CHAPTER 1: THE FORGOTTEN WOLF

HAILEY QUINN

Clank!...

I freeze in place praying to the moon goddess above that no one heard me otherwise I'd be in serious trouble. I am yet to recover from the beating I'd received two days back because I was caught sleeping by 9am.

Mornings are never good news to me because somehow I always end up as the scape goat in the pack no matter what I say.

My ribs hurt each time I move, I got a beating yesterday for a break in that of course was blamed on me even though I wasn't physically present when it happened.

I had learnt years ago that standing up for myself, defending myself, and even grumbling "it isn't me" made things worse.

I was the orphan. The wolfless one. The useless one.

Since my mother passed away, the Alpha and Luna of the Cedar Pack had "taken me in". But I am not qualified to be addressed a daughter, a servant or even a guest but a punching bag is a preferable fit for me.

"She's wolfless," I always heard behind my back. Weak.

No wolf, no value. That's how things are here.

As I step into the kitchen, the air within it is heavy and sour. Dirty plates from last night's feast are spilling over in the sink, scraps of food rotting in cold grease. My stomach churns, yet I roll up my sleeves and start washing, the water stings my bruised hands. I wash in silence with the noise of the water drowning out the storm in my heart.

That's when she speaks up.

Armenia, my wolf, my secret.

"They don't deserve us, Hailey," she growls softly, her voice low and heat-filled, a warmth wrapped in flames providing me with the much-needed heat I so desperately desire. "Let me out. I'll show them what real strength is."

I close my eyes, fighting against the tears that threatens to spill out. "We can't," I whisper in my throat.

My mother's voice arises in my memory, as vividly as if she were standing by my side. The world will fear what it doesn't know. Make Amenia a secret, my love. Promise me.

I had vowed, and so I endure. The taunts, the punches and the shame. All for Amenia to be kept a secret.

That night, as I am dusting the grand hallway, I hear some strange guttural noises. A mixture of moans and whimpers that chills me to my bones. Irresponsible as it is, I creep towards the Alpha's quarters, drawn by curiosity I know will get me in trouble if I get caught.

What I see nearly gives me a heart attack.

The Alpha, the Luna, the Beta, the Gamma… they are all engaged in some dirty, grim activity. The Luna stands bent while the Alpha's balls are deep inside her, and her head bobs on the Beta's dick, and the Gamma has his mouth on her nipples, and the Beta has his mouth on the female's Gamma nipples. I stand there numb as groans can be heard as the men take their turns with her, their bodies jerking around like animals, as lust itself appears to have gotten hold of them. My chest constricts with revulsion. The mate's bond was meant to be sacred, something pure, but here it is twisted and broken into something filthy.

I move back quietly. I shudder as I lean against the wall, trying to get the vision out of my head. This is the Cedar Pack. This is what we are to follow, to honour. My lips shake, but I remain silent. I couldn't afford another punishment at the moment.

Before dawn's first light, I had pushed the vision deep inside, burying it under the merciless work. The hall sparkles, the kitchen shines, and breakfast is ready even before the first pack members stir. But when the Luna comes in, her unnerving eyes sweeps over everything and she frowns.

"This is not good enough," she smirks, her voice slicing through me with knives. "More effort from you the next time, please."

"Yes, Luna," I breathed, my gaze on the floor.

The rest of the day blurs away in work and cruelty. Dishes are hurled at me when they didn't like what was served. Mud boots scrape over floors I'd just cleaned. Plants sway from hallways when I bend to dust, welts scream every time I move. By night, my body is heavy, my spirit exhausted.

I slip out the back door into the forest where I finally exhale and feel at peace but then I hear my name "Hailey!"

The voice makes me pause, it is Chilly, authoritative, and merciless.

I move slowly, and Thomas Cedar, the Alpha's son stands across me eyeing me in apparent disgust. Thomas is handsome but his morals are disgusting.

"Come here," he orders.

My steps are hesitant, but I obey. The closer I get, the more his smell wraps around me—pine and cedar, pungent and earthy. My chest tightens. Heat runs through me, deep, wild,and unstoppable.

My breath catches and my knees falter.

Mate.

The connection explodes through me, irresistible and untamed. My heart thrashes as I look at him, certain he could feel it too.

But instead of joy, his face twist in anger. His jaw clenches and his fists curls.

"You," he snarls, contempt in his voice. "You're my mate? The Moon Goddess must be joking."

The words hurt more than any punch I had ever received.

He laughs afterwards, a harsh and cruel one, shaking his head. "The Moon Goddess is having a twisted joke."

Tears prick my eyes, but I harden myself. My lips tremble, my voice an unsteady whisper. "I… I'm your mate."

His eyes turn icy, his face as hard as steel before he says the words that ripped me apart.

"I, Thomas Cedar, reject you, Hailey Quin, as my mate."

The bond burnt. Flames of searing pain cut across my chest, indepth pain, ripping my soul apart. I gagged, tears streaming down my cheeks as my legs buckled out from under me. The time that is supposed to be filled with love, redemption, and freedom… is filled with pain and destruction.

But amidst the pain, I stand up straight. My voice shakes, but it remains strong. "I, Hailey Quin, accept your rejection."

The pain doubles, stinging, blinding, before flattening into an aching empty space. The bridge is broken, severed, so that only an emptiness remains where hope had been.

Thomas looks at me, waiting, as if he figured I would beg, kneel and plead for mercy. I didn't, so he laughs and strolls away.

I fall to the ground in tears as I allow myself to cry.

"You deserve than this, Hailey," Amenia whisperes inside of me, her tone strong, unbreakable. "He doesn't deserve us. None of them do."

I wipe away my tears, my body still trembling, but inside of me something shifts and hardens.

I had endured years of brutality. Years of silence. Years of nothing.

No more.

That night, standing beneath the dark sky, I swore.

I didn't know why or when. But I would be leaving. I would be leaving this place. I would be running from the Cedar Pack, from their cruelty, from their hypocrisy. I would be breaking free from the chains that bound me here.

One day a thought comes to me out of nowhere, I’d go on and leave for good.

This place is no longer safe for my lerson so running away feels like the best decision.

Away from the Cedar Pack’s harsh rules, their fake smiles mean nothing now. This idea takes root in me, the weight of staying finally cracks under its own pressure.

One day... just maybe, they’d see me for what I really am. Not some lost child without a pack. Not someone tossed aside to scrub floors. Not the one left standing alone when others paired off.

But Hailey Quin.

A beautiful fierce warrior and queen the world never saw coming. I carry scars from pain, shaped by being cast aside, meant for more than these walls can hold.

Tears rolls down by eyes again but I wipe it off.

One day, I'd be free.