Chapter~2

IRIS 

The happiness on my face disappeared when I noticed my stepfather standing at the door with a whip. I gulped hard as I approached him. I knew the whip was for me but what I didn't know was my offense. 

"Good afternoon, sir." I greeted him and made to walk past him but the glare on his face was enough to make me rethink that action. 

I wondered what Lyra had said this time to make him look that angry. 

"What's your mission, Iris? Haven't you taken enough from me and now, you want to take from my daughter?" He said through gritted teeth and fire-blazing eyes. 

What was he talking about? 

"I'm sorry, sir." Trying to ask questions would only make things worse, I learned this the hard way over the years. I bowed my head, my eyes meeting the ground. I dared not look into his face. The next thing I felt was a lash on my arms. I instinctively moved away from him, holding my arm. 

"Now, Iris, let me give you a warning. Stay away from Alpha Fenrir. He belongs to my daughter. A lowlife like you should never be seen speaking with him, understood?" 

"Yes, sir," I replied quickly to ease his pride. I heard some kids laughing from a distance. Even if my stepfather was killing me, none of them would intervene. I sometimes wonder how people could be so inhumane to their fellow kind. I went straight to Lyra's room and picked her clothes, washed and sundried them before proceeding to clean the house. I made dinner and had mine only after they had finished eating. 

I planned on making them pay badly for all the harsh treatment they've been showing me. When I become Luna, I will make sure they and their generation suffer for eternity. 

When I was done with my night chores, I decided to hit my room, and see if I could read a little before being overwhelmed by sleep. On my way to my room, I met Lyra standing in the hallway, obviously waiting for me. I wanted to ignore her drama but that became impossible when she stood in my way. I rolled my eyes and let her spill the rubbish she had in her mouth. 

"So, you and Fenrir are getting close." She frowned. "That's my mate. Stay away from him." She warned. I kept mute and let her rant about how she'd become the luna of the pack when he finally discovers her as his mate. I only loathed within because I knew how disappointed and broken she'd be in the end. 

After she was done, she gave another warning and she used her father to threaten me. I hated her for the single fact. She knew her father had the upper hand against me and would always report to him, even when I was innocent. 

I went to my room and once I plopped unto my bed, tears began to stroll freely down my cheeks. 

"Mom, dad, I hope you're watching." I sobbed. "I hope you're seeing how they treating the daughter you waited ten years to have." 

Countless times have I attempted suicide but my mate bond to Fenrir was the barrier. And now that he finally spoke to me, I couldn't even think twice about joining my parents wherever they are. I was so much in love with him that I was ready to go through hell just to be with him. 

That was what gave me the courage and the will to live every day. And tomorrow, I would see him again. 

I looked at my palm. Damn Lyra's clothes. If only those demons would let me use the washing machine, I never would have let water touch this hand. 

*****

I stayed up half the night reading one of my favorite fantasy novels. Even though I had read it more than ten times, I still couldn't get enough of it. 

I was having a chill time, discussing with Fenrir about books when suddenly, someone splashed water all over my face. I jerked up from my sleep only to realize the talk with Fenrir was a dream but the water wasn't. Lyra was standing beside my bed with a bucket. 

"What's your problem?" I asked, standing up from the wet small bed. 

"What? Are you going to hit me?" She asked in a daring manner. I wanted nothing but to pounce on her and rip apart her gorgeous hair. But instead, I clenched my fist and stared daggers at her. 

"Come down and prepare breakfast, I don't want to be late for school." She laughed victoriously and left my room. I just let it go and took mattresses outside. After that, I fixed breakfast and cleaned the 'queen's' room. 

My stepfather didn't ease my pain that morning. He made sure to send me on different errands till I was late for school. It was one of those days I wished Fenrir would just turn eighteen immediately and claim me as his mate. Living with these two was as good as living in hell. They both treated me like dirt, as though I was bought from the slave market, and their hatred extended to the entire pack. 

*******

The long-awaited party had arrived. It was the talk of the town; everybody spoke about the prince and his destined mate, Lyra. The announcement would be made official today. And as tradition, all the young ladies of the pack who didn't have mates were to present gifts to him so as to make the search easier. He didn't want that but that was the custom. 

I was happy. My time to shine was finally there and I wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste. I was preparing to go to the party, just like everyone else. 

I twirled in the hot pink gown that my mom made especially for me on my seventeenth birthday. Sure it was short, but it was the best cloth I had. My makeup was simple; a applied some brown powder to my face and some lipgloss. I packed my hair in a messy bun and I put on my sandals.

I looked like a princess. 

I had already prepared my gifts which I would hand over to him and I was getting one last glance at my reflection when Lyra and her father entered my room. 

I was shocked when I first saw them. They smelt of trouble; I wondered what they wanted to do. 

"Better remove those clothes because you're not going anywhere," Lyra spoke, making my head spin. 

"What?"