Chapter 1

Wren's POV

“You wench!” a hand grabbed a fistful of my hair so hard, my scalp burned. My brain had barely processed what was happening when a slap landed across my cheeks. “You've been hiding here while there's work to do?!” Patricia, my father's wife sneered, pulling my hair harder, and making me stumble back and fall on my butt.

“I wasn't hiding,” I managed to say.

“Weren't you?” She arched a brow, and shoved me forward, my head hitting my mother's headstone, drawing blood immediately. “Then perhaps you've forgotten what today is.” 

“It's…m-my birthday,” I said, turning to look at her with blood trickling down my forehead.

Patricia stared at me for two wild seconds before bursting out laughing like I said something funny.

“Oh well,” she took a step forward, and cupped my cheeks. “Today isn't about your miserable existence,” she dug her nails deep into my skin. “My princess is coming home today with her boyfriend…”

Right. How could I have forgotten?

My step older sister, Selene, who was unfortunately named after the moon goddess, was coming home today. 

But don't get things wrong, Selene was absolutely nothing like the moon goddess, she's as vicious as her mother or even worse.

It's been over a year since I last saw her, she's attending a university in the Eastern territories.

“...if you embarrass this family today,” Patricia threatened, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I'll make sure you wish you were dead like that whorish mother of yours.”

“My mother isn't a whore–” I bit back before I could stop myself.

THWACK!! Patricia slapped me hard across the face.

“That shameless omega is whoever the hell I said she is!” she snarled. “If your slut of a mother hadn't spread her legs for my husband, none of us would have suffered!”

My hands curled into fists beside me.

I've heard this particular speech my entire life but every single time it feels like a fresh wound was being opened.

Apparently, my  existence was proof that my mother had seduced Patricia's husband.

It's funny, isn't it. Last I checked, it took two people to make a baby. Yet somehow, only my mother had been branded a whore, a slut, and all the derogatory names one could think of.

And my father? 

Well,nothing happened to him. He went on with his life like it was just another regular Tuesday. 

“Patricia!” My father, Beta Morris' voice boomed from behind, and for a shameless second that little girl within me that has always yearned for her father's love and approval believed he was coming to my aid, but his next words shattered my hopes as quickly as they rose. “Not the face.”

Yep. It was always about his reputation

.As the Pack's Beta, it wouldn't do his reputation any good if words spread out that his own daughter was being maltreated in his house.

So, with that in mind, Patricia was free to do whatever she liked to my body, because of course there was clothes to cover it up, but not my face.

“I don't want to get to the house before you,” Patricia smiled, as she patted my cheeks in a not so gentle way, before sauntering away, swaying her waist like she always did.

One would think I’d rush back into the house before Patricia did, but I didn’t. Not today at least. I needed to be here. Needed to be in the presence of the only person that had ever truly loved me.

I waited until I could no longer hear Patricia’s footsteps before turning my attention towards my mother’s headstone

“Hey mom, I’m sorry about that,” I choked out in a voice that’s barely above a whisper, crawling closer towards the headstone as I brushed away the dried leaves that had gathered around overnight. “I survived till eighteen, mom…” I paused, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “....I guess you already know that.”

I took a deep breath, and shut my eyes for a few seconds. 

This wasn't the plan, it was never the plan.. being all alone on such a big milestone for any wolf. 

It was the one dream every young pup looked forward to. 

Except me.

I'd learn a long time that my life never goes to plan, instead whenever I make a plan, life deliberately throws me in the opposite direction.

Today should have been the happiest day of my life, but it wasn't, it's actually the worst. 

For Nine years I tried my best not to pay attention to my birthday, not because It didn't matter, but because, today, nine years ago was when I lost my mom to the cold hands of death.

I still remember the sadness in her eyes as she said her last words.

“You have to be strong Wren,” she caressed my tear stained cheeks with her hands that were as cold as ice. I nodded my head slowly as a promise. “I'm sorry I won't be here to protect you anymore.”

I didn't understand the weight of those words immediately, but as time went on, I did.

And I was strong. So strong that after that day, even though I was only nine years old, I never shed tears again, no matter how broken I was, because I made a promise, and intend to keep it.

But not today. Today was different. No matter how hard I try to rein in the tears, they wouldn't stop falling, and once again I feel like the helpless little girl who was left all alone in this cruel world to fend for herself.

“I'm sorry I can't be strong today Mom,” I sniffled, feeling a heavy weight in my chest like I was breaking a sacred promise.

Unable to hold back tears, I rested my forehead against the cold headstone, my soul seeking for the tiniest bit of comfort. “I wish you were here,” I choked out, and for the first time in years the words didn’t get stuck in my throat, and that was all it took for the dam of tears I've been fighting to keep at bay to flow freely. 

And I didn't fight it. Couldn't fight it. I was so exhausted, and broken, and…all I needed was my mummy.

I stayed that way for a few precious minutes, before eventually standing up.

“I'll see you later mom,” I said as I dust the dirt off my clothes, and ran into the house. I learned years ago that disobeying Patricia only earned me worse punishments. And I’d already pushed my luck enough for one morning.

………

The rest of my day was filled with me cooking, and cleaning until every surface gleamed, and every bone in my body ached.

Then I felt it…. A warm feeling spread across my entire body, and I couldn’t help but sigh in relief, as for once in my entire eighteen years I felt whole, complete even, and–

“Why are you scrubbing the floor when you’re of Beta blood?”

I paused for a second, then it dawned on me that the voice inside my head was my wolf. Then I chuckled, which slowly turned into a laugh. This was definitely not how I imagined my first interaction with my wolf.

I had expected to hear her voice much earlier–probably as soon as I woke up like most people, but nothing, but I wasn't worried though. Tonight was a full moon which meant she’d definitely appear.

“Its good to see that you’re awake,” I chuckled, trying to ease the atmosphere, because I could feel her displeasure through the bond. “I’m Wren, and you are?”

“Astra,” she grumbled out. “Now answer my question.”

“Well…” I began, then Patricia’s voice cut through.

“Wren!!”

I jumped to my feet instinctively, because that tone tells me she’s pissed pissed.

“Astra, we’ll catch up later, or just wait till we finally shift tonight,” I said, as I ran over to answer Patricia.

“Doormat,” Astra muttered through the mindlink and retreated to the back of my mind. Thank the goddess she listened, I can’t imagine having a difficult wolf on top of having a very difficult life.

All of Astra’s questions would be answered tonight once I sift, completing our bond as human and wolf, and then, she’d have all the memories of the kind of life I’ve lived so far. And I can bet all the money in the world that she’ll be pissed!

Patricia’s summons were because of Selene’s bathroom, in her words, they weren't spotless enough even though she could clearly see her reflection. I got to work immediately, feeling my thoughts with all the positive things the future has in store for me once my bond with Astra was fully complete.

By evening the entire household had positioned themselves at the front of the house like a welcome Party, everyone dressed in their absolute best, while me, alongside the other omega’s in the house wore matching outfits to depict our status.

Status. Patricia never misses an opportunity to tell the world that I was a nobody. Especially to guests who weren’t members of our Pack.

She handed me a bouquet of white roses, with strict instructions to present it to Selene the moment she arrived.

Less than five minutes of everyone waiting, Selene and her Alpha Prince boyfriend pulled up in a mini convoy.

One after another bodyguards stepped out of the other vehicles, standing on high alert as if there was a security threat in our house they were accessing, and after about two minutes, the doors, and Selene stepped out first.

Patricia didn’t waste a second more and rushed over to hug her daughter, while I walked behind waiting for them to be done with their reunion and hand over the flowers to Selene, then be on my merry way. I wouldn’t be needed for the rest of the day. Which is a good thing as I can finally focus on my first shift.

I was standing a few feet beside Patricia when the other door opened, and Astra who has been silent since our last interaction perked up.

“Is everything okay..?” I was in the middle of asking Astra when the scent of apple and wet soul wafted into my nose.

I stiffened, as every sense in my body came alive.

“Mate!” Astra purred within me, snapping me from whatever trance-like state I’ve been in the last two seconds due to the deliciousness of the scent, and that’s when I saw him.

A picture perfect man–Tall, broad shoulders, dark hair, and face that should only belong to a god.

“Mate! Mate! Mate!” Astra purred repeatedly within me, wagging her tail in delight.

Our eyes locked and everything around me disappeared–the voices, the people, the wind, absolutely everything, and all that remained was just eyes.

His eyes flashed grey, a sign that his wolf recognized me as his mate.

My fingers instinctively tightened around the bouquet. I can’t believe this was happening! And of all days, today! I’m sure this was all my mother’s doing. She has somehow been able to get the moon goddess to let me find my mate on the same day I turn eighteen. 

What luck!

I stood frozen in place, a complete nervous wreck, and eyes still glued on this beautiful man before me.

“He’s coming!” Astra squealed, unable to contain her excitement that mirrored mine.

He still had his eyes locked on me as he took slow deliberate strides, until he was close enough that I forgot how to breathe.

He reached for the bouquet, his fingers brushing mine, and sending sparks dancing across my skin.

His eyes flashed grey again at the contact, and he shut his eyes for a few seconds to savor the feeling, before opening them again, and then smiled.

I died. goddesss! I literally died. I don’t know how my feet are still carrying me, but I wasn’t of this world anymore.

“I was wondering what your outfit was missing,” he said in a deep voice that made my insides tremble and the butterflies in my tummy sing. 

Then out of absolutely nowhere Selene showed up, and before I could even blink twice she had her arms draped around him. My Mate! How dare she!

I looked at my mate, trying my best to fight the urge of punching her in the face, but I didn’t. It wasn’t my place to set her straight, it was his. Same way if the roles were reversed I’d set the male straight.

But instead of my mate pulling away from her, he picked a single rose from the bouquet, and placed it behind her ears.

“Perfect,” he muttered in that same deep voice,  and kissed her forehead.

I froze. Not believing my eyes. I looked over at everyone present, and they were all smiling like this was the most beautiful sight they’ve ever seen.

“They’re so perfect for each other," I overheard Patricia say, and slowly everything began to make sense, like a puzzle piece finally fitting…..Selene’s boyfriend was my mate!