Chapter 2 STEP MOM

Safira's POV

"I hope that lazy brat is awake!"

I heard a voice yell from outside and I immediately ran out to show myself and confirm that I was awake.

"You should've waited for me to wake you up with this."

A statement that still ended with loud splashing cold water pouring all over me, a greater part going straight to my face and into my open mouth.

I immediately spat out the fermented and disgusting taste of water as I coughed and tried to regain myself while wiping the same from off my face.

A clearer look at the bucket my step mom held in her hand and I knew exactly why the water tasted gross and soggy which made me more disgusted even as I shivered in the cold.

"Good morning, Mom." I greeted quietly, to replace the screams that were deposited in my throat.

"Who is your mother? Do I look like your witch of a mother that killed herself and her husband before passing it to you and your godforsaken sister?" She spat in disgust followed by a slap.

As my hands sped up to clutch my cheeks, I knew I should've kept my mouth shut.

My parents had been cursed by a prophet who was in love with my mom. When she chose my dad over him, he got angry and began calling my mom a witch, accusing her of a lot of things before finally cursing her, a curse which led to her death when she was giving birth to me and Samantha.

This was the story my dad told us before he died a few years later and handed us to his friend who was the Alpha of Toronto, the man we grew up to know as dad, until he married Mandy into his life to take care of us did he become step dad and Alpha.

"You witch! You think you can manipulate and kill me like you did my husband, a man who took care of you right from when you became an orphan. Ungrateful nuisance." She hissed and I bowed my head.

" I'm not a witch, Luna." I defended myself once more.

" Are you sure about that? How will you explain not having a wolf at 18? That exactly is a characteristic of a witch." She spat in hatred and mockery.

" It is normal until I turn 20." I said again earning another slap from her.

"I didn't ask you that. Even when you turn 50, you will still not have a wolf. So, shut the hell up!"

" I'm sorry, Luna." I muttered the exact opposite of what was on my mind.

"Sorry for your pitiful self. Why did you leave this outside? Just when I thought today would be better because of the event we have, but, no! You always have a plan to ruin it?"

" I'm sorry, Luna. It was late and I couldn't go to the stream in the middle of the night to pour the dirty water."

" This is why it ended up being poured on you." She yelled. Her eyes glaring like a wounded lioness.

"Don't you know what today is? You want my first impression of the new Alpha to be that of a smelling house with water used to wash curtains seated all around the house?"

" No, ma. I was going to"

" Shut your mouth and move to the kitchen, you of all people should know how important today is. Move!"

And with that, she shoved my head in the direction of the kitchen and I began running towards it with my dripping wet cloth that smelled of dirt and moss, and tears stung my eyes but no, I wasn't going to cry. I was no longer a child.

Today was that beautiful event we had been planning for a year now since my step dad, the Alpha of Toronto Pack died? A new Alpha was to be crowned today and I couldn't wait to have a glimpse of what he looked like.

Rumours had it that he was very handsome, good looking, and young. He was coming with the daughter of another Alpha, whom he was planning to get married to immediately after the crowning ceremony. I couldn't wait to see if he was as good as they say but deep down there was another reason I couldn't wait for this ceremony.

Five years had passed since my twin sister, Samantha had been sold off and yet I was still here, waiting.

What?

Are you asking what I'm waiting for? Or rather who?

My mate of course, who else?

I know the Moon Goddess had kept a mate for me and even though I didn't have a wolf yet to know him when we meet, I had a strong feeling he would know who I am, and the heavens helping me I couldn't wait for that fateful day as I knew he would be my saving grace from this turmoil I was going through.

With this thought in mind, I walked faster to the kitchen with a smile forming on my face.

What if today was that day? The day, my mate will eventually find me. Come to think of it, wolves from far and near, all over the kingdom will come around to witness this great event including the Lycan King that ruled the six packs in the kingdom. With the more number of wolves, the higher the possibility of finding my mate.

'Good Morning, everyone." I greeted excitedly as I strolled into the kitchen that was already buzzing with activities.

As usual, no one responded to my greetings except Madam Greg, she was the oldest among the kitchen staff and also our Chief Chef, instead the others began whispering and gossiping among themselves.

"Good Morning, Little One. Why are you so excited today?" Her beautiful smile plastered on her face.

" Because, I will find my mate and you will stop calling me, little one then. I'm 18, Mama Greg." I said, pouting in my usual way and she laughed.

"Without a wolf and a mate, you forgot to add." One of the kitchen maids snickered and they all burst into laughter.

"Who is that bearer of bad luck this morning? I will send you out of this kitchen!" Madam Greg threatened on my behalf while I ignored the speaker without as much as a glance.

"Don't listen to them, dear. Your mate is indeed coming." She consoled me and I smiled gratefully at her.

"But, you need to go and change this attire dripping with very clean water before you enter my kitchen." She said between gritted teeth and I smiled at her mockery as I was again reminded of my soaked dress.

"Thank you, Mama Greg." I turned to leave when a deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Good morning everyone."

For a minute, there was no sound whatsoever as the busy kitchen became very quiet and everyone including myself, turned in the direction of the voice.

He was good looking, without a doubt and looked like a god who dropped from the sky. As he stared into the kitchen with deep brown eyes, he smiled at the shock on our faces.

"I'm sorry to have startled you all, but I just came to make sure everything was going well for the event." He said in a voice that made my insides churn.

Who the hell was that?

"Sorry, gentleman. Who are you?" That was Mama Greg.

" Oh! Forgive my manners. I am Maverick and I hope to get along with you all." He bowed with a quiet smile and the name began to pound blood into my ears.

The new Alpha who was to be crowned today was named Maverick. There was no way they were the same person, right?

In the midst of the murmuring and whispers that followed, I could hear Luna Mandy's voice from outside rushing to the kitchen; she must've heard the news.

"Good Morning, Alpha Maverick. You are welcome to the Toronto Pack. You made no mention you were arriving this early." Luna Mandy greeted.

" Oh please, don't flatter me. I just thought a surprise visit would be best. I could work in the kitchen but I'm impressed." He commended looking around the kitchen as everyone became busy amidst giggles and seductive glances at him. Then his eyes landed on me.

Was it me?

I realised then that since he stepped into that room, I had been looking at him mouth agape the whole time.

Immediately I realised myself, I ran to the nearest counter I could find and became busy, doing nothing actually as the others struggled to stifle their laughs.

No! This wasn't happening.

Hey! I heard him call in an amused voice, but there was no way I would turn. But, I didn't have to as I heard his footsteps walking towards me.

"Alpha Maverick, you can ignore her, she's just a ...."

" Shhhh...."

I heard Luna Mandy try to dissuade him, but he shushed her. And in a split second, was beside me.

"Hello Mate." He whispered and with my head down, my eyes widened.

Then his voice became louder.

"Don't you think you should be more hygienic in the kitchen?"