The Alpha who Became my Prison

KATE'S POV Every child deserves a father who would die to protect them. Mine chose to humiliate me instead. ___ The humiliation ***** Tonight was the annual Moon Festival—the most important celebration of the year. For most young wolves, it was a night of pride. For Kate, it was a nightmare. "Bring my daughters forward." Alpha Victor's commanding voice echoed across the crowded training grounds, instantly silencing the thousands of pack members gathered for the annual Moon Festival. Kate's heart skipped. Daughters? or is it a slip of tongue? For one foolish second, hope fluttered inside my chest. Maybe... Maybe this year, he would finally acknowledge me. I took a small step forward. Before I could reach the platform, another voice stopped me. Not you The words were sharp enough to slice through my heart. Alpha Victor didn't even spare me a glance. I was talking about the daughter who carries my pride, not my shame. Laughter rippled through the crowd. Kate froze. A beautiful young Lady dressed in a flowing silver gown stepped onto the stage instead. Ashley. The daughter Alpha Victor had with his second wife. The daughter everyone adored. The daughter is blessed with a magnificent silver wolf. Ashley smiled sweetly as she wrapped her arm around Alpha Victor. Dad , she said softly. Alpha Victor kissed her proudly. "My precious daughter." Those three words hit me harder than any slap. I couldn't remember the last time he had called me daughter. Look at her, one elder exclaimed proudly. Only twenty-three years old, yet already one of the strongest female wolves in the Silver Fang Pack. The Moon Goddess truly blessed Alpha Victor. "What a worthy future Luna." Cheers erupted. Ashley lowered her head modestly, pretending to be embarrassed by the praise. I stood alone at the bottom of the stage. Invisible. Forgotten. A hand suddenly landed on my shoulder, I turned to see who it was, behold it was my stepmother, Luna Serena. "Oh, Kate..." Serena sighed loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. "Don't look so sad." She gently brushed an imaginary speck of dust from my worn dress. "I'm sure your time will come someday." The words sounded comforting. Her smile wasn't. I was the only one who saw the satisfaction hidden behind those gentle eyes. You should be happy for your sister,Serena whispered where no one else could hear. "Not everyone is lucky enough to be blessed by the Moon Goddess." I lowered my eyes. "Yes, Luna." "Good girl." Serena smiled before turning back toward the crowd. "My Alpha," she called sweetly. "Shouldn't the celebration begin?" Victor nodded. It should, my lovely Luna. Finally, the ceremony began. The pack gathered near the sacred stone. This was the moment every young wolf waited for. The Moon Calling. One by one, wolves stepped forward. Silver light surrounded them. Cheers followed every successful shift. Kate watched and wished one day she would shift. A familiar ache settled inside her chest. Then Elder Rowan cleared his throat. There is one final name. The crowd became quiet. my stomach dropped. No. Please no. Laughter immediately spread through the crowd at the mention of my name. Some people didn't even bother hiding it. Kate? What's the point? She'll never shift. She has no Wolf. Heat flooded my face. they're right, i can't shift. The Alpha's eyes finally landed on me. "You." I immediately straightened. Yes... Alpha? "Why are you still standing there when you know you're good for nothing.?" His expression hardened. Will the guests serve themselves? More laughter. Someone muttered, Imagine making the Alpha's daughter a servant. Another answered, She isn't his daughter. She's just the wolfless burden. I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Yes, Alpha." Not Father. Never Father. A servant handed me a heavy silver tray filled with crystal glasses. I carefully walked through the crowd, offering drinks to the guests. Some accepted them without looking at me. Others deliberately ignored me. One woman pulled her child away as I approached. "Don't stand too close," she whispered. What if her curse is contagious? The child stared openly. Mommy... why doesn't she have a wolf? Because the Moon Goddess rejected her. I pretended not to hear. Pretending had become second nature. I reached a group of young Alphas from neighboring packs. Among them stood the man I wished I hadn't seen. Damien. My fiancé. Or at least... He had been. Our engagement was arranged when we were still teenagers. Back then, everyone believed I would awaken into a powerful wolf just like my late mother. Instead... I became a disappointment. Damien looked her up and down before taking a glass from the tray. "So..." He smirked. They've reduced you to serving drinks now? His friends laughed. I forced a small smile. Would you like anything else? "Yes." His eyes swept over my plain dress with obvious disgust. I'd like the Alpha's real daughter to serve me, not a slave. The men burst into laughter. Ashley, standing beside the stage, giggled behind her hand. "Oh, Damien," she teased. "You're terrible." "But..." She looked at me with a fake sympathy. ...he isn't wrong. I tightened my grip on the tray. My knuckles turned white. I turned to leave. A foot suddenly stretched into my path, I stumbled. The tray tilted. Crystal glasses crashed onto the stone floor. Red wine splashed across Alpha Victor's boots. Silence. my breathing stopped. I didn't need to look up. I already knew what would happen. Alpha Victor's face darkened. "You useless girl." His voice thundered across the entire festival. Every conversation ceased. Every eye turned towards me. immediately, i knelt and started apologizing. I'm sorry, Alpha, it was a mistake. "I'm so sorry." Victor stepped forward slowly. The sound of his boots echoed against the stone. You embarrass me every time I look at you. I'm sorry. "Sorry?" His voice rose. Can your apology replace what you've broken? No... Before I could say a word, a slap came without warning. CRACK! My head snapped sideways. The force sent me crashing on the broken glass. A sharp piece sliced my palm. Blood trickled on the ground. No one helped. Only watched and laughed Ashley gasped dramatically. "Oh no!" She hurried over. Father... She grabbed Alpha Victor's arm. Please don't be angry. Her voice dripped with concern. Kate didn't mean it. She looked down at me, For a split second... A cruel smile flashed across her lips. Gone so quickly that no one else noticed. "Please forgive her." Victor looked at Ashley proudly. You are too kind. Ashley sighed sadly. I just don't want anyone to think badly of our family. I almost laughed hearing those words. Our family? She had never for once been treated like family. Alpha Victor looked back at me. You don't deserve your sister's kindness. He pointed toward the center of the festival. Kneel there. I slowly looked up. My Alpha... I said... His Alpha aura exploded outward. "KNEEL!" my body trembled under the overwhelming pressure. I crawled to the center of the grounds. Thousands of eyes followed me. I knelt. my injured palm bled silently on the stone. Victor folded his arms. You will remain there until this celebration ends. Ashley bit her lip. "Father..." Victor smiled gently at her. Don't worry yourself my precious daughter. She deserves every punishment. She should learn from you, you're too kind and adorable. Ashley looked at me, our eyes met and she smiled.. I can tell what such smiles stands for. Then he looked at me again. His face became ice. Perhaps humiliation will teach you what years of kindness could not. A useless daughter is worth more dead than alive. Then I say in my mind , One day I will remind him of his words.