1. The Accousted Dream

CHAPTER 1

PYRA's POV:

I was in the middle of an open forest, encircled by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. The moon cast an ethereal glow, illuminating the fog that spread around me, making it hard to see beyond two arm's length.

“Rhaella, my beautiful girl.” A gentle voice spoke behind me, and I veered sharply to the whimsical presence standing a few feet away from me.

His face was obscured, but that didn’t hide the crimson-red eyes that shimmered despite the fog that shrouded his face. But what was most prominent was his fiery red hair, so similar to mine, except a darker shade that moved in a synchronized manner like that of the calming ocean as the wind blew against it.

“W-who are you?” I stammered out.

My heart rate, which was once elevated, suddenly became calm in his presence. I felt my legs move on their own accord and got closer to the strange man.

“My pride, my Rhaella... Remember who you are.” He stretched his arms towards me, exposing a majestic tattoo which was a half-moon set on fire. It was seated perfectly on his left shoulder blade, which gleamed in the red moonlight.

I looked down at my shoulder and saw that my tattoos were the same as his.

My mind was heavy with a single word that escaped my mouth before I could stop it: “F-father!”

My hands reached out to touch him, eager to feel him, but when I was inches away from touching him, a sudden cold enveloped me as he faded into nothing.

But as quickly as the dream began, it vanished. I woke up with a jump, my red hair dripping wet, and my clothes clinging to my body.

I searched around, was disoriented, and came face-to-face with an empty bucket. The ice-cold water that had been poured over me seeped into my very bones, and I shivered.

“You dare sleep during working hours? Get up now, you lazy thing.” The headmistress barked, her voice stern and unforgiving as she glared at me. “Always sleeping and lodging around while others are working, you’re no better than a slave!”

I scrambled out of my wet bed, my heart racing as I tried to catch up with what was going on, staring around my room in confusion. “I’m sorry, mistress.”

“Sorry for yourself.” The headmistress's words were harsh as she spoke. “The pack warriors won’t feed themselves, mutt. Go serve them their food.”

I nodded, knowing it was unwise to disagree with her, and rushed out of my room, hurrying to the kitchen to get the warriors their meal which I presumed that the pack’s chefs must have finished cooking.

Grabbing the tray of food and cutleries, I hesitated a bit.

I dislike going to the warriors’ chambers. I did not like an encounter with them because of the simple fact that they hated my guts and thought themselves of a higher power than an ordinary omega like me. Which was true.

I swallowed saliva and mustered a little bit of courage before quickening my step. After all, the faster I serve them their meals, the earlier I leave there.

When I entered, all their attention was on me, never wavering. I shook as I walked towards the large table that sat in the center of the chamber, each warrior waiting on the chair for their meal.

“Good morning, Masters." I shakily dropped each of their meals on the table in front of them. “Please enjoy your meal.”

"A meal we’ve been waiting hours for? See! It’s cold and useless now, all because of your stupidity.” The leader of the warriors, Mr Conner hissed.

Without warning, a slap landed on my face as the now empty tray clattered to the ground, followed by my body. I looked up at him only to meet his hard glare.

I felt the roots of my hair being grabbed, and I sniffled a painful groan as I was dragged right back up. “What took you so long?” Mr. Connor growled, dragging me closer to him.

“I’m sorry, Masters. I woke up late and didn’t register the time. I humbly ask for your pardon.” I whimpered, my voice small.

Mr. Connor laughed along with the others. “Taking your beauty sleep? I see. Well, you do have your charm,” he smirked as he finally let go of my hair.

I dropped my head. “I’m sorry.”

"Oh, come on, beautiful," he whispered into my ears, suddenly grabbing me by my neck and squeezing a little too tight.

"Such a fragile and weak omega," he mocked.

"Look at her guys, so beautiful, and skin as translucent as glass. Your red hair complements your unusual beauty."

These words from Mr. Connor made me look into his eyes in fear, and his eyes were filled with desire. "If you weren't an omega, I would make you my bitch and mate."

"But too bad you're not my mate."

They all burst out laughing—all four of them. I could feel the cold chill run down my spine as their laugh went on.

My vision blurred as the tears fell from my eyes like waterfalls, but I was still able to see the unmistakable long scar that scales across Mr. Connor’s face, and his eyes were gleaming with cruelty.

A wicked smile played at the corners of his lips as he bent down, squatting to my level.

"Ple... please... I’m sorry. Just let me... go," I stammered, my voice barely above whisper.

"Oh, beautiful love," Mr. Connor cooed with his thick British accent. With two of his fingers, he slowly lifted my face to his, "Fine, I'll let you go... for now."

What? This was unusual. My heartbeat quickened with hope as I won't be leaving the chambers with no wounds

"I'll give you a ten-second head-start to get out of this place." He snickered. "We're warriors, and we live for the chase. So, start now, and don't let us catch you or else..."

The malice in his eyes told me that something worse would happen if I stayed back.

"Start running now,” he said, lifting his fingers. “One, two… seven." He knowingly skipped a few numbers.

I didn't waste any time, as this was my only chance, and I raced out of the warrior's chambers. But not before I heard them laugh and say, "So fragile, I can't wait to break her."

"Why did you let her go?"

"Don't worry, I have something big coming for her."

That's all I heard as I sped out.

I ignored the pain that shot through my body as I ran out of their chambers. I was so scared that I didn't stop there. I couldn't let them catch me. I ran down the rough terrain and the impact of my footsteps echoed all around. I ran to the back of the pack's kitchen, where I knew I was safe.

I took heavy breaths, my head was placed against the now-locked kitchen door. I knew I was in trouble if Mr. Connor ever sees me again.

The adrenaline pumping in my veins subsided.

"If it isn't the ginger freak herself."

My body chilled as I stopped breathing. I knew that mocking voice.

Oh no, not her. Not now

I turned and saw her smirking face with that sinister grin that looked so similar.

"Natalie," I whispered, my voice inaudible as my heart dropped.

It was her, the Alpha's current girlfriend. Her strawberry blond hair was in a tight bun, exposing her slim face and her pale long neck. She wore a beautiful summer dress that accentuated her immaculate shape.

I immediately dropped my head to the ground, looking at my feet. I knew better than to look into her eyes.

Natalie had always been my major bully, ever since I could remember. I never really understood why she hated me so much, but I always wondered if it was because of my features.

My red hair, pale skin, and bright crimson eyes made me stick out like a sore thumb, and the fact that I had never transformed into my wolf form made me a subject of their ridicule and prejudice.

And there was nothing I could do about it, I was alone with no one to turn to.

"So tell me, ginger. How was your time with the pack warriors?”

My eyes widened. Why was she asking me about that?

“Fine.”

Her smile immediately disappeared, replaced by scorn. "Refer to me by my title, you peasant. You seemed pretty bold today.”

I could feel her sudden anger spike up.

"But it doesn't matter. I don't have time for weaklings and an abomination like you to ruin my day. I wonder why the Alpha still lets you live," she said as she twirled with my hair.

Without warning, she pulled at my hair with a strong force making me screech loudly.

"Your stay in this pack is coming to an end, Pyra. When I become Luna soon, the first thing I'll do is kill you and throw your corpse to the wild wolves to devour. Someone as weak as you shouldn't even be alive or called a wolf. Freak."

With that, she tore a huge chunk of my red hair and spat at me. I screamed out in pain and struggled back, away from her, as the tears blurred my vision.

"Why are you trying to run? It's no use." She stepped forward, the chunk of my hair in her hand as her claws grew.

My heart hammered the closer she got, and I watched her eyes shift to the side. A second later, she huffed and walked away.

I wondered why she stopped and just left. It was unlike her to do so.

I stayed on the floor, nursing my scalp when the reason why Natalie had left came into proper view as my eyes widened.

It was him.

Alpha Maverick.