Chapter 1

Veronica’s POV

Another year had passed. I had aged by one year. But yet no one seems to care. I had always been the outcast in my pack. Never been able to fit in anywhere. They have always called me a rouge, a disappointment, even a disgrace. My life has always been horrible. A life full of hurtful words, which cut deeper than any sword that I have ever polished.

Celebrating my eighteenth birthday working in a kitchen, rather than partying with the rest of the pack. Well, what else is expected from a rogue? I was ordered to work in this dirty kitchen to help prepare the food and drinks for Ellie and Kyle's engagement. Ellie is one of the biggest Alpha’s daughters.

Can’t believe anyone would want to marry her. Besides her beauty, she is a horrible person. She scolds anyone who just looks at her funny. To think anyone can love someone like her. But in Kyle’s defence, he will be in line for the throne when Alpha Alexander needs to step down. Kyle would then be the Alpha of the biggest packs in the world. So, who wouldn’t mind marrying a bitch?

“Veronica! Stop daydreaming!”

A voice made me startle, making me drop the glass I was cleaning, “Mother... I was…”

“You were not doing your job! That is what you were doing. And don’t fucking call me that. Clean up that mess that you caused and go to the study and get the fine wine off the top rake.” She stared at me, her face red with anger. “Rouge! Do what you are told. Now!”

“Yes ma’am. Of course ma’am.”

With speed, I grabbed the broom and started cleaning up the glass. “You’re fucking useless. Give me that.” She grabbed the broom from my hands and stuffed it into one of the other maid's hands. “Just go get the fucking wine. Hopefully, you can’t mess up that single task.”

I nodded and made my way to the study.

As I reached the wine cellar my steps got softer with each step. Then I came to a stop. Staring at the door leading to the cellar, my breaths got audible. My heart started to beat faster. I had never set foot in the cellar before. I didn’t even know what wine to look for. My hand shook as I reached for the door handle. The sound of the door opening echoed through the room.

When entering I made my way to a shelf. Staring at what looked like a hundred bottles. Each one is stacked neatly, laying in the correct position, ensuring the cork is always wet. Trying to remember which shelf I should take a bottle from, I heard my name echoing through the hallway. I grabbed the first bottle I set my hand on and made my way to the kitchen.

“What took you so long?”

“I… I…”

“Take this tray and go give it to Alpha Logan.”

“What? I…” Confusion was written all over my face. It was impossible to hide it. I was never allowed to show my face to the guests. Why now? Why all of a sudden am I now allowed to show my face?

“Did I stutter? Just do as you are told. Take… the… wine… to… the… Alpha.”

Shaking my head in disbelief. Grabbing the tray I made my way to the study, where voices were echoing through the room. As soon as I stepped through the door, it was like the room went silent. I felt all eyes were on me. Keeping my head down, ensuring I didn’t disrespect any of the wolves in the room, especially the Alpha’s.

I made my way over to Alpha Logan and to someone who looked like he was one of his family members. Presenting the wine to them, I could feel the anger in their stare. Slowly I lifted my gaze and saw Alpha Logan's disappointment towards me.

“This can’t be the correct wine that you are presenting to me.”

“I…”

“This maid must have made a mistake. How dare you prepare this cheap wine for the Alpha? Are you stupid or something?”

“Marcus…”

“No! How can anyone be so incompetent to do something like this?” His gaze fixed on me. “Did your parents drop you on your head when you were a baby?”

“I…”

“Of course they did. How else do you explain your incompetence? Mm? Of course, now the bitch is mute as well. No wonder you’re a fucking maid. You’re a mistake to humanity.”

If the entire party's eyes weren’t on me before, they were definitely at that moment. I tried to contain my breathing, but that was hard to do. I was used to people yelling and scolding me, but it hit harder somehow with him. Tears started to fill my eyes.

“Is the mute going to cry? Well, maybe I should give you something to cry about!” He lifted his hand into the air. I closed my eyes, knowing what was about to happen. I waited for the punch that might make me end up in the hospital. But, it never came. With a deep breath, I slowly opened my eyes and looked straight into the Alpha’s back.

Why would he save me from something that I deserve? Why did he choose to help me? I was expecting to be lying on the floor, most likely bleeding. But, that didn’t happen. A person with a reputation for being a ruthless and careless person decided to help me. Save me from a trip to the ER.

“Enough! You will stop this animal behavior in this instance!”

I could see his grip tighten around Marcus’s wrist. You could see the pain in Marcus’s eyes. He then ripped his arm loose from Logan’s grip. He quickly lifted his left hand and massaged his wrist where a red handprint started to appear. Anger filled his eyes, he shook his head before he spoke.

“But Alpha, she-“

“But fucking nothing! You will not lay a single hand on her.”

“She’s a fucking maid. She is nothing important. She is just a useless mutt?”

“Silence…” Anger started to fill his tone.