Chapter one
***ROXANNE***
“Slow, fragile, dumb Roxanne”
MORNING LIGHT FILTERED IN through the drapes and sunlight danced on my face. I slammed my hand on my alarm clock that wouldn't stop ringing, before stretching in bed.
I groggily dragged myself off the bed— still half asleep and went to stand before my mirror. I glanced at my clumsy reflection; half-unbuttoned clothes like I had fought taekwondo with the demons in my sleep and my hair was a wild, dishevelled mess. I wanted to go back to bed but I had zero idea why I was up early.
The morning bell rang and my eyes snapped open! Shit! It was morning.
I hastily stepped out of my nightwear and slipped into my duty clothes. Finally, I tied back my hair, washed my face and dashed out of my room. I dreaded waking up here. Every day was a tiresome cycle, a relentless gush of burdensome tasks that clung to the same predictable routine. As an Alpha’s daughter, one might assume a life of privilege, but within these walls, my existence is bound to servitude.
I was late for my duties today and I didn't know what to expect. I busted into the kitchen and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Chloe and a few other members of the pack in the kitchen. I hung my head down as Chloe neared me.
“Well well, look who we have here. If it isn't slow Roxanne,” Chloe, my brother’s mate, drawled in her irritating voice, dragging the “slow” to make more emphasis.
“Good morning,” I greeted.
“Nothing is good about the morning, you're late! Save your greetings and get to work,” She ordered, “Or did you forget what the kitchen is for? This should have been done before now!”
“I'm sorry, I overslept,” I apologised in a low voice.
Sidewalks began buzzing from one pack member to the other and I knew I had made the best mistake of my life saying that.
Chloe lunged forward and grabbed my hair, “Overslept you say? Have you forgotten your position here, Roxanne? You're no more than an omega. There's no meal for you today. That is your punishment for oversleeping,” she yelled and pushed me to the wall.
I groaned out in pain as my head came in contact with the wall and I fell to the ground like a bag of beads. Laughter erupted from the members and echoed in the kitchen. I whimpered as I buried my face in shame.
“You dare lay there? Get up and get to work Roxanne or I will have you kicked out from this territory,” she yelled.
I picked myself up and hastily grabbed the brushes, soaps and buckets and rolled up the sleeves of my clothes. I surveyed the kitchen and drew in a sharp breath as I began my daily toil of scrubbing, sweeping and cleaning. I hated waking up late to clean, for at that time the whole kitchen was always a mess. Usually, before the morning sun glazes the horizon, that's when my day begins with the tedious chore of cleaning.
Chloe’s piercing laughter echoed through the kitchen, cutting through the morning air like a bitter wind. “Look at her everyone. The mighty Alpha’s daughter, more like the pack’s burden,” she jeered, her eyes narrowing as she fixated them on me.
With my head down, I continued my work as I tried to drop out the spiteful words. I focused on the clinking of dishes and the sizzling of the fire.
“You know, I heard being an Alpha's daughter meant something. But look at her — fragile as a leaf in the wind,” Chloe taunted, her venomous words aimed at my fragile spirit.
The pack members in the kitchen seemed intrigued and eager to partake in the torment. They snickered and exchanged smirks and I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheek.
“Fragile, dumb Roxanne. I bet even the Omega has more spine than her,” Chloe continued, the cruelty in her voice spreading like wildfire.
My hands trembled as I scrubbed the pots, trying to erase not only the grime but the remnants of last night’s communal feast, a feast where my presence was mandatory, but not appreciated.
“Alpha Zane must be so proud of his sister— the embarrassment of the pack,” Chloe declared, her words wounding more deeply than a stab of a dagger. My shoulders slumped, carrying not just the weight of the dishes but also the weight of her relentless mockery.
“Why don't you just leave, Roxanne? You're slowing us down as usual,” Chloe spat, her tone dripping with disgust.
“What's the matter, Roxanne? Can't keep up with the real pack members?” a young werewolf sneered, his eyes filled with a twisted delight in tormenting me.
Someday, I knew it was going to be over.
My heart pounded, each word striking me like a blow. I wanted to disappear, to fade into the background.
Chloe, revelling in the power she held over me, circled me like a predator closing in on its prey. “You think you belong here? Look around, Roxanne. Real Alphas don't raise weak pups like you. You're a stain on this pack. You're a constant reminder of what an Alpha’s daughter shouldn't be.”
My hands tightened into my fists, nails digging into my palms as I fought back tears. My spirit crumbled beneath the scorn but I refused to show weakness.
Chloe smirked triumphantly at me, “Did I make you cry, sweetie? You see, Roxanne, I feel sorry for your brother. Having a sister like you must be the greatest disappointment.”
With thorough care, I arranged the utensils, wiped the counters and aligned the chairs in immaculate order. Yet, despite my efforts, the oppressive air remained— the constant reminder of my insufficiency. I ignored the heavy feeling in my chest and tried to concentrate.
I closed the runny tap and took a fleeting moment to appreciate my accomplishment. The kitchen gleamed under the light as it was all spick and span, now.
Her eyes, ever critical, Chloe scanned the kitchen for the slightest error — her usual routine of finding faults in everything I did.
“After staying here the whole eternity, this is your best effort?” she inquired, a disapproving furrow forming on her forehead, “Specks of dirt here and there. You might want to start again,” She said, her words dripping with venom.
My mouth gaped open, but just as quickly as it opened I closed it back, unable to mutter a word. There wasn't even any dirt! None that I could see.
“What? Do you think I'm lying?” she demanded, as if on cue.
I shook my head vigorously.
I stared around, lost. I had tidied the kitchen. I couldn't find the slightest dirt. How was I to start over when there wasn't any?
Suddenly before I could react, Chloe pushed down the porcelain dishware and they came crashing to the ground, bits of them scattered everywhere.
I fell on my knees, buried my face in my palms and bawled my eyes out. My body quivered with every indrawn sob.
I couldn’t believe it. Why would she do this to me? I’ve cleaned everything and she deliberately added more works for me.. Did she not know how much effort I have put to clean everything by myself...
My tears started pouring harder and my trembling hands reached out to start picking on the shards, my whole body shook from my silent sob.
But of course I knew why she did all these... Why everyone did this. Because I was weak... I was a wolfless, weak Alpha daughter whose existence was seen as nothing but a shameful streak for the pack.
“Ooou,” she gasped, “Sorry. Mistake. I'm guessing you're going to have to clean up,” she said and prodded me in the knees with her red bottom.
The pack members engaged in their hushed conversations, not caring to help. Their words cut through me like blades.
“Did you see her fumble with the dishes? Can't even handle basic chores.”
“I heard she couldn't shift properly during the last moon. Laughable.”
“Who cares about her anyway? She's just dead weight.”
“She’s an embarrassment. Alpha’s daughter, my foot.”
I hated that I had to live this way but what I hated more was that I was helpless. I couldn't do anything about the weight of my Alpha Lineage.
With blurry vision, I stared at the mess made— all my efforts destroyed with contempt.
Yes, in this place, my contributions were insignificant, all they did was exploit my vulnerability. Behind the whole facade of family ties, I was relegated to the duty of the obedient servant, because I was weak.
Chapter two “A girl with a sword doesn't need a man to save her, ”She's a warrior not a princess in distress.” ***ROXANNE***I FELT THE WEIGHT of my brother’s disappointment like a heavy cloth as I slogged through the White Moon pack’s training camp. All eyes were on me and my steps seemed to falter. If there was somewhere I'd rather be, I wouldn't be here but Alpha Zane, my brother, had asked me to join the camp. It was a week-long training held annually during the Lunar Week to rank the wolves based on their abilities. My brother grabbed me by my wrist before I walked past him. “Don’t let me down today, Chloe,” My brother whispered in my ear, his nails digging My throat tightened so I nodded before making my way to the front. It was the last day of the camp. The air was thick with tension as the pack gathered to witness the final challenge. I sighed deeply. Everyone around me was ready but I wasn't. I didn't do well these past
Chapter threeThe leader of the pack is never the loudest ***ROXANNE***I WAS GROUNDED. I had no idea how long it would be but that was the Alpha’s declaration as a punishment. I observed my brother had been giving me the cold shoulder ever since the training camp and several times I tried to start a conversation with him but he ignored me and left me in the dark until he gave the order that I was grounded. I wasn't allowed three square meals, just a once in a day thing but of course, my duties were intense. I still had to do the chores— a lot of it. But I was confined to my room till whenever. Chloe didn't make it any easy for me. Her taunts went on endlessly and I had to bear it all. I detested everyone. As the week progressed, the bullying intensified. My very move was scrutinised and every drawback was highlighted. It was either Chloe messing up the kitchen after I made it neat or some pack member asking me to do twice my work. Other times they sang songs of mockery and made me
Chapter four No one is as dangerous as those who play victims of the crimes they committed***ROXANNE***IT WAS FINALLY HERE. The day everyone had been anticipating— the lunar festival. Decorations hung from tree branches and twinkled like stars. It bathed white moon pack in a mesmerising glow. Lively chatter filled the air, laughter intermingled with the sound of a distant waterfall and the atmosphere was charged with vibrant energy. Excitement buzzed through the pack as they prepared for a night of celebration under the radiant moon. I was everything but excited. I pressed my nose against my window frame— the only place I could get a view of the festival. The vibrant colours and joyous sounds didn't make me feel any better, it only deepened my sadness. I was still grounded by the Alpha, I was confined to the walls of my room, left to wallow in bitterness while the pack revelled in the merry of
Chapter five “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future”***ROXANNE***NEWS OF ALPHA RYKER’S ARRIVAL sent shockwaves through the festival. The atmosphere shifted from anticipation to fear in a twinkle. The once vibrant celebration descended into chaos as pack members, caught off guard, exchanged alarmed glances. Alpha Ryker had never attended the lunar peak’s festival and for ours to be the first he was coming to, there was bound to be chaos. For he was the Alpha of Red Moon and there was also rivalry between our packs. I had heard about Alpha Ryker. He was the most feared and cruel Alpha of Lunar Peak. Anyone who fell into his trap had to suffer his wrath. Pack members huddled in anxious clusters and their conversations were heavy with worry. I knew he was a deadly man when I saw my brother’s face fall. “Zane, do something about it! My nails and hair. It took me months to get my dress ready. I can't let this get ruined.
CHAPTER 6ROXANNEIn the state of panic and animalistic sounds that filled the vicinity, I wondered what a hapless woman — like me—with a weak wolf could do in the middle of all of these catastrophes. Sounds of growls and snarls filled the air and all of a sudden everything stood still for a minute. I stood there dazed, unable to turn my gaze away from the man who was standing right there before me…Looking all fierce, handsome, and what else?“You?" His gaze was transfixed right on mine and I fluttered my eyes confused. I had gotten that look a thousand times, but no one had looked upon me with so much intensity as he did at that moment. " This is not possible,” He muttered. A lot of questions crossed my mind and I found it more difficult to answer any, the most prominent of the questions was centered upon why he had looked at me that way.Does it have anything to do with who I was, or the color of my hair?The question like a million others at the back of my mind was left unanswe
CHAPTER 7RYKERPushing the other man to the ground, I listened to his wolf whimpers as my fist was clenched and outstretched to land a blow that would end this damned other Alpha life… My mind was thrilled with killing him and claiming the aura of his wolf as mine, at the same time I couldn't ignore the urge to see if the woman who had fallen into the ravine was fine.All efforts to ignore that urge proved abortive, In annoyance at the entire situation, my eyes narrowed slightly at the man who had his eyes closed and was expecting to breathe his last before glancing at the body of the woman lying haplessly about twelve feet below.“The next time we cross paths, I will be slaying your damned wolf."He pulled away as soon as I backed off and scrambled on the ground before making his way back to his defense. “Fall back!” He growled heavily enough that I could hear the impact of his voice as it trembled even while finding my way down the cliff.The woman was covered with blood, yet e
CHAPTER 8ROXANNEIt was going to be solitary confinement…Hearing those words I fell to my knees pleading to deaf ears as the guards seized me as instructed, my screams stretched in the distance at the doorway stood the same woman that I had seen when I gained consciousness looking back at me with pitiful eyes.“Be careful with her." I heard her voice as she faded away out of view. Some part of my mind wondered if she truly cared…Were they not birds of a feather?It was all like a moment of madness, one moment I was hoping that I had finally had my redemption and was freed from the shackles of my brother, and in the next, I was facing another man's wrath. I was starting to think there was something about me that repels men—As I was dragged all through the way tossed and turned by these same genders, who laughed heretically at each opportunity they had, when I was tossed Into the cell finally it came to me more as comfort and a happy ending from all the psychological torture.I sank
CHAPTER 9ROXANNE“What in the hell are you doing?"The sound of the guard entering the room startled me, with my head swirling and my heart thudding heavily I let the metal clatter to the ground.The sight of the tall man with dangling keys sent jitters through my nerves, I sat still not sure of what to do or the right words to say at that moment.“I … I .” I stuttered confused about what to say at that moment. " What were you trying to do?” He questioned.His eyes came down to the spot that had a bit of red where it had barely pierced through. The realization of what was about to happen hit him as he stared into my rather flustered face.His palm swiped across my face and I could feel a stinging pain on my chin."Do you know how complicated this would have been?” He spat the words out immediately and I could see how furious he was.I muttered only words I could at the moment hoping that the whole issue doesn't become more escalated than it already was." Please, have mercy I… " Th