Chapter 3 Shattered Expectations

Katherine's POV

It was the day! I was very happy. It's my eighteenth birthday and a day to choose my mate. I've always hoped and prayed to become a Luna and as expected, it was slowly falling in place. Most of all,

I was happy since I'd not be referred to as a juvenile again.

I was full of ecstacy and wondered what it'd be like to have a mate.

Often I sat down during the moonlight to listen to the young maidens, as they told us stories of their relationships and how their mate picked them. I always wondered when mine would be and as it turned out to be, it finally came.

My best friend, Susan, helped me to dress up in the best way possible.

Susan has been of great help and support ever since my parents ran away from the pack. She helped me settle well in everything I did.

I was greatly despised amongst everyone, owing to the fact that my parents allegedly killed the alpha of the pack some years back. I was treated with disdain and contempt. I hated my parents for everything.

I hated them the most whenever I was being shoved aside by everyone. It didn't sit well with me as I had to carry this stigma for a very long time. I carried the mark of a killer's child.

I cursed the day I knew them. I cursed the day I had that recognition of who they were. They've stirred up a battle for me to fight at such a very young age and it wasn't getting any funny. I was depressed. I was mentally drained. At some point I contemplated suicide.

What always stopped me was the hope that I'd become a Luna one day coupled with the humiliation that'd follow. It'd be said that I died out of shame. Moreso, I've heard stories of men who had committed suicide and how their bodies were

treated. They were treated with contempt and were never buried in the city.

Instead, they were cremated and had their ashes poured into the cursed river. I never wanted that for myself so I had to bear the shame.

I lost my sense of belonging as everyone in the pack saw me as a traitor and as such, it really took a toll on me. I couldn't do anything peacefully as all my friends constantly taunted me, especially whenever we had an argument whatsoever.

Everywhere I went, I was labelled 'Traitor'sdaughter'l.

It stuck to me like a chieftaincy title. I always prayed that this would come to an end someday but when? When will all these become a thing of the past?

Thoughts of these made me wet my pillow many times. Thank goodness for Susan who was a shoulder to lean on during these times.

I could hear the drums, the chattering of men, women and children alike. Everywhere was bubbling with excitement.

All the young girls in the pack were beautifully dressed and waited in anticipation for their mates. I joined the queue in anticipation of mine too. I looked up and mumbled something inaudible, praying silently to the goddess for luck.

It could be today, I said, inaudibly. I walked briskly to the front row as the bombshell dropped.

Everyone opened their mouths in awe.

"What the hell is happening? How's that even possible?" I heard someone say. It was like I was dreaming.

The goddess has finally resolved to smile on me. My chosen mate is the great and undisputed leader of the pack, Alpha Xavier.

All the young maidens standing at the front row with me frowned. They looked at me with disgust. Everyone of them. No one expected it. Our souls were knotty and connected. My wolf accepted him effortlessly.

I couldn't help but let out a smile. The first time I was sincerely happy from the bottom of my heart. This time, I wasn't faking or trying to pretend. It was real.

"What rubbish is this? How could a traitor's daughter be my Luna? This will by far the most sacrilegious act in the history of this pack if I choose you as my mate. I can't possibly choose someone as filthy as you are"

The entire pack let out a sigh. I looked around and all I could see were people filled with hate, disgust and contempt in their eyes. Many of the men kept on cursing and nodded in agreement to what Xavier had said. I continued to wonder if it's the same Xavier I knew. He continued,

"As it stands, this lady here needs to be punished. How on earth could she of all people choose me? What guts do you have there!"

Everyone cheered in anticipation of my public disgrace. For once, I never imagined a day like this turning sour. And of course, it was turning sour right before my very eyes. Tears flowed freely from my eyes as I watched one of the pack soldiers holding a whip approached me with pleasure in his eyes.

I could tell from his looks that he's been waiting for this day to come, when he'd be able to deal with me. I looked at him with pleading eyes, trying to make Xavier change his mind and give me a mild punishment at least. it wasn't forthcoming. He looked away and commanded that I should be whipped publicly. My heart sank.

I could hear incessant giggles from the girls that stood close to where I was, waiting in line too to take a mate. I could hear their whispers

"Looser! She thinks she can get the alpha to choose her so she can kill him like her parents killed his... she wants history to repeat itself"

I cried bitterly upon hearing this. I watched my whole world crumbling down at my feet.