The Alpha's Hidden Mate

The Alpha's Disdain*

Days turned into weeks, and Aria's frustration grew. She had tried every technique, every ritual, and every prayer to awaken her wolf, but nothing seemed to work.

Kaid's disdain for her only intensified, and he began to assign her menial tasks, treating her like a servant rather than a member of the pack.

One day, while Aria was gathering firewood, Kaid appeared beside her, his eyes scanning the forest floor. "You're not even good for hunting," he said, his voice laced with contempt. "What use are you to this pack?"

Aria's anger flared, but she bit back her retort, knowing it would only make things worse. Instead, she focused on her task, her hands moving mechanically as she gathered the wood.

As the sun began to set, Kaid turned to leave, but not before casting a disparaging glance in Aria's direction. "You're a disappointment, Aria," he said, his voice carrying through the forest. "A wolf-less waste of space."

Aria's eyes stung, but she refused to cry. She knew she wasn't a waste of space, no matter what Kaid said. She was strong, capable, and determined.

As the darkness gathered, Aria made her way back to her small cabin on the outskirts of the pack's territory. She felt like an outcast, a stranger in her own home.

But as she settled into bed, Aria's thoughts turned to her wolf, and she felt a spark of hope ignite within her. She would find her wolf, no matter what it took. And when she did, she would prove herself to Kaid and the rest of the pack.