CHAPTER 8

I was curled up on the cold floor after my father left. I remained in that position until dawn and the creaking of my door brought me back to full consciousness. I crawled on my stomach to stare fully at it as it cracked open and Derek sauntered in.

He was dressed in the ceremony regalia, a navy blue Armani suit, and looking all ready for the handover.

I stood up while he stared at me with a mocking gaze, "I see you took my words lightly." He cackled.

"You put my father up to this, didn't you?" My teeth gritted as I asked.

I'm pretty sure my father wouldn't want anything more in the world than my inexistence. Yes, he hates me to that extent. And I had no doubt Derek was involved in his sudden contradiction.

"It doesn't matter. I hope now you have accepted that you can never leave the pack under my watch?"

"I'm old enough to leave if I want to, I do not need even your permission." I tried to remain confident.

Derek scoffed, "you can keep trying if you want, but you should know that greater punishment comes with every attempt. Worse than you can imagine."

"Why exactly am I here, Derek? Why do you keep me here? No one loves me, you tell me every time how worthless I am to you but for some reason, you don't want me to leave?"

"I told you already, Omega. You are my pleasure slave. Do you have an idea what I went through last night because of your obstinance? It was the fucking full moon," he grumbled the last part. "I should never have left you."

"How is that my fault? It was you who rejected me." I said. Knowing that he at least tasted some sort of pain or disturbance, gladdened me. Although it was nothing compared to how much pain I had endured from him, it was a little relieving to hear of his discomfort.

My own little way of torturing him.

"Do you wish I hadn't?"

"Ew, never! Do you think I'd ever want to have a mate like you? I'd rather die and burn in hell!"

He balled his fist hard and I perceived he was holding back from hitting me, trying to contain his anger.

"Liar!" He groaned, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"I don't care what you believe. If I ever get a second chance mate and it turns out to be you again, I would kill myself--

"Stop!" He fumed. "You're just an Omega, how dare you think you have the right to reject me?"

"It takes two to become mate."

"I see you grew a sharp tongue overnight, we should work on that first," he smirked, "guards!" He called and two guards burst through the door.

"Looks like Ellen here is interested in joining the servers today, make it happen and keep close supervision on her. Whip her if you have to but make sure she doesn't stop working until everyone leaves."

I glared at him, refusing to give him the emotion he wanted out of me.

"Try to escape from me again, and I'll make you wish you had killed yourself when you had the chance."

He jerk his jacket closer and stormed out.

I was taken to my room and left to freshen up, and change into the servers' wear before I was escorted to the kitchen; a guard closely keeping watch on me. I was handed over to Paula and after the guard talked to her, she placed me on overnight duty as a punishment for arriving late.

I wasn't surprised, knowing she felt no less about me.

"Don't stand there looking gormless, pick that wine tray and take it to the hall before I pluck out your eyeballs!" Paula scolded and I quickly set to work. "And you better not make any mistakes."

I picked up the proffered tray as carefully as I could and sauntered out of the kitchen, down the narrow hallway, and to the staircase.

Descending as carefully as I could, I arrived at the banquet hall where the ceremony was taking place. The hall was already filled, the atmosphere occupied with curt noises. I noticed Derek hadn't arrived yet, and neither had his father so I knew the event was yet to commence.

The large banquet hall was exquisitely designed with marble and soft music from a live band glorified the atmosphere.

The different colors and styles of ball gowns and dresses from the ladies added more brightness to the hall, while the men in designer suits and tuxes complimented them.

Alphas, Betas, Lunas, and other top powerful wolves were present to grace the event, I recognized a few. Some with their mates.

Ladies gathered in groups, interacting and grinning. Everyone seemed excited except me. I felt totally empty and incomplete, like a cold barren cell.

Mixing with the other servers and offering the tray to whoever called, I couldn't help checking out the handwork of Natalie, me, and a few other workers in the hotel. We had spent hours making everything ready for today.

If Natalie had been around, I wondered if I would even be here to witness this event.

"Psst!" A lady from a group signaled to me and I walked towards them.

"You know gamma Luke was totally checking you out!" One of the ladies said to another.

I rolled my eyes when I got to them, the gossip being something I was used to but never engaged in.

"You think so," another, with a makeover too heavy for her face, said bashfully. Tucking an imaginary strand of hair behind her ear.

I cleared my throat, announcing my presence again.

"Yes, I saw it too. Oh, I just wish I would find my mate among the Alphas. Alpha Drew, hopefully." The slimmest one dreamed.

"While you all are only interested in finding your mates, all I want to see is Alpha Ace. Oh gosh, I can't wait to meet him. I'll totally make him notice me!" The last girl fanned herself dramatically.

"Alpha Ace will be here?! How do you know that?"

"I heard my father discussing it with the elders. And I've never been more excited all my life."

"Do you even know what he looks like? I heard he's mean but so hot, I doubt he's any match for Derek! Derek is the hottest!"

I almost puked on myself hearing her describe Derek. Hot? That bastard? She must be blind. Anything living was hotter than that prick!

Aggressively, I cleared my throat again, finally gaining their attention.

"I have other guests waiting to be served if you young misses do not mind." I put on my falsest smile when they simultaneously glared at me. They each picked a glass of wine and returned to their discussion.

The whole event already put me off. All I wanted to do was return to my miserable room and sleep my misery off. I was on my third tray when the event fully started, the crowd got even thicker and the shadow pack leaders arrived.

Seeing Derek's face and hearing his voice as he welcomed the guests, worsened my condition. I wished to be anywhere but here.

Anywhere at all.

My lips remained flattened into a smile as I mixed into the crowd, serving as many guests that called out to me.

I glanced back and noticed the guard Derek had placed to watch me, staring squarely at me like I was his sole focus in life. I rolled my eyes and started to turn back when I bumped into someone, the wolf's dignified outfit immediately got soaked with the red liquid before the glasses came crashing to the floor.

A gasp tore out of my lips, a pang of fear enveloping me when I recognized who I had bumped into and even louder when I realized I was now the center of attraction in the hall.

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