Chapter 1

ELARA

I have tried my best to fit in like every other wolf in my pack. But it's not working out for me.

It's just not going well for me.

"Get away from us! " A group of young ladies sparked at me, right in public.

I felt terrified at their roars, stepping away from them a bit. 

I was just strolling by and noticed a group of young ladies, having fun while talking. They are the same age as me, so I felt if I drew closer to them, and acted like them, they would accept me. But I thought too soon. 

They didn't hesitate to ridicule me the moment they laid their eyes on me.

"How dare you come near us?! " One sparked, almost storming at me.

"Don't touch her! She's a filthy wolfless brat!" One insulted, pulling her friend away from my point.

"She's useless. Let's just go." They turned their backs on me, leaving. 

Even as they left, it didn't stop everyone from glaring at me with detest, making me wish I never stepped out of my home.

"I thought that man said he'll keep her locked away? "

"Her face alone irritates me. How long do we have to put up with her? "

Shivers ran down my body, as I slowly took my steps back.

"I have to head back home. I have..."

"ELARA! " My heart sank with fear on hearing a familiar voice from behind. Turning over, I found my stepfather storming towards me. That sent fear into my heart at once.

"Father," I called, getting petrified on seeing his raging eyes welling out.

"Who gave you the right to leave the house? " He questioned with a groan, grabbing me by the arm roughly.

I tried to explain myself, but we were suddenly interrupted by the presence of a flashy car that stopped next to my stepfather and me. 

The window came down, revealing the Alpha sitting in the backseat with a frown across his face. 

"Alpha!" My stepfather exclaimed, bowing at once. I did the same, following his steps.

"I was close by when I saw the incident your stepdaughter created. Is this how she'll be going about causing problems for my people?" He questioned my stepfather with a harsh tone. 

His voice made me feel so weak that I kept my head bowed without thinking of lifting it back up.

"My apologies, Alpha. I'll deal with this stubborn girl and fix things straight," My stepfather promised strongly.

From his tone, I'm sure he has his daring eyes on me. Still, I didn't raise my head, until I felt his striking tap on my shoulder, ordering me to return home.

I obeyed, turning back to leave, only to hear...

"If you don't get rid of this girl, you'll only attract more hatred to yourself. She's a problem to you," Alpha advised my stepfather. 

That broke my heart to the core. How is it my fault that I'm the way I am?

. 

"If you ever step outside, I'll make you regret it! " My stepfather warned, raising his voice to the top. 

I stood at a corner with my hands shielding my face, in fear of him lashing at me.

"Get back to work, you unwanted being, " He cursed, storming out of the house. 

Tears filled my eyes as I slowly went into the kitchen to clean up. 

My heart sank with pain, as the memories of my mother filled me at once. 

"Oh, Mom. If only she was still alive, we wouldn't be here." I sniffed sadly. 

But this isn't my mother's fault. It's all my father's doing. Mom has been with me until she took her last breath, but father... He abandoned me. 

"He didn't consider the fact that I was still a little girl. He just left us. I... Hate that man! " I groaned, crying out my heart.

All my sufferings are because of him. If he hadn't left, Mom would still be alive, and our home would have been a happy one.

"If he comes before me today, I won't know because I don't know how he looks. He's probably dead just like Mom, " I sniffed, attending to the dishes with nothing but pains in my heart.

That wasn't the only problem I was facing in the pack. After my mother passed away, many found me as an abomination. That's because my stepfather isn't my biological father. 

To them, I am just an orphan seeking refuge in their pack.

I thought all would change when I clock eighteen and unleash my woof, but my wolf didn't appear, increasing everyone's detest for me.

I felt suffocated.

 The next morning, I woke to a surprising knock on my door. It got me scared because it's only my stepfather and I that stay together.

"Goddess! Please tell me I didn't forget to attend to something?" I panicked, jumping out of bed to answer the knock. 

Only to be left stunned at what I saw. My stepfather stood outside with a tray of food, smiling at me. 

What is going on here? 

"Hope you slept well? " He asked with a grin. 

I couldn't answer but stared in disbelief. I must be dreaming.

My stepfather came into my room and explained how he took it upon himself to prepare me something to eat. 

But why?

As if he read my thoughts, he said, " Elara, it hurts to see how we're both distant despite being under the same roof. You are my girl and I'm your father. I want us both to be a happy family. So, I've decided to make things right, starting with this." He points at the breakfast.

"Eat up. You'll be surprised that your old man has skills. " He chuckled. 

This new side of him attracted me deeply. I smiled, taking a spoon from my breakfast. 

Indeed it's delicious. 

I saw how my stepfather smiled gladly, suggesting I hurry up so we could head out to have more fun. 

"You remember that boutique we saw on the TV? "

I nodded at him. 

"We'll be heading there. I'm going to get you the best dress ever," He assured me.

I thought he was bluffing, but he proved me wrong. My stepfather brought a smile to my face, as he bought me nice clothes and shoes. 

This is the happiness I've been looking for. The goddess has finally heard my cries.

When we returned home in the evening, I summon my courage and hugged my stepfather for his sweet love towards me. How I wish he had shown this side of himself earlier.

"Thank you, Father, " I appreciated deeply. 

"You are welcome," He said, patting my head.

To prove more of his fatherly love, my stepfather prepared dinner for us both. He told a funny joke, brightening the atmosphere with laughter. 

Goddess, thank you.

.

"Oh my goodness! Why do I have such a headache? " I groaned, slowly rising from where I lay.

"When did I fall asleep?" I asked, finding this strange. I don't recall leaving the dining room for my bedroom. 

What happened to me? 

Upon opening my eyes, despite the ache I was getting in my head... 

"What is this?!" I exclaimed. 

This is not my room! I looked around and discovered I was in a new environment, fancier and larger than my home. 

"Where am I? "