FIRST CHAPTER

As I joyfully awoke and made my way to my vanity area, the hands of the clock ticked, indicating that it was now 9 in the evening. I took a seat and I could not help but gaze at myself in the mirror until my hazel blue eyes landed on my face while I brushed my fingers through my waist lengthy sandy blond hair.

It is now finally the mating ball where everyone has a chance to find their mate- and I was so excited to wear my long gold gown hanging on the wall. It was adorned with fake diamonds which shone brightly whenever they hit the light.

But sadness visited my face as I remembered my mom who passed away many years ago. According to my aunt, my mother left this sophisticated gold gown for me for the mating ball. I touched it gently as if I were touching my mom. My aunt said she died in a mysterious way and protected me while my father was killed by a mysterious Alpha. 

As I put on my gown, I stared at myself but something was missing. Damn! The necklace that my childhood friend named Matthew is the one I forgot to wear. When I took the necklace out of my cabinet, I grinned since it was the ideal complement to the elegance of my gown. Time flies so fast that I forgot that I have a friend like him. Unfortunately, he just left without giving any reason.

I caressed the pendant while I reminisced about the times of us being happy together playing in the Enchanted Garden where we first met. And until this very moment, I'm still missing him and wish he were here. 

"Please wear this every day as it will serve as my reminder that I am always at your side! Please do not let others steal this from you!"

These words that he said will be forever instilled in my heart and I'll never forget his rakish smile while he was putting the necklace on my neck.

I can still remember my aunt telling me that I had to give her the pendant in order to pay off the debts that my parents had left behind, but I protested and said that I would sooner work as a slave for her family than give the most priceless gift that Matthew had given me.

The memory of them berating me in the past while trying to take my pendant by force is still vivid, but I have kept my commitment to Matthew to this day. 

My aunt, along with her family, is not really related to me. They just adopted me and turned me into a slave when my parents died. It's quite challenging to live without parents, siblings, or close friends.

I often experienced being bullied by the high-ranking members of the pack who are mocking and laughing at me every day and those harsh words they said have crushed my heart multiple times. It seems that the world is my enemy. Omega she-wolfs like me have been denied so many possibilities in life that I was unable to enroll in wolf school, where I could have learned more about the history, culture, and agriculture of our pack—a luxury only granted to the most powerful wolves.

I only learned how to read and write when Matthew was still with me— and now that he's gone, I no longer found education interesting.

Only the housework and errands for them are the only things my aunt trains me to do. And I simply occupy the backyard, which is close to the trash.

I clenched the knob, but I couldn't find the courage to twist it. I debated going because I suddenly got the feeling that something bad would happen to me. Before I left, I closed my eyes and asked for my mother's guidance.

"Please, I don't know what lies ahead, but the time has come for me to find my fated mate and he will be my knight in shining armor who can protect me from the hands of those who mock me!"

As I stepped outside, creepy noises were common and made worse by the fierce wind and ominous thunder. I just hoped it wouldn't turn into a snowstorm. Taking a deep breath, I slowly dragged my feet outside. I touched the smooth wooden railing with my fingertips and turned my gaze to the road. The only discernable light was the moon shining above the sky.

I walked at a brisk pace and I made it clear to myself that I needed to attend the mating ball and meet my fated mate.

I quickly made it into the enormous mansion where the mating ball was taking place.

I'd never been inside the mansion before, but as soon as I stepped inside, the aroma of food welcomed me. When I looked around, I noticed that there were many people present and the mansion was well-lit by chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. They are all conversing with one another while holding a glass of wine.

With their elegant attire and pricey accessories like handbags, watches, and necklaces, the entire crowd gave off an upscale impression. As soon as the music began, I noticed that some of the attendees began to smile. I cannot hide the fact that I can only brag about my necklace as part of the crowd and not myself. I considerably belong to the lowest rank so I know where to put myself.

Each rank had its own allotted table, but someone like me lingered in a corner by myself, roaming my eyes around and looking for someone I might know.

In the middle of my search, someone tapped my back. I turned around and my eyes widened in shock when I saw my old friend, Cindy. She is a daughter of the Lexwell family— one of the most wealthy in the pack and my only friend in the entire pack. I looked at her from head to toe and she was so gorgeous in her long red gown with a butterfly necklace to match.