1. Life of Misery

Life was not that bad.

That was what she always told herself. Even in the worst circumstances, she always told herself that life would get better for her one day. She didn't even wish for a good life; she just hoped it would get better one day, and that was all.

But certain things weren't written in your fate. And no matter how much you wish for it, it could never be your reality.

A harsh kick on her back had her eyes flying open wide, a whimper escaping her lips as she hysterically tried to scramble to the cold wall. Her gaze slowly adjusted to the morning light as she held the torn blanket to her chest and stared at the intruder in her attic.

It was Carolina, her twin sister, who was just a few minutes older than her. She glared down at Rosalie with such hatred and loathing that it could burn a person alive.

"It's past 6 am. Why the hell are you still sleeping? You were supposed to prepare a warm bath for me with all the scents. But you're rotting here." Carolina gritted.

Rosalie's eyes darted to the barely hanging clock, and they widened in horror. She was supposed to be up at 5 am. But last night, her mother made her wash the clothes of all her friends, and that work finished at 3 am. She didn't even have food last night; she barely reached her attic and passed out. Even now, all her muscles were aching.

"I... I'm sorry. It'll just take half an hour. I'll get it ready for you," Rosalie said shakily as she pulled to her feet, only to stumble, but she maintained her balance.

"Half an hour. You bitch. Are you out of your mind! I'll be late for my Mani-Pedi appointment." Carolina screamed in frustration. 

Rosalie was already trembling now. Her eyes turned misty as she felt so helpless and scared.

"I... I'm sorry. I... I'll do it in 15 minutes, please." Rosalie pleaded, shifting her weight from one foot to another in anxiety.

She could feel the vein in the back of her head throbbing in pure stress.

"I'm not accepting your pathetic apology. Follow me right now!" Carolina growled and hurried out of the cold attic.

Rosalie had no choice but to follow her. They walked down the stairs into the main hall, and their mother, Penelope, was there.

"Mother! I needed to have a scented warm bath before my appointment at the salon, but she was sleeping and didn't prepare it for me. Now I have to leave the house without it, and you know how much I hate this." Carolina yelled in annoyance as she grabbed her bag.

"At least make her of some use, mama!" Carolina gritted and rushed out as she was running late for her appointment. 

Penelope glanced at her good-for-nothing daughter, and her blood boiled just at the sight of her.

They belonged to the pure bloodline of Ashford. They were pure until Rosalie was born. A significant pathetic taint on their pure bloodline. She was the first omega who was born in their bloodline.

Carolina and Rosalie were twins. Where Carolina was a healthy she-wolf, the doctor declared Rosalie an omega. 

Brian Ashford, their father, was very disappointed in his wife, Penelope, for birthing an omega and running their bloodline.

The doctor said it happens because of the twin pregnancy. The stronger fetus took more, hence the weaker fetus turned out to be omega. But it didn't change anything. Ever since her birth, her mother began to hate her because Brian blamed her for birthing an omega.

Her father loves Carolina a lot, but he would not even glance at Rosalie. He just silently hated her existence.

She was forced to get used to such bad behavior towards her by everyone that she began to think she was always at fault. Just when she was a child, she was given food, but she wasn't allowed to sit at the table. She had to sit on the floor to eat, and if she requested to be allowed to sit on the table, she was starved.

There were consequences of even asking why they were doing this to her, which moulded her into staying mum all the time. 

As she grew, she was bullied in school by Carolina and her friends. Everyone treated her like dirt, but she always got good grades. She got a scholarship to a good high school, she passed with the highest numbers, and got offers from the best universities. She thought it was her only chance to escape this hell.

To start a new life in a new city. She'll manage somehow as long as she stays away from home, but Carolina didn't let that happen.

She burned the scholarship letters. She even burned Rosalie's marksheets and told her mother that Rosalie did it herself, and Carolina showed her hand that had burnt marks, and Carolina said I tried to stop her, but she burnt me too.

That night, her mother had beaten her so much. No matter how much Rosalie said she didn't do it. The beating never stopped to the point she lost her consciousness, and ever since that night her life became more hell.

Her degrees were turned to ashes, and she wasn't allowed to study anymore. She was declared the housemaid, and not only that. Carolina clearly told the whole pack that they could get any work done from Rosalie. They just had to inform Carolina about it.

The bullying started right after that. This time it was worse. Her mother would send her to get groceries, but the boys would stop her. Take all her money, and some would even glance at her wrongly. 

Her mother would then punish her by starving her for days because she believed that Rosalie was lying, and she spent the money on herself.

Life never got easier. It only got worse for her.

"Why did you not wake up on time?" Penelope asked. Her voice was sharp and icy.

"I... I'm sorry. It'll not h...happen again-"

"Of course, it won't." Penelope hissed.

Grabbing her arm, she began to drag Rosalie out of the house.