Why Moon Goddess? A Mute for a Mate

"You're useless. Apart from being a worthless mute, do I have to remind you to make breakfast for us every morning? Father yelled as he dragged me out of the room by my hair, leading me to the kitchen. I clung to his wrist crying out in pain, stumbling as I struggled to keep up with his quick pace.

As I struggled to catch my breath, I heard the sound of footsteps behind us. My mother's angry face appeared in my line of sight, her eyes blazing with fury. "You're a complete disappointment!" she spat, her voice venomous. "A useless, good-for-nothing child!" She continued to hurl insults at me as my father dragged me across the kitchen, her words cutting deep into my already battered spirit.

When we got to the kitchen, he released his grip on my hair and I crumpled to the floor, gasping in relief.

The kitchen was a disaster, with dirty plates stacked precariously on the countertops and the sink overflowing with greasy pots and pans. The floor was a sticky mess of crumbs, spills, and splatters, with a faint sheen of grease coating every surface.

"Tidy this up and make us something to eat. We know you're mute but that hasn't affected your hands and ears, so do as I say and at least be useful in this house." He hissed and turned to leave the kitchen.

As I lay on the ground, I remained in shock, my mind reeling from the physical and emotional pain. I couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even think. All I could do was stare blankly ahead, my eyes fixed on some invisible point. I looked up at my mom, expecting to see some glimmer of concern or compassion. But instead, her face twisted in disgust.

"Get up and start cleaning!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Why are the plates still piled up? Why is the house a mess?"

I stared up at her, unable to respond. I was still trying to process the pain and humiliation I had just endured. My mother's expression turned even uglier. "I don't know why the Moon Goddess gave me a child like you," she sneered. "A mute and a worthless being. A child who's not only a disgrace to our pack, but to the entire werewolf race."

Each word cut deep, like a knife to my heart. I felt a wave of shame and self-loathing wash over me.

"Why did the Moon Goddess even allow me to give birth to you?" my mother continued, her voice dripping with malice. "You should have died at birth. It would have been better for everyone." She snapped and walked away.

I felt a sob rise in my throat, but it got stuck. I couldn't cry, couldn't speak, couldn't even breathe. All I could do was lie there, frozen in pain and humiliation, as my mother's words tore me apart.

I wondered how a mother could utter such words to her child. Being a mute was not my fault. If I had the power to create myself, I would come as a perfect child, with no disabilities at all. I would be able to speak and sing, to laugh and cry out loud. But I was stuck in this silent body, unable to express myself, unable to defend myself against the cruel words of those who were supposed to love me.

If my father was harsh and demanding, I had always expected my mother to be kind and compassionate. She was my mother, after all. Wasn't she supposed to love me unconditionally, to accept me for who I was? But instead, she seemed to resent me, to blame me for my disabilities. It was a painful realization, one that made me feel even more alone and unloved.

I couldn't help but think about the fact that it was my birthday. My 18th birthday, to be exact. An adult, supposedly. But do they care? No. All they care about is yelling at me, and hurting me. Like I'm nothing. Like I don't even exist.

With a heavy sigh, I summoned the strength to tackle the mountain of chores that lay before me. I began cooking and cleaning the kitchen, my movements mechanical as I scrubbed and swept away the remnants of last night's dinner. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I finished the chores and made my way to my small, clustered room.

Today isn't just my birthday, it was a special day and moment for me. It was the day of the mating ceremony where I'd get to meet my fated mate. This is a day I've been anticipating for all my life. I'm certain I'll find my mate who will love me and help me heal from my muteness and I won't have to worry about the harsh treatment from my parents anymore.

All my life, I'd felt alone, like an outsider in my own family. My parents had always made it clear that I was a disappointment, that I didn't measure up to their expectations. Even having a brother hadn't helped. It had only made things worse. My parents were always comparing me to him, holding him up as the perfect example of what a true alpha should be. They praised him for every little thing, no matter how insignificant, while I was constantly criticized and belittled.

It didn't matter how hard I tried, I could never seem to do anything right in their eyes. My brother, on the other hand, could do no wrong. He was the golden child, the one who would inherit the pack and lead it to greatness. I was just a mute, worthless daughter, a constant reminder of their failure.

But today was supposed to be different. Today, I would meet my fated mate, the one person who would love and accept me for who I was. The thought sent a shiver of excitement down my spine, and for the first time in my life, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I would finally find the love and acceptance I had always been denied.

The mating ceremony will be attended by people from various packs today and the ceremony will be taking place at the Oakwood Pack. This is my chance and I'm never going to miss it.

I rushed to the shower and hurried to my closet, scanning through my clothes for the perfect outfit. My eyes landed on a beautiful, flowing dress that I had been saving for a special occasion. I slipped it on with a smile across my face as I twirled in front of the mirror, feeling like a new person.

Today was the day I would meet my fated mate, and I couldn't wait to see what the future holds.

****

"Ignore them, Mary. Just ignore them. I comforted myself as I walked through the large number of people throwing disdainful gazes at me. I was known to be the useless mute who can't do anything right but that is going to end very soon, the moment I find my mate.

I was the only mute wolf in the pack and this had made everyone withdraw from me, no one wanted to have anything to do with me but I didn't care at this point. My story will change right here, right now and that was the only thing that mattered to me.

I get excited watching how the ceremony is taking place and especially how the wolves sniff their mates out but as time went on, I began to feel uncomfortable. I wondered why I hadn't found my mate by now. This is my only hope and escape from the monsters I call family and from this disability of mine.

I decided to be patient, assuring myself that I'd find my mate soon. The ceremony went on and on but still, nothing happened. The mating ceremony came to an end and everyone started leaving. Seeing others with their mate sent shivers down my spine. I was covered in sweat as I stood up and started walking out.

My hopes shattered and tears started rolling down my cheek. Was I really cursed? Would it not have been better if I had died at birth like my mom said rather than witnessing everything happening to me right now? The hostility waiting for me at home will be far more than the ones I've experienced before.

I kept walking and wondering if the moon goddess hated me so much to not even give me a mate. I ignored the glazes pointing at me but the more I walked the more it felt like the glazes increased. The atmosphere shifted abruptly and as I turned to scan my surroundings, I was met with a terrifying sight: the eyes of the surrounding male wolves had turned fierce, red and bloody.

They began to close in on me, their movements eerily synchronized. I stumbled backward, desperate to create some distance, but they kept coming, forming a tightening circle around me. Their hot breath wafted toward me, making my skin crawl.

"What's happening?" I asked myself, my mind racing with fear. "Why are they doing this?"

Dread washed over me as their fangs shot out, and they growled in unison. The air was heavy with their lustful energy, and I could feel their gaze stripping me bare. They echoed the word "mate" like a chilling mantra, their voices low and husky.

"Why do they keep saying that, what do they mean by mate?" I thought, my heart pounding in my chest. "What do they want from me?"

They reached out to grab me, their hands closing around my wrists and ankles like vice grips. I tried to yank free, but they held firm, their grip unyielding. They started dragging me, my feet scraping against the ground as I struggled to break free.

Their growls grew louder, more menacing, as they touched me, their hands roaming over my body. One of them licked my leg, sending shivers down my spine, while another touched my hair, his fingers tangling in the strands. I was trapped, unable to escape the nightmare unfolding around me.

The wolves who passed by, witnessing the scene, didn't even flinch. They walked on, leaving me to my fate, and the realization hit me like a ton of bricks: I was truly alone. No one cared about me, no one would save me.

I pleaded with them, using hand gestures to beg them to stop, but they just laughed, their eyes glinting with cruelty. I wanted to scream, to beg them to stop, but my voice was trapped, silenced by the mute curse that had haunted me my entire life.

As they tore at my clothes, I felt a sense of despair wash over me and tears welled up in my eyes. The world around me dissolved into chaos, and I was left with only one thought: this was the end.

As I struggled and fought with my last strength, I perceived a unique scent, it was a very strong one and as I kept inhaling the scent, I gathered enough strength and sprinted towards the direction of the scent.

I ran straight to the Alpha's arms. The wolves gasped at the sight of the Alpha, their eyes wide with shock and awe. But as I gazed up at the Alpha, I saw something that made my heart skip a beat - a glimmer of familiarity, a spark of possession, and a hint of danger.

His voice rumbled like thunder as he spoke a single, electrifying word.

"Mine."

I was shocked when she fell into my arms. Her scent hit me hard, potent and intoxicating. I was taken aback - why wasn't she cowering under my Alpha aura? My aura repelled every wolf. It's a special kind of power that stops people from coming close to me. It's a force that makes me unapproachable, repelling people who try to come too close, but nothing happened to her. She just swung into my arms like it was nothing, she held me tight, refusing to let go, as I scanned the surroundings with a wary gaze

"What is going on here?" I demanded an answer, my voice firm and commanding. The wolves exchanged nervous glances, their eyes darting between me and the mysterious woman. They shifted uncomfortably, their bodies tense with fear.

One of them, a scrawny wolf with a mottled gray coat, took a hesitant step forward. His eyes locked onto the woman, and his expression twisted into a snarl. I could see the lust burning in his eyes. But as he tried to take another step, an unseen force halted him. He yelped, his tail tucked between his legs, and retreated into the safety of the pack.

The wolves began to tremble, their breaths coming in short gasps. They seemed to be struggling to find the words, their mouths opening and closing as if gulping for words.

Finally, one of them, a grizzled old wolf with a battle-scarred ear, summoned the courage to speak. "Alpha," he rasped, his voice barely above a whisper, "the woman... she's cursed."

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze never leaving the woman. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of fear. But it was quickly replaced by a look of calm determination.

The old wolf's words hung in the air, and I could sense the pack's unease. They seemed to be waiting for my reaction, their bodies tense with anticipation.

But before I could respond, another wolf spoke up. "Alpha, she's evil," he growled, his eyes blazing with hatred. "Anyone who associates with her will be cursed too."

I turned to the lady, and without a word, I took her hand and turned to leave. The wolves parted, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion.

But just as we were about to walk away, a third voice yelled out from the back of the pack. "She's a mute and a stealer wolf!" the voice shouted.

I halted, my head snapping back towards the pack. I furrowed my brow, my mind racing with questions. What was the truth about this mysterious woman? And why did my pack seem so determined to keep her away from me?

My gaze shifted to her, expecting her to defend herself against the wolves' claims, but she merely shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, her silence more damning than any denial.

Was she really a mute?

The moon goddess wouldn't be so heartless as to give me a mute as a mate, would she? I thought, incredulous. I had attended the mating ceremony with the hope of finding my fated mate, the one I had been searching for over the years. I was heading back in disappointment just like in the previous years when I perceived a strong scent and I knew instantly that it was coming from my mate. I followed the scent, and it led me to her.

"Aren't you going to explain what's happening here to me?" I asked, expecting some clarity. But she merely shook her head, her eyes locked on mine. I felt a surge of frustration. "So, everything they say is true? You're... mute?" I asked, my voice laced with disappointment.

Just then, one of the wolves snapped, "Everything is true, Alpha! She's been mute since birth, she's a stealer wolf, and a slut, luring men with her scent. You're a prestigious Alpha, and you deserve someone better than this prostitute!"

Another voice called out from the crowd, "She might just be trying to seduce you like she does to other men. This is evident from the way she ran to hug you. Stealer wolves are known for their adulterous ways. Please, stay away from her." He said and I facepalmed.

His words sent shivers down my spine. If the moon goddess hated me so much to give me a mute mate, why a stealer wolf combined? Stealer wolves are the kinds of wolves that can be claimed anywhere, anytime, and by anyone, whether widowed wolves or single wolves who haven't found their mate yet. And if they finally find their mate, it always ends in trouble for that mate. Is that what the moon goddess wants to subject me to after all these years?

This wasn't how I envisioned my mate to be. I've always wanted a strong mate, one who could stand up for herself, a mate I can trust with the defense of our pack. But here's a weak and mute mate. How will she fight for the pack if she's too weak to even fight for herself if she always has to depend on me to fight for her? How will she rule the pack if she can't say a single word or express her feelings or opinions?

"I'm never accepting you as my mate," I snapped, turning away in dismissal. Her beauty was captivating, and she would have been my perfect Luna, but how can I overlook the fact that she's weak, mute, and a stealer wolf, just for her looks? That's never going to happen.

I turned away from her, but she grasped my arm, holding me back. "Get your hands off me, or I might kill you myself!" I warned, darting a menacing glare at her.

The wolves chimed in, "She's cursed, Alpha, right from birth, and still is!"

I turned to leave, and the wolves seized her. Her whimpering cries filled the air as she struggled to break free, but I refused to intervene; I wasn't going to save her this time.

"Alpha Ricky... help me."

I stopped abruptly on hearing my name and turned back to see her looking at me in tears.

Did she just say my name?

I groaned when I woke up. My eyes fluttered open but it was immediately met with a light radiating through a window. I adjusted to the light and opened my eyes again. That was when I realized I was in a dungeon.

How the hell did I get here?

I remember calling on Alpha Ricky when the wolves wanted to hurt me while the Alpha turned to look at me with shock registered all over his face. I knew the wolves were shocked too when they heard me speak but the truth is that I can make little sounds or voices when I'm in deep need of help. I knew I wasn't completely mute and that's why I needed my mate to love and help me heal.

I look around in devastation. Why bring me to the dungeon of all places? When he turned to save me from the wolves, I thought he was going to bring me to live with him. I remember many wolves passed by when I was struggling to break free from the wolves dragging me but none of them came to help and now even Alpha Ricky who helped didn't dim it fit to take me in with him but to put me in a dungeon? I am indeed alone.

I looked around and saw old women and even little girls in the dungeon. There was also a section where some men were kept. They must be the Alpha slaves. I could see a woman crying and tapping her daughter as if she wanted her to wake up and when I looked closely, I realized the little girl was dead. Why on earth will anyone subject women to this kind of torture? I wanted to go close to the woman to comfort her but I only cried knowing well that I couldn't do anything to help her. Most of the people in this place are subject to sexual abuse and the more I looked around the more I was determined never to allow myself to be used as one of the sexual slaves in here.

I sighed and facepalmed. I am not going to stay in a place like this. I gathered strength and at that point, I was planning on how to escape from there. I looked through the room and I saw a door leading out of the dungeon. I got up and walked as fast as possible, careful not to make any sound as I tiptoed towards the door. I saw some guards in the dungeon but I prayed silently not to be caught as I kept walking.

The key was right by the handle of the door. I'm sure the guards didn't bother to keep it away since they're sure nobody dared go near the door to escape.

"Stop trying to escape, no one ever escapes from here." The woman who was still grieving over the loss of her child whispered but I wasn't ready to listen to her. If I could get to the door successfully, I'd be out of here in no time.

Just when I was almost near the door, one of the guards held my wrist from the back. I spun around and he spat on my face, the warm saliva hitting my cheek like a slap. I recoiled, disgust and anger surging through me. The guard's breath reeked of rotting teeth and stale tobacco, making my stomach churn.

"Where did you think you're going? He asked and I frowned.

I wiped the spit off my face with the back of my hand, the stench lingering on my skin. The guard's eyes seemed to gleam with sadistic pleasure, and I knew I had to be careful not to provoke him further.

"What makes you think you can escape from here without our notice?" he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

I tried to yank my hand free, but his grip only tightened. His claws dug into my skin, and I felt a searing pain as blood trickled down my arm.

I glared at him, my anger and fear simmering just below the surface. But I knew better than to react. Instead, I stood frozen, my eyes locked on the guard's.

"Answer the damn question and tell me why you think you can escape from here" he commanded but when I wasn't saying anything, he raised his hand to slap me, but a voice intervened. "She's a mute, she can't respond to anything you ask her."

The guard's gaze flicked to the speaker who happens to be one of the guards and back at me.

The guard holding me turned back, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. "You are a mute?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain. "No wonder you act differently. Your disability must have affected your brain, making you think you can run away."

His words stung, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of reacting. Instead, I stood tall, my eyes flashing with defiance.

The guard snorted, his grip on my wrist tightening. "Let's get her out of here," he growled, dragging me away from the door.

I stumbled, my feet scraping against the cold stone floor as I struggled to keep up with the guard's brutal pace.

We passed through a large doorway and he kept dragging me along. But when he finally brought me to the entrance of the throne room, my heart skipped a bit. I couldn't express how happy I was knowing that I was about to see my mate. Surely, this was a sign that my mate had finally accepted me.

They opened the door and ushered me in as they bowed to the alpha and left. Alpha Ricky was sitting on his throne. I looked up to him and our gazes met and for a fleeting moment, I felt a chill run down my spine as I was caught in the frosty intensity of his gaze. I hastily looked away, unable to bear the weight of his piercing stare.

He approached me, I instinctively took steps back, my heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation. But my retreat was halted when the back of my leg collided with a delicate flower vase, sending it crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the room, and I froze, my eyes fixed on the broken vase as Alpha Ricky's footsteps stopped mere inches from me.

Alpha Ricky's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the shattered vase and I hurriedly bent to pick them.

"Leave it," he commanded, his voice firm but controlled. "I'll let it slide this time, but if it happens again, you'll be punished." He signaled to the guard at the door, who nodded and departed to summon a servant to clean the mess.

Alpha Ricky's gaze returned to me, his expression unreadable. "You've been here mere minutes, and already you're destroying things. It's a sign of the cursed life you've led, no doubt."

I felt a sting from his words and lowered my gaze, waiting for him to continue.

He moved to the table in front of his throne, poured himself a cup of wine, and took a sip.

"I'm grateful to the moon goddess that, despite being a mute, you can at least hear and understand me when I speak. That's...useful. For that reason, I won't reject you entirely."

My heart leaped with hope, and I thought to myself that perhaps Alpha Ricky had simply been shocked by my muteness the day before and had now come to accept me.

But before I could indulge in that hope, Alpha Ricky's expression turned cold. "Do not deceive yourself, mute. Whatever fantasies you're spinning in that dull skull of yours, dismiss them. They won't come to fruition."

My hopes crashed, and I felt a familiar sense of despair.

Alpha Ricky continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're the only person who is not affected by my aura, simply because we're mates. But you're nothing like the Luna I envisioned for myself. You're weak, mute, and will never have the chance to sit by my side, let alone be my Luna. The sooner you grasp that, the better for you."

He sipped the remaining wine from his cup and approached me, his eyes boring into mine. "It's not worth my time to converse with a mute like you, but there's something you need to understand and pay attention to."

"You'll serve me, not as my mate, but as my maid."

I gasped.