Chapter 1: Courage and Stubbornness

Kayah's Point of View

A sigh escaped my mouth. Here we go again. Another torment of my life in the second level of hell for me. This place should be one of the safest for me but no. Just like home, this is also hell for me.

"Hey, did you hear the news?" I heard the murmurs of students while I was on my way to my class. 

"The palace announced our mating ball," one member of my pack replied, obviously excited.

"Yeah, I heard that too. And this time, the Alpha Rogue decided to join. And you know, this will be the first time for them to join the coming-of-age ceremony after a long feud between us. Oh my gosh, I’m so excited. I heard most of the rogue males are freaking hot!” I heard a series of squealing after that. 

“I wish one of them would be my mate. They are freaking hot!”

I didn't hear the rest of the conversation as I walked away from them, avoiding any female members of my pack. 

Rogue wolves are said to be ancient. They were stronger and bigger than the Pack wolves. Years ago, rogues and pack wolves used to have war until peace talks among the leaders commenced. This will be the first time the Rogues will be joining us. It has been rumored that the pack king murdered the Princess’s omega mate just to be engaged with the Rogue King’s younger brother. Their mating will be held on the next full moon and that would be five months from now. Everyone suspected that the king did it for political purposes. The king knew that the rogue could easily kill us if they wanted to.

"Hey Kaya," one of our pack members, Karen, an omega like me, called my attention. 

"What's up?" I asked her when I caught up with her. 

"Our Alpha told me to tell every omega to be at the pack house before seven. We will have a guest from the palace. And he wanted us to prepare. He also told me that he wanted you to come."

Ugh, this too. Why should I go? He knew I’ll be taking good care of mom tonight. 

"Okay. I’ll be there,” I said, smiling even though I don’t want to go. 

"Okay. Be there. You know what will happen to you if you don’t come ."

"I know. Bye.”

Karen was the last pack member who looked at me and my mom and the most blessed among us omegas. Not only was she mated to our Beta, but she also had the most beautiful wolf in our pack despite the age gap. After being bullied for years, now she’s in a safe hand and protected and the bullies diverted their eyes on me. 

Some jerk wolves would constantly bully and harass us omegas attending here led by my younger half-siblings, Bren and Blanche. 

Once upon a time, I used to be Dad’s princess, the Alpha. The thing was, the Alpha had chosen my mom as a chosen mate for he didn’t believe in fate. Mom was the opposite. She was waiting for her mate at that time. Since the Alpha was the head of the pack, and mom was too afraid to be kicked out of the pack, she was forced to with the alpha, and boom, I was born. 

At first, Dad was a loving father. He showered us with love and fancy things until his real mate arrived, a member of the neighboring pack, an Alpha’s daughter. To make my life short, Dad kicked Mom and me out and gave us a house far from the pack house. When my mom found her mate, she was rejected because of me. 

Due to shame and humiliation, Mom retorted to alcohol. She would hurt me, lash out on me, and even almost kill me. 

As for the new Luna, she hated me. Dad stopped caring for me because his love and attention were diverted to his real children.

I heaved a sigh.

I looked around and checked if my bullies were here. This must be my lucky day because no jerks around even the proprietor, and I got out of the university unscratched after class, and now I'm on my way to the pack house. 

Around five in the afternoon, the food was already being cooked. At seven, the guest arrived. In the extravagant dining area of the pack house, the food was ready, and it only took a couple of minutes before the door opened and a strong presence of visitors entered the area to eat along with the Alpha family.

“As the King has ordered, every wolf that will turn eighteen and mateless needs to attend the mating ball. The king invited the Rogues to attend. Failure to attend will face a punishment.” 

“Everyone?” the Luna asked before looking at me. 

“Everyone,” the messenger said. 

It didn’t take too long before the messenger left. 

Along with the omegas, we immediately clean the table. 

“Kayah, come to my office,” the luna said with a serious face. 

Oh no, I smell trouble.

As I closed her office door, I was greeted by a back slap while my so-called father was watching. 

“The likes of you are a shame to my pack. Don’t you try to go to the mating ball or you’ll regret it,” she said. “Nobody wants a wolfless like you, hell, be mated with you. There’s no one who would want the lowest omega for a mate. Moon Goddess has forsaken you!”

I rolled my eyes. I never really let myself be affected by her hurtful words. 

“Luna, I clearly heard the royal messenger say that every one that is eighteen and mateless needs to attend. And I believe I’m qualified to be there,” I said. 

“When I said, you can’t go, you can’t!”

“Amanda, stop it. Let her go,” my father said. 

“You’re dotting her, William! What the hell is wrong with you?” she screamed at his husband. 

“Did you hear the messenger? It’s mandatory. You can’t do anything about it. And besides I don’t want my pack to be punished just because you’re too insecure of Kayah. Goddess Amanda,” he said. 

“This is all your fault! If you just waited for me and didn’t choose a damn chosen mate, I wouldn’t be so paranoid!” 

“Amanda!” 

“Can’t you see? This bitch already turned eighteen and yet she hasn't shifted yet! She is a shame to you and our pack.”

“Enough!” Dad’s voice boomed and it made the Luna shut her mouth. 

Father looked at me, irritated.

“Get out!” He screamed. 

I didn’t wait for another slap and got myself out. 

That was too close.