I only know what I have heard from others, but that is enough to make my skin crawl.
Despite being relatively new to the area, the Crimson Pack is strong and unrivaled. I've heard its overall strength surpasses that of the Royal Pack.
People say the previous Alpha changed the pack's name to Crimson because he enjoyed nothing more than seeing his enemies' blood flow.
It's only been a few decades since they moved to Stormlight City, yet they went from a small, unknown pack to one of the wealthiest and strongest packs, not just in the city but in the world.
It quickly suppressed the other packs, bringing them into submission, and now, the Crimson's territory occupies more than half the city.
And this a big city.
Bigger than most countries, in fact.
Alexander Devlin is said to be the devil incarnated. He is ruthless and rules with an iron fist.
His younger brother, Raphael Devlin, is only 17, but he is already known as both a troublemaker and a bloodthirsty savage.
I don't think any sane Alpha would willingly become enemies with the Crimson pack.
Perhaps that is why everyone is so on edge right now.
I am probably the calmest person here.
After the way I lived... what is there left to be afraid of?
At the very least, he doesn't beat up others out of boredom.
Out of all the cruel stories I've heard, none of them mentioned Alexander starting a conflict.
He only responds, in a rather brutal way, to the provocations of others.
The hours go by quickly, and I can feel the tension rising by the minute. By now, most of the unmated wolves have already met, but the Devlin brothers have yet to arrive.
I was told they would come at dusk, which is a mere two hours away. Although I am stuck in the kitchen, I am relieved that mates can sense each other from a mile away through their scent, so even if I don't meet him, if my mate comes, I will feel it.
And unfortunately, it seems today is not the day...
It's okay... I will find him this year.
I know he isn't dead... I am still sane, so he must be alive.
He is an unmated wolf, so he will eventually attend this event.
I just need to wait a bit longer.
An hour later, I'm in the kitchen with all my completed dishes, telling Amber and Julia the order and the way in which the desserts need to be served. They will be the ones to bring out the dishes later since no one in the pack wants me to show my face to the outsiders, as it will bring shame to the pack's overall appearance.
Half an hour later, the girls went to refresh their looks before the Crimson pack arrived, and I went to the attic.
That is where I hide whenever there's an event going on.
Which I find to be a blessing.
While here, I don't have to worry about anything.
Not even my cousins are crazy enough to cause a scene during an event hosted by the Alpha, and no one bothers me during this time.
These are the only occasions in which I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and take a well-deserved rest without anyone bothering me.
I run to the shabby couch and close my eyes.
I didn't realize when I drifted asleep, but now I am wide awake.
My wolf, though usually an almost nonexistent existence, is alarmed.
The Crimson pack arrived.
I look down through the small window and glance at them.
After hearing all those stories, I can't help but feel a bit curious.
"Welcome to the Raven pack! We are delighted to host such honorable guests!"
I can feel how tense the Alpha is from up here. Everyone looks anxious...
On the contrary, the ones from the Crimson pack seem unfazed.
None of them are on edge... are they that confident?
"Thank you for having us."
What a polite answer with such a gentle tone.
Is this Alexander?
He seems nothing like the vicious Alpha I've heard about.
"The pleasure is all mine. I am Damian, the Alpha of this pack."
"My name is William. I am the Beta of Crimson Pack."
The Beta? I've heard it is the Alpha that's looking for his mate.
After all, it is true you can't trust rumors.
"I hope you enjoy your time here--"
"Oh, yes. You have a lovely territory. How nice it must feel to be able to run off to the woods whenever you feel like it."
He said it with a gentle tone.
It was a compliment.
But why did it lowkey feel like a threat?
"It is lovely indeed. My family has protected this territory for generations, and we are very attached to our land. But of course, we are always welcoming to the Crimson pack, so please don't hesitate to come whenever you want to escape the city. Our forests are open to everyone!"
I don't think they would hesitate...
My eyes drift to the girls. Everyone glammed up for the event.
They are all so pretty... unlike me.
I tried my best to appear presentable, thinking I might meet my mate tonight, but you only need a glimpse to see how ragged I am.
My hair is messy, and my clothes are old and shabby.
My cheeks are all swollen from the slapping, and I have bruises and scars all over my body.
Even my bones are visible from the extreme malnourishment.
The family isn't poor. They just hate spending anything on me.
I am only allowed to use the kitchen when I cook for them and only allowed to eat the scraps.
And scraps they are.
I can't cook too much. Otherwise, aunt Petunia would get angry, talking for hours about how I wasted their money, and she would always punish me by making me starve for days. And if I cooked too little, not only would I have nothing left to eat, but I would also get a betting for making them 'starve'... oh, the double standards are screaming...
I can only cook enough to keep them satisfied and myself alive.
Nothing less and definitely nothing more.
It is a miracle I survived for so long.
It's fine... I will be out of here eventually.
It won't be long now...
"Wait! You should stay a bit longer. Have some dessert while you're here. I can assure you, you won't get to eat such delicacies anywhere else in this city!"
"There is no need. Thank you for your hospitality."
What happened?
Why are they leaving so suddenly? They only got here.
What have I missed while drifting away in my thoughts?
The Crimson pack left, and you can clearly see how frustrated Damian is. The event continues as if nothing happened, but the same cannot be said about my family and the Alpha.
My aunt and uncle look worried.
Michael is talking with the Alpha, but I can't hear them.
And Mathew... he looks terrified.
He was always an impulsive troublemaker.
I wonder what he's done to make the Alpha so angry...
Is he the reason the Crimson pack left so early?
Did he do something wrong? No.. I can't be. The Crimson pack wouldn't have left him alive if he did. Or maybe they would for the sake of the event...
Damn! I hoped this would be a quiet night. I finally felt relieved after such a long time. Why did he have to ruin it? I really hate that bastard.
If only I was stronger...
I know it's not supposed to be any of my business, but once we get home... I will be the one to quench his anger.
I was right...
After Michael managed to calm Alpha Damian, Mathew took the chance to bolt from the event.
But not before grabbing me.
He took me out the back door, and I knew what was to follow, but I still followed obediently.
If I made a scene, it would've only made things worse.
Or so I thought.
But now I regret it.
Maybe I should've caused a scene.
Maybe I should've screamed for help.
There were many outsiders at the event... maybe someone would've helped me.
But now it's too late.
I have never seen Mathew so angry.
He never stopped beating me until he saw blood, but he always stopped when he saw it. But not today.
He was so angry, so... crazed.
I no longer hear Mathew's screams.
Did he leave? Is it finally over?
I am left with nothing but a serene night.
The gentle breeze feels like a blessing, and the rustling of leaves feels like a lullaby, luring me to the afterlife.
I feel numb. Every breath feels like a raging fire.
My body aches all over. I am in pain.
I feel so tired...
I can't move. I can't even find the strength to open my eyes.
I can feel death approaching.
Is this how I die?
Why did I cling to life so desperately before?
Why did I delude myself with thoughts of freedom?
Why did I think I could get away from this maniac and his bloody family?
It was all in vain.
My parents... why did they have me? Why did they leave me here with these terrible people?
My mate... why didn't you come for me?
Moon Goddess... why did you allow me to be born in this cruel world? Why did you give me hope if you didn't place me close to my mate?
Why must I suffer this injustice?
I never did anything wrong... why must I receive this suffering?
My Goddess... aren't you all-knowing?
You know of our future... you know who will be best for us... since you know who to give us as our mates... didn't you know of the life I would lead?
Why give me life if you knew I could never live?
What was my purpose in this world?
Why was I born?
My mate... I hope you'll keep looking for me, even if it's just my corpse you'll find.
I hope you would at least kill that maniac before losing your mind.
I hope... I hope I never get reborn.
Oh, Moon Goddess, my Goddess... I implore you... please let me rest now.
I have suffered enough. I only wish for the eternal sleep now.
I beg of you... don't let my soul find its way to this cruel world again.
*******
Seraphina... poor, pitiful Seraphina.
What a miserable life you had...
And what a strange world you lived in.
An otherworldly existence granting soulmates that can be recognized by a scent from a mile away.
Dear Seraphina, lovely and unfortunate Seraphina... those are just fairytales.
Waiting to be saved by someone is akin to death.
Only you had the power to save yourself.
You should've fought back... you should've run away. Even if you failed, you should've run away. Again and again, until you succeeded.
You should've looked for the power within yourself.
How unfortunate to lose your life so easily.
I know how you feel. I was never abused, but I did lose my life ever so boringly twice already.
Since I took over your body, rest assured, for you will have your revenge.
I promise you that.
Those people will know the pain you went through.
I will personally call upon the darkness to consume them.
But I hope your other wish will never be granted.
I wish you the opposite. I hope you will get reborn immediately.
Hoping you get reborn and granted the blessing of oblivion to both your past life and the darkness... that's the best I could wish for you.
I'm tired... this body has reached its limit.
I need time... I need to heal.
Seraphina... I hope you get reincarnated on the Blue Star. It was the most ordinary life I experienced. If it weren't for the Kairos Kingdom if we weren't unprotected and the first on their path... I could've lived happily there.
I was unlucky... but I hope you won't.
I hope you will be born a noble lady. Ruling over a small piece of land on the outskirts of the capital.
Far away from the internal quarrels of the central nobles... but close enough to benefit from the royal army's protection. I hope you will serve under a wise King who steers clear of wars and knows how to stabilize conflicts.
Yes... that would be the closest one could get to a peaceful life in these war-plagued worlds.
My dear Seraphina... I will take good care of your body, and I will avenge your death.
So you just need to forget everything and make the best of your new life.