1: Rejected damsel

Gianna’s POV

“That tray is for Gianna.” The head of the maids called glaring at me from the door.

I quickly went towards the tray that is filled with tall champagne glasses filled with amber liquid. I took deep breaths then started towards the door waiting for the head of the maids to move before I passed.

“And I dare you to do anything stupid.” She gritted in my ear as I passed.

I held the tray tightly as I walked further into the ballroom that is filled to the brim with men and women in all sorts of outfits. Some are funny while others are downright creepy.

It is a masquerade ball and everyone is allowed to dress like humans do during Halloween. That was what the Alpha Kings requested for their annual celebration taking place in our pack this year.

Every year, one pack is selected to throw an annual party for the Alpha Kings to appreciate their dedication and commitment to keeping the werewolf realm safe from other creatures.

Since I was born, it has never happened. Not once. And I am turning eighteen years old by midnight. I was looking forward to this day but it seems like they are hellbent on making it ugly for me.

“You’re the waitress today? Very fitting.” Blair grinned at me taking a glass from my tray though she had another in her hand.

“She is even wearing their uniform. Alpha Eliot is so mean.” Her best friend Olivia giggled while taking a glass with her.

“I told him to do so. We were short of waiters and who better to fit in than our dear freak?” Blair smirked then turned away from me.

I swallowed and continued making my rounds in the ballroom. The Alpha Kings will be coming later after midnight because they haven’t arrived at the pack yet. Heard they are on their way.

I don’t want Blair’s words to get to me but they did. She knows just how to push my buttons.

I used to be the Beta’s daughter before my parents died and the alpha, Eliot’s father took me in but after he died too, Eliot wasn’t having. I wasn’t his family so he sees no reason why he should take care of me.

I have to work in the pack house to earn my place there and other orphans were never treated like this. I know it has everything to do with Blair’s hatred for me as his girlfriend.

My tray was almost empty when someone suddenly screamed, “It’s midnight! Everyone, be at your best behavior. The Alpha King will be here any moment.”

A wave of excitement and anxiety rippled through the room as girls adjusted their gowns and hair. The three Alpha King (Kane, Klaus and Keith) are triplets known for their formidable reputation and ruthless nature.

Everyone knew better than to cross the leaders of all the werewolf realm that was why no one was allowed alcohol before they arrived. The entire pack has been warned for everyone’s good.

I looked down at my uniform in distaste. Alpha Eliot had told me I could dress up like everybody else for this event but at the last minute took my dress and told me I was going to serve like other waitresses.

I was so heartbroken because I was looking forward to being part of the party for the first time. Tears glistened in my eyes but I pushed them away when another thought crossed my mind.

It’s midnight. That means it’s my birthday. I’m eighteen years old today.

My birthday had arrived quietly lost in the chaos of the evening. The realization was bittersweet but before I could dwell on it, something odd caught my attention. I closed my eyes for a few seconds.

Then I inhaled deeply, my senses overwhelmed by a scent so intoxicating it made my head spin. It was warm, earthy and distinctly masculine yet there was sweetness that was almost captivating. And oddly familiar.

Drawn to it, I turned around tracing the scent through the crowded room. My eyes landed on Alpha Eliot standing beside the makeshift stage with some Elders.

He seemed engrossed in the conversation but as if feeling my gaze, his head snapped up, his eyes locking with mine with force that took my breath away. He has such beautiful soft eyes.

Then they flashed to another odd color I cannot pinpoint from this distance. I have always had a massive crush on Alpha Eliot even though he doesn’t see it. But right now with the intensity he was staring at me, I feel gooey inside me.

“Mate.” He growled out, the word echoing with the one in my head.

My heart skipped several beats at that, excitement filled my belly. Mates. Alpha Eliot is my MATE! The word reverberated through me a mixture of joy and disbelief. I swallowed trying to keep my happiness at bay.

I took a step forward, my hands trembling with the tray still clutched in them. Before I could get to him, Blair stepped forward, her nostrils flaring.

“Oops.” She sneered tilting her champagne glass and the remains splashed down the front of my uniform soaking it.

Shocked, I gasped and the tray I was holding slipped from my hands clashing to the floor with a loud clatter. Before I could react, Blair’s hands connected to my cheek, the slap resounding in my ears that it rang.

My head whipped to the side but Olivia was waiting to strike from the direction. Both sides of my cheek and ears sting from the painful burn. My vision blurred and I swayed for a second.

I was already malnourished and I did not eat earlier due to excitement for the evening only for it to be ruined by shoving a waitress uniform in my chest.

“How fucking dare you?!” Blair gritted out her expression livid.

“Enough,” Eliot’s voice cut through the air, commanding and final.

Blair and Olivia froze their eyes wide in shock as if they couldn’t believe he spoke to them that away. Well, everyone in the room is just as shocked. They have been in their toxic relationship for years.

On the other hand, something shifted in my chest. He is finally standing up for me because I am his mate. A small ghost smile tilted the edges of my lips despite the pain and tears on my face.

Eliot stepped forward, his eyes narrowed as he started circling me with an emotionless expression. He stopped in front of me, grabbing my jaw tight painful grip forcing me to look at him and I winced.

Tears rolled down my cheeks rapidly, a mix of pain and humiliation but his gaze was cold and unfeeling. The earlier flutter I felt in my stomach died an instant death at the look.

“You? My mate? What a fucking joke.” He chuckled darkly but the words were daggers straight to my heart, slicing it to pieces.

“Moon Goddess has a really wicked sense of humor, doesn’t she?” He asked the pack members who all affirmed his words with laughs of their own.

“Well, let’s make this easy for you little freak. I, Alpha Eliot Mahogany rejects you Gianna as my mate and luna.” He released my jaw then stared down at me.

A howl escaped my throat, sharp, raw and painful as I fell to my knees before him, my head bowed. It feels as though a part of my soul has been crushed. Just when I thought I couldn’t hurt more, he added.

“On another note,” he started his voice dripping with cruelty. “It would be a shame to waste such beauty, wouldn’t it? After all, you're not completely useless.”

He paused letting the words hang in the air like a dark cloud before he continued. “I think you’d make a fine addition to my harem collection. Without a wolf, you are useless to the pack so you might as well serve me in other ways. In my bed.”

My head swam at his words, my vision was getting blurrier by the second then I heard high heels clanging on the floor. Blair walked past me on the floor matching my hand in the process. I couldn’t cry out, the sound was trapped within me.

“Take her to the harem and get her cleaned. Dress her up because I’ll see her tonight. There is no need to waste time.” He ordered, his tone dismissive.

Two maids came forward and took me by my arms, I couldn’t fight them. I had no ounce of strength left in me. My eyes weakly moved towards Alpha Eliot as he held Blair in his arms then announced proudly to the room.

“Blair is my mate and luna. I want each and everyone of you to respect her like you would respect me.” Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Alpha Eliot leaned down to Blair’s neck which she had bared for him by tilting her head to watch me dragged away. She gave me a smile then moaned loud enough for me to hear across the room as he marked her.

That was the last thing I saw before I passed out as I was dragged out.