The Alpha King's Plus Size Mate

Olivia's POV Standing before the mirror, I studied my reflection. My cheeks were slightly flushed, giving my face a soft, youthful look. My body curved in ways that did not fit the slim, toned ideal my family worshipped. My hips were full, my stomach soft, and my thighs brushed together when I shifted my weight. Every part of me reminded me of how I failed to fit the pack’s narrow idea of beauty. I tied my golden hair into a neat bun and slipped into a long skirt and a simple, worn-out shirt. Not exactly the outfit of someone excited about a mating ceremony. But I had learned long ago not to expect much. I dressed the way I always did—like someone bracing herself for disappointment. “Olivia, where are you? Get your fat self down this moment!” my mother yelled at the top of her voice from the dining room. I let out a defeated smile before rushing out of my room, almost stumbling on the way. I walked downstairs to the dining room where my supposed family was already seated. Seated beside my mom was Sophia, my kid sister—my family’s priceless jewel and the pack’s famous diva. My father sat at the head of the table, as usual, his face set in stone like a statue, while my mother sat proudly at his side. “So fat and still lazy,” Sophia mocked, but I ignored her and sat at the end of the table. “You should consider skipping meals and exercising,” my mother said, sipping her coffee. “Maybe then you’ll lose some of that excess fat.” Sophia chuckled softly. “As if that would help.” “At least she should try,” my mother continued. “Instead of eating all the time and lazing around. Turning to face Sophia, she dropped her cup of coffee and held her hands. “If she could be half as good as you, I wouldn’t have any worries. But thank God I have you,” she added, her face full of joy and smiles. “Sophia smirked. “She can only dream of being half as good as me. Even an inch of confidence would make her unbearable around the pack.” My supposed strong heart ached at their cruel words. There was a special kind of pain that came from being ridiculed by your own family. I swallowed it down and quietly placed a pancake and toast on my plate. “The mating ceremony is in a few hours, and I hope you don’t embarrass me in front of the whole pack,” my father stated, looking at me for the first time since I came down. His face was still ice cold with a slight frown as he addressed me. Turning to face Sophia, he smiled. “I believe you will make me proud and be the next Luna of this pack when you finally mate with your boyfriend, Damien,” he said. Sophia smiled shyly. “Daddy, stop. Damien and I are just friends.” But her body language said otherwise. “Don’t mind her. I know that she and Damien would make a great wolf couple,” my mom added, her face beaming with smiles and pride. I looked into her eyes and saw the massive love and tender care of a mother—one that had never been expressed toward me. If only they could just treat me like a normal human, I would be content. “If you’re not going to eat, then leave. Stop playing with the food,” my father’s cold voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Holding back my tears, I took another bite of pancake. When I could no longer force myself to eat, I stood up and tried to leave the table, but Father called me back. “Make sure you are well dressed for the ceremony. We leave after dinner,” Father spat, his tone laced with irritation. But before I could respond, Mother scoffed. “Oh, let her be, darling. I don’t see any need for that. I don’t think she’ll be mated to anyone, and even if she is, I believe he’ll reject her. So, to avoid her embarrassing our family, I’d advise we don’t bother about her.” Mother mocked, and the tears I had been holding back came rolling down my cheeks. “Aww, is my sister crying? So touching,” Sophia mocked. “Please don’t ever mention to anyone that you’re my sister, let alone from this family. I don’t think we produce fat pigs,” she added with a mischievous grin on her face. Not being able to stand their taunts, I left the dining room and stormed up to my room. Inside my room, I fell to the ground, resting my back against the wall, and pulled my knees toward my chest. Uncontrollable tears rolled down my cheeks as my whole body shook with pain. I thought I could take any insult, I thought I was strong and could withstand any blow or pain, but coming from my family—the one group of people who were supposed to love and protect me—was something I couldn’t take. “It’s okay. Take a grip of yourself. We have to be at the mating ceremony. We are running out of time,” my wolf spoke. I glanced at the clock. One hour left. “I have a good feeling about the mating ceremony,” my wolf, Lucy, said confidently in my mind. “Are you really sure?” I asked, skeptical, while wiping my face with the back of my palm. “Yes, I sense that the Moon Goddess has something special in store for us—a stroke of good fortune.” A small smile crept onto my face at the thought. The mating ceremony only happened every five years. All wolves who had reached the age of maturity—eighteen or older—would participate in a ritual to connect with their destined mates if they were present. I was anxious, doubtful, and terrified. What if I didn’t have a mate? Or worse, what if my mate rejected me the second he saw me? What if my mate was a rogue? What if my mate was a sinister person? “Stop doubting yourself, Olivia. Anyone would be lucky to have you,” Lucy scolded me gently, but I scoffed. She was only trying to make me feel better, and I can’t say it was really working. “Get up, Olivia. We need to go,” my wolf urged. Reluctantly, I pulled myself up, wiping away the last remnants of tears on my face as I moved toward the wardrobe. I wasn’t in the mood to dress up, but Lucy’s words kept replaying in my head—the Moon Goddess has something special in store for us. Despite the heavy weight in my chest, I wanted to believe her, just this once. I pulled out a simple flowing white dress—one that wasn’t too tight or too revealing. It covered my curves in a modest way, flowing down to my knees. After slipping it on, I glanced in the mirror again. My swollen eyes stared back at me, but I had to push through despite all odds. I quickly applied some light makeup to cover the evidence of my tears, brushed my hair back into a neat bun, and took a deep breath. This is it. No matter what happens today, you’ll be okay. I will confront everything that comes my way with ease and a clear mind, I told myself, trying to steel my nerves and emotions. I descended the stairs; the house was eerily quiet. My parents and Sophia were gone. I wasn’t surprised. They probably left without bothering to tell me, and my mom would probably wish I didn’t show up to embarrass her among her few friends who knew of my existence. That was how it had always been—like I didn’t even exist to them. I grabbed my small bag and stepped out of the house, feeling the cool evening breeze hit my skin, making me shiver a little. The path to the ceremony grounds wasn’t far, so I decided to walk. Each step felt heavy, but I kept reminding myself that this ceremony would change nothing, and I would keep being strong for myself.