Chapter 1 Runt of the Pack

VIOLET

“Why not just do the world a favor and die, you ugly bitch!”

If I could count the amount of times I had been told that, I’d probably get tired at some point and just call it quits. It was something that all my pack members had never hesitated to repeat over and over again.

 The man who had pushed me to the wall sent me an ugly sneer before letting out a huff and walking away. I was supposed to have been used to such treatment by now. I shouldn’t be affected by it anymore. Still…I couldn’t fight back the tears that spilled down my cheek.

I bit my lip, lowering my head and walking up the flight of stairs. I kept my head down till I reached my room; no point in angering any more pack members. I was lucky to be done with all my work for the day.

The main house was already clean and all the house chores had been done. When I shut the door of my room behind me, I let out a sigh I never knew I’d been holding. My whole body ached from working all morning. The sun was already setting when I looked out the window.

My room was a calmer term for the broom closet. I’d changed it into a make-shift room. It wasn’t all that small if you squint really hard. It was near the toilet so it was near impossible to ignore the horrible stench that filled the room whenever someone used the toilet.

I let myself fall back on the mattress, a sigh escaping my lips as I did. I tried to push back all the thoughts that threatened to surface. My life up until this point wasn’t really much to talk about. Except for the bullying and torture that I’d faced at the hands of my pack, West Creak Pack. It was a really big pack that held esteem over all the other packs.

To the outside world, they were a pack that cared about the wellbeing of their pack members and always did their best to make sure that everybody was alright. That was only a lie though. Behind closed doors, they were a pack of hungry wolves that devoured the weak without a single sliver of remorse. Unfortunately, I fell under the bracket of the weak.

I had lost my mother at birth. My father had fled, abandoning me without a single thought. That was the day my suffering started. It had continued till now. I shook my head, trying to push out all the thoughts that threatened to surface and consume me completely.

Today was the day of the mating ceremony. The mating ceremony was always held on the last full moon of the year. It seemed it had come far sooner than I had initially anticipated. My heart beat sped up at the thought of finally finding a mate. I tried to push back my excitement.

For years now, I’d held onto the hope that I could finally find the one who was meant for me; my mate. Every year, the hope would be dashed as I ended up being the one left behind. It only added to the mockery I faced at the hands of my pack members. They liked seeing me tormented each year.

Not anymore.

“It’ll be different this time around. I might finally find my mate. This time could be different.” I said, trying to convince myself more than anything.

 It seemed like an impossible dream but I knew I had to hold onto the hope.  What would be the point of giving up so easily?

I took in a deep breath and got up from the bed. I grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom, making sure to scrub myself clean. Once I was done with my shower, I made my way out of the bathroom.

I made my way to the small makeshift closet I had and rummaged it for what to wear. I pulled out the only presentable gown I had and put it on. It was a baby pink gown that was just barely that went all the way to my ankles. It wasn't a perfect fit but it would do.

Once I was done with that and satisfied with my appearance, I made my way downstairs and outside the house where the mating ceremony would take place.

It had been beautifully decorated with various lights and steamers strung to give the venue an aesthetic and pleasing vibe. I stood in a corner and bopped my head to the low beat of the music.

There were already so many people here and I didn't really feel like interacting with them.

“Yes. I, Liana Frey, accept you as my mate.” I turned my head just in time to see a girl pull her newly found mate into a hug.

My heart ached as the thought of never finding my mate crossed my mind. Was I forever doomed to never find my mate?

” Esteemed members of West Creak Pack.”

I raised my head to see the Alpha of the pack addressing everyone. Tristan Black was the Alpha of the pack and the embodiment of Adonis himself. As far as beauty was concerned, he had the body and face of a Greek God.

“In this mating ceremony, may the goddess bless us with our other half.”

Everybody clapped and cheered at his words. I found myself clapping too, unable to take my eyes away from him.

All of a sudden, it felt like the whole world stopped. All I could see and hear was him. He had turned in my direction as well, unable to take his eyes off me.

I didn't realize when I slowly started making my way towards him. I stopped when I was just a few feet away from him.

Mate

My wolf wouldn't stop howling the word in my ears. This was it. I had finally found my mate at long last.

I didn't expect the next words that left his mouth.

“I, Tristan Black, reject you as my mate.”