Chapter one

Lola's POV.

Tragic events were never to be desired, but only the Moon Goddess could tell how badly I wanted that tragedy to occur on another day…not today!

Any other day aside from my birthday would've been fine.

It was just days before my 18th birthday, and I was eagerly awaiting my first shift.

Numerously, I've mentally replayed how thrilled my parents would be when they'd behold my wolf.

Mother surely would've fawned gushingly over it, and Father…

He had promised that he would train me to become the strongest female wolf alive.

Yet, it never happened.

Instead of watching them bubble with excitement, I… I gawked at them as they lay lifelessly.

The absence of the unknown guest my parents kindly took in some days ago, their eyes were void of life, their cold-blooded bodies were stiff and motionless, stomachs and chests stabbed, and they were… Dead.

Yes, I'd be damned stupid to forget even the slightest detail that happened that day.

They were kind people — too fucking kind, and it cost them their lives!

“Just let her be! We have no use for her!”

That day, I stood in front of the men, cladded in dark clothing, who undeniably ended my parents' lives.

Their hands dripped endlessly with blood and regardless of my undeniable presence, They did nothing to me.

Were they scared of me? Ha…! Not even the lowly ants of the soil feared me.

I, Lola Williams, was too worthless to even be murdered.

“Find that woman!” Their aim undeniably was that stranger. The one my parents welcomed some days back.

My parents died, all because of a stranger.

How unbelievable!

Like I never existed, they walked past me, and with my knees immersed in the pool of my parents' blood, I did nothing… Nothing at all to bring them back to life.

Then I felt it.

I felt a sudden shift within me. My spirit and soul felt like it was being suppressed, and a burning pain radiated from the inside out.

My 18th birthday came, and it felt like my death day.

Days had passed since my parents were killed brutally, and I had to run around the Pack searching for help.

My attires afterward were plain, unsightly dark clothes suited for mourning.

My father, the now deceased Beta, and his beloved wife, my mother, were buried by some of the Pack members.

Yes, he was no longer alive but he was the Pack's Beta yet our Alpha, Sullivan Wilson, never attended.

It was clearer than the daylight that a bad blood, one I was oblivious of, existed between the two. His absence was highly questionable but I, Lola didn’t care about that.

I wanted justice for my parents and right now, I was before the Alpha.

The Throne Room of the Pack was as prominently compelling as ours—it was jaw-dropping, but this wasn't the time to admire things.

I'm here to demand justice!

“Tell me what you want, child” The Alpha, Sullivan, inquired calmly, and I was filled with so much hope.

Recalling how my father worked well with the Alpha, I felt like only he could understand my pain.

“My parents were killed brutally. Please — get justice for them. Do not let them die in vain!” I pleaded as tears rolled down my eyes.

On my knees, I bowed continuously, and my forehead banged against the bare tiled floor.

“Justice?” He asked and I nodded hurriedly.

Suddenly, the Alpha burst into a round of mocking laughter, and I shuddered in shock. I raised my head to look at him, wondering why he was laughing at my predicament.

“I, Alpha Sullivan Wilson, will always stand by justice. But, tell me, why should I get justice for your parents?” He asked, and I was dumbfounded.

What does he mean?

“My parents are innocent! Asides, my father was your Beta. He served you! Please, help them!” I begged as tears streamed down my eyes.

“Your parents are of no use to me after they betrayed me. Get out of here, Lola. You could as well become a slave just to cleanse your parents' sins” He scowled and I assumed I was hearing things.

“No! My parents are innocent! They would never betray the Pack! Don't you dare soil their name!” I yelled angrily, as I couldn't stand any form of slander against them.

“Guards! Get her out of here!” The Alpha ordered, and my eyes widened in horror. I realized I would never be able to get justice if I lost this chance.

However, before I could do anything, the guards rushed at me. They were three in number, and although none held any weapon, it'd be unwise to fight.

I was omega: a weak one at that, and until my wolf was wholly bestowed to me, I'd have to dance to the rhythm of the powerful.

A hand nearly touched me, but I was quick to take a step forward. My eyes met with the Alpha, and his condensing glare infuriated my soul immeasurably.

“I… I'll become a slave here! If it means reestablishing my parents' honor, then I'll become your freaking doormat!”

★

My palms were sore.

I stood in front of the kitchen sink with my eyes gawking sadly at my reddened, swollen palms. They throbbed at the slightest move made, and it took so much for me not to break down.

I couldn't keep crying constantly — I had to be strong. I've to endure!

It has been nearly three days since I decided to abide under the roof of the Royal Palace. One as gigantic, and spacious as this ought to have numerous maids, right?

Yeah, I thought so too and solely concluded I wouldn't perform so many chores, but I was fucking wrong.

I've barely sat on my ass to catch a break — my workload here was unbelievably bulky. A bench was given to be as a bed, rags as clothes, and hateful glares, and comments as greetings.

My life here was hell, yet I'd do anything to restore my parents' honor.

“Lola…!” A high-pitched voice, one that could easily break a glass window, shrieked out my name.

It disrupted my world of thoughts, and I ran out sharply but barefooted.

Soon, I was at the Palace's field. It was overly spacious, and the green grass beneath my feet was a bit wet.

Yeah, heavy downpours were incessant at this time of year, yet it didn't stop the maids from hand-washing the royals' clothes.

Wait… Did the Head Maid call me here to do that? Oh, no…

“How slow are you? How can you take a whole day to wash a few dishes!” As I drew closer to the Head Maid, she screamed, her eyes filled with unexplainable hate towards me.

“Forgive me, ma'am. I… Ouch!” The abrupt grabbing of my right ear caught me off guard.

The aged Head Maid's grip on my ear was so painful, and my winces didn't bother her.

“The only thing you're good for is murder, huh?”

Taunting chuckles could be heard from a side, and my eye caught a glimpse of the countless maids laughing at my demise.

It was illogical for anyone to think I'd kill my parents — why would I do that? If they were still alive, I wouldn't be here with these assholes.

Her pull on her ear was becoming too hurting, but it stopped when…

“Master Brian is here!” The maids yelled excitedly. The Head Maid perhaps got afraid as she moved away from me.

I fell straight on my knees due to fatigue as exhaustion blended with surprise on my face.

I lifted my eyes to meet with the lengthy legs of a horse until they landed on the Alpha's son's gorgeous face.

“Brian?” I called in an inaudible whisper as my skin started to line with goosebumps.

Soon, he alighted from his horse and then gazed indecipherably at me.

He looked the same, yet so different. Since my deceased father was the Pack beta, Brian and I were once close.

He was incredibly handsome, and his scent became more prominent. It sent waves of blissful pleasure into my head.

‘My mate!’ I cried out in my head. Even though I couldn't feel my wolf reacting, I was sure that Brian was my mate.

“Lola?” He suddenly spoke up as he towered over me. His voice was filled with so much disbelief as he looked down at me.

“Help me…” I muttered as I stretched my hand toward him.

I was weak as I sat on the drenched grass, helpless. Everyone had suddenly turned against me, and he was my only hope now, I craved the love he would give me since he was my mate.

However, Brian's lips stretched into a smirk until they parted to release a degrading laughter.

His laughter resonated with that of his father in my head.

“So, you turned out to be my mate, huh?” He asked, with a shake of his head and slowly, he bent toward me.

Stunned gasps from those watching us were heard, yet he was the only thing that mattered most at that time.

His utterance undeniably confirmed that we were mates, and I ought to feel overjoyous, but…

Brian's aura, his smirk, and even his eyes displayed one thing: disgust.

As he got closer to me, I could feel him more and the pull was so great — I'd like to stay in his embrace forever.

“Please, help me, Brian. I'm weak” I mumbled pleadingly. At this point, I just wanted to get out of there and just sulk in my bed or Brian's embrace.

“You are weak? Then, I shouldn't have a weak female as a mate. Don't you think so?” He asked with a smirk on his face, and I went still.

What does he mean? My mind continued to mull over his words as I looked at him, flabbergasted.

He looked back at me with eyes filled with so much repulse and resentment. I realized he didn't want me.

“You don't want me?” I asked shakily, then swallowed painfully.

I waited for him to confirm my words, but deep down in my mind, I wanted him to want me.

He is supposed to need me!

“You? Tch!” He snarled and swiftly, he stood upright.

“Get her up!” He ordered the maids who had been watching by the side.

“What are you doing?” I questioned, looking directly at Brian as the maids grabbed onto my arms and then dragged me up roughly.

My mind had already come to a conclusion about what he was about to do, but I couldn't believe it!

But his next words made my reality crash down on me.

“I curse the day I met you, Lola Williams. I, Brian Wilson, reject you as my mate!”