Khalshara's point of view
"Khalshara!"
A familiar voice called, drawing me out of my thoughts. I turned to the side and saw my elder brother, Zack, standing beside me. Like every young Alpha, he has a strong muscular physique which speaks of hours of daily work out. Only that he isn't just an Alpha but the future Alpha King of the pack. And one of the few people that has ever shown me kindness since I arrived at Shadow Moon Pack.
In fact, Zack is one of my favourite people in the pack, followed by my father's mother, Moon Mother Jodi. "Sister, why are you shedding silent tears here? Who offended you?" Zack enquired, wiping my face dry with the back of his palm. I gazed at him with sorrowful eyes, wondering if I should tell him about the little argument that happened between our sister a few minutes ago.
Unlike Zack, Matilda and the rest had always reminded me that my mother and I were homewreckers. They had always made me regret ever being born. Forgetting that I had no say in whatever had happened between my parents. Besides, my mother was also kept in the dark, but nobody cared about such details. Finally coming to a decision, I lied, "No brother. No one offended me. I'm only crying because I'm tired and hungry."
Zack's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing with suspicion. "Are you sure?"
I nodded affirmatively, "Yeah. Just tired."
A soft smile formed on his face. "I thought those naughty girls came to bully you again."
"No... No!" I hurriedly debunk his suspicion. The last thing I want is to cause a rift between Zack and his sisters. I've already been tagged as the daughter of a home wrecker; I don't need anymore tags to my name.
My awkward attitude made his brow furrowed, his lips formed into a thin line and I could tell he had something to say.
However, he suddenly heaved a sigh and changed the subject, "Khal, for how long have you been doing the chores? Why don't you take some minutes to rest while I help with the rest of the chores?"
Zack never liked me doing the chores. In order to make things easier for me, he never even allowed me do his laundry or any of his personal chores. Also, he always gives me a helping hand whenever he was less busy.
I wanted to refuse his help when he added, "I won't take no for an answer."
Zack assisted me with the rest of my chores and even restocked some snacks he hid in my room. He knew my father and his mother disliked me and was always in trouble whenever he assisted me. So, he made sure to help me secretly in order not to get on their bad side.
Night came so slowly, and I finally had the time to take a long rest. Thanks to the food my brother snuck in for me, or else I wouldn't have had dinner at all. "Goodnight, brother," I whispered, waving at him until his silhouette disappeared down the hallway. It would have been nice if morning came as slowly as the night.
However, the reverse was the case. The banging sound of my door filled my ears almost as soon as I went to sleep. "Open this door, Khalshara! I can't believe you're still sleeping by this time!" Linda's voice followed the banging sound of my door. I slowly got up from my bed, sleep still in my eyes while a yawn escaped from my mouth. I took a glance at the small clock beside my bed, and my eyes instantly shone in surprise. It was six in the morning. But the time I was given to resume my Cinderella duties is usually four a.m. in the morning.
"Shit... Shit... Shit... Shit! I overslept!" I chanted, changing my hand down nightwear before Linda broke my door with her continuous bang. As soon as I finished, I opened the door only to be greeted with a resounding slap.
"How dare you keep me out of my father's house! How many times have my mother told you never to lock your room door?!"
My eyes prickled with unshed tears and a lump formed in my throat, but I knew better than to let her see me cry. "I'm sorry. I forgot."
Linda scoffed. "You forgot?"
I nodded.
Her voice was laced with anger when she yelled, "What do you take us for human? A fool? It's been almost eight years since you've gotten into this house, and that was the first rule you were given by the Luna!"
I lowered my head in silence. Arguing or saying anymore words to her would only set me up for a very rough day. "I'm sorry, Linda," I apologised again, hoping she would forget about it and not report me to her mother.
"Tell that to my mother when you get to my dad's study!" Was her next response.
I couldn't believe I was mistaken and foolish to have forgotten Linda is exactly her mother's daughter. She would never let an opportunity to punish me slide. I followed her to the Alpha King's study and saw that my stepmother wasn't the only one waiting for me.
My dad, grandmother and Matilda were also seated in the study room.
"Good morning, Alpha. Good morning, Luna. Good morning, Moon Mother," I greeted as soon as I walked in.
A stern look formed on Luna Grace's face, "nice of you to finally grace us with your timely presence." The sarcasm in her response was expected. After all, it would be an horror to see her smile at me anyway.
While my stepmother's attitude wasn't surprising, my father wasn't an exception since he didn't even spare me a glance.
"Mother, do you know that Khalshara..." Linda was about to report me to her mother when my grandmother cut in. "Khalshara, my dear, come have your seat."
I smiled happily and threw Linda a dirty look. I was about to walk to my grandmother's side when my father threw me a dirty look. "Thank you, grandma. But I prefer to remain standing because I'm drowsy and still not fully awake."
Even without saying too much, my grandmother already understood the situation. So she didn't pressure me.
At the same time, my father cleared his throat. 'Hmm! Hmm!'
"As we all know, my Luna's birthday is in the next three days." My father started while my stepmother blushed on her seat.
"According to our custom, the preparation will begin today. However, I have made some changes to the order of preparation. We will be expecting an important guest this year. So, all must be perfect. My Luna has already handed out the banquet invitation cards a month ago..." My father continued, filling us in on how the banquet should go.
Some hours later, the meeting was concluded, and I hurriedly left to begin the day's chores. At the meeting, I was told to prepare for Luna's birthday banquet with my step sisters. Nonetheless, I was sure I would be doing the work all alone without any help from them. Most importantly, I was instructed to remain hidden during the banquet and was never to show my face at all.
The reason was because of the presence of this year's important guest, the Lycan King. The Lycan King and Alphas from other packs would be attending the Luna's birthday banquet. In my father's words, 'it would be a shame for any of them to know about your illegitimate existence'.
Well, it was no surprise since I'm considered a lowly wolf and an evidence of the Alpha King's irresponsibility. So, no one apart from the maids in the Alpha King's residence knows about my existence. I know the next few days and even months will be tough, but I'm ready for it. All I want is to turn nineteen soon so I can be mates during the mating ceremony and move out of this hell called home.
SOMEWHERE IN COUNTRY M
In a dimly lit room sat an expressionless man who stared intently at the card in his hand. Soon, a knock was heard on the door. "Come in," he growled.
Another man opened the door and graced the room with his presence. "I have just been informed everything needed for the ritual has been prepared. The moon ritual can be performed during tomorrow's full moon." The newsbearer informed.
When he heard what the news bearer said, a smirk formed on his cold face. "You may leave," he commanded.
However, the news bearer didn't move an inch. It was like his feet were glued to the floor. A hesitant look formed on his face, "are you sure you are ready for the ritual? I heard you would have to endure a lot of pain during the process."
Still, the expressionless man was unfazed by this additional piece of information. All he did was point to the door, with a hint of anger sparkling in his eyes, he repeated, "you may leave."
The newsbearer who noticed the glow of anger in his eyes swallowed hard. The hesistation on his face disappeared just as he did- out of the room.