Claimed By The Ruthless Alpha

Lisa's POV

Being an omega, the weakest wolf rank in the pack, meant that I was treated like an outcast. Not just by other wolves my age, but by everyone - even my own family. There was no respect, no acknowledgment of my worth, nothing. I was a burden, a punching bag for the pack's frustrations and jokes. No one expected anything of me, and it seemed no one ever would.

“Lisa!” A sharp voice called from behind, snapping me from my thoughts.

I flinched at the sound recognizing the harsh tone instantly. My stepsister, Brenda emerged from the trees, her brows furrowed in irritation.

“What are you doing here?”

“I— I was just sitting,” I replied quickly, standing up and brushing the dirt off my dress. I spoke quietly as I often did when speaking to anyone, especially her. “I needed a moment to think.”

Brenda crossed her arms and scowled. “To think? About what? How useless you are?” Her words were biting, filled with the same disdain that the rest of the pack showed me. “The mating ceremony is about to start. What do you think you're doing hiding out here? Aren't you supposed to fix my hair and makeup or should I do them myself?”

I dropped my gaze to the ground and whispered. “I'm going to the mating ceremony this year. You should do your own hair and makeup yourself.”

“Excuse me. I didn't ask for a dog's opinion,” Brenda scoffed. Then she pinched her eyelids. “You want to go to the ceremony? For what? You never attend any of them.”

“I–I’m going.” I stuttered terribly.

Though I wasn't sure if that was entirely true. The mating ceremony was something I dreaded and longed for. It was the moment when the Moon Goddess would reveal everyone’s destined mates, the one person they were meant to spend the rest of their lives with. I never had the opportunity to attend any mating ceremony. I'd always hide in the kitchen with the maids or my room in the attic. But this time, I was going to attend. For an omega like me, hope was a fragile thing, but it was one thing I clinged onto.

Brenda burst out in a mocking laugh. “You should be thankful if anyone even looks at you, Lisa. I doubt the Moon Goddess will waste her time pairing you with anyone decent. You'll probably end up with some other omega, or worse, alone.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, trying to keep my emotions in check. This was nothing new. I had been hearing those same insults for as long as I can remember.

Brenda chuckled. “Oh, I know. She'll pair you with a loser. Isn't that match made in heaven?”

“I won't be paired with a loser.” I clenched both my fists at my side.

“Are you talking to me like that?” Brenda threw me glare that sent a shiver down my spine.

She went on. “Ah… I see…she's finally growing some wings. Who taught you to talk like that? Your dead mother?”

I threw my gaze to the ground, tongue-tied. I knew Brenda's piercing gaze was fixed on me, enjoying me drowning in the misery she put me in.

“Aww, cat got your tongue,” she mocked, stepping close to tower over me. When I couldn't respond, she grabbed my face, forcing me to look at her. “Next time, you want to talk back, remember who put the clothes on your back and a roof over your head, you ungrateful little bitch. If it weren't for my mother, you'd be nothing.”

She chuckled. “Face it, Lisa. No one wants a weakling like you. The only thing you're good for is making me look better and you know it.”

I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, fighting the wave of tears threatening to spill. I told myself I wouldn't cry, not here, and definitely not in front of her.

“Don't waste your time daydreaming,” she continued, her tone as cold as ever. “If I were you, I wouldn't even bother showing up to the ceremony as a candidate. Save yourself the embarrassment and join the maids in doing the dishes. That's a more fitting role for you.”

Brenda shoved me backwards and I slipped on the mud. “Yeah. The mud. That's where things like you belong. Don't stay in the mud for too long. I know you like it. Hurry up and join the maids before the ceremony starts. I'll do my hair and makeup. Don't wanna get your dirty paws on it.”

She turned on her heels and walked away.

I struggled to my feet, my eyes stinging with tears. I watched as Brenda's footsteps faded into the distance. I stood there like a fool, not moving. The weight of her words settled like stones in my stomach. She knew I was weak and she made it clear. I know I didn't fit in but I clung to the small, fragile hope that maybe, just maybe, the Moon Goddess had something better in store for me.

Later that evening, the pack gathered in the central clearing for the mating ceremony. The full moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the gathered wolves. Everyone was dressed in their best clothes, the air thick with excitement and anticipation.

I stood at the edge of the clearing, my arms wrapped around myself. I was doing my best to stay out of sight, hoping to avoid drawing any unwanted attention.

The other wolves stood in groups, laughing and talking animatedly as they speculated about who their mates might be.

“Look, who's here,” a familiar voice sneered behind me and I froze, recognizing the voice instantly.

I turned around slowly and my heart sank. Just when I was trying my best to avoid Brenda, the universe sends her my way.

Brenda was flanked by her two besties, Grace and Freya. She walked towards me with a cruel smile on her red lips. She really made an effort in looking good. Her blue mermaid tail gown really highlighted her ocean-blue eyes and her golden hair was styled elegantly in beautiful curls. She was beautiful.

“I'm surprised you even showed up despite my warning, Lisa. You've got nerves.” she curled an eyebrow. When I tried to shrink back, she closed the distance between us.

Then she grabbed my arm, her sharp fingernails digging into my skin. “I figured you'd have the sense to stay in the kitchen, given that no one's going to want you.”

Brenda's friends giggled, adding to my humiliation. I could feel my face burning in shame. There was no point in trying to defend myself. It would only make things worse. I was outnumbered.

“You know,” Brenda continued, stepping close so that she was towering over me. The heels always did the trick seeing she was wearing one and I was not. “I heard Alpha Roman is supposed to find his mate tonight. Can you imagine it's me?”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder, looking smug and I almost threw up.

“I'd make the perfect Luna, wouldn't I?” she winked at me.

My stomach dropped at the mention of Alpha Roman. He was the most powerful wolf in the SilverMoon Pack, strong, dominant, and feared by everyone. If the Moon Goddess paired him with someone like Brenda, then… I couldn't afford to let my mind wander that path.

Brenda leaned in closer, lowering her voice as she whispered behind my ear. “And you? You'll be lucky if anyone would want to take you. I mean, who would want to be stuck with an Omega? Even you wouldn't want that to happen.”

I clenched my fists at my side, my nails digging into my palms. It was getting harder and harder to hold back with Freya and Grace’s cackling behind her their laughter and whispers swirling around me like a fog.

Before I could muster a response, the bell signaling the start of the ceremony rang out across the clearing, drawing everyone's attention. The noise around me died down and the pack's focus shifted to the front where Alpha Roman stood, his imposing figure silhouetted by the moonlight. His presence alone commanded everyone.

My heart pounded in my chest as I slowly moved to stand with the others.

The air around me shimmered with the Moon Goddess magic, signaling the sacred moment when mates would be revealed.

I closed my eyes, a silent prayer as I braced myself for whatever was to come.

The magic flowed through the clearing like a gentle breeze, touching every wolf, linking them to their fated mate.

A warm, tingling sensation began to spread through my body, wrapping me like a comforting embrace. I gasped in shock. There was a bond.

I looked up, my breath catching in my throat as my gaze locked with none other than Alpha Roman.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The world around me faded and all I could see was him. My mate. The Moon Goddess had chosen Alpha Roman to be my mate.