Verstoßen und gezeichnet vom Lykaner-Prinzen

From Nyx's perspective

A cold breeze whipped across my face and ruffled my hair as I ran as fast as my legs would allow. The beast chasing me didn't move like a normal wolf, but more like a human in animal form.

His hind paws hit the ground heavily. I could feel the vibration beneath my feet. Or was it the pounding of my heart?

I ran as fast as I could, but I had no chance against a Lycan. He grabbed my ankle, lifted me up, bared his long fangs, and ripped my chest open with his claw.

"No …"

My eyes shot open and I sat bolt upright, scanning my surroundings. Sweat clung to every inch of my malnourished body as I placed a trembling hand on my chest, trying to calm my pounding heart.

Being a human in a house full of werewolves was punishment enough for me, but fate still rewarded me with nightmares that made me doubt whether my reality was just a dream.

Suddenly my bedroom door was flung open, and I jerked my head up.

"You lazy whore!" My mother's voice cut sharper than her slaps. She stood in the doorway, too afraid to come in, afraid of fainting from my stench. Or so she said. Her nostrils quivered slightly, as if to confirm my thoughts.

Thank God werewolves can't read minds – otherwise my life would have been over long ago.

"You lazy slut!" she spat again, full of disgust.

“I… I was just about to…” I got out of bed, my vision still a little blurry from yesterday’s fast.

"Save yourself the trouble. Breakfast won't cook itself, and it's already six o'clock. Your father has an urgent meeting with the Alpha this morning," she interrupted me.

The universe forbade the Beta's companion from letting the servants do their work. Of course, they were more valuable than me. After all, they were Omegas, while I was just a human.

“Yes, Mother.” At least she allowed me to call her that, even though she wasn’t my biological mother. She turned and left without another word. I had long since stopped wondering who my real mother was.

According to my stepmother, my father found me abandoned by the roadside when I was three and felt sorry for me. My father, on the other hand, said my mother ran off with another man right after I was born. I grew up believing the latter. Last year, when I turned seventeen and still couldn't transform, everyone confirmed what they had only suspected—I was human.

I joined the Omegas to prepare breakfast and do chores, hoping to avoid running into my stepbrother Cullen. He's the future Beta of the Nightclaw pack and my parents' favorite child.

I have no idea why the girls at school were more interested in him than in the alpha's son. Luckily, I only met him after I'd finished my homework.

The morning sun beat down on my skin as I cycled to school. Although I was late, I still had a moment of peace, however fleeting. Among the rich kids who rode past me was the Alpha's son. The thought of him made my heart flutter.

When I arrived at school, my legs already ached from pedaling for so long. I locked my bike next to the others and went inside.

As I walked down the hallway, I was greeted by familiar whispers and laughter. Everyone looked at me as if I didn't belong there. Actually, I didn't, but they shouldn't make it so obvious. Yet no one dared approach me, not while my stepbrother was around.

Speaking of the devil—there he was, standing at the end of the hall with his clique. The Alpha's son, Calix, and his daughter, Vesper, stood opposite him, while Sera and Cade stood beside him. Cade was the future Gamma, while Sera was the girl trying to fit in.

Suddenly Calix turned around, and my heart skipped a beat. He was so handsome. Nobody knew this, but Calix had been my crush for ages. I mean, we used to play together when we were little, until everyone grew up.

His height and build were the first things I noticed about him, but his chocolate-brown eyes and full lips made me forget myself. I quickly went to my locker and sorted my books before continuing.

I was still busy tidying my locker when a strong hand gripped my arm tightly. Fear gripped me as Cullen stepped beside me.

“Why were you staring at Calix like that? Have you forgotten that you belong to me?” he said in a deep, firm voice, even though we were now the only ones in the hallway.

"I don't belong to you, Cullen. Let me go before you make a scene." I gritted my teeth as the pain in my arm became unbearable.

"Making a scene?" he sneered. "Says the one who drools over a guy way above her level."

"Let me go."

He brought his lips close to my ear. "You belong to me, Nyx. Never forget that."

He let go of my arm and strode away. I watched him, fearing my fate. Had I asked too much when I prayed I wouldn't run into him today?

The first period was long and boring as usual, but I needed it for my scholarship. Thank goodness it was almost time for the second period. Then I would meet Mira, my best friend. Just kidding. She was my only friend. And no, she's not an Omega or some kind of low-level person, she's Sera's younger sister. No idea why she hangs out with me and not with her sister's clique.

I had barely entered the classroom when I saw her.

“Hey, girl,” her face lit up as soon as she saw me.

"Hey Mira." I sat down next to her.

"You look terrible," she said casually.

I knew I looked terrible. I had fate to thank for that.

"Wow, Mira, are you going to comment on my whole life while you're at it?"

"Oops. I mean, you're out of breath and your hair is sticking out in all directions."

I quickly took a handheld mirror out of my bag. Yes, my hair looks messy. I'd forgotten to fix it after getting off my bike. I quickly brushed my hair away from my face.

"So, how are you preparing for the Crimson Hunt?" Mira asked in a subdued voice. I was sure

r, that the teacher could still hear her.

I'd completely forgotten about it. The annual event the Lycans held to find their destined mates. What business was it of mine anyway? Alphas would give anything to marry their daughters off to a Lycan. Lycans were rare and their population small, so they took the search for their partners very seriously.

"That's hardly any of my business, Mira."

“Am I disturbing you, Miss Nyx?” The teacher’s voice made me jump.

"No, teacher." Mira and I kept our mouths shut for the rest of the lesson.

It was almost lunchtime. As Mira and I walked to the cafeteria, I noticed that the male students were staring at me more intensely than usual.

"Something's not right here," Mira murmured, looking around.

"Yes, I see that too." Have my breasts gotten bigger or what? It wasn't my fault that I was cursed with large breasts.

I didn't think much more about it as I followed Mira to lunch. We got our food and went to the back of the school, where we preferred to eat in peace.

"What did that mean?" Mira asked. "The way they were staring at you?" She sat down next to me on a low rock.

"Tell me. Do I smell any different or something?" Before she could answer, Sera and her henchmen appeared behind her.

“Look what the wind has blown in,” Sera growled, approaching me menacingly.

"Get lost, Sera," said Mira, standing in front of her sister.

"It's a disgrace that you'd rather hang out with that weakling than with your own sister." Sera's eyes were full of anger.

"I'm sure you'll get over it someday." I love Mira, but at this moment I really wish she would shut up.

"It's okay, Mira. I'll just leave." I knew where this would lead; the students were already crowding around us, and I didn't want things to escalate further. I stood up to leave, but Sera blocked my way.

"Not so fast, you bastard. Isla here said she caught you staring at Calix this morning."

Can't a girl ever get a break? "I have no idea what you're talking about." I tried to walk past her, but she grabbed my hair and threw me against the wall. I saw stars.

"You don't leave while I'm talking to you."

Her henchmen wouldn't stop laughing. What was so funny? Mira rushed over to stop them, but Sera was too strong.

I reached behind me and touched the spot where my head had hit the wall. My fingers were wet when I pulled them away.

I already knew it was blood. But my entire focus was on the pair of blazing golden eyes gazing out from the depths of the forest.