Esme's Last Chance

Esme POV

“Esmeray, where have you been?” My Mother blasted.

I cringed. I couldn’t tell her I was hiding in the meadow reading my book. It would only make her madder.

“I… I…uh—”

“The Welcome ceremony is in a few hours and we’re busy.”

“I lost track of time but I’m here now and I’m ready to cook,” I grinned and quickly grabbed an apron before Mom spoke, but she snatched the apron and glared at me.

“Oh no, you’re not cooking. Rhoda’s cooking and you’re picking up the slack.”

I mostly did the sewing and laundry and there was none of that to do right now. I’d only been an official servant or slave of the Highbridge Pack’s Pack house despite growing up in this house. I’d never been allowed to go upstairs or speak to the Alpha’s family. I’ve never seen the Alpha in person. Despite calling this place home it was also a mad torture house.

“Oh crap.”

Rhoda smirked and thrust a tray of alcohol and chicken wings into my chest.

“The young betas ordered these hours ago. Take it upstairs,” her cruel grin grew brighter by the second.

She could have delivered these herself but she didn’t want to deal with the spoiled future leaders of our Pack. I took the tray and suppressed my grumbles as I braced myself for the name-calling, but with the arrival of the Alphas, they might be too busy to realise I was there.

Alphas from far and wide were coming because this year the Highbridge Pack’s hosting the Mating Run. It comes around every twelve years and if anything goes wrong there are serious consequences for werewolves. There are several events leading up to the full moon when the Mating Run takes place. I was only a child when the last Mating Run happened but I’ve heard stories and dreamed of taking part unfortunately, I didn’t have a wolf yet. At midnight I’d get my wolf. I still had time because the she-wolves hadn’t registered for the run yet, except for the Alpha’s daughter and the daughters of the highly ranked betas.

“Are you sure this is going to work, Chanel?” A familiar voice asked.

I made it to the first floor. It was dark with pounding music coming from one of the closed doors. I realized Rhoda didn’t tell me which room to go into.

“Crap,” I whispered.

“Ugh, you need to put on your big girl panties if you want to get with the Alpha. Besides, you’re our Father’s right-hand man’s daughter and my best friend. You are the perfect match for Leo.”

“Yes, you’re right. I deserve a powerful Alpha too.”

Chanel flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Of course. If I’m going to marry Alpha Knox, then it’s only fair that you get Leo.”

I backed up slowly. I wasn’t supposed to hear this conversation. I could deliver these another time, I thought, but it was too late. Chanel caught my scent. Giselle, her best friend shot me daggers too.

“Eavesdropping, slut?” Chanel’s blue eyes flashed venomously red as she advanced like a predator.

“When did they let the slave upstairs?” Giselle barked.

“I’m leaving,” I murmured.

Chanel advanced while I backed up. “Leaving with our booze?”

“Uh...”

Chanel’s evil smirk turned my blood cold. Giselle snatched the vodka bottle off the tray.

“When will you learn not to act like a shadow like the other slaves?”

“I wasn’t—”

Chanel’s claws connected with my skin, the tray went flying, the glasses shattered and I stumbled down the stairs behind me. As I rolled my bones cracked and my head smashed on the concrete steps.

“Wolfless trash!”

All I heard was their cruel laughter. I’d had trash thrown on me, my bedroom destroyed and beaten up when I stood up for myself but this time something inside me broke. My life flashed in front of my eyes and all I had to think about was abuse and joy when my bruises healed.

“Ouch,” I winced as blood tricked down my arm and legs.

A rough hand wrapped around my wrist and dragged me to my feet effortlessly. I stared into crystal blue eyes identical to Chanel’s crazy ones

“A-Alpha Leo,” I stuttered.

“What the hell is this?” he asked coldly but a part of me thought he wasn’t talking about my accident.

What else could he be talking about? The place was a mess.

“Oh, nothing brother. It’s just Esmeray making a fool of herself again. On top of an eavesdropper, she’s a klutz.”

Giselle giggled exaggeratedly and Chanel glared at her.

“What are you doing here, Chanel? The Alphas are arriving. Mom and Dad want you to make a good impression.”

Chanel flipped her hair. “I need to make a good impression for Alpha Knox, but I hear he’s coming late.”

Leo’s grip on my hand tightened. His touch burned like a graze from the sun. It touched my very soul and I couldn’t explain how.

“He’s an uncultured barbarian,” Leo spat.

“Say what you like brother, but he’s one of the most feared Alphas for a reason,” Chanel smirked and pranced off.

“See you tonight at the welcome ceremony, Alpha Leo. Save me a seat?” Giselle smiled innocently as if she and her friend hadn’t just tried to kill me!

Leo nodded. “Of course.”

Once we were alone the weight of Leo’s touch nearly crushed me. I snatched my wrist free and put distance between us. The sudden movement sparked rage in his eyes and he pinned me to the wall, pressing his solid body against my fragile frame. His fingers curled around my throat.

I wished I had a wolf to defend me, to come alive and attack Leo but I was hollow inside. For now, I reminded myself. My wolf had to show up tonight. It was my last chance.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he barked.

“Me? You’re the one on top of me!”

His rabid eyes relaxed but he didn’t let me go. “I’m barely crushing you, but I can show you what it’s really like to be under me, Esme.”

I scowled and he finally got off me.

Alpha Leo was drop-dead gorgeous. He was the best warrior in the Pack and his Father’s pride and joy. Despite that, he was arrogant and an asshole. When Leo was born the Alpha married his Mother who was just a breeder and outcast Luna Stella because she hadn’t given him a son in their time of marriage. His Mother was the spitting image of Chanel and ten times worse than her daughter but I gave her a few years, Chanel would surpass her Mother.

“Clean this up, you don’t expect me to do it do you?” he asked, raising his brow.

“Of course not. I just have a lot to do for the welcome ceremony.”

“The ceremony you’re not allowed to attend,” he said, straightening his closes.

“What, why?”

He frowned. “You’re a slave, plagued with bad luck. The last thing I need is for you to fuck things up for me,” he said glancing at the wings on the ground and the shattered glass. “And you’re wolfless. You have no business there.”

I wanted to tell him I wouldn’t be wolfless for long. My birthday’s in a few hours. It’s my last chance. Once wolves go past eighteen and their wolves don’t show up then they never do. Leo got his wolf when he was ten.

“Clean this up and stay out of sight. Have I made myself clear?” He said close to my ear, his breath tickling my cheek.

I nodded, unable to speak.

After cleaning up Chanel’s mess I found my trusty first aid box and cleaned up my cuts. The welcome ceremony had begun. A knock came at my door then Mom walked in wearing a subtle black dress with her hair pulled up. She smiled at me.

“I’m sorry you can’t attend the ceremony, honey,” she said then sat on the edge of my bed.

I nodded. “You knew I couldn’t attend right?”

She sighed heavily. “When Luna Monica allowed you to work in the rest of the mansion she put strict rules in place for you. You know how lucky we are to be in this house.”

I nodded. Yes, she’s told me so my whole life but now I wanted something different. Once my wolf arrived I wanted to get out. I survived high school with wolves who taunted me for not having a wolf and being a slave I could leave and find a college somewhere.

“Keep your head down just like you’ve always done, honey.”

“That didn’t stop them from attacking me,” I grumbled. “Would it be so bad if I left?”

“We’ll talk about this later, Esme. I need you to help Rhoda in the kitchen. I love you honey.”

I nodded. She kissed my cheek and walked out to supervise the party. She hated entertaining the idea of me leaving. I was the only family she had.

I could hear the music and laughter from my basement. Before I joined Rhoda upstairs I opened my drawer and pulled out a golden candle I bought since I couldn’t afford cake. I had ten minutes until midnight and I wanted this moment to be special.

I trekked to the forest surrounding the mansion, I walked until the distance drowned out the music and laughter. I lit the candle and exhaled.

It was midnight. All was quiet. I felt the same as I did before.

“Where’s my wolf?” My voice cracked.

I stared at the crescent moon for answers. I gave it a few minutes, hoping and mentally pleading for change for a chance to live out my miserable life a different way.

Nothing happened.

I dropped the candle. This was useless. I should just go.

“Mate.”