1. The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

AQUAMARINE'S POV

"Freak."

"Abomination."

“Ghost.”

“Walking dead.”

I stood before the mirror; my white eyes and white hair were daily reminders of my unfortunate life.

Everybody in this pack always called me these names, and I accepted them.

Why? Because it was the bitter truth. I was an outcast, a living curse in their perfect pack.

"Today's assessment means a lot to me.” Sarah, my stepmother, echoed through the room.

The assessment was a yearly ritual, where werewolves showed off their strength and power to improve their ranks. And I dreaded it.

Sarah continued. “And the fact that Alpha Felix stated everyone must participate makes me want to get rid of you permanently."

Her wickedness was nothing new. After my mother's death, my father married her sister, Sarah. And she brought her daughter, Fiona, with her. Both of them made sure my life was a living hell.

No. Hell itself was nothing compared to what I faced here.

As I dressed, Fiona taunted me. "What's the point of her participating? She's just a weak wolfless…. thing who can't even sniff a dead rat." She squeezed her face like it was the most irritating thing ever.

"I don't know why you can't be normal and shift like everyone else," Fiona spat.

"Maybe she's not even a true werewolf," Sarah sneered. "Her dead mother was weak, so obviously the apple wouldn't fall far from the tree."

As I endured their taunts, memories flooded my mind.

Our maid told me that my mother died shortly after giving birth to me, and my father didn't even bury her. He just left her to rot in an open field and left me to cry for weeks, refusing anyone to take care of me till they begged him to spare me.

Why?

Because of my looks, nobody has white hair or ocean-like eyes in our pack, or even the 7 kingdoms.

I didn't even get a name until I was five years old, and it was still the maid who named me Aquamarine.

"Your mother was a mistake," Sarah often said. "And you're a reminder of that mistake."

Sarah grasped my arm, her nails digging deep. "Remember, Ghost, don't humiliate me."

The assessment began, and everyone began shifting into powerful wolves. But I just hid at the back, feeling extremely out of place.

When my turn came, I hesitated. Sarah's threat echoed in my mind.

I closed my eyes tightly, scrunched my nose, and tightened my fist. Focusing on whatever was inside me. But nothing changed. Instead, I felt utterly stupid with all the facial expressions I was making.

The crowd's whispers and snickers grew louder. "Even a pup can do better," someone shouted, and everyone laughed.

I looked at Clinton. Alpha Felix's son, whom I have been secretly dating for months. But he was busy talking to his father, not even paying attention.

Out of embarrassment, I ran out of the hall, away from the palace. I ran to the waterfall on the outskirts of our pack's territory. That was the only place I could find peace.

The sound of rushing water and the moon's gentle light usually calmed my racing thoughts.

But as I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths, trying to forget the humiliation and prepare myself for Sarah's torture, I felt someone was watching me.

We had a lot of perverted men in our pack who sneaked to peep when the ladies were cleaning up. But this feeling was different.

My hair stood on end as I hurriedly scanned my surroundings. Suddenly, I felt something spark within me; a scent wafted through the air, pulling me in like bees to flower.

Mate! That word echoed loud and clear within me.

"Mate?," I whispered, my heart beating loudly against my chest.

Mate!

I heard it again, and I believe it could only mean one thing. My wolf had finally awakened after all these years of torture.

I tried to fight back tears, but I fell to the floor, letting my emotions take over.

The scent became stronger, and a wolf ran out from the bushes. It immediately shifted to a man with familiar features.

"Clinton!" I exclaimed, launching myself at him, relief washing over me as tears flowed down my cheeks.

He smiled. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"You're my mate!" I blurted out. I buried my nose in the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply again. "I can perceive your wolf! My wolf, she's finally awake, and she recognizes you!"

Clinton's expression softened, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Didn't I tell you that you're my mate and that your wolf would awaken soon?" he asked, his voice filled with emotion. "But I wanted you to realize it for yourself."

My heart swelled, hope and joy flooding me. "Does this mean...?" I trailed off, hesitant.

Would he announce me as his mate? Will his family and the pack accept me?

"Tomorrow, I'll announce my mate," he whispered, his eyes locked on mine.

I felt my body heat up, and I grinned.

"What's wrong?" Clinton asked, looking concerned.

"It's nothing, I just feel a little hot," I said, patting my cheek and fanning myself. I couldn't believe he'd make our relationship public. Plus, the kiss did something funny to my belly.

Clinton's eyes sparkled with interest. His smile twisted into a smirk, "Is that right?" he whispered, moving my hair to the side.

His lips brushed against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"You're very beautiful," he murmured, his hands roaming my body.

I melted into his touch. Nobody has ever called me beautiful. Well, aside from our maid.

But as his touch grew bolder, a nagging voice whispered in my mind.

This doesn't feel right.

“Clint…”

"Ssh Ssh, it's been confirmed by the Goddess that you're my mate. Don't I have a right to what's mine? Especially after waiting this long?" he interrupted, his breath hot against my skin.

He was right. The Goddess has finally blessed me with my wolf. If I had gotten my wolf earlier, we would have done things together. He even waited patiently for me till I got it before touching me.

But still, it felt wrong. There was something about his eyes. It shone with lust, not love.

I tried to push him away, but he didn't even budge. "Clinton, stop," I pleaded.

Just as I began to struggle, a voice cut through the darkness.

"Clinton, what's going on here?”