Chapter five

Jade wolf pack! that is the enemy pack. Why is she here? she can't be here," they murmured, and I bowed my head as tears welled up in my eyes. It seems like everywhere I go, I tend to be rejected. I was rejected by my family, my mate and now Aziz's people. It seemed like a curse. Although I haven't decided if I was going to stay in crystal-vale, it still hurt knowing that the people didn't like me.

"Silence!" Aziz growled, slamming the table and I jerked in fear, whilst the room instantly went mum.

"Yes, she's from the jade wolf pack. However, she was shunned and ousted because she's carrying my child," Aziz announced, earning a gasp from everyone. They all had a look of disbelief like didn't believe what Aziz was saying.

"What do you mean Alpha?" A lady asked as they all gave him a curious look.

"I mean Majel here, is pregnant with the heir of crystal-vale, Isn't that what you've always wanted," Aziz retorted and they once again became quiet, because that was the truth. They desperately wanted their Alpha to have an heir and they've been blessed with one. 

"If that's true, we thank the goddess. Congratulations Alpha," they chorused, forgetting the fact that I was from the jade wolf pack and I wondered why_ I thought they were against me a while ago, what changed?  could it be that they're desperate for their alpha to have a child?  I shrugged off the thought immediately, the maids started serving the food; spaghetti and meatballs.

"Put more for Majel, she must be hungry, and add vegetables," Ashira told the maid who was serving me. And I tilt my gaze to her and gave her a small smile of gratitude. So far, she has been extremely nice to me, and it felt good having someone care for me, after a year of endless torture.

The maid served me two plates of food. One with vegetables, and the other with spaghetti and meatballs. And I sighed, after seeing the vegetables. The last thing I wanted was to eat vegetables, so once everyone was engaged in a conversation, I quickly switched the plate of vegetables with Aziz's plate of spaghetti and he didn't notice because he was deep in a conversation with his beta, Kai. Nonetheless, Liana and Ashira did, and I heard Ashira chuckle, while Liana gave me a spiteful look. 

...

'Why are they treating her like the queen? It should be me, I should be getting the attention, yet none of them acknowledged me, all because of Majel. They didn't even seem bothered by the fact that she was from an enemy pack all because she was carrying Aziz's child, but how did that happen? how did Aziz get intimate with someone from the enemy pack, how?' Liana pondered, as she watched Majel.

She was not just bothered, by the fact that Majel was pregnant with Aziz's child, she was also bothered that his people were okay with it, and didn't ask more questions. Furthermore, Majel was a threat to her alliance with Aziz. 

'I will have to do something,' she thought as her lips curved into an evil smirk that was oblivious to everyone.

...

Taking a bite from my meatball, I closed my eyes and moaned, while savoring the taste_ as this was the first time in a long time, I was having such a decent and delicious delicacy. I was oblivious to the fact that I moaned out loud and everyone's eyes were now on me.

"Majel, you seem to have such a big appetite, seeing as you have two plates of food before you," someone said, making my eyes snap open and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"I... I uhmm"

"Majel didn't eat anything all day, besides she's not eating for just herself, she's eating for the baby too," Ashira chipped in, and I gave her a smile of appreciation, before turning my gaze to Aziz, who glanced from me to the plate of vegetable in his front.

He looked at it boredly or somewhat with a glint of disgust or probably displeasure and my lips curved into a faint smile. 

"Alpha Aziz, vegetable is good for you. I think you should eat healthy from now on," I let out mockingly with a spiteful look, pulling his plate of spaghetti closer to me. And the rest of the people at the table erupted in laughter.

"Alpha and Majel seem to be close, I wonder when and how they met?" One of them commented, and I scoffed internally. If only they knew what despicable thing he did to me. If only they knew their Alpha used me as a pawn for revenge. Though I couldn't do anything to get back at him, I was prepared to frustrate the life out of him, in whatever way I could.

After consuming, two plates of spaghetti and meatballs, I was extremely full and it felt as though I would explode at any time, furthermore, I felt the urge to puke. 

Glancing at Aziz who was still picking on his plate of vegetables, my lips curved into an evil smirk as an idea came to my head. And instead of going to puke in a bathroom or waste bin, I downed everything on Aziz's body.

"What the hell?" He stood up from his seat and growled, glaring daggers at me and everyone else except me followed suit as they trembled in fear. They knew how dangerous Aziz could get when he was angry, however, I was oblivious to that fact. 

"Alpha, you must not be angry at Majel. It normal for pregnant women to react that way after eating," Ashira spoke up and I nodded in agreement, putting on a pitiful font, whilst jubilating on the inside. And I watched Aziz leave the dining room and so did the others, leaving just Ashira and me.

"Majel," she called, taking a hold of my hand while patting it lightly. "I know you're upset over what Aziz did to you. It was wrong and I apologize on his behalf."

My lips curved into a small smile, as I stare at Ashira. She wasn't the one who wronged me, yet she was apologizing, while the one who wronged me, didn't bother to apologize.

 "It's okay Ashira. You don't have to apologize for someone else's sins," I retorted, still wearing my smile.

"I know Majel, but I feel the need to. I'll also make sure I do my best to make you feel at home and give you whatever you need," Ashira said while returning my smile.  I've only been here for a day and she already made me feel like I could count on her. 

She was already like a friend I never had. Thinking about it, my heart clenched and I sighed, not knowing how to reply her because I haven't decided if I was going to stay in Crystal-vale, I was only here because I had nowhere to go.

Seeing as I was quiet, Ashira got up from her seat, still holding my hand. "I think you should get some rest. We're having a function tomorrow and you need your strength."

...

The next day, I woke up glancing around to see if I was still in Crystal-vale or if everything that happened was a dream. Although part of me wanted it to be a dream, I was still a little bit happy that it wasn't. I didn't want to wake up and discover that I was still in the jade wolf pack, where I was treated like a slave by my mate.

Stretching my body, I lazily got out of bed, smiling to myself, not because I was happy but because it was the first time in a long time I was sleeping on a comfortable bed other than the cold floor.

Maybe this baby was a blessing to me, or probably a curse. I couldn't get my hopes up, because every time I do that, fate tends to prove me wrong...

Minutes later, I wore a black t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers after I freshen up, walking out of the room. "Good morning Majel," a girl who looked to be around my age or slightly older waved at me, as she stood in front of me.

Who are you? I asked her, although she looks somewhat familiar like I've seen her before...Oh, I remember; she was in the dining room the other night.

"I'm Vera, Aziz's second cousin," she retorted, smiling at me. While I nodded and said nothing to her. By hearing Aziz's name, I couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance inside. However, I returned her smile and started walking away and she followed suit, trailing beside me.

"Majel, I hope we can be friends. For some reason, I like you, probably because you puked on my cousin. That was so hilarious," Vera blabbered on excitedly. I have to say she has a very weird reason for wanting to be my friend, nonetheless, this was the first time anyone wanted to be my friend. Furthermore, if I was going to stay in crystal-vale for the time being, I needed to have allies and learn more about Crystal-vale. 

Vera and I ate breakfast together, before joining the others at the arena where the supposed function was going on. According to what Vera said, the function was a sort of event held so that the pack members could come together and have fun; they play different kinds of games. Flagball, hunting, and so on...

As I walked, I could feel people's eyes on me, probably because they didn't know me, and it made me shy. I was self-aware and not comfortable when people stare at me. Thankfully, Ashira came forward.

"Majel, it's a good thing you are here. Hope you slept well. Anyway, now that you're here, you can be on Alpha Aziz's team. There are five times in total... Team A-E and you're going to be in team A," she filled me in, pulling me to where Aziz stood with his beta, Kai and Liana.

The leaders of each team were very well-built and handsome, however, Aziz was the one who stood out the most among them.

"Alpha, Majel, and I will be on your team. vera, you and Liana will be on Kai's team," Ashira announced and Aziz turn to look at me, before turning back to Ashira. 

"No, she can't participate, she's pregnant," he retorted sternly and I scoffed inwardly, rolling my eyes. Although at first, I wasn't interested in the function, especially because I was going to team up with him, however hearing what he said made me enthusiastic. I wanted to oppose whatever he did or said.

"I'm going to participate," I announced, ignoring the angry stare he and Liana gave me after I said that. Liana gritted her teeth, looking as though she wanted to say something, but decided against it.

"Great, this is great. Alpha Aziz, I think we should start the game now," Said Ashira, as she held my hand.

For the first task, three members from each team were selected for a hunting game. And  Whichever team returns first with their catch was the winner. 

I, alongside Aziz and Ashira, was chosen to compete against Kai, vera, Liana, and nine others...

"Let the game begin," the host announced.

Aziz, Ashira, and I made our way into the forest, with Aziz in front of us, while Ashira and I walked behind. However, Ashira left us, saying she had to use the bathroom. And she never returned, making me think this was a setup, or why else would she leave in the middle of the game?

Throughout the walk, Aziz and I said nothing to each other, nonetheless when we came to a slightly dim path, with lots of trees and bushes, he turn to me and warned in a stern voice.

"Stay close, there are wide animals in this place."

One would think he was worried about me, but I knew that was far from the case. He only cared about the child I was carrying.  

Minutes later, Aziz and I stopped, abruptly when we heard a twig in the bushes. "Ssh!" Aziz put a finger on his lips while pulling me closer to him with his other hand.

Although I hated him, I didn't feel disgusted by being close to him or having him touch me. Rather, it felt strangely nice.

"I think there's something in between those bushes," He whispered while pointing at a particular spot, and I grabbed onto his arm,  hiding behind him. Who knew what fierce beast was there? Maybe a venomous snake, or something else...  I was beginning to regret my decision of coming here. And no matter how much I despised Aziz, at the moment, he was the only person who could protect me, because my wolf, Alfira vanished in thin air, and I couldn't feel her anymore. Maybe because of what happened, I don't know. However, what I knew was that I was like a mere human.

Meanwhile, Aziz brought out a dagger from God knows where, I wasn't paying attention because my mind was in a state of uproar, imagining different scenarios of wild animal attacks. However, what was in the bushes was something else. It was far different from my imagination. It was a...