Ch 2

Sammie’s POV

I could not manage to get what Max said out of my head even as much as I wanted to. I could not help but think that the few days he was referring to were the same as mine.

As I stepped on the stairs that led to the entrance of our small house, just before I opened the door, I could already hear the sound of arguments from within. I wonder why my father and stepmother have to stay with each other if all they can do is argue and shout at each other.

“You good for nothing girl! You are the cause of this! You are the cause of this whole thing! Your father and I won't be having these arguments if you were just not in the picture! You are a disgrace to this family!” Those were the words she spat at me the minute I stepped through the door.

My stepmother always had things to blame me about, but as I always did, I thought it would go away somehow and her temper would lessen if I didn't say anything, and then she had to leave me alone.

This was not her first time throwing dirty words and curses at me, but today was different. More than anything, I would have liked to just enter my room and lock it up, and maybe get into my chores as early as I could get before any of them woke up. But that seemed so far-fetched now with the arguments going on and they have both refused to go to bed for the night, everyone but my little sister.

My step-sister Dani, who is just a little over five years old, is the only source of joy in the family. She is nothing like her mother. And I hope in the long run, she doesn't get influenced.

“What did I do?” I boldly asked my stepmother, Becca Dean.

“What did you do, uh? You still don't know or you are just acting like a fool for no reason at all? You made your father this way. If you had not taken your mother away from him, then I would not have met him like that. Why do I have to be the one suffering for what happened to your family?” she said, poking her fingers into my chest. I still don't understand why I should be blamed for that, but it's not a new thing now. I just wish they would realize that I also feel the loss more than anything. I just wish they understand that I am just as hurt as any of them and even more, but they don't see me hurting someone else because of it.

I looked over at where my father was sitting, not in the least bothered about what was playing out behind him. He was already with his usual bottle of rum and he would probably not stand up until he was done with it, drunk into a stupor and unable to think straight.

Nobody was seeing the hurt inside of me. “I am hurt too! Why can't you all see that I am hurt too!! What did I do to deserve all of this? If you do not give me love, at least let me be without having to face you every day! Trust me! I am tired! I'm tired of you all! I would love to leave this damaged household if I could help it! But of course, I can't! I am just as helpless!” I screamed back at her, and I got a hot slap for it, the third one that night.

But the funny thing was that I felt relieved in a way, I was finally able to say a little bit of what I had held in my mind for so long.

“How dare you raise your voice at me? How dare you?” she said, and then slapped me the second time, but who is counting? I was more pained that my father just sat there without saying anything or defending me.

It's only going to be a week, just a week more and I am as well out of the house as I feel right now, I just need to hold it in again. My fated mate would get me out of here in no time. I held on to that silent hope with all my heart.

After a century-like waiting, the big day eventually arrives.

I woke up that morning, finally meeting my wolf. I had been worried that it might come later because I was an omega after all, and some omegas never meet their wolf on their eighteenth birthday. In fact, she was the one who stirred me up from sleep, today is my birthday!!

Hi, nice to meet you! She sounded really excited as she introduced herself. My name is Lily, I am here to be your only friend, and your confidant now. We now only have one another. Now wake up, let's go find our mate. I was excited that she seemed like a friendly wolf, unlike some I have heard of, who found out that their wolves ended up being grumpy at their owners.

I stood up, took my bath, and just went out of the house. Today is the final day to listen to any of the ramping and putting up with the maltreatment. Today I am going to find my mate.

Since a lot of my mates would be celebrating their birthdays today, I felt a bit energetic, seemed alpha and luna had called all the birthday boys and girls over to their house to celebrate, but it seemed like, once again, I would be there not as a celebrant but as a maid, washing after them.

Nothing pleased me more though, because I wanted to at least think that it was my birthday that was being celebrated. And by the way, Dora gave me a gift to celebrate earlier yesterday when I went to work as an early birthday present and that was more than enough for me.

And my mate, I am finally going to meet him today.

I was carrying a plate of used plates into the kitchen when lily triggered me, Mate! Mate! She chanted happily, almost not able to contain herself.

Are you sure? I asked as if I was not used to the idea just yet, but I could feel something, I just could not place it.

I was excited. I prayed that it was someone who was sweet like me and only made me see happy things. And, of course, I am going to make him feel very happy too. The sweet memories that would follow placed themselves forcefully in my head, and I liked it.

I followed as she directed me to the hallway. After I had put the dirty dishes safely in the kitchen, I would come back to it, finding my mate was more important to me now.

As I walked, a scent hit me in my nose, and as I walked the scent grew stronger and stronger, only to land in front of Max’s little office.

Why are we here? I asked Lily, and it was as if she was just realizing what was happening. This is the office of the man I hate the most. Someone who could make a difference but chooses not to!

She winced and turned me back, but just as I was about to take another step towards the hallway back out, his door opened, and he came out with his ever-beautiful and popular girlfriend, Shayna. They looked like they just had a hot session of banging and doing other things.

Unable to help it, I automatically began to compare myself with her as I stayed rooted to the hard floor. I was nothing like her, far less in beauty and in status.

“Sammie, I knew you would come!” he said, plastering a big smile on his face.

“What do you mean, Max? What is she doing here?” his girlfriend, Shayna, asked. I wanted to ask the same too, but I could not talk.

“Oh, the little bitch is here to tell me that I am her mate” he announced loudly, not bothered about who might be listening to his silly jokes, then burst into laughter.

“You can't be serious? I thought you said you wouldn't accept any mate and you would just be with me”, they stood there arguing, while I was still there, wondering if I had heard him quite correctly.

I wondered why I could not move an inch from where I stood! This was not normal! Why were my legs glued to the floor? I thought.

“Relax Shayna. I am not doing anything with her, but I can't just turn my back on the poor girl! She looks so pitiful. Don't you think?” he asked, still laughing and then glancing over at me.

He is so irritating, my wolf finally said something, but could see that she was not attempting to help me move away from where I was glued to.

Then why are still staying here? I asked her before she curled back inside again.

He is our mate! We really have no choice. She replied.

No! No! Never will I accept him as my mate! My life will only become much worse! No! I argued

But we can't just reject him, we have to wait for him to reject us, Sammie.

“Call me when you have settled this thing,” Shayna said as she walked past me, without wasting the moment to call me whore!

“Come! I think we have a lot of things to talk about”, Max said, gesturing toward me and, since I didn't make a point to move, he dragged me into his office.

“I told you that you would come to me! I have known for a while now that you are my mate. I was just waiting for you to find yourself. A week was just a little wait for me to enjoy this amusement. I am sure it came as a surprise to you” he asked,

“I am surprised that the moon goddess had to pair me with someone like you”, I spat the words at him.

He came to me and held me firmly by my chin,

“Someone like me? Why do you talk to me that way, Sammie? I am way above you in status and position.”

“You think that's how I see it? It is not only with position and the money you have, what about your heart?” without waiting for him to answer, I added

“Reject me. I am sure you have enjoyed yourself enough with this little play of yours. Rejected me and let's get this over with” I said, but I could see this chilling expression on his face, that didn't seem like he was going to let me get what I wanted so easily.

“No, there is no way I will give that to you so freely, you have to earn it. And you know what, Rosie? You could have just held your tongue. Maybe if you hadn't demanded to be rejected, I could have rejected you without thinking twice about it. I hate that you have to be the one demanding. A rejection when you know what you stand to gain by being with me”. He paused and I looked at him in the face.

What the heck was he talking about?? More than anything, I was scared of what was going to come out of his mouth next.

There is a cruel smile playing on his lips as he declares triumphantly, “But first I will let you understand the reason why you should not have crossed me! I will take you as my mistress.”

The terror on my face must amuse him. He then assures me with a devilish smirk, “Put it in a simple way, you won't have the respect of a wife. Neither freedom.”