Chapter 1

Swara’s POV

“We can’t be together. Except you reject her,” my heart broke into a thousand pieces hearing those words from her mouth.

I transformed into my wolf form and ran to the deep forest so I could cry in solitude. I wasn’t crying because of what she said. But I knew his answer already.

He was nodding in acceptance to what she said.

“Rejecting her is the best thing to do. Her wolf is weak. She can’t be useful to you. Moreso, you love me more than you love her. You are only fated to her. Therefore, you think you owe her one. That’s where you are wrong.” I could still hear her voice in the distance.

FLASHBACK

Like every normal day, I awoke before dawn and resumed my usual routine. It was my duty to make sure the maids performed their duty while I took over kitchen duties. Father loves my cooking. But I think it’s fair enough for me to cook since that’s my only usefulness to my family.

It was mentally draining waking up early to supervise the stubborn maids. They had since lost respect for me but I try to keep them under control. I dare not report them to Father or else that further proves how useless I could be. To not manage the maids and command their respect was a foul shame. As for cooking, no matter how good the food tastes, my mum thinks the salt is either too much or the food is soggy. There’s nothing I can do perfectly – even cooking.

“Even your sister who has spent more time on the battlefield than in the kitchen can cook better than this,” my mum will lash at me.

Surely I was an adopted child even though it was clear Saloni and I were twins.

As the norm, I was brewing coffee for my family. They all like some cream. And a little more for Saloni.

I was barely finished when my dad snatched one from my hand. “You are too slow. I think I will have a cup before it turns cold.”

I said nothing as I brought their breakfast, accompanied by two maids to arrange and serve the dishes.

I served his portion and his eyes barely left the news he was watching on TV. I managed a smile but I got dismissed. “You’re obstructing my view. Get done with it already.”

I frowned and swallowed the pain I felt.

It was my birthday.

He had forgotten once again.

But at least, he could say thank you for breakfast.

Oh no, he didn’t but rather complained I had not added vegetables to his meal.

“Good morning, Daddy. How was your night?” I had been waiting for him to wish me. But that was never going to happen.

“Morning. Have you made your sister’s cabbage juice? She needs it for strength. She will be meeting with the court officials later today.”

My father spoke ruffly.

 That was a dismissal to go about blending some juice for her.

I came back with a cup for her. She grabbed it and gulped the whole thing.

“That was a bit bland. No strawberry this time?” Her saucy tone boiled my anger.

“Daughter, you’re a bit forgetful these days. That’s how you forgot to pack my clothes and left them drenched in the rain,” my father supported his daughter.

“I’m sorry Dad. I told the laundry maid to do that. But she called in sick.”

“Such lame excuse.” Saloni snapped at me.

Though a few minutes older, she looked way younger than me.

We were unidentical. She was the beauty and I was the best-looking sister. But my heart said differently.

I was kind. She was vicious and virile. Must be from years of fighting alongside Daddy. While I softened my heart with kitchen bowls and cooking utensils.

She is a tall and athletic daughter. I’ve got a tiny petite frame with green eyes.

Hers was icy blue with long curly hair.

My brown hair barely rested on my neck.

I was no better than her in beauty and accolades. But I made up for it with character and curves. Just like my mother who gave up the ghost years later.

Saloni was my father’s lookalike. I was mummy’s girl. I miss her.

I’ve got a step-mum who detested me.

“Saloni, here is your birthday gift.” Father kissed her hand and pulled her to himself for a warm embrace.

“I’m proud of you dear. That’s why I got you this pair of boots.”

They were fashion boots. I loved them.

I smiled hoping I’d get a gift too.

But it was then Father remembered he had not wished me.

“Swara, happy birthday to you too. Kindly help your sister wear her boots. I want to see how good she looks on them.”

I blinked back at the tears that were already pooling in my eyes.

“Thank you, Daddy. I love the boots. They are so pretty.” Saloni couldn’t hide her excitement as she screamed and did a shoulder dance. She looked cute when she did that. I could barely move my hips. I was that stiff. Just like a robot. Unlike my flexible twin sister.

I helped her wear her boots. “You look good in those, Sis.” I tried not to be jealous of her as I smiled dryly.

But she ignored me and turned to face our father.

“I can’t wait for my birthday party tonight Dad. Everyone is going to wish they were your daughter.”

“Stop screaming and let’s eat our breakfast in peace.” My stepmom quieted her.

She was hostile to everyone except my dad. But she couldn’t go so far as to bully Daddy’s favourite daughter. I was bullied.

“Let her be, my dear. It’s her day.” Alpha Miles intervened.

“Daddy thank you for everything. I love you.”

“I love you too, Saloni. You are more than ten sons to me.”

“I love you too Daddy.” I chipped in.

“I know you do,” was my dad’s curt response.

“Are you going to stand there or bring me the soup bowl?” My stepmom snagged.

I hurried to the refrigerator to honour her request. She scrunched her nose in disgust.

“Not this soup bowl. It’s the groundnut soup I need. Don’t provoke me this morning.” Kenzie, my stepmom was beginning to bark at me.

I was distraught and unhappy. Every morning, there was one thing or the other to shout at me for.

It’s been like this since the day I lost my mother at four.

And a part of me wishes to disappear into the woods or travel abroad.

But I’ve got no money.

Father hardly gives me pocket money. I only continue to enslave myself for this family and I’m given peanuts.

No one sees me. I’m left alone to nurse my pain.

As soon as they were done with breakfast, I was then allowed to eat my breakfast. I took what was left in the breakfast bowl like a dog scraping crumbs.

I was still eating when they left the house for pack duties, leaving me to enjoy my birthday in the kitchen.

As soon as Kenzie left (my stepmom was always the last person to step out of the house), I sneaked out of the house into the woods.

I had a cave as a hideout. I transformed into my wolf and set up a fireplace in the cave.

In the cave were a few books on military war strategies. They were my favourites from my father’s collection.

I loved to escape time by reading books.

Somehow, my mind disappeared into the thought of my dad’s powerful wolf form. It was large and distinctively red with dark blue eyes like Saloni’s. In his human form, my dad had green eyes like me. It had a grand physique and a terrifying frame.

My sister’s wolf was pure white like mine but bigger and more aggressive. Though it was smaller in size, her wolf was strong and beautiful.

Mine was weak but smart. My wolf was graceful and elegant. I wished she was as strong as my sister’s.

In earlier years, I practised martial arts and swordsmanship, but my wolf was no match for such rigour.

I did a lot of mind and body training, but Kalani remained weak.

I had seen a wolf therapist in secret using my little life savings. But that didn’t help either.

That therapist had been Alpha Bram, my fated mate. We kicked it off well in the beginning. He is my kindred spirit and the only comfort to the family rejection I face.

He is the reason I don’t give up training my wolf to be strong.

He gave me the idea of mental training.

He had told me to let Kalani be and advised me to resort to my father’s books on military war strategies.

I’m happy to have met Alpha Bram.

We were dating in secret so his family wouldn’t find out he was dating a she-wolf who was weak.

We had planned to make our relationship open when my wolf became strong.

Today being my birthday, he had written to me to expect his call. I couldn’t visit him whenever I liked else people would suspect. Only when he called for me did I go to see him.

In the cave, I had some makeup and a beautiful dress he had bought for me hidden among a pile of rocks.

I applied some blush and lined my lips to taste. I looked in my mirror and felt pretty. Alpha Bram made me feel beautiful.

I changed into the green maxi dress that complimented my green eyes.

Alpha Bram always called me his emerald queen.

I couldn’t agree less.

After waiting till dusk and he didn’t call me, I grew worried.

I picked up the phone and dialled his number. But he wasn’t picking which was unusual.

I got out of the cave and ran home before anyone grew suspicious.