Chapter 2

LEONA’S POV

The condominium is spacious, just enough for me. Mommy Rose bought it as a gift for my graduation, but she didn’t get the chance to give it herself. And I thank her love for making my life easier. I called my friend, Sophie Lucas, and informed her that I’d already settled in the city.

We will apply to a fashion company together and, hopefully, get the job, so I won’t rely on the money that Mommy Rose left me.

****

“Where are you?” Sophie asked over the phone.

“Almost there!” I park my car outside and rush into the company’s lobby.

“Leona. Over here!” Sophie waved at me.

“Sophie!” we peck each other’s cheeks, “Are we on?”

“You are just in time.”

The human resource officer called our name for the interview. We went inside and confidently answered all the questions they threw at us. It was a panel interview, but they didn’t spook us. I am here for the job. As a result, we got in as marketing staff.

“I am so flattered to be part of the leading fashion company in our country now. I am so excited for our first day!” Sophie giggled.

“So am I. I hope everything turns well.”

“It will, Leona. With our wits, they won’t resist us,” Sophie arched her brow and laughed.

She’s really bubbly. And I discovered my bubbly side as well around her. She’s a good friend, and her positivity makes me happy. I’m her number one supporter, and she’s mine as well. I remembered Ellen through her. I miss her and Mama Thelma and Papa Simon. I want to visit them soon and take them with me.

But how? I’m a fugitive in my pack. Framed by the crime, I didn’t commit. If I go back, they will arrest me and cage me. Life is unfair with the beast.

****

I lived amongst the beast unknown to man, a werewolf. Serving Alpha Riley and his daughter Victoria is my undying responsibility. Yes, I am a slave. I am what they called, Omega.

Taken when I was a child, the only family I’ve known is my Mama Thelma and Papa Simon. They are also an Omega from the Silver Dawn pack. And the only memory I have is being a human.

Enslaved and deprived, for I am a human. Growing up, I was treated badly and unfairly. Bullied and maltreated, I am an outcast in my pack. My Mama and Papa are my only refuge. Their love is the only reason I endured all the suffering.

“Leona!” I heard Alpha Riley’s thunderous voice echoing in the four corners of the house.

I need to prepare his warm bath early in the morning along with Victoria. Failing to do so will result in a punishment. A whip or a night in the cage with no food.

“I’m coming!”

Rushing upstairs, I quickly bow my head and lower my eyes in front of Alpha Riley. Enslaved people are not allowed to stare directly into the Alpha’s eyes. If caught, a resounding slap will land on our cheeks. It’s a sign of disrespecting the leader of the pack.

“Is my warm bath ready?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

He turned his back on me going to his bathroom without waiting for my answer.

“Leona!” Victoria started screaming. She does that every morning. Waking the whole pack in her screeching voice.

“Coming!” I run my way to her room.

I remove her clothes and then prepare her bath. Alpha Riley won’t barge in when I served Victoria. He would call another slave to attend to his needs. But most of the time, I serve them both.

My only salvation is the Moonbeams. Each year, all the allied packs gathered and find their mate. Once claimed, he will take you to his pack and be a loyal partner to him. I know I am human, but I still have the chance to be mated to a wolf, and I can feel it. I need to wait for him to claim me. But if my mate comes from our pack, forget it! I will be the one to reject him. If given a choice, I don’t want to be mated; I don’t want to love a beast I despise. But what choice do I have? If this is the only way that I can leave my horrendously miserable life.

Toxic. Ruled by a ruthless leader, I have no future in my pack. I’ve longed for the day that I will leave this place with my Mama and Papa. Go somewhere safe and peaceful. Because here, we cannot guarantee our safety. One day we will be fertilizer to the garden. Buried alive. That’s why we need to live by the rules.

The best day of my life happens every last Sunday of the month. Every Saturday night, I fled to my tree house, which I built into the woods away from the pack for my day off. Wake up to the sound of the chirping birds and fresh air. Swim in the lake, go fishing, and rest. My friend Ellen would stay with me after work and return before dawn. Here, freedom is within my reach.

Into the woods, my inner wolf felt ecstatic being free. I called it my inner wolf because despite being a slave, I have the strength, speed, and sense of a wolf. Even more pronounced and amplified. Only I am not a wolf. I think my body adapts to the way of life here. Many times I wish to be like them. Out here, shifting and running free. Maybe then my pack would be kind to me.

At the same time, I felt relieved that I was not one of them—an odious beast. Through time, I felt nothing but despise them. They’re mean, selfish, hideous, and cranky. Only my Mama and Papa showed me love, and my friend Ellen. Other than that, life sucks here!

My heart felt heavy whenever I needed to go back into the pack. I always missed my tree house. Counting on days, I busied myself with my chores until my next freedom day.

“You’re home late!” Mama Thelma looked scared.

“I woke up late, sorry.”

“I took care of the Alpha’s warm bath and made an excuse that you are taking care of Victoria. Go to the leader’s cabin now. Quickly!”

I’m sure Victoria is pissed by now. I went to the kitchen and took the hot water for her warm bath. Running into her bathroom, I met her by the corridor.

“Where were you? What took you so long?” she yelled. But before I could explain myself, a resounding slap landed on my cheek.

“Ah!” I spill the hot water all over me.

“That suits you, you lazy pig!” she turned away without even checking my condition.

I felt my skin tighten and break apart. It burns. I rushed outside, went to the cold spring nearby, and soaked myself.

“That felt good,” I close my eyes.

“Leona, what are you doing here?” Mama Thelma saw me running and followed me.

“I spill the hot water on me, Mama,” my eyes started to glisten in tears.

“What? Let me see it.”

I slowly removed my clothes and revealed my red skin.

“Luckily, you came here. The cold water will prevent it from swelling. And do not scratch that, you’ll scrape your skin,” Mama paused and examined me, “Did you spill hot water on your cheek too?”

Mama noticed my red cheek. I have no intention of telling her about the slap, but I have no excuse to lie since she found it.

“She slap you?”

I nodded. I often hide all Victoria did to me, but sometimes Mama Thelma has her way. The pack talks. Mama shook her head and hugged me.

“Sorry if I cannot protect you from her. Sorry that you experienced this all,” Mama cried.

“Mama, I don’t blame you believe me. Don’t worry, when my mate findsme, we will be off in this hell of a place.”

“Alright, enough with the mate thing. Soak back in the cold water.”

Whenever I talk about my mate, Mama Thelma and Papa Simon change the topic or busy themselves. What’s with mating? Not because I’m human, that doesn’t mean I don’t have the chance to have one. I think they both do not believe that mate is also for humans.

“Leona!” Alpha Riley called.

“What again?” I whined. I just started doing the laundry. I can’t finish my job with all the interruptions.

“Yes, Alpha,” I bowed my head.

“I want you to prepare the guest's rooms for the Moonbeams. Clean it.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I returned to my laundry and finished it as fast as I could. Moonbeams gives me a happy hormone. I feel optimistic about this year’s gathering.

The guest rooms are next to the leader’s house. I immediately clean each and place lavender flowers inside for fragrance.

“Hmmm, fresh lavender. The winds of change,” I smiled in my thoughts. I will finally meet my mate.