1
"Have you made our breakfast?"
Those words are spoken with a warning, bitter loathing that immediately makes my bruised skin prickle.
"Yes ma'am." I say softly, lowering my gaze from the sharp green eyes glaring at me.
"Leave." She commands.
No need to be told twice, I run out of the house immediately, as if hell is nipping at my heels. I didn't care for a thank you, being able to walk out unharmed means more than a mere word that is worth nothing.
The school is just down the road.
I pull my hood over my head and quickly shimmy my way through other students. The cluttering crowd quickly leaves a space for me. When they see the bruises on my skin, bruises that our Alpha and Luna have given to me without shame, they turn their head around like I am invisible.
It's no secret the pack’s Alpha and Luna hate me, but the entire pack can’t do anything even if they wish to. Because they are my parent.
Yes, I am the daughter of our pack’s Alpha and Luna.
I don’t know why they disgust me so much. There are rumors that they were banned from finding their true mate and married against their will at a young age. Years went by, and their hatred toward this marriage became twisted and somewhat reified into the hatred of the symbol of this marriage, which is their child, me.
That’s my guess based on what I heard from the pack, or maybe they simply hate me with no complex reasons.
"Kali! Hold up!" A familiar voice shouts.
I pause for a few moments to allow him to catch up. Like always, he swings his arm over my shoulders. He towered over me by 5 or 6 inches, and while I'm technically taller than average, he still says I'm small.
"Jackson."
I greet him with a small smile, relaxing slightly under the weight of his friendly warmth.
My childhood friend is the only person in the pack who is willing to speak to me.
Jackson’s brown eyes are kind and gentle as he stares down at me while we walk. "No fresh marks."
I quickly look away before I can’t hold my smile, Jackson sighs lightly. He hates that our leaders keep on abusing me, but there's nothing he can do or say to help me. If he challenges the Alpha, he will toss Jackson into the cells for a few weeks to teach him a lesson. A mere wolf barely in his adulthood is no match for the Alpha.
That’s why I never ask him to help or tell him about what I suffered at home. I learned to hide my true feelings and bury them in deep of my heart as a child.
"How did it go with Cici?" I change the topic as we head into the school building.
"It didn't, she wants to wait for her mate." Jackson sighs.
"You tried to sleep with her on the first date?" I ask with raised eyebrows, surprised that he'd try such a bold move.
"Not exactly, I kissed her when I dropped her at her house. She freaked out, assuming it meant more than a goodbye kiss." Jackson says with a small shrug.
"It's your birthday next week, aren't you excited about finding your mate?" I say with a smile, staring up at him curiously.
Jackson scoffs. "Mates turn us into monsters, I'll pass."
I didn't question his words, even if I didn't fully believe them. Werewolves become more dominant once we have mates. Males change far more, their animalistic side overwhelms their human emotions when it comes to their mates. They become fiercely protective and extremely aroused, but there's a certain gentleness that they show to only our mates. A kindness, a love that no other will ever see or have.
"I'll see you at lunch," I say, breaking free from Jackson and giving a small wave as I head off to the back of the school. Jackson is on the basketball team, while I prefer track, it's peaceful, and there's far less conflict.
After changing in the locker room, I head out to the field and begin stretching, ignoring the slight throbbing of yesterday's beating that covers my body from my ribs down. When I feel loose and a little more relaxed, I set off jogging.
There are only four other wolves that run track. It's uncommon for a wolf to dislike being challenged in strength and speed, which is why the rest of the school chooses more aggressive sports.
As I run I drift off into my own blissful world, sweating off my pain and anger, putting the thought of reality behind me. Running feels great, complete freedom, even for just a while. Track is enough to keep me fit, without bringing my wolf out. Alpha Kade and Luna Sasha don't like my wolf, they can't stand anything about me.
I go through the school day like I would any other, rushing straight home from track without showering or changing.
The second I enter the house, I rush to my room and toss my bag on my bed. Despite being sweaty and in desperate need of a shower, I know I don't have time. So I head back downstairs, to begin cooking.
Scrubbing my hands, I route through the kitchen and place the ingredients on the side. For the past ten years, I've been cooking, forced to slave away at the stove for hours at a time, beaten when it wasn't perfect. I'm practically a personal chef for my family.
Given that I was 'asked' last night to prepare classic Italian lasagne for tonight, I presume my parents is expecting guests over. Not someone they want to impress, of course, the fine dining set wasn't requested.
It takes almost forty minutes to prepare the food before the whole cooking process begins. Given that I have roughly three hours before my parents come home, I don't want to waste a second. My mind blurs as I cook, adding ingredients and flavors without checking a recipe book. Even still, it still took me two hours before finally sliding the dish into the oven.
After Setting the timer, I quickly fill the sink and get to washing up. Even if my shoulders ache and my hands are sore, I know showering or resting for a minute is out of the question. My parents will be home any minute.
Just as I begin drying the pots, I hear the front door open. I couldn't help but immediately become stiff, my eyes lowering as I carried on with my task.
Drying, and putting the pots away.
My parent’s voice grows louder as they come into the kitchen, wanting to ensure that I'm cooking what they've asked. Their sharp green eyes start to scan the counters, then turn to the soapy pots that resting on the drainer.
"This house reeks of sweat. Shower before you attempt to come near our guest tonight." Mother glares, scrunching her nose in disgust.
"Yes, Luna." I nod faintly, as I hurriedly dry the pots.
My father's eyes linger on me for a brief moment. I could feel the intensity of their glares burning through my skin. My palms sweat a little, anxious until I hear them walking down the hallway.
How much longer must I endure this?
Finishing off the pots, I put them away and head up for a shower. With only fifteen minutes to spare, I rush to scrub the manky sweat clinging to every inch of my skin. Knowing I have no time to blow dry my hair, I towel dry it and put on skinny jeans with a fitted hoodie and ankle boots.
Rushing back downstairs, I toss my hair up into a messy bun, grab the oven mitts, take the lasagne out of the oven, and leave it to settle for ten minutes. Then I turn the oven off, chop some fresh salad and sides, and place it into Luna Sasha's casual table dishes. Finally, I carry them through to the dining area and begin setting the table.
By the time I take the plates of food to the table, my parents are sitting in their usual seats, along with my only brother, Sebastian. He's a year younger than me and treated far better than I ever have. I don’t know why, probably I took all the blame as their first-born child.
"It's about time." Mother bestowed me with her famous glare, one that most would tremble beneath.
"My apologies, Luna," I say softly, setting their plates in front of them, including the strange man that I dare not even glance at.
Another business meeting I presume, my parents loath me being around the guests.
"Eat with us." Sebastian smiles a little as he gestures to the chair on his left.
My steps freeze for a brief moment, my eyes flickering to my parents. I could see the warning in their eyes, telling me to not accept.
"I've already eaten, but thank you."
Not waiting for a response, I run into the kitchen as fast as I can.
Placing the small piece of leftover lasagne into a dish, I sit and eat alone, while listening to the sound of chatter and laughter echoing from the dining room. I stopped trying to fit in a long time ago, I know I'll never be welcome at the table.
When I finish eating, I start to dry the pots from dinner. Suddenly, a strange smell filled the air.
A stranger.
"May I help you, Sir?" I ask softly, my palms sweating as I glance up at the large man.
His scars and tattoos instantly make me weary of him, the fact that he's so big doesn't help. A wolf, definitely, but not one with Alpha blood, he's most likely a messenger. It makes sense, my parents do not need to impress a messenger, anyone who isn't of Alpha status is below them by their social standards.
"Who is the firstborn of Alpha Slovak's lineage?" The man's menacing voice startles me slightly, so much so that I answer without thought.
"Katalayha, Katalayha Slovak." I whispered my name.
"A female?"
"Yes," I confirm with a small nod.
"Carry on with your duties." The man grunts and briskly leaves the kitchen.
While finding his behavior and question a little rude, I quickly get back to work. He assumes I'm a maid, a little insulting, but I'm used to it by now. I know better than to correct another wolf.
After clearing up the kitchen, I head upstairs to my room and pull out my study books and papers. The next month will be my final year at the school if the Elders think I am fit to graduate. They have to ensure we're in control of our wolves before we go out into the human world.
I study for a while, then change into a set of pajamas. I crawl into bed and slip off to sleep, knowing I have to be up bright and early to prepare breakfast.