DESPAIR

It was midnight and she could hear her father yelling at someone. She covered her ears with both hands trying her best to ignore them. They were fighting again and it was because of her. She curled herself in her bed and tried to block everyone out but her effort was of no use as she heard someone slamming the door followed by footsteps. Her heart started beating wildly inside of her chest as she imagined what was going to happen next. Her door opened with a loud thud and she came face to face with a very angry alpha female known as her stepmother.

"You're going to ruin my daughter's life, aren't you?" She yelled at her.

Sophie couldn't help but whimper at the amount of hatred present in her tone but regaining herself she shook her head.

"Leave her alone, Miranda. The girl is not going to do anything." Her father entered with a fuming face.

"Oh trust me! She will! You know how alpha Knight hates illegitimate children." She screamed out in frustration.

Sophie whimpered again at the mention of that word. Was it her fault? Was she a mistake? Were they going to treat her like that forever?

"She is not the illegitimate child." Her father bellowed and Miranda glared at her.

It was true, she wasn't. Her mother was real mate of her father who was an alpha. But he rejected her because of Miranda resulting in her mother's death due to grief of losing him. From that day she was referred to as what they called illegitimate because everyone thought that Miranda was the real of alpha and Sophie was nothing but a mistake.

They treated her horribly, kept her away from her father, tried to make her life hell, everything she feared, they did.

"For others, she is." Miranda smirked evilly causing alpha to growl.

She turned towards Sophie and stated with malice,
"You are supposed to stay inside tomorrow. Alpha Knight is coming and I know that my daughter is his mate. My Lyra is going to be the Luna of the biggest and richest pack."

Sophie nodded meekly knowing better than disrespecting her.

As they left, she fell back on her bed rubbing circles on her heart. It was aching so badly. Soon sleep engulfed her and she gave up.

Morning started with yells and excited squeals. She did all her work, not saying a word. As she was ready to leave the kitchen, an old lady named Martha stopped her.

"Sophie dear, can you help me in this?" She asked.

Sophie looked up at the clock and hesitated for a minute but then nodded. It was the time of alpha Knights arrival and she was supposed to be back in her room but the old lady looked helpless and Sophie couldn't see it.

She started helping her and it took more time than she had thought. Waving at Martha, she tried to escape from the room only to be held back by that amazing scent.

"Mate!" Her wolf said excitedly.

Sophie's heart started beating with inhuman rate as she stepped back into the kitchen to hide from them.

In werewolf society it was frowned upon to mate with someone else who is not your mate and having a child from such relationship was the biggest blow. Death of mate was an exception to this.

Sophie was paying the price of that mistake even when it wasn't her fault. She knew her mate would know the truth and reject her with no remorse. She wasn't ready for that pain; she was tired of people who looked down at her in disgust.

"I want all the girls outside standing in a line." She heard a husky voice that sent shivers down her spine. She could hear noise and footsteps as all excited girls went outside.

Alpha Knight was young alpha and wanted to find his mate who would obey him and give him pups. Somewhere in his heart he wanted someone who would love him despite the fact that he was cruel and ruthless. His eyes lingered on everyone but he knew it wasn't her. She was not there as he turned towards host alpha and said,

"Someone is missing."

Alpha Stark swallowed a little and looked at Miranda who was glaring at a distance.

"Alpha is asking something." Beta Reynolds said.

"She is not allowed to stand with everyone. She is a bastard child." Miranda sneered and Alpha Knight took a deep breath.

His hands clenched as he realized that his mate was an illegitimate child, one he would never accept. Why moon goddess gave him someone whom he was going to reject? It was inevitable.

And then she entered, her head facing the ground, she was wearing a sundress but it looked old and rugged. Her hair was covering her face like she was trying to hide herself from all the attention.

Kale's breath hitched in his throats as he looked at the beauty standing in front of him. Why moon goddess had to do this difficult? He took another deep breath and shook his head clearing all the thoughts. He had to do it but not now.

He turned towards alpha Stark and said in a strong voice,

"My mate is not here!" Everyone let out a disappointed sigh but Miranda sighed in relief. She was sure that the alpha was mated to that stupid bitch but no! He denied it, which means her Lyra still had chance.

Sophie took a shuddering breath and tried to stop the tears from falling but her heart was shattered into million pieces. Her mate denied recognizing her. Her wolf was howling in pain but she knew it was going to happen.

Slowly she took few steps back, trying to escape from this situation.

"My daughter, Lyra will show you to your room, Alpha Kale Knight." Miranda said smiling sweetly.

"I would love that." Kale said looking at Sophie who had pain on her face as she swallowed hard and turned away from them walking towards forest.

She stopped at her mother's grave which was right out of the territory and sat in front of her,

"Hey mum!" She sobbed loudly. Now she couldn't stop herself as she let it out.

"He hates me mum. He doesn't want me. It hurts so much." She cried her heart out.

When she was done, it was night time. She entered the pack house looking pale. Her heart was still aching with so much pain and all she wanted was to go and curl in her bed. But as soon as she entered the pack house, she saw everyone standing in main room and there stood alpha Kale with Lyra hanging by his arm. Sophie's heart stuttered again but she looked down at her feet.

"Where were you?" Miranda yelled at her making Sophie flinch.

"I... I..." she stuttered but alpha female yelled again,

"What? Were you with someone? Answer me."

Sophie shook her head rapidly,
"I... I was with mum." She mumbled.

Miranda glared at her as Sophie took a step back.

"You are going with alpha Knight and his Luna Lyra Stark to their territory as their maid." Miranda declared and Sophie's last hope faded away.

She looked up at her father but he wasn't even looking at her. Her heart fell as she realized the cruel destiny. She wanted to go away from her mate but now she had to accompany them to his territory while tolerating the pain of seeing your mate with someone else.

She closed her eyes but few tears rolled down her eyes. Slowly she wiped them away and nodded.

"Go and pack your bag!" and she was dismissed.

Next morning they had to leave. She had her small backpack ready and then she descended the stairs. Alpha Kale didn't even spare her a glance, just went and sat in the car. Everyone was saying goodbye to Lyra but no one cared about Sophie as she silently went to the car. Beta Reynolds guided her to the last car and she sat down looking down at her lap. She knew it was all over now. Small tears streamed down her face as her gaze went to the direction where her mum's grave was and she said,

"I'll miss you, mum. I love you."

----------------------------------------------

Any thoughts?