Chapter 1: Unwanted

Emily’s POV

“Emily! Em, it’s time to go!” My friend’s voice cut through my thoughts. ‘Why doesn’t she mind link us?’ my wolf, Kyra, asks. It was time to leave for the gala. Once a year, our pack hosts a gala for unmated wolves. Several neighboring packs are invited. They also host their own galas once a year, but I try to avoid going to these galas whenever possible. I don’t expect to ever find a mate, despite being the Alpha’s firstborn.

I’ve always been unwanted.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve yearned for a feeling I’ve never felt. My parents didn’t want me. My siblings didn’t want me. I was just alone in the world no matter what I did.

I tried everything to get attention and affection from my family. I was the perfect daughter and student; an overachiever really. I woke my siblings and got them ready for school every morning, helped them with homework and even did their laundry. I practically raised my brothers and sisters. Despite all that, I never felt wanted or needed.

All I ever wanted was to be good enough. I was valedictorian, yearbook editor, class president and president of almost every club I joined. Despite that, I never heard a compliment from my parents. They weren’t proud of my accomplishments; it was just expected. My grades were never noticed unless they were below a 96.

It was definitely a lonely life for me.

I managed to have a few friends in high school that weren’t just trying to use my family’s status. I had dates for homecoming and prom and even though I wasn’t in the “popular crowd,” it was a big high school so I was pretty well known even without using my father’s title. I even had a few boyfriends throughout high school. From the outside looking in, it seemed like I had a great life.

In reality, I wasn’t allowed to do much. I went to school, went to training and went home to do homework. I stayed in my bedroom doing homework until dinner. School was the one place I felt seen, so I wanted to carry that feeling with me after I went home and homework was the only way. Fortunately, I never lacked homework since I was in Advanced classes.

The only times I was allowed to go out were prom and homecoming. I went on exactly two normal dates in my four years of high school. For my third date in high school, my friend Hannah and I said we were going to the movies together. She picked me up and he met us there. She was one of my only true friends in school. I mean, why else would she volunteer to be a third wheel for me to go on a date?

I thought I would finally be free from my pitiful existence after graduation, but I was wrong. My parents were so overbearing that I wasn’t allowed to apply for the colleges of my choice. My acceptance letter from my top choice was hidden from me, and I was forced to go to a local college since that was the only acceptance letter I knew about. Why would I be forced to stay home for college when they acted like they didn’t care about me anyway? It made no sense to me.

But here I am, in my second year of college getting gussied up with my best friend for a stupid “mating party.” I doubt my parents would notice if I didn’t show up. I’m only going because Hannah insists that we go. I’m hoping she finds her mate soon so I can stop attending these things.

My bedroom door suddenly opens, and my sister Kate is standing there with a scowl. She found her mate a month after turning eighteen and he’s not only the Beta’s son, but they will take over our pack if both of my brothers are mated to another Alpha’s only child. I guess I’m not worthy enough for that title.

“Emily, your dumb friend is here. Can you please tell her to shut up?” Kate says haughtily. ‘That’s why Hannah doesn’t mind link. She wants to annoy Kate.’ I chuckle back to Kyra.

Right behind her I see Hannah glare at her before brushing past her into my room. Hannah smiles at me as she says, “Oh Em, you look so gorgeous tonight! I have a good feeling this is the night we find our mates!”

“I hope so. I can’t wait for you losers to leave the pack for good.” Kate sneers.

I’m used to my sister’s disdain so I just roll my eyes and stand up. “Let’s go.” I say dragging Hannah away before she can retort. Once they start arguing they can go on all night.