CHAPTER 002

Amira’s POV

A rush of cold water hit my face and body, soaking my thin blanket and my clothes as I shot up, gasping and coughing.

“What the hell—?!”

I looked up and saw Catherine, standing near my bed with an empty bucket in her hand and a smug smile on her face. “Rise and shine, peasant.”

She wore a silky dress with gold patterns, and her hair was done up like she was heading to a royal ball, playing the role of a princess in a tale that only she believed in. 

“You could’ve just called out,” I said, dragging the soaked sheet off my legs and standing up slowly, the water dripping down my arms. “Or knocked like a normal person.”

“Oh, sweetie,” she giggled, leaning against the doorway. “You forfeited ‘normal’ the moment your sorry existence walked into this pack. You think because you're 18now, you get to sleep in?”

I didn’t reply because what was the point when she was only here to ruin my morning?

“By the way,” she added, turning to leave, “My Father says if you’re not down in ten minutes, you’ll be on poop duty for the next three weeks.”

She turned with a smirk and walked out, her heels clicking against the floor. I stood there for a second, all drenched, with my fists clenched at my sides.

Well, happy birthday to me.

Dragging myself into the tiny corner bathroom I shared with two other omegas, I stripped out of my dress and stared at the cracked mirror above the sink, my face looked tired with dark circles under my eyes, and my cheeks still red from yesterday’s slap.

But today… Something felt different. Maybe it was because my wolf had been restless and alert ever since last night’s revelation about our mate. 

I quickly freshened up and put on a pair of black leggings with a fitted gray T-shirt and tied my blonde hair into a bun. I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, hoping to slip by without running into anyone else. But just as I passed the stairwell, a strong hand grabbed me from the side and yanked me into a room.

“Hey—!” 

The door slammed behind me as I looked up and froze. He pinned me to the wall as his gaze scanned my body from head to toe. There was no smirk on his face this time. 

“What do you want, Derek?” I asked, trying not to show how fast my heart was beating. The bond between us pulled tighter like a string this time, and my wolf, Maya, stirred inside me again, pacing around with an alert curiosity.

He didn’t answer right away. His jaw tensed, like he was fighting something inside himself, and I couldn’t tell if he wanted to yell at me again, or something worse.

“You should feel it too by now,” he finally said, in a low, indifferent tone.

“How could I have forgotten?” I narrowed my eyes. “So you knew all this while I was your mate and yet—”

Prince Derek was two years older than I was, and I remembered he first shifted into his wolf on his eighteenth birthday ceremony two years ago.

His smirk was quick, “You’re quite hard to miss, Amira.”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. I expected anger or even denial. But this calm version of him made me even more nervous.

“So what now?” I whispered. “You drag me in here to reject me in private?”

He laughed humorlessly. “Did you think I was going to throw my whole future away for some poor, mateless omega?”

That one stung, and  I felt the urge to slap him hard across his face but I held myself back. “I never asked to be your mate.” He moved so close that his lips were almost touching mine, which made me utterly disgusted.

“My wolf loses his mind whenever you are close,” he said, pressing a hand against his temple. “He wants you, but we can never happen. I, Derek Whithorn, Crown Prince of the Blackridge Pack, reject you, Amira, as my mate and Luna”

My heartbeat slowed down as the pain seared through me, but oddly, I recovered almost quickly. 

“I accept your rejection,” I glared back, my voice even louder. “I, Amira, daughter of no one, accept your rejection.”

He blinked. “What?”

“You just saved me from a lifetime of misery, so I accept your rejection,” I repeated. “Do you think I would want to be mated to someone who’s hated me since we were kids?” I said quietly, pushing him away from me.  

His face twitched, like my words cut deeper than he expected, and I enjoyed every bit of it. I felt the bond snapped between us as Derek staggered back, catching himself on the edge of a table. His mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

I rolled my eyes and walked out, shutting the door behind me. My hands were shaking, but I didn’t stop. Not even when Maya whimpered again. She’d get over it, eventually, and so would I.

I didn’t stop moving until I reached the end of the hallway. My breath was unsteady, and the walls felt like they were closing in around me but I tried my best to wave it off and hurried to finish the last few tasks I needed to do.

Everywhere was busy with people bumping into each other and shouting orders. The Alphas and Betas from other packs were starting to arrive, and all the unmated wolves were acting all wild and excited, hoping to find their mates. The ceremony was supposed to be about Derek taking over as Alpha from his father, Cedric, but no one seemed to care because they just wanted to show off or be noticed.

Even Catherine looked bored as she constantly peeked through the entrance, as if expecting someone. Although I had heard gossips that she had a crush on the Lycan king and that he would be attending the ceremony today. 

After the preparations were finished, I went back to my room and changed into a deep emerald green gown which was the only good clothing I could boast of and tied my hair into a neat bun at the nape of my neck.

The whole packhouse was lively with music drifting softly through the halls. It was supposed to be a celebration, but it didn’t feel like one to me. My stomach turned with nerves I couldn’t explain. The scent of grilled meats and roasted vegetables filled the air, making my mouth water. I hadn’t eaten all day, but now it didn’t seem like the right time to stop and grab a plate.

I walked carefully through the hallway, avoiding eye contact with the other pack members who were laughing like it was the best night of their lives. The ceremony started, and Alpha Cedric gave his final words, passing the title to Derek. Vows were made, and cheers erupted as Derek was officially declared the new Alpha of the Blackridge Pack.

I watched from the back, my body aching from exhaustion as hours passed. The moment the second round of desserts were released to the guests, I took that as my cue to slip away. Just a few more steps and I’d be able to rest and plan my next move out of this damn pack.

It wasn't long before someone pulled my hair and spun me around so fast, I barely had the time to react before a hand came down hard across my face yet again.

“Why the __?!” I gasped, stumbling back.

Catherine stood in front of me, extremely furious. “You sneaky little bitch!” she shrieked. “Are you trying to kill me?!”

“What are you talking about?” I managed to say.

“You know I hate lobsters! Why on earth would I be served with that? Didn't you tell them?”

I blinked at her. “You can’t be serious. I wasn't even in charge of the menu, Catherine!”

Her face turned a shade of red I didn’t know existed. “I don't care, you pathetic lying little worm! I always knew you had something against me,” she yelled.

“I thought it was the other way around,” I whispered, staring her dead in the eye. I didn't know where I got the kind of audacity I had with my mouth, but well, she pushed me hard to the ground, called me names, and kicked me with her heels as I curled myself on the floor, the pain tearing through every inch of me as my vision blurred.

I was still struggling to get up when I heard a thunderous, soul-shaking roar that made even Catherine startled.

“GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY MATE RIGHT NOW!”