Mated To My Lycan Prince

Delia’s POV

“She is such a pain in the a.ss. Can't she live without a man's attention?”

After my stepsister Bernice finished cursing me, the surrounding guests burst into laughter.

Today, while I was cleaning up for Bernice and her friends' afternoon tea party, I gave directions to one of Bernice's admirers.

“Thank you,” the man in the haute couture suit gave me a standard social smile, and then kept looking for Bernice.

Unfortunately, the flash of his smile was caught by Bernice, whose gaze was like a poisoned arrow.

Though it was just one of her many suitors that she despised.

“Since she likes to pose in front of men, let her perform for us!” Bernice said viciously as her five large hunting dogs ran to me.

As she beckoned, the hounds' expressions grew more fierce, and some of their eyes glowed with a terrible green light.

I have seen with my own eyes how these hounds tear up their prey. The show, she said, was to watch me shiver under their fangs like those poor animals.

The dogs' mouth gave off a strong smell, and the spit dripped down from the teeth onto the grass. My body was in pain from the sudden tension and fear. The burning in my lungs was getting stronger and my legs were cramping up. But I knew I would suffer more if I did not escape.

“No, please. I don't want to die. Help me!” As I retreated, I begged for help from the crowd behind me. However, the ladies were disgusted with me like I was a piece of trash on the ground, afraid that my hand would touch a corner of their clothes, So they all backed away with handkerchiefs over their mouths.

Although Bernice and I are Alpha’s daughters, not every Alpha’s child is loved. I grew up knowing that favoritism was a common thing in the world, but it had nothing to do with me.

I was an outlier in my pack, and I knew this harsh reality when I was 10 years old. How could a werewolf be so weak? My speed, smell, and reaction are more like a human than a werewolf. It was a shame to my entire pack, and traditionally, child like me should be drowned at birth, because a weak offspring is a very bad sign for an Alpha.

The Alpha is the leader of the whole pack, and his children represent the future of the pack. So, I am expected to be strong and must be strong.

However, my father's hesitation saved my life.

“She is my daughter, my first child,” my father announced to the elders as I cried in the delivery room.

“Moon Goddess.” The elders bowed their heads in prayer. “Please bless our pack.”

Ever since I was very young, people around my father always advised him to have another child as an heir, but my father did not pay much attention to it.

At that time, I thought my father loved me, and I tried my best to do everything well. I work hard every day while my peers play and sleep.

Even so, I was still the last one on the test. My peers easily completed the test and then huddled around me whispering and laughing at me, even spitting at me on purpose as I looked at them.

“I can't believe she is the daughter of Alpha. She will be killed by wild animals in the forest sooner or later.”

“I guess she's a bastard from Luan and a human. She doesn't deserve to be a werewolf.”

“Ha ha ha, poor Alpha. I think he should take this piece of crap to a paternity test.”

I was running in the hot sunshine, and the light forced me keep my eyes closed. My heart was pounding, and I was covered in sweat. I was breathing heavily on the training ground, and my skin was tingling all over. Their words are buzzing in my ear like the sound of bees.

Malice from the children is the worst thing. They are like invisible daggers, straight into my heart.

Everyone is estranged from me, consciously or unconsciously, and I can vaguely feel it. I convinced myself over and over that I didn't need friends, that all I had was my tattered doll. She's all I need.

Slowly, my father looked at me with more and more disappointment. Every time he met me, he would look me up and down, frown, turn his back on me, and sigh heavily.

"What a pity."

His sigh was long, like a hammer hitting my heart and taking my breath away. I lowered my head, bit my lip, stared at my shoes, and hugged myself as he left.

“Are you Delia?” At my loneliest, a girl appeared to me.

She is the only person of my age who is willing to be my friend. She's smart and can do anything, whether it's training or social. Everyone smiled at her, marveled at the mention of her name, and even my father made no secret of his affection for her.

At first, I thought my father paid attention to her because she was my friend. My father still loves me. For many nights, I slept with my old doll in my arms, thinking of this. Although my life is depressing, as long as I think of my father, I still feel not so desperate.

Moon Goddess, bless me to grow up quickly, I will be strong when I am an adult. I will make my father proud of me.

But the moon goddess still played a joke on me. It was only when I was insulted by my peers that I learned that my best friend was my father's bastard.

Soon, she became the new daughter of our pack in public.

At the time I learned the news, my mother had just passed away half a month. I will always remember my mother’s appearance before she died.

Her cheeks were sunken from illness, and she held my hand with tears in her eyes, saying over and over, “My daughter, my dear, what will you do if I die?”

“My father will protect me,” I replied, gripping my teeth to control my tears.

I didn't want the last image my mother saw before she died to be me in tears.

My mother was even sadder when she heard my answer. She shook her head. “No, you don't know... My daughter, what are you going to do? Promise me, live well, no matter……”

Half a month later, when my father brought my best friend Bernice home, I knew what my mother meant.

That day, having lost my mother, I lost my father in another way.

Bernice smiled triumphantly at me, holding the new doll our father had bought her. I stood at the bottom of the stairs and stared at her. At that moment, I finally knew that not every daughter could get the father's love.

(back to now)

I accidentally tripped over the lawn mower next to the bushes, and a piece of iron pierced my ankle. I couldn't stand up because of the pain. But the hounds' breath came nearer and nearer to me. I didn't have time to look at my wound. I crawled a few steps forward on both hands and feet before trying to get up and keep running, but I fell to the ground again.

During my struggle, the guests laughed even louder.

I don't know when I stopped being treated like an Alpha's daughter. I became a person who could be insulted and hurt at will.

Bernice became a central figure in the pack's social life, where men and women would flatter and compliment her wherever she was. She looked at me like a proud peacock. Every time she glanced at me, the people around her would give me a hard time.

Ever since she became the official daughter of Alpha, she has made no secret of her ill will towards me, even though she had all the love of our father, the dignity of an alpha daughter, a beautiful dress, expensive jewelry, and even an enviable fiance.

Kral Evans, the most famous Prince of the royal family. A different kind of werewolf. Technically, he's Lycan. He was born and raised in the limelight, enjoying the power and money of the werewolf world at its highest. As he came of age, he became the one everyone feared and admired. He was a famous warrior who successfully killed vampires, established new rules for the royal family with an iron fist, and trained the most powerful werewolf army in the division. Some say he is a womanizer, some say he is the most promising future king, and some say he is the most brutal devil. In short, his name was echoed like a thunderbolt in every werewolf's ear.

Our pack and the royal family maintained only normal diplomatic relations, so we were all surprised to hear that Kral and Bernice were about to get engaged.

The surprise was followed by cheers. To marry a royal prince is the wish of all unmated she-wolves! Kral has not been able to find a fated mate, and there are rumors that he will be looking for someone to be his chosen mate. I never expected he'd choose Bernice.

Bernice became more and more arrogant. Being chosen by Kral means that she is about to become a member of the most exalted royal family.

The dog barked behind me. It was too late. I couldn't get away.

"Wait a minute," said a graceful female voice from the crowd.

Suddenly, I thought the moon goddess finally heard my prayer. Someone spoke for me, and the miracle really appeared.

However, the next second, the voice continues: "You're about to get engaged. If she dies, will Kral have a bad impression of you?"

Bernice was stunned for a moment, then opened her lips and said, "It doesn't matter. Kral loves me, and of course he supports everything I do."

"TSK, tsk, tsk, tsk. You're not even married yet and you're already showing off your affection. How enviable."

“I hear Kral spent $20 million on Bernice just for the Royal Crown!”

"Wow, are you talking about the Crown for his wife? Bernice, I heard Kral gave you a lot of expensive jewelry. Please show us."

I could hardly hear their noise, and could only feel the chill rising from my back. What was I thinking? There is no sympathy for me at all, and my humble fantasies are nothing more than daydreams.

I lost my father the day I lost my mother. I have nothing behind me, I can only rely on myself.

I have no way out, but at this time, my heart is calm down a lot.

"Are you scared silly? What a coward," said Bernice, thinking I was scared out of my wits, and growing more complacent, ready to wave to the dogs again and direct them to attack.

Before her hand fell, I closed my eyes and asked, "Bernice, since it's an act, if I can scare your dog off, will you let me go today?"

Bernice looked at me in surprise and disdain as if she had just heard a big joke. "Just you? Are you crazy? Of course, I can promise you. You're the one who asked for death today."

I knew that Bernice was a person who cared a lot about her face. She boasted in front of her friends and would probably honor it.

A male friend of Bernice's scoffed, "You see, the coward, even her voice is shaking!"

He puffed out his chest, as if his words could add to his manly charm.

But yes, my throat was sore and hoarse, and I had no time to drink water all day to prepare for this afternoon tea.

The hounds seemed to see through my weakness, knew I had no gun, no power, and I couldn't even stand up. They were ready to pounce on me.

"Bite her!"

"Well done, my darlings!"

"Bernice, the royal family must really like a brave and cheerful hostess like you."

The crowd cheered. They all thought my fate was sealed and were ready to see my tragedy.

At this point, I couldn't care less about what they were saying. I stood up in pain, grabbed a black parasol on the side, opened it quickly, and then quickly pulled it back, and so on, with the strange sound of steel bones colliding.

The bloodhounds, their eyes blazing, were just a step away from me, but when they saw my movement, they instinctively stopped, stared at me with their sharp teeth, and then began to wander.

And I half crouched down, and quickly stood up and ran toward them. At the same time, my mouth was still full of roar.

Sure enough, the hounds, in the face of provocation, did not dare to come forward and bite me, but retreated.

Dogs instinctively fear the squat of humans. They all thought that once humans squatted down, they would be ready to pick up stones to attack them. And I suddenly stood up and rushed towards them. This is to enhance the action.

My body was already trembling from the pain, but my hands were moving faster and faster.

And the hounds, barking, ran away. No matter how much Bernice whistled, they wouldn't come back, only to surround me from a distance.

Use an umbrella to ward off dogs in times of crisis. I've read about it secretly from an old book in the study.

I had given up hope, but to my surprise, I succeeded.

"How can this be? Come on!" The audience did not see the fun they wanted, obviously very disappointed.

In the middle of the crowd, I looked at Bernice and said, "Bernice, I did it. It's time for you to fulfill your promise. You're the most noble Prince's fiancee. You have to keep your word, don't you?"

"You don't have to tell me," Bernice said slowly.

Before I had time to feel a trace of joy, I heard the second half of her sentence.

“But since my dog won't listen to me, you be my dog and go get my ring.”

As she spoke, she took off her ring and threw it into the open-air pool.

I froze. She raised her eyebrows and stared straight at me, and her eyes had an indescribable meaning.

This is a sure sign of danger. And her friends, who had subconsciously moved closer behind her, gave me cold, sharp eyes, apparently afraid that Bernice would lose face.

I was not afraid of them, but after biting my lip hard, I jumped into the water with everyone watching.

Bernice has Kral on her side now, and I can't afford to get into a fight with her.

Just hang in there. Everything will be fine once she's married.

I promised my mother that I would take good care of myself, brush my teeth and eat on time every day. I do these things seriously every day. Although I have to work until more than two o'clock in the morning to eat, but can eat full.

Looking for a ring in the huge luxury pool was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The water was so cold that I almost froze.

It was almost dark when I found the ring.

Now my skin is frozen gray and cold. I think I really like a stray dog now.

The eyes around me were either mocking or staring straight at my chest.

My big old blouse was all wet and clinging to me, revealing my lines clearly.

Bernice's lips curled into a smile, and she seemed to be discussing with her best friend how she would continue to punish and humiliate me, but when she saw this, she was clearly angry and went up to me and slapped me.

"Go home, you shameless bitch! What can you do but seduce men!"

The slap was so hard that it almost knocked me over.

Ignoring the burning pain, I limped to the storeroom, where I was staying, covering my face.

I knew I had escaped, and the sky was completely dark. Every day seems like it. Only with all my strength can I survive.

In the distance, on the lawn, there was the sound of music and the clinking of glasses, as if the farce had never happened. The fire crackled, and the air was filled with spices and the smell of roast meat, but everything has nothing to do with me.

As I scrubbed my bleached ankle with a ragged towel in my room, I felt a rush of exhaustion almost overwhelm me. My wet clothes hung in the corner to dry, and I could lick my wounds like a mouse back in the den, but the distant din of the party was a reminder that my day was not over, and I still need to work.

In the spacious hall, the long mahogany dining table was covered with smooth wax, and silver chandeliers were arranged on the gray silk tablecloth in the center of the table. The bright light from the candles illuminated the faces of the four people at the table. My father sat at the head of the table, Bernice on his right, his favorite nephew, Nike, on his left, and since my mother's death, I've gradually lost my place at the table, standing aside in my gray smock, like an out-of-place maid.

"Bernice, how was the banquet today?" My father put down his fork and knocked on the table. I immediately put away his cutlery and put it on the small table beside him.

"Of course it's going well, father. Everyone knows that Kral is coming to pack and marry me tomorrow. Our pack will be more prestigious in the future." Bernice lifted her chin proudly, replied with a voice that tried to suppress ostentation and feigned indifference.

"That's great, Bernice. You're such a good girl. You'll never let me down." Our father almost smiled. Standing beside him, I felt a pain in my heart. I had never made him so happy, but Bernice had always done it so easily.

“Uncle,” Nick said, running his fingers through the back of his hair, “My mother has sent Bernice some gifts, hoping she'll look even more radiant when she meets Kral tomorrow.

He took out a black velvet box and opened it. Inside were sets of earrings, necklaces, and rings in the shape of irises, made of diamonds and pearls. The perfectly cut diamond glowed, and Bernice picked up an earring from the velvet cloth and stroked it with satisfaction. I watched quietly as the beautiful diamond adorned her face, then I hung my head in the shadows and thought of the last pearl necklace left by my mother.

Though I had been careful not to let the three people at the table pay attention to me, Bernice really wanted a bigger audience.

"You," she knocked on the table, and as I walked past my father to pick up her dinner plate, she gave me a sidelong glance from the corner of her eye and held out her hand. "Put this ring on me.".

I saw the other ring on her finger that I'd been looking for in the pool. The biting chill seemed to strike me again from the icy water. I thought I had a cold. I felt dizzy and nauseous. I tried to hold it down, ready to pick up the iris ring on the table and put it on her.

"Wait," Nick suddenly looked at me and smiled as if he'd just seen me, it's my fault for forgetting my uncle's another daughter. I brought a present for Bernice and forgot yours. Don't be mad at me, Delia.

He looked at me with a smile and seemed very friendly, but Bernice's face had darkened, "Come on, Nick, she's just a loser who doesn't have a wolf. She's a disgrace to our pack. What jewelry do you have for her? Is she going to meet the noble Kral tomorrow? It would embarrass us."

I froze, afraid to look at my father's face.

“Bernice is right. Finish your work early tomorrow and leave. We have an important meeting tomorrow. Don't disturb us,” our father said.

"It's a shame that Delia can't come to the meeting tomorrow. I heard there are a lot of werewolves in the royal family, so maybe Delia will find a good choice." Nick's voice was soft, his eyes wandered over my old sackcloth like a stain that could not be thrown away.

"Well, no one's going to like her. Look at her skinny frame, her sickly pale skin and her dry hair," Bernice said, looking at me critically, as if I'd been stripped and displayed in front of their eyes.

Hold on, I told myself I couldn't cry here.

“Well, don't talk about such trivial matters. Bernice, you have a good rest tonight. You must make sure that Kral is satisfied with you tomorrow, Understand?” Our father got up and left.

Bernice took the velvet box from the table and took our father's hand. As they walked away, Bernice gave me a look of contempt and menace, which I knew was a warning not to disturb them tomorrow.

The moon had risen to its highest point, and the whole pack was asleep. I picked up the cutlery and went to the laundry room to get the dry clothes back. I don't have too many clothes. This old sackcloth is too torn. By contrast, this gray smock is ugly but strong. I took off my sackcloth and headband at the window and let my long chestnut hair fall down. The moonlight shone on my naked skin. I touched my emaciated body, thought of what Bernice had said, and hugged myself tightly, as if someone could comfort me.

“clack”

A long hard life has trained my senses. Although I was still indulging my emotions for a second, I immediately became alert for the next second. I promised my mother that I would live well, and I will not break that promise.

I quickly put on my clothes, crept to the door and pulled it open. "Who is it?" I asked loudly, but there was nothing outside. The laundry was out of the way and it was very late. No one was supposed to be here.

I went out again and looked around, but still no one was there. Just when I thought I was too tired to hear voices, a pair of strong hands suddenly tied me tightly from behind. I only felt a pain in the back of my neck, and I lost consciousness.

I felt heavy all over, like a stone was pressing down on me, and the back of my neck and ankles were aching all the time. I opened my eyes wearily, and in the blur of vision, I saw Nick.

"Are you awake? My cousin?" Nick crouched in front of me, and I realized that my hands were tied behind my back. A few wisps of his hair fell on his forehead, and his face had the same friendly smile, if his hands hadn't been on me all the time.

“Let me go, I'm Alpha's daughter. Are you trying to anger my pack?” I tried to look angry and arrogant, but my trembling body betrayed my vulnerability.

"Alpha's daughter? Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. That's funny." His fingers pressed against my face, forcing me to moan in pain. His forehead was pressed against mine, and I could see the sarcasm and lust in his eyes. “You're your pack's trash, okay? Nobody wants you but me.” His husky voice rubbed against my ear, his teeth were about to bite my neck, and he was enjoying my fear, which is a common way for wolves to play with their prey.

This is the lakeside forest, the edge of our pack. I have no wolf, and no one will save me. I couldn't fight him either. The fever took the last of my strength, not to mention I was tied up.

I could only confront him with words, "If you wanted me, why didn't you go to my father and tie me up here instead?" I looked at him and laughed, “My father likes you more than me. Are you afraid that he won't agree? After all, even if everyone thinks that I'm trash, I'm still his daughter. You don't have the right to have me.”

I stared at him, trying to see a guilty look on his face, but he didn't relax his fingers around my face. As he got closer and closer, his other hand began to slowly pull my clothes off along the buttons.

"You're smart, Delia, but you don't have a wolf, or," he said with a teasing look in his eyes, and I felt something was wrong. My clothes were slipping off, and I was so scared that I felt like I was going to throw up. The moonlight seeped through the gaps in the leaves, leaving my body with a trail of light.

"You think I would have brought you here tonight without your father's permission? Don't forget, we werewolves have a very strong sense of smell."

There was a flash in my head, as if I'd seen the tears my mother had shed the day she died, and the cold look my father had given me the day he returned with Bernice.

He grew more and more excited, licking my tears, tearing off his clothes, pressing himself against my body, his body hot, his heart beating like a drum, his teeth left marks on my quivering body, but I was like a log frozen in the moonlight. He began to be dissatisfied, and he pulled my hair, made me moan. I looked at the Moon. Is this what the Moon goddess has planned for me?

Who else can save me?

If only I could have my wolf...

"Whoooooo" the wind brings a faint howl of anger, distant and dignified.

Nick stopped what he was doing to me. He suddenly turned to look deep into the forest. Two golden eyes locked on him coldly in a dark, moonless corner.

"F.uck!!!" Nick's werewolf blood makes him feel powerful. He looked at me who was almost naked. The threat in the darkness grew closer and closer, and the struggle made his eyes redden with bloodshot. Finally, he chose to run away.

The next moment he turned and ran, a huge black wolf rushed out of the shadows and stood in front of me.

The moon lit up his body. His black fur glowed silvery in the moonlight. With a swing of his tail, the rope that bound me was torn off. I immediately picked up the clothes scattered on the ground to cover my body.

The wolf turned his head. His golden eyes were full of danger. His fangs were so sharp that I was sure he could eat me in one bite. Its big head sniffed at me. I closed my eyes and dared not move. His fur brushed my body and sent shivers down my spine, and his rapid breathing seemed to carry sparks. Suddenly, he lets out a roar in the direction of Nick's escape.

"Whooooooo!" The wolf's howl was so loud that the trees in the forest trembled. It was so familiar and angry that it made me realize that I hadn't been hearing things.

The wolf seemed a little agitated, and he spun around me on the ground. His tail made circles on the ground as if I were his prey. His golden eyes were glued to mine. I lay still in his circle, trying not to move. But he was unhappy with me. When I moved, he gave me the heebie-jeebies and hissed at me until I was back to my old place.

I tried to give him my scent, to make him realize that I was not human, that I was not his food, but he did not respond.

The Moon was heading west, which was supposed to be a time when werewolves were losing their strength during the night, but it seemed to have no effect on the giant wolf.

The constriction circles he drew with his tail became smaller and smaller, his golden eyes were bloodshot, and the heat from his nose made my long chestnut hair fly up over my bare back. As the wolf got closer and closer, I had to curl up little by little until I could no longer curl up.

He lowered his head and touched my cheek with his wet nose. His golden eyes were like glass, reflecting my disheveled state on the ground. I looked over my shoulder and could see the saliva on his fangs. I finally burst into tears. The reality of being abandoned by my father and the fear of being killed by a wolf made it impossible for me to remain calm. Since I was going to die, it was not a shame to let my emotions drown at the last moment.

Just die, I can finally see my mom.

……………………………………

“Mom, we werewolves all have our mates, right?” I asked as I sat next to my mother's dresser and watched her comb her long chestnut hair with a ruby-studded comb.

"Of course, my darling," my mother said, putting up her long hair with a barrette and holding me in her arms. She ran her long fingers through my hair. "My little princess, you will have a mate who loves you very much. He will love and protect you, just like me."

I looked at my mother in the mirror and she smiled at me. The golden sun was shining through the window on her bright face. It was so beautiful. My mother had a soothing scent that made me hold her tightly, as if a drowning man had caught the last piece of driftwood.

"Even... even if I'm a monster without a wolf?"

I slowly raised my head from her arms, and her blue eyes looked sadly at me, not saying a word. Tears flooded out of my eyes, and my mother's face began to become blurred.

Suddenly, her beautiful face became Haggard and her long chestnut hair became dull, and I began to lose my grip on her figure. She took off her pearl necklace from her neck and, with the last of her strength, gave it to me. I suddenly realized that I was dreaming. My mom, our pack’s noble Luna died ten years ago, and I dreamed of her again.

"Mom..." I grabbed the necklace and kept calling out to her, but her shadow had melted into the light.

In my teary eyes, I could hear my mother's distant voice, “The moon goddess will bless you, my child.”

I woke up crying, tears running down my face. Curled up on my cot in the broom closet, I fumbled under my pillow for my mother's final gift, a simple silver necklace with pearls on it. I put it around my neck and asked in my heart. Is mother watching over me? Was what happened last night a dream?

I still remember what happened last night. Nick knocked me out and took me to the woods by the lake... A big black wolf came out of nowhere. He had golden eyes...

But I don't have any memory of my coming back. The last memory is that I finally broke down and cried under the pressure of the wolf. I don't want to think too deeply. My heavy head can't bear too many memories.

Well, I'm still alive. I'll protect myself. Mom, I swear to you.

I don't have much time to think and grieve. Today is the day for the ceremony to welcome the Royal Prince. I was supposed to clean up the hall, so I scrambled out of bed, put on my tattered sackcloth, and put my old smock over it. I didn't have much to change into, so I could only covered myself like this.

When I opened the door, a bucket of cold water was poured on me without warning.

"Do you wake up, you lazy bum?" Bernice's bossy voice rang out before me.

I wiped the bone-piercing cold water off my face, and my hair lay limp and wet on my face.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Bernice standing in front of me with two attendants, who were carrying what I assumed was a bucket of cold water.

"Look at you, you're a mess," said Bernice, looking at me with her chin up and her arms crossed in her white silk dressing gown, "You're like a wild dog in the water," she said maliciously, admiring my disheveled look with delight. "I can't help but want to step on you.". I knew I was late and didn't clean up as usual, and she found a reason to punish me properly.

"Today is a big day. If the prince knew that his future wife was an abusive..."

Perhaps it was because the dream had provoked a little of my temper, so I did not remain silent as before, but without thinking to retort.

"Pa!" before I finished my words, I couldn't help tilting my head because of a slap.

The right side of my beaten face quickly became red and swollen, in sharp contrast to my pale left side. Bernice came forward, and she tugged at my collar so hard that I could hardly stand, and her sharp eyes cut into my face as if a knife could cut me.

“As the future queen, isn't it natural for me to discipline the disobedient wolf in my pack?” Bernice's thin lips parted as she spat out humiliating words. She examined my face carefully, wanting to see sadness or anger on my face, which would have made her happier. I knew this so well that I chose to avoid her gaze and stare silently at the ground.

"Useless bitch!" My silence bored her, and her long nails scratched my face and neck. There was a slight tingling in my red, swollen face, and it was only when her long, slender fingers slid down my collarbone that I realized what a terrible mistake I had made.

"Give it back to me!" I grabbed her hand that was holding my necklace, but she raised it and slapped me again. This time she was so strong that I was slapped to the ground. The muddy water splashed on my body, and I had no time to care about my only clothes, only feel a pain in the neck.

My necklace! The last thing my mother left me!

"I thought it was something great, just a pearl necklace with a silver chain through it," said Bernice disdainfully. She squatted in front of me and looked at me playfully as I fell to the ground and covered in mud. She fingered the pearls, and her eyes glowed maliciously.

"That's what my mother left me! You don't deserve to touch it!" I couldn't control my anger, but a deeper helplessness swept over me, and my body began to tremble with the pain of my soul. I hated myself so much for being too weak and unable to shift. It not only made me lose my father's love, but also made me unable to protect my mother's belongings.

My pain pleased Bernice well, and she shook the pearl necklace in her hand, admiring my sorry state. Then I watched as she put on my mother's necklace, lifted her beautiful white silk gown, and gave me a smirk in my angry eyes. It reminded me of the time when my father brought her home and she smiled provocatively at me with a brand-new doll.

“Clean up the party early and hide it in your room. Don't let our pack lose face because of you.” After that, she left triumphantly with her attendant.

I wanted to yell at her to give me back my necklace and apologize for what she did, but when I opened my mouth, I found myself hoarse, unable to make any sound.

Why? Why am I going through this? Why does sorrow always flow to the poor, and favoritism to the arrogant and ignorant?

I have to get out of here. I swear.

…………………………………………

The hall hasn't been cleaned and decorated like this for a long time. According to the old servant, the last time this place was so well decorated was when my parents got married.

I smiled wryly. At first everyone thought they were the one who was blessed and lucky, but as time passed, no one knew what they would encounter in the future.

Life can change. I believe that. The abuser is not always lucky, and I am not always unlucky.

I will live well and wait for the day to come.

When I came to the hall, the servants were busy. The brown wood floor and dining table were re-waxed. Golden lampholders and silver candles mingled, red velvet curtains were re-hung, and fresh flowers and fruit were placed on glazed trays in the corners.

When I entered the hall with my clothes still stained, everyone was silent for a second. Their eyes were full of astonishment and disdain. They were used to seeing me teased by Bernice every day, but today, at this moment, my embarrassment was all the more obvious.

"She's being teased by Bernice again. Look at the slap marks on her face. TSK, tsk, tsk."

"What a bother. It's a disgrace to alpha that she's dressed like that as his daughter."

“She had the courage to come in here. Today is a big day. She should be in a dump.”

The eager whispers of the crowd made me bow my head. I looked at the reflection in the mirror of my disheveled figure, and couldn't find a corner to let me escape all this.

I realized early on that my pack didn't accept me for who I was, and they hated me as much as Bernice did. I should have gotten used to that, but I still felt sad sometimes.

I'm like a mouse being watched. I hunched my shoulders and turned to leave the hall that didn't belong to me.

"Stop." His father's voice came from the second floor of the hall.

Alpha's dominance silenced the chattering crowd, who all bowed their heads in homage to Alpha.

I stood where I was, looking up at my father, who was standing on the second floor, with unrealistic expectations.

"What a bother!" My father frowned at me. My hair was untidy, my clothes were stained, and my pale face was bruised. I blinked but there was not a trace of concern for me in his face.

I let him down again, I thought.

"Didn't I tell you to clean up the hall earlier? Why are you so late? Don't you know that today is the big day of our pack?" His tone was filled with dissatisfaction and disgust.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," I muttered. Being scolded by my father in public, my self-esteem made my face turn red.

I lowered my eyes to hide my anticipation. I wanted to tell father that I had been knocked unconscious last night by your warm-hearted nephew and taken to the woods by the lake. I met a huge wolf and almost died. I dreamt about my mother and her last gift to me, but that pearl necklace was snatched away by your other daughter.

But I know he doesn't care anymore. He already has another child that he's happy with.

"Good morning, my uncle, the Great Alpha." Nick walked into the hall with a smile on his face. Everyone looked at him. He was still polite, his hair smooth, like a gentleman.

He smiled at my father. "Everyone is very happy today. I brought some gifts. I hope you will like them."

With a wave of his hand, a group of servants brought silver trays of champagne and wine to the long table. The air was suddenly filled with the aroma of strong wine. The people in the hall sniffed softly, and a look of intoxication appeared on their faces.

Not every pack has a werewolf who knows how to brew, and each pack has a different flavor preference, but the stronger pack can always get the better liquor.

So, the stronger the wine is, the more it can represent the status of a pack.

"Nick, my good nephew, come and talk to me," father said as he walked down the stairs and patted Nick on the shoulder. He glanced at me, who was frozen to one side, and said impatiently, "Bernice needs help. Go Up and help her. Don't make a fool of yourself here."

"Yes, Alpha." I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned away.

As I pass Nick, he looks at me with a smirk and says, “I hope you slept well last night, my dear Delia.”

The malice in his eyes made my hair stand on end.

I gritted my teeth, looked up, pretended not to know anything, and went up the stairs.

Knock, Knock.

I took a deep breath and knocked on Bernice's door.

"Well? Why did father send you?" Bernice sat on the dresser by the window. The maid was combing her hair, and in front of her were boxes of jewels, pearls, diamonds, gold, and amber, which shone in the morning light.

"Yes. Alpha sent me." I tried to sound normal.

"Oh, look at you. You deserve to be in my bedroom?" Said Bernice in a high-pitched voice, winking at the corner of her eye. She seems to have forgotten that it was her bucket of cold water that made me like this.

"What are you going to do?" I didn't think she was going to let me go. She was just going to try to make a fool of me.

“Take off your dirty clothes and shoes. Come and serve me with my new custom-made high heels.” She cocked her feet on the wool blanket, smiled, and lifted her chin to look at me arrogantly.