01

Lesia Nika Shaw:

"You missed a spot, rat!"

A slipper hit my back, making me wince in pain. I immediately turned to find Olene glaring at me. Her disgusting stare made me want to claw at her face, scratching that unfit expression off her face because if there was anyone more deserving to wear such an expression, it was I.

Timea laughed out, her eyes gliding down my frame in feigned pity. She returned to the meal in front of her carefully taking a spoon from the sauce I had prepared, biting onto the chicken that I grilled, yet had no share of.

"Mother, you're too hard on her." She said and I'd rather fall off a train than believe she actually meant her words.

Olene turned to face her meal, pointing her finger at a spot when I could swear that she had just flung food at so I could suffer even more.

"Clean it." She ordered.

Timea shot me a mocking gaze before rolling her eyes at my clenched fists because she knew that I couldn't do anything about it. I wasn't that strong and neither was my wolf, Eudora.

I was ranked third to the weakest in my pack and from that day onwards, life hadn't been easy for me. I was ruthlessly teased and mocked, bullied and harassed by the other pack members that were within my age grade and slightly older. And Timea most times instigated it.

No one cared about the weak here, it was a case of the strong oppressing the weak and you either suck it up or run away from the pack and so far so good, not many people have been successful enough.

I didn't know much about myself except for the fact that nineteen years ago, I was found lying in a basket, in front of the pack. The blanket covering me had blood stains on it and tucked underneath me was a note which Greg, my foster dad, found when carried me up.

He never really told me what the note said, only endlessly ringing to me how I was unwanted and abandoned, emphasizing how I should show more gratitude to his family for giving me a home and pack to belong to.

His verbal abuse was very much tolerable when compared to that of his wife Olene. She was very beautiful woman with fiery red hair that sat on her shoulders in soft waves, her eyes a stormy grey, a pointed nose that led to rosey cupid lips that shone. She was a petite woman with looks that denied her age. But she couldn't have a child… or so she thought.

Funny how she wasn't always like this. When I was child, I could faintly remember her caring for me like I was her own. She'd brush my hair, read my bedtime stories… she did everything a mother would possibly do for a child. After being childless for close to five years after her union with Greg, I was the answer to her prayers and she treated me like that till she found out that she was carrying her own.

That was when my life turned a living hell. She neglected me, and as I grew older, turned into a witch. She couldn't stand the fact that I was smarter, prettier and more appealing than her daughter, Timea.

Timea was a complete replica of her mother, having the same fiery hair and grey eyes and whereas she was extremely beautiful, something about my raven locks, light hazel eyes, and velvety voice drove her jealous. To her, I shouldn't be worth looking at and it always puzzled me how I always got double the glances and attention she got.

It always irked her and she always did what she was best at, she contort some lies and sell it to her mother, who'd buy it and proceed to punish me. I couldn't remember the last time I ever got something new, it was always Timea's hand-me-downs. And they were always the ugly ones.

I was stopped from schooling with the excuse that Greg's income was not enough to sustain two kids in school which was a blant lie because Greg was the head guard, which meant his income was very much enough. Before I knew it, the basement became my room.

I was reduced to nothing but a mere slave in their eyes and Olene also made sure to spread her dislike to everyone around her. And as for Greg, he made sure to drive it into my skull how I should be thankful for Olene because she was the reason why I was adopted by them.

I never really understood the reason for their harsh treatment because all my life, all I had ever done were things that would please them. But somehow, Timea always stole credit for it, bullying me behind closed doors. To outsiders, she was a kind-hearted sweetheart but she didn't fool me.

I shook my head, bringing myself out of memory lane. I dragged the big bucket over to the foot stain, lowering my tired self to scrub the spot clean. Once I was done, I heaved the bucket, dragged it along as I left the dinning room.

I disposed off the water and rinsed out the bucket, dropping it off in the storage room before sneaking into the kitchen to pick up the leftover bread from breakfast that I had secretly hidden for myself. My foster family didn't exactly care about my feeding. Olene made sure to starve me, hoping to turn me into skin and bones.

I placed the bread in my apron and scurried off to the basement, heaving a sigh of relief once the door had been shut behind me. I was back in my safe space, finally ready to stuff the bread into my mouth when a loud knock on my door startled me.

"Father wants to see you." Timea called out from the other side.

"Can you give me a minute?" I asked.

"He wants to see you now." Her voice grew in hostility and I sighed.

I tucked the bread under my pillow then made my way to the door. I unlocked it, coming face to face with a bratty Timea. She began climbing upstairs and I followed behind her.

We walked in silence till I was finally in the living room where my father sat with hands clasped together. He pinned with scrutiny before looking away, shaking his head mildly.

He gestured for me to sit down, which I did and he began talking. "Since we found you, we haven't failed in giving a home, a pack and a surname and believe that deserves some compensation or don't you think so?"

My brows furrowed in confusion, "what do you–"

"The Lycan king of Crimson pack is looking for a woman to birth him a son and I think you're very much qualified for that role." He crossed his legs, gulping down a glass of whiskey.

I blinked at him, disliking the route this conversation was taking. He couldn't be implying what I think he was, could he?

"Father, I–"

He cut me of, silencing my words of protest, "you can save whatever you have to say because I'm only merely informing you of your new life. At least you were worth something. Pack your bags because tomorrow morning, I'm taking you to meet your new master."

I couldn't believe my ears. He openly admitting to selling me. Why would he do such a thing? I was a living being too and I had rights. I didn't deserve to have my rights snatched away from me like this.

"Father please, I beg you. I'd do anything but please don't send me off to him." I sank to my knees, letting the brimming tears fall. "Please… I don't want to live with him."

"Quiet child! It's not up for discussion, so wipe your annoying tears and quit your useless crying. If you refuse to do it, then you'll be disowned. I'm sure you'll enjoy living as a rogue." He sneered.

My mouth dropped open as he kicked me away from him, completely disregarding my urgent pleads.

The Lycan king, Maddox Slater, was one of the most feared beings in the werewolf realm. He was famous for his ruthlessness, bloodlust and terrifying nature. No one ever encountered him and still remained sane enough. He was cruel, unpredictable and very cunning. And rumored to be dangerously handsome as well.

I couldn't live with a such a person, I'd probably die in less than a month because rumors have it that he lacked patience and tolerance. I gulped, visibly shaken as I was already envisioning my grave.

"Leave my sight this instant." Greg snarled and I gently raised myself to my feet.

I was fed up of having people decide my fate. I wasn't going to let some abusive man decide my fate. My virginity belonged to my mate and no one else.

I was going to escape and travel to somewhere far away from these toxic hellhole. They didn't care about me and no matter what I did, they'd never care.

I ran back to my room, sliding down the door, letting the tears flood me. I was just some investment to them and I hated them all. I cleaned my tears away, standing from my pitiful possition on the floor as a newly found courage filled me.

If they were going to sell me, then they were going to have to catch me first. I immediately fished out my little backpack, throwing the few things that I felt would fit. I fetched the bread from underneath my pillow and threw it into my backpack.

I rushed into the bathroom, throwing off the dreary old gown I was putting on and quickly stepped into washed sweatpants, pulling the faded t-shirt over my hair.

I came out of the bathroom, anxiously sitting down on my bed. I just had to calm my frantic nerves and wait patiently for them to fall asleep. Once they're asleep, I could finally be free.

I paced around my room, biting on my nails, feeling my hands tremble. Eudora was awfully quiet as well. I rushed to my door, placing my ear against it, listening for any source of noise.

Usually, Timea and Olene went to bed immediately after dinner, something about beauty sleep. And Greg was always found passed out on the living room sofa after late night drinking.

Judging by the silence, I took it as my cue to leave. I grabbed my backpack, slinging over my back, quietly slipping out of my room door.

I climbed up the stairs, poking my head out to check if the coast was clear and sure enough, it was.

I moved as quickly as I could, stealthily tip-toing past the kitchen. I found Greg fast asleep on the couch and with a gulp, gently began slipping past him. I was already halfway across the room when I heard his voice call out, "and where do you think you're going?"

I immediately turned, visibly shaken up by the suddenness of his voice. Wasn't he supposed to be sleeping?

I couldn't say anything, I could only tremble as tears fell out of my eyes, at how menacing his aura had become. He eyes the backpack hanging over my shoulder and ground his teeth.

"No… please."

I wanted to melt into the door. He looked very terrifying right now as he approached me, ridding himself of his belt. I shook my head, tears falling down my cheeks because I knew what was coming for me.

"Please father, I beg of you…" I cried quietly.

He was going to beat me brutally.

"You stupid brat, after everything I did for you… this is how you want to repay me." He growled at me.

The belt made contact with my skin and I screamed in agony at the sharp pain that from the impact. I got knocked onto the floor, trying to shield myself as the belt hit me again and again. I scrambled away from him, trying to escape from him but he grabbed me by my hair, pulling me towards the table.

"You ungrateful bitch!" He screamed at me, slamming my head onto the edge of the table, making a sharp pain shoot to my brain.

"How fucking dare you?" He growled again, slamming my head into the table once more, making me gasp as a sharp pain set off in my ear.

I could feel blood trickling down my forehead as his voice suddenly became distorted. My breath echoed in my ear, my vision growing hazy. He threw me across the room with such force that sent my body colliding with a wall, making me hunch over.

I was gasping for breath, unable to move from the spot. My body was aching and I could feel my eyes getting heavy, the intensity of the pain becoming too much for me to handle.