She-Pod

Mia

My eyes wander the room in amazement. Every Northern pack meeting is more spectacular than the last. Tonight, many will find their mate or at least dance and drink the night away…. But not me.

Never me.

“Hurry up, Mia!” My sister Veronica barks at me as I finish placing the last of the flower decorations on the banquet table; I wish this was in a playful manner, but it is anything but. My sister hates me just like the rest of my family.

That’s right; my family isn’t my family, not really. I am merely the cursed Tripod they tolerate. They treat me as if I am lower than an omega even though I am one of the Alpha’s daughters….

“Sorry, Veronica!” I almost choke on my words. “That was the last one,” I say softly. I do not want to anger her. The last time I angered her she only allowed me one meal a day. I glance around the room, admiring how stunning it is and I wish I could be more a part of this special occasion instead of just helping decorate the space.

But that will never happen. The pack will hide me away and pretend I don’t exist since I am wolf less and deformed.

 Veronica looks back over the room, her eyes scanning every detail until her lips purse a smile, “Good,” she says coldly. “Now run along to the kitchen and see what Ms. Herb has for you to do,” She pauses, turning around to face me, “And I do not want anyone to see you tonight at the party, do you understand?” She asks. Her tone low and threatening. “No one needs to know about the curse or what you are,” She says, glancing at the space where my arm should be.

I nod, “Yes, Veronica.” I say before walking out of the banquette hall, keeping my tears at bay. I try not to cry anymore.  It doesn’t matter if I do; my family and the rest of the pack feel nothing for me.

I take a deep breath and walk back toward the kitchen, knowing that once all my tasks are complete, I can retreat to my room and block out the rest of the night and get some peace. That very thought soothes me so I quicken my pace in excitement, but as I turn the corner, I hit something hard, knocking me backward and forcing me to fall on my butt.

I look up, realizing the huge mistake I have just made. Why him? I wish it was anyone but him!

“Watch where you are going!” My father, Alpha Mernard growls. My entire body stiffens, fear taking over.

“I-I-I’m Sorry,” I stutter out. “I was just going to the kitchen to finish my chores for the party,” I say softly as he stands over me, looking at me with disgust. Veronica’s wrath is harsh, but nothing like my father’s.

He bends down to my level, his eyes glowing red with anger, “I wish we would have gotten rid of you the night you were born!” He snarls. “As soon as I saw you were born with white hair, I should have ended your life then and there!” My body shakes, but he knows he does not need to touch me to cause me pain, his words will suffice. “White wolves are cursed. We know that is why you have no wolf! And on top of your color, you were born missing an arm! I do not know what I did to make Selene curse this pack, but it all ends tonight!”

My head snaps toward him confused by his words, Are you going to kill me?” I ask in a whisper as I fight a tear falling from my eye.

Would he really kill me three days before I turn 18?

He smirks, shaking his head, “If only,” He growls coyly before he stands up,  “No,” He pauses with a glimmer in his eye. “Tonight, after the party, you will be leaving this pack.” He says with his tone colder than ice.

My heart beats faster as I listen to his words, “Leave this pack?”

“I am selling you as a slave to Alpha Perez.”

My mouth opens wide as fear takes over my entire body. Alpha Perez has a reputation for being one of the cruelest Alphas in the North. My family may hate me and be cruel to me but the stories I hear about Alpha Perez are much worse than anything they have done to me!

“Listen here!” He growls, his eyes the darkest red I have ever seen them. “I have tried for many years to -pretend you don’t exist! You were a betrayal of everything I thought I knew! A betrayal of love. You are a curse and a mistake! You are nothing and you will be leaving!” My eyes widen in confusion and my mouth opens to speak but his grip only tightens, making me bite my tongue. “The only way I can pretend you don’t exist is to truly get rid of you! You will be leaving with Alpha Perez tonight and you will not fight it, do you understand!?”He growls.

My heart sinks as I see his anger and true hatred for me; he will never let me stay.

“Do you understand!?” He growls again, his hot breath on my face.

I nod, my body going limp as I give up all hope, “Yes, Alpha,” I say softly. I watch as he grits his teeth before he sets me back down on the ground.

“Good.” He pauses, “And Mia,” He says with a sharp tone. My eyes look up at him as I hold back tears. “He doesn’t know what you are, and you aren’t to tell him. I have told him you are wolf-less and were born with black hair.” I nod again and he stands taller, fixing the collar on his shirt, “Good, now go to your quarters.” He orders.

“GO TO YOUR QUARTERS!” He shouts and I cower in fear. “You will not be seen until I collect you for Alpha Perez, understand?” His voice booms.

I  nod and shuffle to the wall, using it to brace myself as I quickly turn and run down the hallway, now letting the tears flow. Sell me to Alpha Perez? How could he? How could they? I know they hate me, but can they truly be this cruel?

The night cold air hits me in the face as I open the back door of the packhouse, making me hold my breath until I reach my quarters; a small shed on the packhouse land.

The door creaks as I open it with force, running inside and falling onto my mattress. Why was I born like this? Why must I be cursed?

 IT ISN’T FAIR!

 I roll over and look at the moon shining through the window, my heart aching, “Why Moon Goddess?” I ask as if she’ll answer, but she never does.

I sigh, looking around my shed, an idea finally hitting me: NO! I will NOT be sold to Alpha Perez… I will leave this place tonight.

Anywhere is better than here or with Alpha Perez; that HAS to be true. I can live out on my own and be a Lonewolf…. Well, if I had one.

 My father was right; I am wolf-less. My wolf has never spoken to me. Sometimes I feel as if she is there, but she has never tried to help me. If it wasn’t for my white hair, they would have believed I was human….

I stand up quickly and pack a bag, throwing inside what little belongings I have. When the party is in full swing, I will sneak away and leave this place forever. I smile as the thought takes over; being a rogue means freedom and that fills me with hope.

Headlights flash above me, taking me out of my thoughts and I duck quickly, peering back out once they have passed.  I watch as four black SUV cars pull into the driveway, stopping where my father waits. The driver gets out and runs to open the back passenger door. A dark figure steps out. His frame is tall and muscular, but it’s too dark to see his face.  

Something about this man is different, but I can’t figure out what.

I watch as my father walks toward him, shaking his hand, “Alpha Perez, it’s nice to meet you.” He says in his deepest voice and my heart races with fear.

He’s here!

Alpha Perez nods,” Thank you for inviting me. I don’t get a lot of invites.” He says smugly. I can't see his face, but I know he’s smirking.

Does this Alpha have a sense of humor? Doubtful with the stories I have heard about him…

 I watch the rest of the pack members he has brought with him exit the cars, each of them has a warrior build, making me suspicious…but it’s no longer my problem.  He will never get the chance to meet me….

Tonight, I will become a rogue.