Chapter 1

Amelia's POV.

For decades, my family has been known for producing Luna, Alpha, and Omegas. However, I am an exception. A beta born into Luna has no place in this cruel society. From childhood to now, I have been scorned by my fellow friends and the people in the pack. Even my own family detests me.

A beta born into the family of rulers is just a tight slap in the face—a shame. The people who have turned adults are finding their mates and enjoying their lives with their life partners, the ones whose destiny is tied to them. But I am the only one whose red thread was cut off the moment I came to this world.

I am an unlucky bastard whose character only defies to stay away from everyone, bask in their glory, and envy them. As the third daughter of the alpha and his Luna, I have no standing in society. Why do you ask? It's because I am a beta. If I were an Omega, things would have been different. But I am who I described earlier, a fricking Beta who's useless from everyone's perspective.

Now standing in the center as the pack meeting takes place, I am the topic of today's meeting. Everyone's eyes are on me, and as they mutter to each other, giving me those looks screaming pity, sympathy, and disgust, I know very well what's going to happen next.

“Amelia, do you accept the punishment?” The head of the pack, my father, asked me in a cold tone.

Do I have a choice? Last night, when I went to the river, I spotted two people making out in the dark. It's not a crime to make out with your lover, but that damn bastard shifted all the blame on me while he was acting all innocent as if I was the one forcing him when he was caught with my younger stepsister.

He is not from my pack. He belongs to the enemy pack. It's forbidden to even talk to the Alaska Werewolf Pack, so forget about having intimacy with them.

His lover, who is my dear cousin, ran away. Putting and shifting all the blame on me while being the fake eyewitness.

Even her lover supported her in this matter.

“Father! I didn't do anything. I wasn't the one who was with him last night. Please believe me,” I pleaded.

But my father showed no expression on his face. He was all cold towards me, his daughter as if he were ashamed of me. And he had already assumed only I can do such a shameful act.

“I am the head of the pack. How dare you call me father in this sacred meeting?” He scowls in anger, his eyes showing extreme bitterness and hatred.

“I am sorry, Mr. Basma. I am not guilty. The one to make out with him was never me to begin with, I can't accept this punishment,” I gathered all the courage I could at that moment and burst out, saying everything in one go.

Everyone started muttering once they heard my answer, showing extreme discomfort while eyeing me and giving that bastardly angry look. I know it's forbidden to have any relations with the enemy pack. I have always been an obedient child to my parents, never going against them and doing what they assigned me. But this is something I can't take the blame for myself.

My cousin, Arsha, was laughing in the corner while seeing me in a dangerous situation. She was enjoying every bit of it. She is the daughter of my father's brother. My uncle and aunt passed away in an accident ten years ago. So my parents adopted her because she was a Luna. She was given everything, my rights and happiness all belong to her. I was handed only the responsibilities.

She was laughing at my misery and decided to step in. “Sister, you shouldn't lie to our father. You know it's a crime to elope with the enemy pack. We all hate them. So how can you betray us,” she looked concerned and was almost on the verge of crying.

But I know damn well that she is laughing at me deep down.

I gritted my teeth in anger. If there's anyone I want to punch and beat in this whole world, it's her, Arsha.

“Don't act like you are innocent. It isn't me who has done wrong. It's you. You were the one with him yesterday. You set me up,” I shouted.

Things are out of control now, and I don't know how to contain the anger that has filled my heart for the last eighteen years.

Warm tears started pouring from Arsha's eyes, showing how much she was saddened and upset by my word. Father shifted to her side immediately and started comforting her by giving her light pats on the head.

The buried feelings started surfacing in my heart. Seeing my father comfort his adopted daughter made me realize my place in this family was nowhere.

I held back my almost-pouring tears and calmed my racing heart. They showed me what's worth and how little I matter to them. I know what to do now.

“I accept...” I shouted at the top of my lungs.

Everyone's attention shifted to me once again.

“What did you say?” Father asked to confirm one last time.

“I accept the punishment. I will leave this pack now and right here,” I said, mustering up all my courage.

But once those words made their debut in the real world, I felt like my whole world came crashing down. A big piece of my heart felt like it was tearing down. It was the worst feeling ever.

My brother, mother, and the whole village watched me as I picked up the suitcase from the ground, which had been thrown to the ground earlier.

It's hard to keep my tears from falling out. I never felt this miserable before.

Throwing me out of this village, wasn't this what they always wanted? Yeah, I was always a nuisance to them. So it's just right for them to get rid of me.

Everyone watched as I left the village. I want to look back and see if they are crying for me, want to stop me, or not. But I had no courage at this point. I had already seen it all earlier. They won't stop me.

I purposely slow my pace, still having the last straw of strength and hope that my father or mother might call out for me and tell me to stop and revoke the decision.

But it was a waste to wait for their affection to come to me. It never came, and justice was never served. My throat became dry, filled with emotion that one more word and I might start crying a river.

I held myself up and walked away. Right now, I am homeless. I have no money, no food, nothing. Where should I go next? What should I do from now on? I know nothing.

I don't know. I have no idea what I want. My only option is to travel until I reach a village or a small tribe, get shelter there for the time being, and then continue to travel again.

I am banned from returning to my family or my village. They have kicked me out already.

“Hahaha! I was such a fool to think they loved me. I was wrong to think they were my family,” I finally gave up holding back, laughing and crying at the same time. My chest was all heavy, ready to throw away everything, even the heart.

Village Mirak was built in the deep forest, surrounded by both land and water, the only place that can be called deadly and safe. I was once a member of that village. But now, I am a nobody.

Somehow, I pulled myself back and continued to climb down the hill carefully. I have never stepped out of the village before, and today is my first time. So I am both nervous and scared. The road going downhill is bumpy, filled with small and big rocks, and the mountains stood steadily in one place. It gave me a sense of security somehow.

But once I watched the sky, my mind became blank again. The dark gray clouds formed in the bright sky, the sun hiding behind the only white clouds, and the thundering sound indicated that maybe it was pouring dogs and cats somewhere. I felt my heart becoming gloomy and dark again.

But I continued to walk down anyhow.

It took me more than five hours to climb down the mountain. As a beginner, I felt a little proud. Two big mountains standing like some angry gramps before me, I finally made my way out from in between.

It was a bumpy road ahead of me, one that could handle carriages and horses. As I was tired and proud that I had succeeded in leaving the village, I didn't notice the carriage that was heading my way.

My mind was so busy with otherworldly thoughts that I failed to hear the callings of a stranger, and damn, the carriage hit me.

I flew in the air and hit my head on the nearest rock. I, Amelia, lost consciousness on my first day in the real, strange world.

But even in my subconscious, I heard someone talking.

“My lord, we hit someone.”

“What are you waiting for here, then? Get down and see if she is okay or not.”