CHAPTER ONE

Zara's Pov

I sat on my sofa while singing the only song which reminds me of my mom. Since I lost my mom, I have never been myself despite several attempts to change me from my father, the alpha.

I try so hard to be cheerful but it just isn't possible as I have been withdrawn all my life. I was also taunted as the alpha's daughter without a wolf and though my father has tried several attempts to not make me know about it, I still find out because the maids in our home always whisper this.

I haven't told anyone this but I have this special ability to listen to what people might be discussing as long as they are not very far from me.

"Princess Zara!” I heard my name being called which broke my singing. I turned to look at the source of the disruption and I scrunched my face into a frown on seeing who it was.

It was my father's beta's son, Asher.

"Hi Asher," I greeted him with a light wave and faced the window since my singing was interrupted by him.

I heard him chuckle and I turned to look at him wondering why he did so.

"Princess, how about we go for a walk, you don't have to be cooped up in the pack house the whole day," he suggested to me and I let out a sigh.

Come to think of it, he was quite right. I have been wallowing in my thoughts for a long time and it's time I stepped out. I knew this was the idea of my father because on a normal day, Asher would not talk to me or suggest a walk.

This was something which was mandated by my father. I would have agreed but I didn't want to walk with someone who saw me as a burden. Asher wasn't aware but I have heard him talking about me to some of the guards and he always refers to me as someone with a burden.

"I would have loved to go on a walk but I am not in the mood right now," I said to him and I could see his face change, not like it was my business. He could act anyway he wanted to, it was none of my business.

"Princess Zara!" he called with his deep voice and I could tell that he was about to flip so I immediately said,

"Even if I want to go for a walk, I can do so myself, and besides, I'm sure you don't want to walk with a burden just as myself," I let out a bitter chuckle after that.

I could see the surprise which fleeted past his face and I could tell he was shocked. I guess he was not expecting me to say such.

"Even if you want to go out yourself, you could be attacked and knowing you, you have no power to defend yourself," he mocked me and that would have hurt if it was in the past but not anymore. I was already immune to such mockery.

"You can go tell my father that I won't be going on a walk with someone who sees me as a burden," I said to him and faced my window once more.

I heard him grunt loudly before walking out of my room. I sighed and did not bother myself with those thoughts anymore. Before I knew it, I sang myself to sleep and the next day when I woke up, I was greeted with a call from my father.

"Princess Zara! your father would love to see you this morning," my maid informed me as she fixed the hair accessories into my hair.

I nodded in response to the information as I looked into the mirror. It was a reflection of myself. The girl in the reflection had a lifeless look on her face and her beauty would have made heads turn only if she would smile.

The girl in the reflection was me and I was the one with the dull beauty, the girl who did not smile.

"Will I have breakfast with him?" I asked my maid who nodded with a jovial smile. I looked at her feeling envious, how I wish I could smile just like that.

"My princess, you are looking extraordinarily good-looking today," my maid complimented me and I as usual, I tried to smile but I could only offer her a "thank you."

She didn't look annoyed with me, instead she nodded at me and this was why I liked her. She was the only one apart from my father who did not see me as a freak. She was the only one including my father who embraced me just the way I was.

"I know you think I'm joking but that's the truth, you are very beautiful and there's no denying that," my maid happily talked and I only shook my head but I won't deny that I felt kinda pleased with the compliment.

"I'm ready," I said to her and she nodded. She helped out of my room and we walked through the corridors leading to our dining room.

Throughout the walk to the dining, I could hear different voices and I could also sense their gazes. Some were full of pity, some mockery to say the least. 

I had to admit that I felt very uncomfortable with the way I was being stared at and also the words which they said thinking I was not able to hear, but I could do nothing about it. It was a fact that I had to face, I was the girl without a wolf.

I sighed out and I think that caught the attention of Wanda, who is my maid.

"Is there anything wrong princess?" She asked and I shook my head. She was like a mother figure to me but I just couldn't see her as my mom.

"Alright, don't hesitate to tell me if you have anything bothering you," she said to me and I nodded in response.

We finally reached the door to the dining room and I had no idea why I suddenly developed cold feet which had never happened before. I had no idea but I felt that if I opened the door to the dining room, there would be a change in my life.

I turned to look at Wanda who gave me an encouraging look regardless of not knowing why I looked at her.

"Are you scared, but you have no reason to be scared," she consoled me and I opened the door to the dining room.

Immediately I stepped into the room, I felt an oppressive gaze which caused me to look in that direction. When I saw who made me feel oppressed, I froze immediately.