Chapter 1

Lilith's POV

Unlike other wolves, I, Lilith found myself trapped in a family consumed by a deep-rooted hatred towards me. No matter how hard I tried, it seemed impossible to appease my mother's insatiable dissatisfaction to everything I do

"Wake up, Lilith!" I stirred as I looked up at the person who had roughly shaken me. The expression on her face was grim and angry. It was none other than my mother. I quickly got to my feet, knowing what would follow if I wasted any more time—a thundering slap!

"Do you know what time it is?" she growled.

"How can you be sleeping this late when you need to go to work?" Fear gripped me as she glared angrily at me. Today seemed to be a relatively good day for her, as I would usually get a beating for waking up late. I stayed up very late last night, doing household chores and running errands for her. I often wondered why she hated me so much. I couldn't fathom what I had done to deserve such treatment from someone who gave birth to me.

"I...I'm sorry, mother. I'll quickly get ready," I stuttered, as she continued to glare at me. I needed to hurry so I wouldn't be late for my job at the bar. I had been working there since I was ten years old, never having had the opportunity to go to school like my peers. My mother forced me to work at the bar and made sure I handed over all the money I earned to her.

I sighed, contemplating the misery that had engulfed my life. I hurriedly prepared breakfast, tending to my household chores. I had only one more hour before I would be late for work.

I served my mother her food and anxiously awaited her response. Each time I served her a meal, she would taste it to see if it met her standards. If it didn't, I would be scolded and asked to prepare another dish. I had already tasted the food in the kitchen, and it was good. She took a spoonful and ate, and suddenly her brows furrowed.

"What is this nonsense?" I was frightened, taking a step back.

"Is something wrong, mother?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" She stood up, pushing the table aside as she advanced towards me with the plate of food. I stood frozen in place, afraid of the consequences if I dared to run.

"Do you think I pick money off the ground for you to waste food by cooking rubbish?" Before I could respond, a hot slap landed on my face, followed by the pouring of the porridge soup over my head, drenching my entire body. Not again! This can't be happening again, I thought. My cheeks burned from the slap, and tears welled up in my eyes. I was a complete mess. I would need to bathe again and change into clean clothes.

"Go back to that kitchen now and make me breakfast, and be quick about it!" she snapped. I retreated into the kitchen, carrying the plates with me. As soon as I was alone, the tears I had been holding back streamed uncontrollably from my eyes. Suddenly, my eyes lit up as I remembered what tomorrow was—it was the day I had been eagerly awaiting. Tomorrow, I would finally turn eighteen, the day I could escape from my pack to another pack far away. My anguish was momentarily replaced with joy as I carefully prepared my mother's breakfast once again, served her, and headed off to work.

"Hey, Lilith, how are you today?" Joseph greeted me as he saw me approaching.

"I'm fine, sir," I replied.

"You're a bit late today. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I just had a minor emergency at home," I said with a smile as I donned my apron and went to my station to attend to the customers.

Joseph was my manager, and he was a very understanding one at that. I had been working under him ever since I became a bartender at this bar. He was a kind man, always looking out for his workers and ensuring that we were all fine.

I worked until the evening. Today was payday since it was the last day of the month. Joseph had paid my salary, and I headed back home with it. As soon as I entered, I saw my mother in the sitting room.

"Come here!" she ordered.

"Good evening, Mother." She ignored my greeting and stretched out her hand.

"Where is it?" I knew what she was asking for, so I immediately handed it to her and watched as she counted it to make sure it was complete. This had become a routine—every time I got paid, she would collect my entire paycheck. I was basically working for her without reaping any fruits of my labor.

It was a good thing I had taken out the tips I had received from customers and hid them in my bra before coming home; otherwise, she would have taken those as well. I went to my room, excited about what tomorrow would bring. The day of my escape was finally just a few hours away. I retrieved my box of savings from its carefully hidden place and tucked the day's tips into it. I had been saving every penny I received as a tip since I was ten years old, and now I would finally get to use them.

"I will open my safe box later tonight," I said happily as I stormed off to do my chores.

Later that night, I couldn't sleep; it was almost midnight. My excitement knew no bounds. I brought out my savings box and carefully removed the lid, pouring all the money onto my bed. My eyes grew wide.

"Is all of this really mine?" I was so elated I thought I might burst. I started counting, going through every penny. This money was certainly enough to help me start a new life.

"Yes, I will go far away tomorrow evening and start a new life in another pack..." I smiled at the idea. "Hopefully, I'll find a pack that will accept me just the way I am." I heaved a sigh, hiding my money under the pillow. I lay on my bed and fell asleep, excited for what the next day would bring.

***************

I suddenly jerked up from the bed as I felt my body getting soaked.

"Mother!" I screamed. She had poured a bucket full of water on me.

"That's what you get for not waking up early today again," she said, a wicked smile spreading across her face.

"What have I ever done to you to deserve this kind of treatment?" I asked amidst sobs.

"Nothing," she said, glaring at me with eyes filled with hatred. "You just should never have been born." I looked at her with wide-open eyes. Although I knew she had always thought that, she had never said it out loud until today.

"Yes, you heard me. I regret giving birth to you!" She paced around my room in anger as I stood there dumbfounded.

"You ruined my life. I wish I had aborted you as soon as I found out I was pregnant."

"You are a mistake!" She continued ranting. Those words were painful to hear. I sat on the bed, staring at the wall of my decrepit room with broken windows, my heart heavy. Today was supposed to be a happy day for me, but it had been completely ruined.

"Do you even know that today is my birthday?" I said calmly, choking on my sobs.

"Birthday?" she scoffed. "Who cares about your bloody birthday?" she growled.

"Do I look like someone who would want to remember the worst day of my life?"

I lowered my head and closed my eyes. It hurt, it did hurt. I wasn't surprised anyway; I knew today was going to be just like every other birthday I had. No gifts, no celebration, no one to wish me a happy birthday.

"If my mother, who gave birth to me, doesn't even care, why should anyone else?" I thought.

"I'm leaving the house now," she adjusted her clothes. "Make sure you scrub everything clean, especially my room." She went to the door, muttering something about me being useless, and left.

I took a deep breath. Lilith, this will all be over soon. Look on the bright side; you will finally get to escape tonight. I wiped away my tears and changed into new clothes. I checked underneath my pillow and saw my money, the fruit of my labor. I smiled as I tucked it back into my savings box and carefully hid it.

"I will finally be free tonight," the thought alone elated me.

I continued with my chores, sweeping and scrubbing everywhere clean. A few moments later, my mother came back home.

"Why haven't you finished yet?" she barked.

"I was making sure I scrubbed..."

"Excuses, excuses, excuses! You are always so full of them." She rolled her eyes.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. I went to open it.

Two handsome men entered. They were from the pack palace, and their clothes indicated that they were palace guards.

"Greetings, madam. We are from the palace," one of them said, and my mother stood up and walked closer to them.

"To what do I owe this visit?" she replied, curiosity evident in her voice.

"We are here to deliver an important message."