CHAPTER1
Laura’s POV
As I cleaned the vast hall's marble floor, my knees hurt and I could hardly see my reflection in the soapy water. I was made fun of by the glistening chandeliers above, whose brightness was too intense for someone like me. I tried to ignore the piercing eyes that were burning on my back as I wrung the dirty rag with trembling hands.
"Laura, hurry up!" Damon's voice was chilly and piercing, like a whip c***k. Despite my recoil, I dared not look up. The heavy boots of the Beta clomped closer and came to a stop directly next to me. "Do you believe we have the entire day?"
I said, my voice just audible, "No, Beta Damon."
He sneered and kicked over my pail, saying, "Speak up, slave!" Splashes of dirty water landed on the spotless floor I had just scrubbed and on my skirt. I quickly mopped it up with my rag, feeling sick to my stomach.
"I apologize," I responded hastily while attempting to maintain a calm tone.
Damon growled, "Sorry doesn't cut it," and leaned down until I was engulfed by his shadow. "Alpha, you're lucky." You are trash, yet Eric hasn't thrown you out.
Even though what he said hurt, I bit my lip and continued to scrape. Here, I couldn't afford to cry. I couldn't help but cry.
"Useless," he said to himself before rushing away.
With my hands gripping the rag tightly, I released a trembling breath. As pack members got ready for the yearly mate ceremony, the hall was a flurry of activity all around me. Even though I should have been accustomed to the glances, the whispers, and the humiliation by now, it always felt like a stab to the chest.
A maid said close by, "They say the Alpha hasn't chosen a Luna yet," above the sound of glasses clinking.
My heart skipped a beat as I froze. The Alpha. My eyes strayed to the opulent stairway that led to his room. Eric Blackwood is Alpha. The thought of him chilled me to the bone. He was a strong, commanding leader who was untouchable. I was nothing, too.
I was constantly overcome by my curiosity, and today was no exception. I stayed close to the steps after I finished my task in the hopes of seeing him.
I ducked back into the shadows at the sound of a low growl. Through the slightly open door, I could see him seated at his desk from where I was hiding. Eric Alpha.
He seems... torn. He was looking at a piece of parchment in his hands, his big shoulders hunched. His brown hair seemed a little unkempt, as if he had been furiously raking his hands through it.
A deep voice growled, "Eric, the elders are right." I knew it belonged to Damon. "A Luna is needed by the pack. You cannot continue to put this off.
Eric's throat rumbled with a growl. "I have already told you that I don't require a Luna."
Damon insisted, "It's not about what you need." "The pack is the focus."
With his amber eyes flaming, Eric slammed the page down. "I almost lost everything the last time I trusted Damon". I will not allow that to occur once more.
My heart thumping, I leaned closer. Where had he gone?
The huge hall had become a scene from a fairy tale by dusk. The air smelled of fresh flowers and the ceiling was covered in twinkling lights. As usual, I was invisible as I held a tray of drinks in the corner.
Excitement filled the room. With their eyes sparkling with excitement, female wolves in their best robes flew about. I had no right to contemplate their ambition of being selected as the Alpha's mate.
I felt an odd tingle as I made my way through the crowd. My chest constricted, and I looked about, trying to figure out what was going on. I saw him at that point.
Eric commanded and captivated the room as he stood in the middle. However, he wasn't looking at the sophisticated women competing for his interest. I was at fault.
We looked at each other, and I felt a strong shock. My lungs felt as though they had been blown out. Her voice whispered a single word in my thoughts as my wolf shifted restlessly.
My friend.
No. It isn't possible. The tray fell out of my hands and onto the floor because my hands were shaking so much. Everyone turned to stare at the commotion, and I felt the weight of their looks.
Someone said, "She's his mate."
Another voice sneered, "The slave?"
As I stood motionless under Eric's piercing stare, heat shot up my face.
Eric's jaw tightened and his face stiffened. With methodical motions, he took a step forward. He was quickly in front of me after the crowd dispersed to make room for him.
I started to say something, but the words would not come.
"You?" he asked in a low, disbelieving voice.
Unable to look him in the eyes, I nodded shakily.
He laughed bitterly and sharply. "I think the Moon Goddess is kidding."
My eyes ached with tears, but I fought the need to cry. I said, "I didn't ask for this."
Eric's steely eyes skimmed over me. "You are not deserving. My Luna could never have been a helpless, miserable slave.
The remarks were like a kick to the stomach. I could only hear my heartbeat thumping in my ears as the room burst into murmuring.
Eric's voice was like ice when he ordered, "Get out of my sight."
The world around me was a blur as I turned and ran. I bounded out of the hall and into the trees, the chilly night air hitting my face. I started crying uncontrollably as my chest heaved.
I kept sprinting till my legs failed me. The weight of rejection crushed me as I fell to the wet woodland floor.
Then I sensed that someone was observing me. Bright eyes that cut through the shadows.
A shudder went down my spine as a low growl rumbled. My heart was beating, and I scurried back as the sound got closer.
"Who is present?" My voice trembled as I whispered.
A figure appeared out of the darkness as the glowing eyes drew nearer. When I realized I wasn't alone, my breath seized in my throat.
Everything turned black as the beast pounced at me.
