CHAPTER 1 - Transformed

Elora's POV

Silence reigned in the kitchen as I and mother got busy with cleaning and scrubbing the kitchen floor.

I could feel her gaze on me as I focused solely on getting the surface clean.

"So, about last night..." she began cautiously, dropping the rag in her hand to stand erect. Her eyes held a mixture of concern and curiosity.

An excited grin stretched across my face as I hurried to stand beside her, "At first Mother, it felt like nothing was going to happen and I started to lose hope not until the moon cast its warm glow on me and my insides suddenly became itchy.

The feeling was so surreal, that I had no choice but to surrender my body to do its own thing.

I felt my bones cracking with my body stretching and contorting in ways it shouldn't. I wanted to scream so badly but did my best to hold it back.

It was a terrifying situation but at the same time, it felt liberating, like I'm tapping into something primal"

Mother nudged me slightly, her face beaming with smiles, "My little girl, you are all grown up now. Look at you, getting your wolf transformation a few days after you turned 18. I'm curious to know what's going to happen next.

Perhaps, you will meet your mate and fall deeply in love with him" Mom teased me while wriggling her brows.

"Mom stop, it's embarrassing" I chortled.

"But it's the truth, Elora, you my sweetheart will soon be of age to start a family and I know you will do it just right, I just have the feeling"

Mom pulled me in a hug which I reciprocated to, smiling satisfactorily.

It didn't take long for our short mother-and-daughter session to be interrupted by the presence of another servant.

"Lady Katherine, the Alpha has requested everyone to gather in the meeting hall" the servant simply said and walked away as he entered.

Mother grabbed me, "Come Elora, we mustn't be late" she muttered, pulling me out of the kitchen and to the meeting hall.

We joined the remaining servants who were waiting in line. It didn't take long for Alpha Sage to show up with his bratty daughter, Sun trudging behind him like a lost toddler.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I didn't want to land in trouble this early morning. For as long as I can remember, I and Alpha Sage's daughter Sun have never been on good terms.

We were like rivals fighting for no reasonable cause. I could see her glaring at me from my position and did my best to ignore her.

The room was deathly quiet as Alpha Sage's deep voice reverberated around the space.

"As you all know, my precious Sun's birthday is near and this year being her 18th one, I have decided to make it very special.

I will host a feast with other packs in honor of my daughter's 18th year and so you all must prepare enthusiastically for that day"

I scoffed inwardly, Every year has always been celebrated in a big way, what makes this year special anyway?

"There should be no mistake, else you will not live to tell the tale. Dismissed" He announced as everyone scurried out of his presence.

I made my way back to the kitchen intending to complete my tasks with Mother when Sun suddenly bumped into me, a smug smirk dancing on her lips as she approached me.

"Bet you must be burning deep down out of jealousy Elora, you wish you were me, don't you?" Her snarky voice made me want to puke.

"What's your deal? Why do I need to be jealous of you, louse?" I retorted and she slapped me soundly.

I wanted to retaliate so badly but held it in for peace's sake.

"I heard you transformed last night and have been looking forward to hearing congratulatory messages from the pack to you but it is not forthcoming.

Poor thing, no one cares about you Elora, you know that right? It's courtesy of the fact that you are..."

"A slave? A bastard? A nobody? I get it nitwit, get off my hair already" I snapped and made to walk out on her but she grabbed my hands, keeping me in place.

"Good thing you know your place, Elora, just wait until I finally get my wolf. I promise, I will crush you with my bare hands" She threatened me through gritted teeth.

I forced my hand out of her grip, "Suit yourself, princess, if you don't mind, I have chores to do"

With that, I hurried away from her sight. Mother grabbed me immediately I entered the kitchen and examined the handprint on my face as a result of the slap.

"It must hurt dear, I hope you didn't do anything to put yourself into trouble"

"Relax Mom, I know well than to cross our psychopathic Alpha by laying a finger on his dumb, bratty daughter"

"Keep shut Elora, someone might hear you" she whispered, eyeing me warningly.

"What mother? It's no news that Alpha Sage is a sadist, a beast in the form of a wolf! What is he going to do to me? Torture me to death in one of his damned secret rooms or have me shipped to the humans for experiments?"

"Enough! Enough Elora, you mustn't do anything to get on the Alpha's bad side. You are no more a child, the moment he learns you have gotten your wolf, he will not hesitate to send you to those tournaments he organizes to entertain himself at the expense of your own life if you fail in your duties to this pack and his family at large.

We are mere Slaves Elora and our lives or say do not matter or count, so stay clear from trouble and by that, I mean his children" Her eyes watered, "I don't want to lose you"

"I understand Mother" I returned, kissed her cheeks while grabbing the mop stick beside her, and walked out of the kitchen.

I had just entered the storage room to continue my chores when I felt a presence behind me. Without whipping my head behind to check, I could already make out the identity of the intruder.

"Well isn't it the youngest slave of the pack, Elora Dawnson? I knew I would find you here" his annoying voice came but I refused to reply and continued cleaning like I was doing initially.

He moved to stand before me, blocking me entirely. I tried to move away from him but he too blocked me from leaving from the other side.

"What do you want Jaxon?" I breathed out in frustration.

"Are you not tired of this life Elora? Do you prefer to be called a slave for the rest of your life?"

"I'm not complaining about the title, I don't see how you are bothered by it. Please excuse me"

I tried to leave but he still made it impossible.

"I can make things better for you Elora, I can make your life more interesting and worth living. Just beg for it and I will grant it wholeheartedly" He said arrogantly, I scrunched my face in disgust.

Jaxon is Alpha Sage's heir. A 22-year-old with black hair and dark ice-cold eyes, just like his father's.

Growing up with the Alpha's children hasn't been rosy, with bratty Sun always trying to prove she was better than me and with Jaxon bullying the heck out of me alongside his friends, I wouldn't say I had the best childhood memories.

During my early teenage years, Jaxon had ripped off my clothes after he tied me to a tree so that his friends could watch my nakedness just for fun. I hated him with every fiber in me and I still do.

It was just until recently that he started to slowly warm up to me, telling me about the good things I was going to receive from him if only I agreed to be his mistress.

"I rather eat my shoes than have anything to do with you Jaxon" I spat with venom and pushed him out of my way.

"Come on, I wasn't done talking anyways" He yelled behind me but I ignored him and kept moving.

"Elora! Get back here you stupid slave" he tried to come after me, I increased my pace, hurrying away from his sight.

"You know what happens if you keep pretending not to hear me call slave. I will make you pay, trust me"

"To hell with you and your threats. To hell with all of you in this pack," I breathed out frustratingly, finally disappearing into the basement, in the small space I shared with my mother.