Nah

Becca's POV Everyone was in the pack's field waiting to see who would cross the finish line first and win the race. As the race drew to a close, a bike screeched to a halt, its tires making a harsh whining sound as they hit the ground, signifying the long-awaited victory. The bicycling competition between the biker teams that had been going on in the Moonstone Pack grounds was finally concluded. As they were getting ready for the next biking race that the Alpha Council was hosting, it was only among the young people. I also understood that, given my history, I would never be able to train and become one of the motorcyclists, despite my desires. I stared at Ronan, the Alpha Prince, as he came down from his bike, his strong muscles dripping with perspiration in the blazing heat, his presence naturally drawing attention. His name was yelled by Moonstone Pack members, and tremendous cheers erupted around the arena. They cheered him on with frenzied clapping and chanting, as if they all owned his win. They had been playing a pretend bike race, and it was more than just a game to them because he had won. It was evidence of his strength, might, and deservingness of being their Alpha in the future. I watched him, my heart swelled with pride and joy, and a smile slowly appeared on my face. The fact that he had won made me very delighted. He had expressed to me last night how much he wanted this win. He could not afford to lose to locals, not even to his own pack, for which he had trained all his life. Now that he had won, I was overcome with relief and happiness, feeling as though I should have shared in that success. His victories against other packs would undoubtedly come soon. My heart began to race, and I unconsciously straightened when he approached the podium ahead of us to deliver his address. I waited for my name to be called, nearly out of breath. That was the custom whenever something like this occurred. The victor would ascend the podium to express gratitude to all those who helped them achieve their goal. And since I had been the one behind Prince Ronan during his grueling practice last night, supporting, encouraging, and believing in him even when he doubted himself, I was certain that he would bring up my name. "And I must especially appreciate Kattie for her support for me thus far," Ronan stated with assurance and pride in his voice. "Her encouragement over the years is the sole reason I have the bravery to continue winning these competitions." As his words reverberated in my ears, I forced myself to relax despite the icy taste that shot up my throat. I have a step-sister named Kattiw. A daughter of the Beta. She held a considerably higher status than I did because, whereas I was the Beta's illegitimate offspring, hidden, unwelcome, and hardly tolerated, she was the pack's prized daughter, adored and exhibited like a gem. I didn't say anything, even though it was painful that Ronan put her name before mine. I waited patiently for him to call me next, swallowing the pain. Ultimately, Kattie portrayed herself as his destined partner, although Ronan had repeatedly expressed to me that he didn't sense the connection. I was aware that it was phony. With the assistance of our father, she was employing dark magic to convince him that she was his intended spouse. Still, I silently endured being his secret lover, hoping and praying every night that the Moon Goddess would one day award me him as his true fated mate. Ronan cherished me. After we made love last night, he informed me that he was exhausted and clung to me after finishing his practice. He had cradled me in his arms while whispering assurances into my ear. So it didn't matter that he mentioned Kattie before me, I told myself. All he was doing was publicly recognizing her. It was something I made myself believe. But I was frozen in place when I saw Ronan descending from the stage without even looking at me or mentioning my name. A sneering voice next to me said, "Someone is finally learning her place." I turned to see Kattie standing nearby, my heart sinking. Her pricey gown gleamed in the sunlight, each jewel and bead symbolizing privilege and luxury, a harsh contrast to the simple servant clothes I wore. I was her servant, after all. I had been thrust into that life in return for acceptance from a father who detested his illegitimate child's presence. to call, serve, and bay back to her. I walked away, unwilling to confront her. She was aware of my feelings for Ronan. In private, she was even aware that we had crossed paths. Knowing that she would simply make fun of me, I didn't want to waste any more time with her. She abruptly grabbed my hair and forcibly pulled me back before I had gone too far. And since it was already a treatment I was used to, in return for the shelter her father offered, no one would be there to stop her. No wolf wanted to go to the outlands, and I couldn't take the chance of being sent there. "You lowlife, where do you think you're going?" Her fury was so intense and uncontrollable that it made me feel afraid. Suddenly, she snapped. I briefly pondered whether she was already aware that I had spent the previous evening with Ronan or if the truth had somehow gotten past the barriers I had put in place. I remained silent. Rather, my fingers clawed futilely at her hand as I attempted to free my hair from her hold. But when one of her pals abruptly gave me a strong kick from behind, all of my hard work was in vain. I landed face-first in a muddy pool near the edge of the pack field after the impact drove me sliding forward. Around me, laughing echoed as cold dirt splashed on my flesh, soaking my garments and discoloring my face. Kattie sneered and took a step closer, saying, "It's surprising that a wolfless and mateless daughter of a w***e like you still doesn't know her place, Becca." "Do you like it when I constantly remind you of where you are?" I just watched her without saying anything. I was well aware that I shouldn't talk in such circumstances. It went more quickly and ended sooner when there was silence. She would become bored and let me leave if I waited long enough. However, something inside of me exploded as I looked up and noticed Ronan coming from a distance. Given the embarrassment she had already caused me, I couldn't allow her to disparage my late mother's name in front of him. With a trembling but forceful voice, I shot back, "Kattie, you know my mother wasn't a whore." "Perhaps she wouldn't have me, and we wouldn't be in this predicament if Father hadn't used his power as the Beta to make her be with him." "How dare you!" she yelled, her face twisted in anger. Before she pursued the Beta to entice him, your mother was merely my mother's servant! She is what she is if I say she is a w***e! This time, I remained silent. All I could do was look at her angry face. My words had made an impression. The truth was more painful than any insult, and she was aware that I was speaking the truth. She would never accept it, though. She was never able to. Ultimately, my mother had perished in a fire many years before my stepfather, the Beta, was able to formally claim me as one of his children at her insistence. However, Kattie and her mother continued to despise her memories long after she passed away. "Ronan I was startled out of my reverie as Kattie yelled out when she saw him coming. Her tone changed abruptly, as though she hadn't initiated the whole affair. "She just insulted me and my father, the Beta! Do punish her!" she pleaded pleasantly. Convinced that Ronan would not take any action, I rolled my eyes inward. He loved me, not her, after all. We were soulmates, chosen by the Moon Goddess. All I was waiting for was to turn nineteen, for fate to complete what we already had, for her to give him to me as my fated mate and end this pain. Unfortunately, Ronan's icy voice sounded before I could even raise my head correctly, giving me an instruction that felt like a dagger to my chest. "The wolfless omega should be punished for disobeying royalty." I was still. He had seen enough to know I wasn't to blame, but he nevertheless ordered my sentence because of what he had called me, in addition to that. Wolfless and an omega, as though he hadn't been the one who repeatedly said he wasn't concerned about them.