Chapter 1

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"No one wants a failure like you, Freya The only reason this pack hasn’t thrown you out yet is because I let you stay. Now get back to work or watch me force you!"

I flinched, allowing my words die in my throat but my face must have betrayed my thoughts because her next words hit right at the spot.

"Oh, come on Freya! You absolutely do not expect me to sing some absurd celebration song or shower you with untrue praises because today is a reminder of the unfortunate day you decided to be born?"

I choked on my saliva, the pain of the truth locking my throat. I finally managed a whisper., "Mother, It's my birthday!"

She pinched my ear lobes, dragging me with the sensitive flesh. "I Warned you severally not to call me that! I am NOT your mother" she emphasized an already known fact. 

I had grown into the habit of calling Beatrice mother since she began to foster me at the age of six.

I sucked in my bottom lip, biting back the pain from the gesture. She continued, angrily "You turn 18 today. The only means you can escape what's coming for you is if you find your mate before the day ends. If you fail to, you get shipped off to the Crescent Pack in the early hours of the next morning"

Tears rimmed my eyes. Panic stuck my throat. "Mother, please. Anywhere but  the Crescent pack" I desperately pleaded 

Her face scrunched up in disgust at the word "mother"

"Shut up!" She shrieked 

I'd endure double the torture I'm experiencing here than be taken to the Crescent Pack. I didn't need to be told to know how worse it'd get for me if I ever find myself in the pack my father rules over. I'm hated by him.. I was thrown out of the pack the moment my mother passed away. 

He rejected me.. pushed me away... Blamed me for taking the one woman he truly loved. But it is all a lie. He never loved her, if he truly did, he wouldn't push away the only piece of her she left behind.

Me

Her fingers released my ear lobes that now stings badly. "Scrub the floors, do the dishes. Afterwards, head to the town hall, your cleaning services has been paid for. Do you understand me?"

I inclined my head positively. "Yes mother, I do"

Racing footsteps approached, followed by happy giggles.. "Mother! Mother!!" Brianna called, her presence filling the kitchen in a space of seconds.

I watched with a tightness in my chest as mother smiled dreamily at Brianna, the way she never smiled at me. Brianna and I are of same age, few months apart.

"There's a banquet happening in the town hall in few hours. Alphas and betas will be in attendance." She trailed off, her sight landing on me and with lesser excitement she said "The Alpha of Crescent Pack will .!0also be in attendance with his three sons"....

I gulped.. "how do you know this?" I asked in disbelief 

She rolled her eyes like I just asked the most stupid question "Of course, I do because I got an invite plus I'm friends with our Alpha's son"

I blinked hard.  "N-no, they shouldn't be here"

"You should be excited to see your father and step  brothers, Freya. Pack your stuff. If you're unable to find your mate in due time, then you go along with them back to the Crescent Pack" mother mentioned 

Whilst my fingers gripped the scrubbing brush hard, Brianna pestered mother for new clothes and shoes to wear for the banquet.

 My thoughts were filled, I wished lamely for the event to be cancelled. The morning went by quickly. I finished assigned chores at home and made my way to the town hall.

 I expected to see a number of teenagers there who'd been assigned clean as well. 

Not one person was in sight. I knew what that meant. Mother had collected enough pay for six and promised I'd do the job by myself. 

I got right into it.. Almost immediately, a thought struck. My ultimate solution is to find my mate.... Today. Alphas and betas are attending the banquet, few wolves from each packs from the west, east and river side will be here. I might get lucky. I must be in attendance, avoid my brothers and father, find my mate and escape this misery filled life.

****

I rummaged my worn out box, searching for the prettiest dress I own. I found one I'd own since I was six. A pink, long gown, fitted up to the waist and the length up to the ankle was flared. It was the last dress my mother had gotten me before her demise. I placed the cloth on my body and walked to the broken mirror in the corner of the store room. 

"It won't fit" I muttered to my reflection 

I searched more, there were only faded trousers and faded t shirt. It was at this moment it dawned on me.. No special outfit for the special occasion. 

If I hadn't known better, I'd have run off to Brianna's room, ask for a dress she could give, however, it'd end disastrous if I did that.

I settled for a skinny jeans, black but faded to a greyish looking color. I paired it with a long sleeved blue shirt. I knelt to check underneath my bed for my favourite sneakers. I'd saved for two years to get the pair. I smiled when my hands reached them. It's a good thing they're still new. I put them on to complete my outfit and took one final glance at the mirror. Even though I didn't look any good, I smiled. 

"My mate wouldn't mind how I look. He'd accept me for what I am" I said in a bid to convince myself. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to shake off the foreboding feeling at the base of my stomach.

By the time dusk appeared, I was done. I wrapped the littlest gift I could afford to give my mate on first sight.

 bracelet. Hand made by me. 

Mother always told me gestures like that shows the other person how much you appreciate them. 

My mate should know how much I do when I find him and the gift, it should pass the message across, right? 

Just as I reached the back door, Brianna appeared, looking perfectly dressed, her face, â mask of disdain. “Are you really going out like that,  Freya? The only thing you’ll find tonight is the dust You are meant to be cleaning off the floor. No one hunts for a mate in â rag like that”

I transferred my gaze to the wrapped gift i held. One I’d excitedly wrap up in high hopes of finding my mate… “I’ll go there to clean”

“Of course, you will” she scoffed. “Ând by tomorrow , you’ll be in Crescent due to how much you’ve failed. Good riddance if you ask” she turned away, leaving me alone as she stepped out, into the waiting ride outside.

I waited till she left before i made attempts to leave.