Ruby O'Malley POV
"Hey, mouse! Hurry up and get me some chocolate jam!""I'm on my way!"My quick steps echoed down the hallway. My fingers were busy putting an apron on my body. The few servants I passed stopped their steps for a moment to bow in respect.It's me, the eldest daughter of the Alpha Wildfire pack who has no wolves. Alpha is indeed my father, but I'm awkward to call him father. He and I only see each other once a year, and even then it's a silent dinner.The servants here did respect me because they were paid to serve, but not my family and pack members. They didn't like me because I was weak and didn't have a wolf, even though I was Alpha's eldest daughter."Hurry up! Are your feet snail feet?"I rolled my eyeballs. Hey, snails don't have feet! I felt like yelling that at her. But what could I do? My mother didn't like me being weak, my sister who liked to play tricks on me and incite the pack members to hate me, and Alpha who never showed any concern for me. I don't have anyone I can rely on here.I stopped with my head down. Pain shot through my heart. My body didn't want to move and my hands felt stiff. My eyes stared down blankly, neither blinking nor shedding tears.Right, what purpose was I born for? It's not my will if I don't have a wolf after all. That's beyond my ability!Two stiff objects crashed into my head, bounced off, and fell at my feet. I straightened my gaze, finding my sister, Arora O'Malley, looking at me with a hostile glare. Her eyebrows were furrowed as she was angry with me now.My hand reached out to pick up the two pieces of bread that were on my feet and threw them in the trash. I moved, but my mind was still at a standstill.That's right. Arora always hated me and was angry at everything I did. I don't know why, but I feel like I've done nothing wrong.She has everything. Arora had a strong wolf, a mother who doted on her, and recognition from the pack members, in stark contrast to me. There shouldn't be anything that could make her hate me.I let out a long breath. I turned my head to look back at Arora. There was no time for me to lament my fate. I should already be grateful that they only take me as a slave when they want to, even when there are many servants here. It's fine, at least I wasn't kicked out and became a rogue."Quickly prepare my bread again! I want chocolate jam. I'm going to school soon, I don't want to be late." Arora folded her arms in front of her chest. The expression on her face was still the same. And as usual, my mother, Luna Wildfire pack, Marlowe O'Malley, was stroking Arora's hair with affectionate movements. She was calming Arora down.I turned back to the machine in front of me. I put two buns in there and when the 'click!' sound came, I quickly picked up the two browned buns. With a graceful motion, I smeared chocolate jam on them.I turned around. Stepping carefully towards the dining table. I was so focused on the plate in my hand, that I didn't notice my footsteps. I tripped over my own feet. My eyes widened at how hard the floor was that I was about to slap with my body."Aaa! What is this?!" Arora's scream pierced my ears.I straightened my gaze. I was lying face down with my right hand stretched out in front of me. I winced softly as the servants walked up to Arora and accidentally stepped on my hand. My palm which had been decorated with blood was now bathed in blood from the broken plate.I pulled my throbbing body to sit up. My gaze was fixed on my palm. Every time a small breeze hit it, an electric shock seemed to come through my skin.Before I could see the situation of the frenzied mob before me, a palm flew up and slid quickly against my cheek. I was made to turn my head to the side. My cheek throbbed, but my distant heart ached.No, I'm used to it. I was fine."What did you do to my daughter, Ruby O'Malley?!" Mom shouted with me still staring off to the side.Aren't I your daughter too, Mom? Why are you only worried about her?"You've soiled her school uniform! She'll be late and get a bad score because of it. You've messed up her life! She has to be perfect without any ugliness, you should understand that!" Her shout was thunderous. It was so loud that it could break my heart with just the slightest touch.My life has been ruined. Do you not care about that? Ah, no. You just don't want to see and realize it. I'm just a disgrace in the perfect Alpha Wildfire pack family.My mother was about to open her mouth again to scold me, but her flame-red lips were clamped shut again by the arrival of Beta. The man with square glasses and blond hair lowered his head. Although I could only see a little, I could catch the sadness in his eyes.Where did the man who was so confident in all his accomplishments go? Where did the intimidating gaze that seemed to suggest I was at the bottom go?"Luna, Alpha is dead."My eyes widened. A strange rush ran through my chest. I suddenly forgot how to take a breath. My hands clutched my chest as I felt claustrophobic. I bit my lower lip as my thoughts got out of control. Sadness and loss, I feel those feelings right now.Do I feel sad for that guy? For Alpha Wildfire who bears the status of my father yet never cares about me?I turned my head. Staring at the reactions of my mother and sister. A second later my body stiffened. A faint smile appeared on my mother's lips. I was sure I saw it. My eyes weren't lying.***One week had passed since Alpha's funeral. I didn't know what to express when I escorted him to his final resting place. I couldn't shed any tears at that time, but when I got to my room and I was alone, my tears broke out. I roared out with a sobbing cry that hurt so much.I didn't understand what love was. But he, Alpha Wildfire pack, once poured water for me because I was choking while eating. He also once placed the side dish I wanted right in front of me so I could reach it easily. At least he had sprinkled flowers in my heart when he did those two things.So, I couldn't expect that there would be any other flowers sprinkled with dronedarone during dinners.That one question kept swirling in my head for a week. But today was an exception. As all those condescending gazes seemed to pierce my body, I broke out in a cold sweat and kept muttering two sentences in my heart.Don't pay attention to me! Treat me like I don't exist!Currently, at a very long table, sat the important people in the Wildfire pack. It consisted of Luna, the two daughters of Wildfire pack's Alpha, Beta, the leader of the warrior pack, and the elders. Their gazes were all fixed on me and Arora.I understand they don't like me, so why don't they just stare at Arora? Why do I have to be here just to get that look from all of them? I'd rather help in the kitchen to cut the ingredients!"Should we change the decision made by Alpha earlier?""Of course. The strongest one will be our Alpha. There's no way a werewolf who doesn't have a wolf will be our Alpha.""So, will Princess Arora be the next Alpha of the Wildfire pack?" The question in a tone like a statement from one of Luna's family elders invited all eyes to stare at his grinning figure."The eldest daughter, Ruby O'Malley, was displaced from first place and replaced by Arora O'Malley, the youngest daughter, who will be the next Alpha of the Wildfire pack," Mom broke off with a flat expression. Her face shone with the charisma of a Luna that could make everyone kneel before her.I smiled bitterly my gaze lowered again. I had expected this to happen. But still, something in my heart broke. The only position I have in this world has been taken away.Then, what will happen to me after this? I'm just a high school graduate who luckily graduated with only two years of study. Although people called me a nerd, teachers praised me as a smart girl. But, what good is that for now? I don't even have the power to leave the pack at will."It has been decided. Arora O'Malley is the next Alpha. Since she is a minor, she will be under my guidance and supervision," Mom said after seeing that no one had any objections."When should Alpha Arora's appointment take place?""It would be be
Pain radiated throughout my bloodstream. My heart seemed to be pressed from two directions until it felt suffocating. My wolf-who had just gotten up-was slowly backing away.I fell. My knees kissed the ground again. My hands clutched my chest and my vision blurred with tears. My breathing was labored. This was so painful."I, Ruby O'Malley, eldest daughter of Alpha Wildrfire pack, accept your rejection, Jack Montgomery," I said still in the same position. Slowly the pain eased, but not completely.He clucked. Staring intently at me in silence. His eyebrows drew together with a puzzled expression visible on his face."You don't have to pretend to do that. You don't have a wolf." He turned around and walked. Occasionally kicking a small stone that was in his way."Whatever. Maybe she's too hurt to fantasize."Jack's muttering rang clearly in my ears. I wasn't hurt by his rejection, but my wolf was. She repeatedly told me to chase after Jack and not just let him go. But I couldn't do tha
Arora O'Malley POVDamn! Where the hell is she right now?I stared at the clock on my phone screen. Biting my lower lip anxiously. My fingers didn't stop tapping on the arm of the sofa. Although I was sitting comfortably on the soft sofa, I felt like I was standing on the edge of thin wood.It seemed like I had made the wrong decision. I shouldn't have agreed to Jack's suggestion. He wanted to teach Ruby's sister a little lesson under the pretext of picking her up.They had a big fight a few years ago. It would have been risky if Ruby's sister had gotten seriously injured. Alpha King Triplets is someone cruel and powerful, I don't know what happens to my pack if he gets angry.No, aren't they just meeting today? The chances of Alpha King Triplets liking her or hating her were 50:50.A knock on the door made me rise to my feet. In this spacious room for the bride's room, there was only myself hoping that Ruby's sister would be found soon. Mom was mobilizing all the pack warriors and I
Arora O'Malley POVThe crowd of people around me was like an ocean. There was not a flaw among them, of course, except for where I was standing right now. There was not the slightest distance between them that made me claustrophobic just looking at them.The clock has struck the hour. Everything was ready, the wedding altar, the guests, and the groom, except that the bride didn't show up. And I knew the reason for the delay.Upset, angry, and scared. My feelings were all mixed up. I was angry that the Celestial Dawn pack members kept giving me and my pack members. I was upset at Jack, my chosen mate, for crossing the line. I feared the worst for daring to play around with the Alpha King Triplets.I turned my head, looking at my mother who was as agitated as I was. Of course, this was her plan. There was no way she didn't know how big the risk was if this plan failed.Two of the three brothers of the Alpha King Celestial Dawn pack were standing on the altar. Their aura was enough to me
It wasn't what I expected when I heard their entitlement-demanding advances. They didn't force me the first night on the day I opened my eyes. I was too weak and confused at the time. And all that time they were trying to get closer to me.Zeph for Zephyr, Zai for Zaire, and Zach for Zacharias. I had gotten used to calling them by their nicknames. Although they were my mates and husbands, I never expected them to be so kind to me.They were warm as if they wanted to be a thick blanket for my body that easily gets cold when I'm sick. They were gentle as if I were a branch that was easily broken. And they treated me sweetly as if they wanted to erase all the bitter memories in my life.Why? Why are they so kind to me? Is it because of the bond between us? If it was like that, I would have gotten love from my family long ago."No, forget that." I shook my head. I need to focus on myself right now.Three days ago I might have been able to dodge, but not tonight. This day was set, the day
My body froze. My gaze was fixed straight ahead. Even after the thumping sound passed through my ears, I still couldn't jerk my consciousness."Don't look at it."A familiar voice droned on in place of the sound of liquid flowing. His large hand obscured my view and dug into my almost completely submerged consciousness.My limp body which was about to fall backward was hugged tightly by Zaire. I took refuge in his body. I took refuge from the tragic scene before me.The loud voice that echoed earlier belonged to Zephyr. Then Zephyr and Zacharias, who were in the front row, ran like the wind and gave the two servants deep scratches on their necks. Meanwhile, Zaire, who was among the swarm of Celestial Dawn pack's important people, ran straight at me."Forget about that scene. Pretend you never saw it."Zaire's heavy voice calmed my panic. But I still couldn't pretend to forget. How could I forget the neck being slashed so hard and the head rolling across the floor like a marble? How cou
"Never bow your head to anyone.""Punish those who have crossed their limits.""Not everyone can see your generous and loving heart, but they can see the wise attitude of a leader. They can sense it through the strictness of the rules."The words of Zephyr, Zaire, and Zacharias, which they spoke to me yesterday, flashed through my mind. Their advice was stuck in my brain and they came out while I was trying to wring my head. Shapeshifting on someone's orders? That would be a mockery for an aspiring Luna. But if I didn't shapeshift, they would still look at me with a jaundiced eye. They'd think I couldn't prove my worth."You've crossed the line, Miss Rainier." Zephyr let out an Alpha's aura that made everyone here flinch and break out in a cold sweat, including that woman.Miss Rainier? Wasn't that the name mentioned by the two deceased servants? It turned out that she was the woman rumored to be the Luna Celestial Dawn pack. Of
My footsteps halted. My gaze dropped to my clasped wrists and then shifted to look at Zaire. He had a flat expression that implied he didn't want a rejection."Wait here."Zacharias' pat made me turn my head. "You haven't had any special training to join us. You'd better help the pack members evacuate immediately."I stared at the retreating backs of my husbands. They were running toward danger, while I waited here. How useless I am right now. Even though my wolf had risen, I was still weak compared to them."Luna, please go to safety as well." Adam faced me with his eyebrows drawn together. He, the soldier assigned to protect me since the incident with the servants, looked worried about me at the moment."Alright, let's go and make sure all pack members are safe." I got up from my place and joined the pack members who were running to change places.My footsteps stopped. I looked back for a moment. The warriors were fighting agai