CHAPTER 2: A SHOT AT FREEDOM

Deafening silence fills the room.

Then comes the laughter - insulting and cruel.

But I don’t flinch, keeping my eyes on my father, waiting and hoping.

When he finally rises from his chair at the far end of the long table, the laughter stops at once. 

His eyes, cold and inquiring, locked onto mine. “Where did you get the audacity to interrupt this meeting just to ask such a ridiculous request?” 

My throat burns, but my voice comes out steady. “I’m desperate. Nobody wants me here.. even you. I never felt love nor respect. If I’m chosen to be the new queen of Karyndor, I’ll move to the Main Palace and leave this pack for good. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? To get rid of me?”

Snickers echo from the other officials. Some shake their heads, amused.

Chief Beta Eckbert leans forward and sneers. “If you think being the queen means freedom, you’re a fool. Stop wasting our time and go back to where you belong… in the scullery.”

I don’t listen, let alone budge. My eyes continue to beg for just a chance.

Alpha Heath jerks his head, and the Gammas behind me, who’ve been chasing after, grab my arms at once and drag me across the stone floor. 

“No! Please!” I cry, struggling in their grip. 

I’m hurled hard on the cold ground outside the conference hall.

I gasp, my back stinging with pain.

But, no one helps me. Some chuckle. Others stare with disgust, like I’m filth.

I clench my teeth and force myself to stand. I blink back tears coz I refuse to let them see me cry.

Instead of going back to the scullery, where I’ll be scolded and shamed for abandoning my unfinished chores, I walk straight to the orphanage’s quarter. 

The building is old and quiet. It’s where the unwanted live, the ones with no family to call- mostly Omegas.

I climb the stairs to my tiny room and shut the door behind me. Immediately, I notice my piggy bank underneath my thin mattress. 

And snap!

An idea sparks in my mind, bright and bold!

I drop to my knees and reach for it with excitement.

“If none of the pack’s officials will endorse me to attend the ball, then I’ll endorse myself.”

Inside are coins and crumpled bills—money I earned from washing the highborns’ laundry since I was eight years old.

After ten years of saving I’ve finally found a great reason to put this to use! 

I take a cutter and slice the piggy bank open. And after counting, $289 is the total amount. It isn’t much. But maybe, it can still buy me a decent second-hand dress.

I stuff the money into my coat pocket and step outside, then hurry toward the northern border. 

One of the few perks of being an insignificant wolf is how easily I can pass through the pack’s borders without questions or suspicion. All I have to say to the border patrols is “The Kitchen Head ordered me to buy spices for tonight’s dinner”, and they’d wave me through without a second glance.

The market is alive and loud as I walk straight to the thrift store I’d heard about.

I step inside and ask a group of staff nearby, “Do you have second-hand dresses?”

They glance at me from head to toe with judgemental eyes.

“It’s in the back,” one says, smirking. “But I don’t think you’ll fit in any of those dresses.”

Laughter follows.

I suck in a sharp breath, before striding past them.

At the back, racks of colorful ball gowns hang in rows, making me smile in awe.

But the smile fades as none are my size. I’m 5’5” and 2XL. All the dresses are too small.

Hesitantly, I ask another staff member again. “Do… you have a ball gown.. that’ll fit me?”

She replies, “None. But we can alter the size for you.”

I hold up a beautiful purple dress, and ask, “I want this. How much will this cost me?”

She checks the tag. “That’s $250. Alterations range from $70 to $150.”

I lower the dress, and so do my shoulders. “Can I get a discount? I only have $298.”

She shakes her head. “No, sorry.”

I sigh, place the dress back, and whisper, “Thank you,” before walking away with a sinking heart.

I walk aimlessly over the cobblestones. I have no idea where I’m going. I just know I don’t wanna go back yet.

Suddenly,... 

Something sparkly catches my eye.

In the glass window of a boutique stands a pink ball gown. It shimmers under the soft lights, full and magical. Its price tag—$10,000. 

I smirk. “Of course.”

The boutique’s clean walls, golden handles, and well-dressed wolves coming in and out scream money. It isn’t a place for someone like me.

As I turn to leave, a yellow sports car speeds past me then pulls over just ahead. Mud splashes up from the ground, covering the bottom half of my coat. 

I march forward, ready to speak my mind—but stop, my breath hitches when the driver steps out. 

He’s a tall and handsome man with broad-shoulders, dressed in clothes that look expensive without even trying. His dark hair falls in perfect strands across his forehead. But his eyes—one piercing hazel, one cold blue—are what truly stun me.

I can’t believe that such beauty exists in this world. I thought they’re only in fairytales.

“I’m sorry,” he says, walking toward me. “I didn’t mean to do that to you. Are you hurt?”

He offers me a peppermint-scented handkerchief. But I freeze, lips pressed tight. Then I step back, avoiding his gaze.

A girl about my age walks up. She arches an eyebrow at me and says, “Don’t apologize to her. It’s her fault for daydreaming about that dress she’ll never fit in.”

“Hush!” the man snaps, giving her a quick glare, before turning to me with a soft stare. “Forgive my sister. She can be a little insensitive sometimes.”

Then,...

To my surprise, he asks, “If you like that dress, I’ll buy it for you.”

My eyes widen in disbelief as I finally jerk them back towards his gorgeous face.

Who is this man… and why would he squander his money for me?