skin off. The corner of my lip bled but I didn’t move till the time Katherine turned out and left the room.

“Come on girls,” The Luna ordered her daughters, “Get ready. The guests are going to arrive soon.” The three females left the place and I finally looked up with tears in the corner of my eyes that I didn’t allow to escape. I let out a deep exhale, then softly brought my fingers to touch my cheek.

“Sssss!” I hissed when it hurt, then sighed. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to treat myself. I had to get to the other maids and help out before the Lycans arrived.

After all, I was a maid, perhaps not born as one but definitely raised as one. 

It wasn’t even possible for me to go anywhere else. How could I escape when I had no money, no resources, and no one to help me leave this dreadful place?

***

Grey applied the ointment on my cheek softly. She’s the daughter of one of the maids that work here. She started a few years ago and we got along well. Honestly, the servants are the only ones that actually treat me like a person. Not all of them, but a handful. It’s just enough to help me not fall into insanity.

"You okay?" She asked

I nodded, "Yea," I whispered, "I'm fine." My cheek still stung but at least I finished my work.

"You're easy to bully because of your size." She shook her head, “Your cheek is going to turn purple and there’s a cut on the corner of your mouth, how will you eat now?”

I'm short, shorter than all the werewolves. I'm only 5'3, but perhaps that's because I'm a half…

"I know…" I didn’t meet her gaze, “I’ll manage. I don’t eat much anyway.”

That's right. I'm not even a pure breed. It's part of the reason why the others hate and scorn me so much. Every wolf can shift by the time they're eleven and though everyone has their own pace, all werewolves learn to shift by thirteen but when I couldn't, I was taken for a checkup and it was discovered that I wasn't a werewolf.

I'm what people call a defect because I was probably the outcome of an affair with a human and not a human mate, just some random human. This is why I can't shift, and I can't even mind-link with anyone.

And I'm always an outsider. I always will be.

I’m the rejected one.

No matter what, because I can’t even display werewolf traits I’ll never fit in.

But, I do feel my wolf. She's there, somewhere inside of me. I know it.

I know it because I can feel her.

"Well," Grey looked out the window, "The guests are here." We were in the second-floor kitchen and looked out the window to see the guests.

"Oh!" We were both flustered when we saw the Lycan prince making his way into the pack house with his guards.

I mean, it was impossible not to notice him. He was all anyone could notice.

Blond hair, honey-colored eyes, tall, like he was surely 6’3, lean and beautiful.

"Woah…" It just escaped my lips.

It was only for a few seconds but it was a feast for the eyes.

"I know…" Grey agreed

“We probably won't get to see him up close. He has so many guards with him.” It was just a fleeting thought that I mouthed. I had no intention of actually going and seeing him up close.

"Let's go," Grey stood up and grabbed my hand to pull me off my seat.

"Where?"

"To greet the guests with other servants!"

My eyes went wide in fear, "We'll get in trouble!!"

"No, we won't!" She insisted, "We're going to be with other employees!"

I shook my head, “No!” But she dragged me with her and I eventually gave in. 

***

We both stood at the very end of the greeting line, right where the turn to the corridor started. The Lycans were escorted toward the meeting room by Elias, Lilith, and Emily’s older brother. 

They all passed by us without sparing any of the servants any attention and just as Ulric passed by, Grey and I raised our heads to peek at him. He had a slight smile on his face and he walked with dignity. Right behind him were two guards of the same height and behind them was another one, a little taller than them, maybe 6’4, who walked last.

I didn’t even mean to but when I noticed him he turned his head to look at us and our eyes met.

!!!

I heard my wolf howl. 

For the every first time I felt her come alive. I felt her vivid presence.

Mate!

She screamed in my head and my eyes went wide.

Mate! Mate!!

I could visually picture her jumping around in excitement.

Mate!!

There was a strong connection. Stronger than anything I’ve ever felt.

The guard slowed down and came to a halt. He looked back at me with a surprised look. His deep blue eyes stared into mine and I noticed his handsome features. Jet black hair, fair skin, masculine body, and an upright position, something one would expect from a royal guard.

A softer expression grew on his face as we kept our gaze on each other, his body relaxed lightly and he reached out his hand to touch my face. He was probably going for the corner of my cheek, the injury was still quite visible after all. 

He took a step closer and my heart raced. He looked exceptionally dashing with that bodyguard getup. Those grey pants and black tight shirt looked majestic on him.

I was getting excited. In fact, I was getting so worked out I could feel my heartbeat drumming in my ears yet because it all happened so suddenly, I was frozen in my place.

Was it finally it? Have I really found my mate? He’s a royal guard, so will he take me away from here? Right? 

Am I finally going to be free? Will I finally find some peace? Away from all the abuse and humiliation?

“Ah,” I opened my mouth to say something but my mind went blank.

He stopped all of a sudden and retracted his hand back and a frown appeared on his face.

My eyes went wide with fear of what was coming.

No!

He took a few steps back. A stern expression came back on his face and he turned to walk away.