Chapter 1 Violet an Introduction 

I am Violet Wilson, a petite young woman with lovely doe-like brown eyes, like my late biological mother. Truly a beauty underneath my dirt-stained cheeks and timid disposition. Today I have reached an age to have the opportunity of finding my mate. 

I've been part of the pack my father is a member of for six of those eighteen years of existence. The pack was run differently as they held slaves that did most of the work. Like me, some were bastard children. Others were outcasts from other packs around the area. 

The pack Alpha, Frank was a cruel man I was told as were most of the Alphas surrounding the areas. 

The last several years have been heart-wrenching and back-breaking. I don't feel downtrodden because I didn't always have a pitiful existence. My real mother, bless her soul, had treated me with kindness and love before she was murdered by a rogue wolf pack. Afterward, I was sent to my father Daniel. 

My mother, I discovered, was one of several of Daniel's mistresses. I was labeled a bastard and considered an ink stain on the pristine standards my stepmother Isabella had regarding her family. Isabella made certain to make my daily life a living hell and reminded me continually how much of a worthless creature I was.

Isabella acted like allowing me to remain as their family servant was a gift to me. Persevering through it, I worked my thin fingers to the bone to prove my worth but no matter how much I did I was frowned upon. 

My small wolf was very timid and hid within my subconscious, only speaking to me if I coaxed her to. I was given the attic for my room. A single two-inch mattress on the bare floor with a threadbare blanket as my bed. I didn't get a pillow and used my folded arms or waded clothes as one. My bathroom was a five-gallon bucket I was responsible for dumping and cleaning. If I wish to shower I have to head to the lake within the forest. Slaves didn't get the luxuries of running water or plumbing of any kind. I have only ever left the house to bathe when I had the time. My life has been a prisoner of sorts within my parent's home. My only knowledge of the outside world is from my youth.

Waking from my small drafty attic room I donned my required work outfit and stepped quietly down the back stairs to the kitchen to start preparing the breakfast my family demanded every morning.

Humming happy birthday to myself, I didn't hear Isabella and Jack entering the kitchen ready for their morning meal. Jack, my stepbrother was getting wed to the Alpha's daughter, and my stepmother Isabella was elated. Eyeing the pair and strengthening my resolve I began putting pans onto the stove to prepare their breakfast. I was an accomplished cook and prepared all of my dishes to perfection and made sure the eggs had the yolks slightly runny for my overbearing stepbrother.

 After buttering toast and pouring cups of coffee I brought the plates before the pair that were eyeing me cruelly. Jack began digging in then dropped his fork.

"What is this garbage? You're just a worthless bastard bitch that still can't cook a simple fucking egg properly," he growled and threw his plate against the wall. 

It shattered against the wall causing a loud sound to echo through the house. 

I looked up toward the ceiling waiting to see if my hungover father would come storming down the stairs. Tuning out my stepmother berating me on the overcooked yolk. I knew it was all bullshit and glared at Isabella.

"How dare you lay your eyes upon my person," Isabella snapped, causing me to wince and lower my eyes. I returned quickly to clean up the mess my brother had made. I swallowed nervously and asked Jack if he wanted me to prepare him another.

"I'd rather eat the pig's slop," he growled and sipped his coffee. My father came into the kitchen asking what all the ruckus was about and the pair pointed at me. Daniel grunted in annoyance and got his cup of coffee.

 As I continued cleaning I overheard my stepmother talking about Jack's engagement with the Alpha's daughter, Rose, and a banquet that would be held in the next few days at the house. She was going to invite several of the Alphas from the neighboring packs. I felt eyes on my back and Isabella grimaced.

"You will have no dinner tonight and I might report your insolence to the Alpha and have you thrown out of the pack. Then perhaps you will be torn apart like your whore mother," she said chipperly. I bit my tongue as I continued scrubbing the egg yolk off the wall. 

"You need to dust and clean all of the guest rooms, Violet. I'm expecting guests to start arriving for the celebration of my dear son's wedding tomorrow evening. So you must begin immediately," Isabella told me firmly.

 Exhaling deeply, I simply nodded. Although exhausting, I knew if I failed they would send me to the pack house where I would lose my identity and become nothing more than a number.

 After cleaning up in the kitchen I hurried up the stairs and began cleaning the guest rooms. With a rag in hand, I dusted and swept the floor in each room making sure each was up to my stepmother's high standards. When I began removing bedding I spied Jack watching me with narrowed eyes. He always followed me around giving me the creeps.

 This time was no different. The feeling of uneasiness at the way his eyes lingered down my form made me nauseated. I covered myself with the dirty linens as I carried them down to the laundry. I looked at the clock and realized that it was already time to begin dinner. 

I huffed as I rushed the linens to the basement to start a load. Returning to the kitchen I washed my hands and brought out the chops to season. Wiping my brow with the back of my hand I felt eyes on me once again and glanced over my shoulder to see Jack once again eyeing me oddly. I inhaled sharply and leaned over for the potatoes and felt a presence at my back. I stood quickly and felt my stepbrother press at my back.

"You reek, you should probably go to the lake and clean yourself," he growls and I nod and thank him.

"I will go tonight or tomorrow," I mumbled softly and felt him walk away. I relaxed and washed and peeled the potatoes before starting them to boil. 

Checking the time once again I saw the washing should be done and rushed down to the basement once again to hang them outdoors to dry. I figured I'd have enough time before dinner was finished in the oven and hurried outdoors with my bag of clothespins. Returning to the kitchen I prepared plates for my family and stood off to the side as they ate. My stomach rumbled in hunger but I ignored it as my stepmother started to speak.

"A banquet is to be held for the wedding, you being what you are will remain within the kitchen preparing food and unseen. You don't exist being the bastard that you are. Your father and I have also decided that you should be sent to the pack house. If you do well perhaps I can ask the Alpha to let you become Jack's servant," Isabella told me with a sneer. 

I swallowed hard and glanced at my stepbrother grinning then at my father as he frowned, drinking his beer. My eyes began to fill with moisture. I didn't say anything and just lowered my eyes as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Happy Birthday to me," I mumble to myself.