Marie's POV

"You foolish thing," I heard Sarah, Alpha Luka Rurphus and Luna Grace's second child, say to me as she came into the kitchen to take something to eat. It didn't matter if I was slaving away as long as she found something to put in her stupid mouth. And also finds a snappy abuse rendered my way.

Years ago, I became an orphan. Something I would never have dreamt of for a million years. Coupled with the fact that my parents were pack warriors, I never thought there could be a time they would leave this world without a fight. At least not without a decent one.

But it had all happened, they had left the world without a fight. Just because they were trying to save a boy, the report had said. Without thinking they had put themselves at risk instead of the little boy. Over the cliff, they went.

Maybe a part of my father's mind told him they were going to survive as long as they didn't hit the boy on the highway road. Or maybe my mother thought it was a noble thing to do. I still don't know. There was simply no way to answer the questions I had in my head.

I have tried my best not to think of the little boy because it seems the more I think of him, the more I blame him for depriving me of my parent's love and affection.

Since they left this world, love and affection have been far away from me. You see, I was only a month shy of 10 years old when this all happened, and it's all over eight years now.

I have finally accepted my fate when I realized I had only me in this world, only me and my wolf. And maybe tonight, my mate. I clock 18 at midnight today.

"Sarah," I acknowledged her but I didn't lift my head from the pastries I was making. All two hundred of them. And no help whatsoever.

"I have told you a million times already, that I can only smile at you when I finally confirm that my brother is not mated to you. I don't like a worthless, unlucky girl like you around me, my brother, or my family," She said, making it an important role to emphasize the word by hitting me on my head. "...And for once, I cannot allow you to be the next Luna. Goddess forbid it,"

"Sarah, Eric, and I are just friends, even less than that, I don't think there is hope in what you think might happen. I know we can't be mates," That was a lie, I hoped for it, in fact, there were times that I prayed for it.

Out of everyone in the pack who didn't treat me like trash and still gave me space to talk and defend myself was Eric. He was better than everyone combined.

Even better than the Alpha and Luna who turn their backs on how I am being treated or simply do not want to get involved.

I would not blame them, my parents had only been the pack warriors at the end of the day. But Eric was somewhat different, I saw hope when I looked at him or when he created time to talk to me when every other young and adult treated me like a plague.

"I will only believe it when what you say happens tomorrow. I will only have rest on my mind when the time comes. Uhg! I can't even imagine it," She turns her head and leaves.

I checked the clock in the kitchen and it was just past nine. Everyone in the pack had eaten now. Most adults would be in their rooms while the young and promiscuous ones would head to St fents tonight.

The back of my head stung and my mouth went dry as I tried to fight back the tears that threatened to stream down my face.

Why couldn't Eric be my mate? Why could I not find a little bit of happiness? Why do I have to suffer like this? Why do I have to feel like trash, I ask myself.

Why could I not have fun like the rest of the young adults in the pack? Why can't I rebel, stop baking and head to St Fent's like I wish to?

St Fents was outside the pack, it was a safe place to be by myself, it was a place where I didn't expect anyone to know my story. But only when I am of age and in just a few hours I would be. I have heard so much about the place and I cannot wait to go there to hide. Only a moment now.

Even though some of our pack, Safe Haven pack's members would go there, I can always be rest assured that I would be left alone even if they happen to see me. They would not want to get in trouble too.

I looked at the time again, it was now a few minutes past 11 pm, I was more than exhausted but the potato and apple pies were now in the oven and would only take a moment to be done.

After everything was set, I decided that I was punishment-free even if the guards and the senior cook came to the kitchen to look for me.

Sure that I was done with what I needed to do, I moved to my small shed, which was my solace in a way. There was no reason to see any of the pack members I didn't want to see if I just stayed in the house. My shed provided a place for me to avoid all my troubles.

The clock chimed midnight as I came out of the bathroom, "Happy Birthday Marie Anderson," I murmured to myself.

'Happy birthday Marie' something sounded in my head. . . My wolf.

Hearing her finally reach out to me felt good, I was happy, I had thought Lily would stay hidden forever and regret ever being my wolf and having herself get paired with me. But no, she was happy too, and I felt it. And I could feel the genuineness in her voice.

'Everything will go well from now on, now let's go find our mate' she said, urging me forward and giving me more than the strength I needed.

'Everyone is probably asleep now' I tried, 'there was no other way to find my mate until morning' The excuse was absurd, I knew it.

'I was wondering if we could to St Fent's, and maybe celebrate my birthday dancing and drinking or maybe just listening to music'

'No. . . At least not now. Let's. . . ' Just as she was talking to me all excitedly, it hit my nostrils. The scents of Lavender and green grass. I knew there was nothing pleasing about green grass but it smelled heavenly at the moment.

'Mate. . . Mate'

My mate was near, in fact very close to my shed now.