Claiming His Unwanted Mate.

The chilling cold bit against my skin, and I shivered. I reached for a blanket only to be struck by the reality that I had none. I crawled up in a fetus position on my overgrown bed, hugging myself. I’m turning eighteen today. Usually on my birthday, my parents would be up by this time, hugging me and singing me a birthday song. They'd give me a kiss on my forehead and tuck me back to sleep, and in the morning, I'd have a big breakfast. We'd go to the pack and play like our lives depended on it. That all happened when I was five. It won't ever happen again. They're gone. My dad, distant, and my mom truly gone. I was told she died in a fire. Instead of birthday songs, I hear her agonizing screams. Instead of birthday gifts, I get lashes and slaps from my stepmother, Berrilyn. Instead of smiles, I get grim expressions, scowls, and scoffs. No one is around to love me like my parents did. Not even my own relatives. A howl echoed right outside, and I jolted from my bed, making it squeak loudly. The pack guards had announced the dawn of a new day. Not just any day but the day of the mating ceremony. Everyone always looked forward to the mating ceremony. Even the little kids talked about it. Why wouldn't they? It was a milestone for every wolf. It meant wolves could find their mates, their so-called other half. The one who would love them unconditionally. And like the kids, I anticipated the event. If I could find a mate, he would take me away from this miserable life I've been living since Mom's death. I struggled out of bed and trudged to the open window. The wind tugged at my bangs, and I left it. I stared at the moon with a calm demeanor. Today could be my ticket to freedom, but when I close my eyes, I remember Berrilyn's sharp voice and Freya's taunting look. They're the royal pain in the ass that has made my life miserable since I was 7 years old. Both stepmother and daughter. Don't even bring my father into the picture. He doesn't stop them when they bully me. He'd shun me or worse, pretend as though he didn't see anything. I clenched the windowsill when I recalled one of Freya's warnings. “Nervous about the mating ceremony, Chloe?” Freya had said yesterday, her red lips curling into a smirk. “Well, you shouldn't be.” No one's going to want you. You're the reject of this family.” Freya was beautiful, and there's no denying it. With her curly blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes, she commanded attention wherever she went. Everyone adored her, especially Dad. After Mom passed away, my dad remarried quickly, which I found odd. It was like Mom's death didn't bother him at all. From the moment Berrilyn and Freya walked into our lives, I experienced hell on earth firsthand. Freya became the shining star, while I, on the other hand, became the forgotten one. The one Berrilyn and Freya mocked at every opportunity. Dad welcomed the cruelty of his new wife and stepdaughter. All he does is bury himself at work, leaving me to fend for myself. But today, everything will change. When I find my mate, I'll finally leave this place. One thing I prayed for was for him to love me, protect me, and take me far away from the goddamn hellhole. Evening came quicker than I expected, and I was glad. After concluding my duties in the kitchen, I went to my room in the attic to prepare for the mating ceremony. I wasn't experienced in hair and makeup, but I did my best to look good. I wore my hair up in an elegant style for the first time in 3 years, hoping my mate would catch a whiff of my scent easily. I chose a blue satin gown with white embroidery, a dress Dad had tossed on my bed last year. He had called it a birthday gift. Thank Goddess, I didn't burn it. I put on the short flare gown, and it fit perfectly. There was no mirror in my bedroom, so I kept a round stainless plate on the crooked table to check out my face. I looked perfectly imperfect. The howl from earlier this morning came again, announcing the commencement of the ceremony. I kept down the plate when I heard a fist bang on the door. “We're leaving!” It was Freya. I rolled my eyes and mouthed the words she had spoken. “We're leaving.” Ugh! The next thing I heard was the loud slam of the door. They had left for the ceremony, and, of course, they took the car. I'd have to walk to the Pack's main hall. It'll take me an hour or so. I buckled up and began my walk. Exactly an hour later, I arrived at the park's hall. It was filled with werewolves, young and old, dressed elegantly in expensive gowns and suits. My heart raced as I headed towards the hall where the pack's mating ceremony would be held. And just like outside, the interior was equally wolves from my pack and others, both young and old. There was a rush of excitement and laughter in the air as they engaged in conversation and exchanged pleasantries. Like the tree I was, I took to a quiet corner, my green eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of my chosen mate. My breath got trapped in my throat when my eyes fell on him, Alpha Damon. Damon was the eye-candy of his entire pack. He was a tall gentleman with mouse-brown hair. He loved wearing a ponytail. I'd always admire him from afar. Sometimes, I’d watch him train. It was an amazing thing to watch, his body exuding strength and leadership. My eyes met him across the room and I felt a sharp pull. This was it. He was my mate. Without thinking much, I crossed the room towards him, my legs feeling like jelly as I moved. I stopped in front of him, my breath shaking. “Alpha Damon, hi.” I greeted him softly with a smile.