CH 1 – Different, but Still Worthy

Ashley Harrison

I’ve always known I was different.

Even as a little girl, I could feel it in the way the other pups stared at me. I wasn’t like the graceful, pretty she-wolves of the Moon Crest Pack. I was the daughter of George Harrison — our pack’s powerful Alpha Healer, one of the most respected wolves in Westoria — but even that couldn’t shield me from the whispers.

The first thing anyone ever noticed about me was the large, dark birthmark that covered the entire left side of my face. The second was my body. I was softer, rounder, heavier than the other girls. They were fast and elegant, always running through the training grounds like they were born to rule. I was slower, always catching my breath, always trying to keep up.

They called me fat. They called me cursed. Some even said I would never bear an Alpha’s heir — as if the Moon Goddess herself had marked me as unworthy.

I never fought back.

Maybe I should have, but instead, I just lowered my head and smiled like it didn’t hurt. I kept being kind to them, helping whoever needed help, listening when someone was sad. It was the one thing I could do that made me feel good about myself. Some wolves admired that about me, saying I had the heart of a true Luna. But their words were always drowned out by the others — the ones who laughed when I walked by, who made sure I could hear them whisper:

“Poor Ashley. She’ll never be anyone’s mate.”

“She should be grateful if anyone even wants her.”

And yet, I still dreamed.

I dreamed of Jake Lewis.

He wasn’t just the Alpha heir of the Shadow Fang Clan — the richest and most feared pack in the entire South — he was everything I had ever wanted in a mate. Tall, broad-shouldered, with storm-gray eyes that could freeze you in place, Jake was power wrapped in a perfect body. He wasn’t just strong — he was clever, already running his family’s companies while his father lay gravely ill.

And yes, he was a shameless playboy. Everyone knew it. Every time I heard his name paired with another she-wolf, a small part of me broke inside. But no matter how many rumors I heard, I couldn’t stop loving him.

Maybe I was foolish. Maybe I was naive. But I believed — no, I hoped — that one day he would see past the birthmark, past my body, and into my heart.

That was why tonight mattered.

Tonight was our first date.

As I sat at my vanity, smoothing my hands over the soft fabric of my blue dress, my heart pounded. I still remembered when my father and Alpha Kurt had spoken about uniting our packs. That was the day Alpha Kurt, already sick, said his final wish was to see his son mated. And he chose me.

For the first time in my life, I felt chosen.

I stood, grabbed my purse, and smiled at my reflection. “Maybe tonight,” I whispered, “he will see me. The real me.”

Excitement bubbled in my chest as I hurried downstairs, my wolf Carrie purring softly in my head. We can do this, Ashley.

I stepped into my car and drove toward the bar Alpha Kurt had reserved for us. My palms were sweating, my heart thundering with a mix of fear and hope.

Tonight could be the beginning of everything.

When I arrived at the bar, I already felt a little conscious. Every woman there was slim, glowing, wearing their sexy dresses with such confidence. I, on the other hand, tugged nervously at the hem of my blue dress. It was beautiful, but right now, it felt too tight, too revealing, like it was showing every curve I wished I could hide.

Then the whispers started.

“Look at her — can you believe she’s an Alpha’s daughter?”

“Maybe her room is in their kitchen. She looks like a servant.”

“Goddess, what is that on her face?”

“She looks like a cursed cow.”

“That birthmark is giving me chills. No one wants to sleep and wake up with a mate like her.”

The words were knives, each one cutting deeper than the last. My throat ached, and I swallowed hard, my tears already burning. I told myself not to cry, not to let them see how much it hurt. I was here to meet my future mate — I couldn’t let them win.

Just then, a woman who looked like the manager stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Miss Harrison? This way, please. Mr. Lewis is waiting for you.”

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile, and followed her past the noisy crowd. We walked by the same group of she-wolves who had mocked me, and I kept my head high even as their laughter followed me like shadows.

When we were far enough, the manager leaned close and whispered, “Ma’am, do you want me to throw that group out? The bar doesn’t allow anyone to embarrass an Alpha’s daughter inside our premises.”

Her words surprised me, and my heart softened a little. I gave her a weak smile. “No… it’s all right. Let them enjoy their drinks. I’m okay. I’m here to meet my future mate, after all.”

The manager sighed but nodded, though I could see the sympathy in her eyes.

“Ma’am,” she hesitated as we approached the VIP rooms, “Mr. Lewis is actually… not alone.”

My heart sank, confusion twisting in my chest. “Not alone?”

She only pressed her lips together and gestured to one of the doors.

I stepped forward, my pulse thundering in my ears. Slowly, I opened the door just a little, enough to see inside.

Jake was sitting near the entrance, his storm-gray eyes serious as he leaned toward Ryan — his best friend, his future Beta.

“I swear, Ryan,” Jake muttered, frustration sharp in his tone, “if my father weren’t on his deathbed, I’d never agree to this stupid arrangement. Everyone’s talking about my damn engagement to that ugly pig.”

The air left my lungs.

Ryan chuckled like it was some kind of joke. “But if you don’t marry her, your old man will lose it. You know how he is about peace between clans. As far as I remember, Alpha George healed many of your elders during the war — hell, he even saved your father from rogues.”

Jake scoffed, shaking his head. “Peace or not, it’s ridiculous. She’s ugly as hell. I’d rather die than call her my mate.”

I gripped my purse so tightly my knuckles ached. The words slammed into me, sharper than claws.

Ryan leaned closer with a sly grin. “What about after the wedding? Going to sleep with her at least? You know… make it official?”

Jake’s laugh was cold, cruel. “Hell no. I’d puke if I had to touch her fat, ugly body. There are dozens of beautiful women dying to be in my bed. Why waste a night with her? She’ll never be more than a name on paper.”

The world tilted. My stomach twisted so painfully I thought I might collapse.

I shut the door quietly before my legs could give out. My vision was blurry with tears as I turned to the manager. “Please… don’t tell him I came. I’ll just text him I’m not feeling well.”

The manager, who had clearly heard everything too, looked at me with pity but nodded.

I turned and walked quickly out of the bar. But as I passed the group of she-wolves again, one of them purposely splashed wine on me.

“Oops! Sorry, piggy!” she sneered, and the whole group erupted into laughter.

I didn’t stop. I didn’t say a word. I just ran.

The laughter followed me out into the night, and I could still hear it when I reached my car. My hands were shaking so badly as I started the engine that I could barely hold the wheel.

Through the side mirror, I saw the manager storm out of the bar, yelling at the group of she-wolves, forcing them out of the building.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and grabbed my phone. My fingers trembled as I typed the message.

I’m sorry I couldn’t go to our date. But I want you to know — I agree to the mating. Let’s proceed with the wedding soon.

I hit send before I could change my mind.

Minutes later, my phone buzzed.

Jake: Whatever.

A bitter laugh broke from my throat. Not even a thank you. Not even a kind word. Just cold command.

Carrie, my wolf, stirred in my mind, her voice sharp. Ashley, why are you still agreeing to marry him? He just mocked you like the others. He doesn’t deserve you.

I swallowed hard, my tears spilling again. “Aside from not wanting our packs to break their alliance, I… I just want to give him a chance. What if he changes his mind when he knows me better?”

And what if he doesn’t? Carrie growled. What if this becomes one-sided love and destroys you?

I had no answer.

By the time I reached our mansion, my eyes were swollen from crying. The familiar scent of herbs and pine wrapped around me as I stepped inside.

My father, Alpha George, sat at his desk in the study, reading over documents. He looked up immediately, smiling warmly — until he saw my face.

“Ashley,” he said, standing quickly, “what happened?”

I didn’t answer right away. I just went straight into his arms and let myself cry against his chest.

“Dad,” I whispered, my voice breaking, “I didn’t go on our date. Because Jake… he said he’d rather die than marry me. He called me… words.”

My father stiffened, his anger rolling off him in waves. “What?” His voice was sharp now. “I thought Jake agreed to the arrangement. I’ll speak to Alpha Kurt tomorrow. I’ll end this mating before it goes further.”

“No!” I pulled back quickly, shaking my head. “Please don’t stop it. I still want to marry him.”

His brows furrowed deeply. “Ashley, why? If he truly dislikes you, he could hurt you worse after the mating.”

“I love him,” I said softly, clutching his hands. “And… I don’t want our packs to fall apart. Alpha Kurt is critical. He wants this.”

He sighed heavily, sadness filling his eyes. “This is my fault. I should never have agreed to Kurt’s wish without thinking of you first.”

I gave him a small, trembling smile. “Don’t worry, Dad. Even if he doesn’t love me now, maybe one day he will. And if not… you’ll still be here for me, right?”

His expression softened, and he brushed my damp hair away from my face. “Always, Ashley. And if the day comes when you’ve had enough, you’ll come back to me. I’ll take you home.”

Just then, the phone rang. My father answered, and his face turned pale.

“Luna Leonor just called,” he said quietly. “Alpha Kurt’s been rushed to the hospital. He’s very critical.”

My heart leapt to my throat.

“He wants to see you,” my father added gently.