Chapter 1. Outcast.

Today was unique, and everyone knew it. It isn't every day that the packhouse gets lavishly decorated, and the excitement lingering in the air was only for one reason—for one person. It was Ayra’s birthday—her sister's highly anticipated eighteenth birthday. 

Maya watched from the corners, her presence nearly invisible if it wasn't for the occasional glance her way, which was filled with disdain. It was roughly hilarious how the expression would die on their faces, only for them to scrunch up in disgust. It wasn't surprising, anyway. Maya was used to it. However, it didn't mean that it hurt any less. 

Even as the first daughter to her parents, no, alpha and Luna – she wasn't allowed to refer to them by any other title — they favoured her younger sister over her. All of that was because she was born with a strange mark and had the usual appearance of her pack members.

Unlike her sister, who was considered a stunning beauty with her brown and blue hair inherited from her mother, Maya looked nothing like her parents with her black hair and beady black eyes, an appearance that the pack members revolted. To make everything worse, she bears a strange mark claiming to be cursed, which cements their hatred for her. 

And that hatred couldn't have been more expressed today. 

Maya observed with a bitter smile the glistening chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors, the rich, crimson drapes cascading from the walls, framing the hall in a regal embrace, the scent of fresh flowers—roses, lilies, and orchids—mingling with the aroma of exquisite dishes being prepared in the kitchen, and the servants rushing to put things in order before the time was up.

A pang of bitterness twisted in her chest, knowing her eighteenth birthday had not come close to this. Who was she kidding? Hers couldn't be considered a birthday at all. Only a cake had been sent to her room. There were no birthday wishes from Alpha and Luna. Neither could she forget the disgust in the servant's eyes as they delivered it as if she didn't deserve the slightest courtesy of a cake on her birthday. 

Yet they all scramble to please Ayra and ensure everything is perfect for her, the Alpha’s prized child. Maya had long grown accustomed to being overlooked, to living in Ayra’s shadow. Yet today, the sting of it was sharper, the ache of being forgotten more profound.

“What are you still standing here for?!” Luna's booming voice sounded from behind her.

Maya turned at once, her heart pounding at the sight of her mother's profoundly scowling face. “M– luna…” she corrected herself immediately, internally chastising herself for making such a mother.

The stormy look in her mother's eyes was all the indication that she heard that, and usually, a slap would have met her face by now for the mistake, but she must be in a perfect mood because of Ayra’s birthday with the way she ignored it and went on to say. “What are you standing here for? Why are you not dressed up or intending to disgrace us at the party as usual.”

Maya opened her mouth to speak, but no words could come out. Instead, she stared at her mother, wondering if she should tell her she had just come out from overhearing her and her husband talk about their intention to send her away. No, that was the worst idea. She would probably accuse her of spying on them and receive another beating. She had to keep the information to herself. 

“I-I’ll get dressed, Luna,” she stammered, grateful not to have made the mistake again.

With that, Maya scurried away. However, she could feel her mother's intense gaze on her and dared not look back—not that there was anything to look back on. No matter how much she tried, she could never impress the woman; she had already made peace with that.

Unlike Ayra, who probably had about a dozen maids attending to her needs, Maya was left alone for the party. Not that she needed any help. However, she would have felt better if she had a dress for the party besides the one she had worn for her eighteenth birthday two years ago. But it was the only good dress she could salvage from her miserable wardrobe. Her parents would ignore her anyway, and it wouldn't matter if she wore a rag to the party.

The party was already in full swing when she came down, and the hall was nearly filled. The midnight pack was not the biggest or the strongest, but they were a reputable and proper home, and guests from far and near were in total attendance. Maya spotted her parents smiling and welcoming the other alphas and lunas who had made it to the birthday celebration.

Ayra was by their side, looking radiant in her red dress and getting introduced to the prominent figures in their circle, a privilege that should belong to her as the first daughter. But Maya did not dare to go over and introduce herself. Most of her fathers did not know she existed and probably thought of Ayra as the first and only daughter. Not to mention, her usual appearance unnerved them.

It wasn't her first time hearing it, but they said she looked like it.

“A witch,” Maya turned at the sound of that title only to see two females chatting and staring pointedly at her. She recognised them; they were members of her pack.

Even with her noticing them, the second one boldly said, “She gives me the chills. I don't know why the alpha and Luna keep her around.”

“If I were Luna, I would have murdered her in her sleep already. What a disgrace,” the first one said, and they both laughed.

“Please, not today,” Maya muttered under her breath. She was used to the scorn that always followed her, but she was still highly fragile today. Without a word, Maya left, selecting a corner in the hall where she was barely perceived, and waited till this misery of a party was over. 

There was a lot of drinking and dancing now, which was good because it meant their attention was far from her, and they might as well have forgotten she existed. Maya had a drink in her hand, bored out of her mind when she caught a familiar face,

and her heart rate picked up in excitement.