I shivered in fear at my step mother's thunderous voice.
"Who's going to do the chores uh? The jars are empty... The utensils are dirty.. Do you expect your sister to do that?"
I shook my head negatively.
My step mother yanked my hair roughly to the back.. I fought to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes.
"Listen and listen real good you brat. Do not forget that you are nothing but a lowlife. You do the chores and bow to our feet. Today, Seraphina's groom will be coming over and there should be no mistakes, do you get that?"
I nodded but my hair was pulled harder.
"Use your words you ingrate"
"Yes.. yes"
My voice was barely audible. As soon as my hair was freed, I rushed out of the store room, down the staircase and straight to the kitchen where the pile of dishes were.
Without wasting any more time, I went down to washing the dishes and crying.
I could hear my wolf sulking and that hurt me even more.
All I wanted was to get a little rest... just a little.
My body feels sore, my head banging like it's about to fall off my neck and my eyes heavy from all the crying.
That didn't exclude my palms that's filled with scalds and burns. And my body is a museum of scars of all kinds.
I'm nothing so close to being beautiful .. Absolutely nothing. My life is void and empty... just filled with the bad memories of my family.
My half sister, Seraphina... carries herself like a goddess and torments me at every given chance.
Not to talk of my step mother, whose constant torture and abuse is like a sword that always strikes right through me.
Sometimes, I wished to be dead than endure so much abuse from my family.
Speaking about death, it's so unfair that it snatched my father, leaving me to suffer and slave about.
If my father was still alive, I would not be a slave in my birth place. He never would have allowed such abuse.
"Lilith.. Serve the drinks"
As if being controlled by a remote, I hastily wiped my hands, took the drinks in a tray and went out to start serving.
The guests were starting to arrive and as I served, I kept my head lowered, careful not to make any mistakes so as not to attract the wrath of my stepmother.
All this time, my wolf - Lena had been quiet but she suddenly made a rough move that almost made me startle.
"Be quiet Lena" I said inwardly.
"He's here.. I can feel him. Lilith, our mate is here"
I could already feel the excitement in Lena's voice and she's already at alert, wagging my tail.
But, I stood still, wondering what on earth my mate is doing here?
Yes.. I have been mates with the Beta's son of this pack for 2years but I rarely ever get the chance to meet him. But he's the one thing that keeps me going and I can't wait for him to come take me out of here.
Meanwhile, Seraphina, who had been seated majestically, stood up when the door creaked open to welcome her supposed groom.
I could feel it now.. the scent had become stronger and due to orders, I kept my head lowered.
But Lena's excitement and curiosity about who just stepped in got the better of me.
Out of curiosity, I raised my head up only to behold the sight of the very man I thought was mine.
The man I thought would be my safe space.
I could hear Lena whimpering and that made me drop the tray which had some glasses.
Everything came crashing to pieces but I didn't care. My mind raced with different thoughts.. What is Seraphina doing with my mate? Why is she hugging and kissing him as if he belonged to her?
A thunderous slap landed on my cheeks.
"You brat!! I told you no mistakes.. Do you have any idea how much that's worth?"
I didn't mind the broken glasses or the slap... I cared about my mate.
"Mate.. That's my mate"
I said, pointing at him.
Sylas walked towards me with Seraphina clinging to him like a leach.
I kept looking at him, my eyes demanding lots of answers. I can't mind-link him right now because he has blocked off every connection.
"Listen to me Lilith.. " He began, pulling Seraphina close as if to pass a message.
"I am Seraphina's groom . We'll be getting married soon"
I looked from him, to the all so proud half sister of mine.
How did this happen? I have always wondered what Seraphina's groom is... And he's my mate?... Sylas?
"I'm.. I'm your mate" I forced myself to speak.
Maybe he forgot and I just need to remind him.
"I am the Beta's son... How do you think that would make me look if I get married to you, Lilith? I have great taste so just look at yourself.. You are nothing but an ugly, weak Omega who has lost its footing.."
That pierced my heart like a sharp sword. Lena whined, hiding herself in my head. If only I could hide myself away too.
"I have chosen Seraphina and I'll stick to her. And let the moon goddess hear me now.. I reject you.. Lilith, as my mate. I reject every connection we've had and anything that binds us as mates.."
I staggered back as a strange force hit me. I lost balance and fell.. holding my chest because it hurt so much.
Lena had gone silent..
I have been mated to Sylas for over two years and my family knows about it. Seraphina does too.
Why does everyone pretend not to? Why would Seraphina choose to stab me this way?
My stepmother yanked my hair again.
"Get up and have this mess cleaned up right now"
Weak, heartbroken and confused... I looked from the face of my stepmother to that of Seraphina.
I had a victorious smirk plastered on my face. And Sylas... he also had a mocking smile on.
It's not just the rejection, but the fact that they deliberately did this to hurt me more. Everyone around began to laugh and mock me.
I pushed my gaze back at Sylas, hoping he was pulling some prank but he wasn't.
But, these people keep hurting me and making me feel like the worse version of myself.
This is just the height of it.. This is just too much for me to bear.
I pushed off my step mother with all the strength I had and ran out of the house in tears.