001_The Pack's Castaway

Jessica's POV

"Huff... huff... haah... huff... haah..." Were the only sounds I could hear—my own ragged breaths. The darkness was silent, sending a chill down my spine. I sprinted through the forest as fast as I could, my bare feet coming in contact with the cold grass covered in little drops of night dues.

"Oh, Jessica... Sweet child, come back home—home to where you belong," Her voice echoed under the night sky. She was getting close, so close I could feel her breath against the back of my neck.

Then, I saw it—my safe haven—a cottage with flickering firelight glowing inside. For some reason, she was scared of the light. I wasn't sure how I knew this, but I did. If I could get there before she catches up with me then I'll be safe.

All of a sudden the ground before me began to rumble, losing hold of each other, forming a rift between me and the cottage.

It was her. She was doing this.

"You can't run away from me, Jessica..." Her shrill frightening voice resonated in the air.

I wasn't going to let her get to me—not today. I took in a deep breath, getting ready for the crossing. Just as I was about to cross over, I felt a hand grab me by the hair, long sharp claws piercing my scalp.

Then her voice came, different this time, laced with a hint of excited mockery. "You are her, and she is you. You'll never leave me..." Then she whispered into my ears, hot flame burning my skin. "And I'll never leave you, Jessica!"

I screamed, jerking up from bed. Panting, I turned around, surveying my surroundings. Relief washed over me when I realized that I was in my room. It was just a nightmare—one that kept repeating itself.

Standing up, I headed for the small window by the corner. I moved the drapes aside, letting sunlight in.

My room was a small basement beneath the Redwood mansion. It was dark and cold. I was used to the darkness, and the cold never really bothered me.

I was eight when I was brought to the Mansion. Though I was a child, I still remembered the glares that were shot at me when Alpha Raymond introduced me to his family. They hated my guts.

I remembered hearing him and his mate, Luna Annie arguing for days. I remember her hitting me and always supporting her kids when they were mean to me.

Two years after I was brought to the Mansion I was moved to the basement. The first month was torture. The dark scared me, and the noises from the rats running around the room made me shed tears. I would always climb up the bed, draw my legs toward my chest, and wrap my hands around them just to feel safe.

It's been years now, and the basement, which was torture in the past, became my hiding place away from the world outside.

All of a sudden I heard banging coming from my door. "Jessica! What the hell are you doing in there?!" someone yelled.

"Skies!" I had forgotten about my chores.

A smack landed on my face as I threw the door open. I looked to see that it was Beatrice.

"I won't have you slacking on my watch, do you understand, girl?!" She growled as she glared at me.

"Yes Ma'am," I replied, walking past her.

She grabbed me by the shoulder and spun me, slamming my back against the wall. She pointed at me. "Let this be the last time you try to walk out on me. Understood?"

I stared at her in the eyes.

Beatrice had no right to do that to me. She was just a wolf who was in charge of the helps in the mansion. But, I knew there was nothing I could do. My status here had been reduced to that of a help. The helps were made up of mostly rogues from other Packs seeking redemption, and Omegas who couldn't pass their training. Rather than train with the others every morning, we were expected to do the work around the Pack mansion.

"What?! Cat got your tongue?! I said, do you understand?!" She yelled at me as her claws dug into my flesh.

"Yes Ma'am," I muttered, looking down. I couldn't challenge her—not now—not ever.

Beatrice was a woman in her mid-forties and a close friend to Luna Annie. She never missed any opportunity to make my life a living hell.

She let go of my shoulders and I headed straight for the stairs. In a few minutes, I was in the kitchen.

The other helps were already busy with their duties. When I came in, they glared at me.

I didn't care.

Today I was on cooking duty. I walked straight to Rose, a woman in her sixties. She sent me a weak smile the moment she saw me, knowing what had transpired downstairs. I couldn't help but send her a reassuring one.

Rose was one of the few people who were nice to me in the pack. Growing up, most times, I was left to starve as a punishment by the Luna. Rose would secretly give me something to eat and defend me whenever she could. "No child should be treated this way" She would always say.

But it never really mattered.

"You're late," She said, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

"Sorry about that, was a bit distracted," I replied.

She smiled and pointed towards the vegetables on the counter. "Well get down to work. Those veggies won't chop themselves, or will they?"

We both chuckled.

I started chopping the carrots first. It was over three hours before those who went for the morning training started coming in.

The food was already served in the main dining area, which also served as the Pack's meeting area. Seven huge long tables were arranged horizontally, which was where the normal Pack members sat. At the top was a longer and broader table, which was placed vertically. This was where the family of the Alpha, and other Elite members of the Pack sat.

Everyone was already in the dining room except for the Alpha's family. When they came in, everyone stood and bowed. They remained standing until the Alpha signaled for them to sit. But as usual, he glanced around, looking for someone, and then his eyes met mine.

At that moment I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I knew why—Luna Annie was also looking at me. She wasn't just looking, she was glaring. I took a deep breath as I walked out of the dining room. I wasn't allowed to eat there anyway.

I went into the kitchen, grabbed my breakfast, and left. I was on my way to my room when I stopped in front of a broken mirror along the wall of the staircase. I stared at my reflection and hated who I saw. A girl with green eyes and untrimmed hair that got down to her waist. Every bone in my body could be seen and traced from her skin.

Letting out a sigh, I was about to continue my journey when a familiar voice made me freeze.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

My heartbeat raced.