The Alpha's Regret

Father hates me

Chapter two

Three Months Before the Rejection

The afternoon sun spilled through the towering windows of the pack house, casting warm streaks of light across the polished marble floors. Vitani moved quietly through them with a bucket in one hand and a damp cloth in the other, carefully wiping away invisible specks of dust.

The council members were still gathered in the grand dining hall, their voices carrying through the corridors as servants rushed to fulfill every request before it was spoken. She knelt beside the staircase, polishing the silver railing until her distorted reflection stared back at her.

Only when she was satisfied did she shift to the next section.

Footsteps echoed behind her—measured, graceful, unmistakable.

She didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"You're doing it wrong."

Vitani immediately rose to her feet, lowering her eyes. "I'll redo it."

Elena folded her arms across her chest, the corners of her lips lifting into a smug smile. Dressed in sapphire-blue silk embroidered with silver thread, she looked every bit the Alpha's daughter. Standing beside her, Vitani felt even more invisible in her faded grey dress and worn apron.

"You always say that," Elena murmured, slowly circling her.

Her sharp gaze swept over Vitani's clothes, her neatly tied braid, and the shoes that were barely holding together."Mother is far too kind to you."

Vitani remained silent.

"If I were in her place, you would have been sent to live with the servants years ago."

"I already live behind the kitchen," Vitani answered quietly.

Elena laughed, a soft, mocking sound that echoed through the hall.

"Oh... that's right." She leaned in slightly, satisfaction flashing in her eyes. "I'd forgotten."

Vitani knew she hadn't.

"I don't understand you," Elena continued. "You obey every order without complaint, yet somehow you still manage to look as though you're waiting for something."

"I'm not."

"No?" Elena tilted her head. "Then why do you always watch Father whenever he walks past?"

The question settled heavily between them.Vitani didn't answer because there wasn't one she could give. Perhaps some foolish part of her still hoped that one day he would look at her with kindness instead of indifference.

She knew better than to expect it, but hope had never listened to reason.

"I don't expect anything," she whispered.

Elena smiled.

"That's the saddest lie you've ever told."

(Elena's POV)

Pathetic.

That single word always came to mind whenever I looked at Vitani.

I couldn't understand how two girls raised beneath the same roof could appear so completely different. I carried myself with confidence, wearing dresses tailored for an Alpha's daughter, while Vitani hid beneath plain fabric that made her blend into the background. Mother had always insisted it remain that way. Simple clothes.

Hair tied back. No attention. I had never questioned it. Why should I? Vitani wasn't truly part of our family. She was little more than another servant who happened to live inside the pack house.

Yet something about her irritated me.

It wasn't beauty. There was nothing remarkable about the exhausted girl constantly covered in dust and soap stains.

It was the pity she inspired.

The kitchen staff quietly slipped her extra bread whenever Mother wasn't looking. The elderly gardener always greeted her with a warm smile. Even a few warriors thanked her whenever she carried fresh water to the training grounds.

People felt sorry for her.

I hated that.

Sympathy grew into loyalty, and loyalty had a way of becoming dangerous. The respect of the pack belonged to Father's family—not to a servant.

I stepped closer and pointed toward the railing.

"You're polishing the wrong side."

Without a word, Vitani moved to the opposite side and continued working exactly as instructed.

No argument.

No hesitation.

Somehow, that annoyed me even more.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the entrance of the hall.

Every servant immediately straightened.

Father.

He strode through the corridor with the quiet confidence of a leader who never questioned his authority. The council members greeted him respectfully as he passed, but he barely acknowledged them. His sharp eyes swept over the servants before stopping on Vitani.

Only for a moment.

Vitani instinctively looked up.

For the briefest second, I caught the hope flickering across her face.

It disappeared almost immediately.

"Why is she standing around?" Father asked coldly.

Mother appeared beside him as though she'd been waiting for the question.

"I'll deal with it."

"I don't keep people here to waste time."

"No, Alpha."

Without another glance, Father continued down the corridor.

He hadn't spoken Vitani's name.

He never did.

I watched Vitani lower her head before quietly picking up her bucket again. The cloth moved across the marble in slow, careful circles, as though scrubbing hard enough might somehow erase the ache hidden behind her calm expression.

Vitani's POV

He does this always. Maybe I am stupid having hope he could just for once look at me and my Vitani I mean I am his daughter too. My mom has a favorite which is my sister so I know why she hates me and because I look ugly and I'm weak. While she on the other hand shows them off well.

I always try and see from their view but it's not fair for me. Father has never looked my way since I turned 7 and I always wonder why.

"You stupid child, are you trying to me look bad in front of the alpha as your Luna." my mother said as she pulled my hair.

"Mom! No! I'm not trying to do that."as said as I yelled from pain.

" Good cause you are the worst thing that has ever happened to me. " she said as she turned and left.

" See nobody wants you weakling. Why don't you just leave?" also her too saying saying as she turned going for the stairs.