Chapter 2

“Happy birthday, Alex!” Layla greeted me with a wide grin on her face when I woke up. I smiled and said, “Thanks. Happy birthday too, Layla!”

She smiled while her eyes sparkled and hugged me. “Thanks. We’re finally 18!”

“Yeah.” I pulled away from the hug and pinched her nose. She pouted.

“Let’s get to cleaning.” She pouted more. “Can’t we have a day off?” she murmured lazily.

We got up, and I combed my messy hair, then put it in a bun again. My brown curly hair was so dry because I didn’t use any shampoo for a long time after they threw me in the barn. The other night, I dared to steal shampoo and conditioner from the packhouse because my hair was all tangled and frizzy.

I brought out the mop, rug, and a pail of water, then walked inside the packhouse to clean. They assigned Layla to clean the dining area while they assigned me to clean the whole living room and staircase. It was still early, so no one was up yet, and I’m glad. I hope they will get out after I finish.

But I was wrong. Jason came down from the stairs with a smug look on his face when he saw me.

“Hey, weird girl! Clean my room later!” I just nodded with no complaints. I’m tired of Jason’s bullsh*t.

“You’re disgusting. What a useless trash!” he said, mocking me with disgust. I gritted my teeth as I clenched the rug I was holding tightly while controlling myself not to talk back. I don’t want him to beat me again because I swear I will fight back and could no longer hold back myself. Also, I can’t risk my disguise being revealed just because of my pestered self. I just groaned in annoyance. How I wish I could wipe that irritating grin on his lips. I continued cleaning, not minding Jason. Gladly, he left into the kitchen, perhaps to get some coffee, which he did every morning.

About five minutes later, Alpha Rick gets down from the stairs and looks at me in distaste.

“We have guests tonight. I better not see any dust, understand, omega?” he said, and I nodded.

“Yes, Alpha...” I said in a submissive tone.

He said nothing back and left towards the dining area. I sighed and I can’t help but stare at him in contempt. I composed myself when I felt like my eyes were slowly glowing. All I could do right now is to let out a frustrated sigh. I am the real Alpha and not him, and also not Liza. I dreaded hiding the real me. But hiding is for my safety, anyway. I should find my mate today, no matter what. I’m finally 18, so I can do anything if I can find my mate that will protect me, and get me out of here. Well, I just hope he will.

I sighed as I finished mopping the floor, then walked to the staircase to clean the tiles and handrails.

“Disgusting.” someone spoke at the top of the stairs and it was Liza the b*tch. I ignored her and continued cleaning. “I better not see any dust b*tch because Alpha Azrael will come today, understand??” she said while raising an eyebrow and I just nodded to stop her from grumbling. She rolled her eyes and scoffed, then walked down the stairs. I also rolled my eyes in annoyance. Like father, like daughter. I hope she slips on the stairs.

“Ouch!” I looked at Liza when I heard her grunted. Did she slam her butt into the floor? My eyes widened. Did she slip? Pft.

“Are you laughing at me, b*tch?!” she said sternly and then stood up abruptly while glaring daggers at me.

“I-I didn’t!” I said.

But in a flash, she growled and attacked me. I winced in pain as I felt blood ooze in my arms because of her forceful grip, which her claws pressed into my skin. Then she slapped me multiple times. Damn, it hurts. I didn’t cry. I will not give her enough satisfaction. She slapped me again and again. I just grunted in pain. I want to fight back, but I can’t. And I can now taste the blood in my mouth. She kicked my stomach and yanked my hair, then punched my face multiple times, beating the hell out of me. I can feel my nose bleed, but I’m too numb to feel the pain anymore.

One last kick, I got slammed into the floor. I spit out some blood and grunted. Liza was breathing heavily in anger while looking at me in disgust. Then she left, mumbling something.

I sighed and got up to clean the blood that was scattered on the floor. My blood. I clenched my fist. One day, you’ll pay for this, Liza.

Once I finished cleaning, I went back to the barn to change my bloody clothes. My wounds quickly healed, which I already expected. Layla didn’t know that Liza bullied me, and I won’t let her see me beaten up badly. I went to the lake and stared into the water. I can’t take it anymore. I have to get out of this place. And I don’t care where I will go. This pack doesn’t welcome me, and I won’t force myself anymore.

I put my hair down and comb it using my fingers. I stayed for more than an hour in the lake, thinking about how my life had turned. Why do I have to be born different? Why not an ordinary wolf?

And I don’t understand why I have glowing golden-white fur. Yeah, my fur was glowing every time I shifted into my full wolf form. Even my eyes were weird. I have seen no one that had their eyes glowing brightly in the dark except me. Plus, I have a strong smell. And I can sense Layla walking towards my way, maybe she’s wondering why I am here again. I’m glad my wounds healed fast.

“Alex! There you are! I was looking for you everywhere! Did something happen?” she asked, a little anxious.

I fake a smile. “I’m just tired,” I said, and she looks at me with a sad expression.

She said, “You are sad. Do you remember them?” she was referring to my parents. I let out a sigh and nodded.

“I miss them so much,” I said, while staring into the water. She hummed and said, “I miss my parents, too. What would it be like if our parents were alive?” I just shrugged my shoulders. For sure, I am not in this hellhole.

“I’ve got some cookies,” Layla said while smiling, then gave me a pack of cookies.

“Where did you get this?” I asked while looking at the cookies.

“Beta Lucian gave it to me. He said it’s for us.” I nodded, then smiled. Did Beta Lucian remember our birthday?

“I heard there were visitors today coming from the rival pack. A rumor spread that they’re planning to unite the two packs. But I know for sure, there’s a hidden agreement.” I nodded in approval. I was thinking the same. The Shepherd’s Pack was our rival, since I can remember. I wonder why the sudden changes.

Layla and I stayed longer in the lake, talking about everything. I told her about my escape plan, though. She didn’t approve of my plan because she’s terrified of the consequences if we would get caught. I couldn’t blame her. She grew up scared of the entire pack, thinking they would eat her alive. But I couldn’t leave Layla here. She is my only family. So when that time comes, I will tell her about me. I will show her my wolf.

‘Are you sure?’ my wolf said.

‘I’m sure, Xandra.’ I replied.

‘What if she freaks out?’

I didn’t answer her. I don’t know for sure if I didn’t try.

“Come on, let’s go back to the barn,” Layla uttered, then stood up.

We walked to the barn while chatting a little, just nonsense though. When we reached the barn, we lay down on the nasty mattress and took a nap. An hour later, I feel uncomfortable. I sense a strong intoxicating scent and force around the packhouse. My heart is pounding in anticipation. The unfamiliar, intoxicating scent filled my nostrils, almost making me crazy. I walked out of the barn, careful not to wake Layla. I keep walking, trying to find that intoxicating scent. And I can feel it towards the packhouse, but I’m not allowed to go inside at this moment.

A minute later, a tall, handsome man approached me. Our gaze locked on each other. My wolf was hyperventilating and screaming inside me.

‘Mate. Mate. Mate.’

He is my mate. The tall, handsome man is my mate! He stared at my eyes while his eyebrows furrowed and then checked me out from head to toe. “Mate,” he uttered.

“Mate,” I uttered back.