Chapter 2

As a halfling, living in the Crescent Moon pack has not been easy. We halflings tend to get bullied by the purebloods. We get treated like low-class citizens. Purebloods are indigenes of the pack and they are the first class citizens followed by the halflings of purebloods and then purebloods from the captives. They are second-class citizens. We, the halflings and slaves, are low-class citizens.  

Selection for us always has a specific end. We always get low-class jobs like cooks, drivers, and cleaning jobs in and outside the pack territory because we are hard to detect by the humans so it will be easy for us to blend in. At the end of the selection, since I was of legal age, I was assigned to assist the healers by getting herbs and doing menial work for a wage.

The selection just ended and I was joining the line but the others kept pushing me around. "Hey, move it, get lost weakling…" they said but I never fought back. 

"Ouch," I hissed in pain as I fell to the floor. Someone pushed me from the line and I fell to the floor bruising my fair arms. 

"Oh sorry, your Royal highness" they mocked and laughed, using my name Royal.

"Weakling, daughter of a witch, weed, you're a waste of space. Get lost, loser." Another person on the line said, directing all forms of insulting words to me. 

I got up, dusted my already dirty clothes, and went to the back of the line. I was so focused on the pain in my left arm that I didn't notice the arrival of the Beta and whispers flying all around. 

He walked and assessed everyone on the line. When he got to my turn, he spent a lot of time scrutinizing me. I could feel his eyes piercing through mine searching for a hidden truth. His eyes scanned me from hair to toenail for what seemed like an indefinite period of time. 

"The five of you," he said, referring to me and some other girls, "Follow me immediately."

My body started to shake with fear, and my mind raced with all sorts of thoughts. Had I done something wrong? Was I in trouble? Was I going to be banished from the pack because I didn't get a good task during the selection? Or was it because I hadn't turned into a wolf at eighteen like everyone else?

As the thoughts consumed me, I stumbled and almost fell. Looking to my side, I saw Mimi, who had purposely placed her leg out to trip me. "Bye-bye, loser," she sneered with an evil grin.

Disgusted by her actions, I quickly regained my balance and hurried to catch up with the rest of the girls, determined not to be left behind.

We finally arrived at our destination, the pack house, and I was amazed at the sight before me. It was even more breathtaking than I had imagined. The magnificent six-story building was adorned with marble and had an exquisite design that looked like it had been crafted centuries ago. I stood there, in awe of its beauty, and couldn't wait to explore every inch of it.

"Hey you, let's go" I heard and looked ahead to see the Beta calling me to join the line.

"I'm sorry," I said with my head low. "How stupid of me to think we were going to the pack house. What are halflings like us needed for in there?" I said to myself. I hurriedly joined the group, still keeping my head low out of embarrassment. 

When I arrived at our destination, I looked up and saw a house. It wasn't as pretty as our pack house. It looked like a family home with a touch of civilization. My companions and I all walked in with the Beta as the leader. We proceeded to the sitting area and awaited further instructions.

"Take care of them and prepare them properly for the Alpha. He will ask for them in a few days." The beta said to the lady in charge and left.

I couldn't quite hear their conversation as our senses aren't as heightened as the purebloods. Just a few words here and there.

The lady welcomed us and assigned each of us a room. It was obvious she didn't like our presence here but it's her duty to host us for whatever reason we were brought here.

The use of frost and tan colors for the wall painting was magnificent. The colors blended well, giving off home spirit. Every corridor has a painting, each telling a different story. I finally got to the room assigned to me. It's an average room with a bed, wardrobe, and dressing area.

I was stunned. The room I have back where I live is nothing compared to this. I was in total awe. I walked around the room inspecting everything.

Finally, I moved to the window. The view wasn't as good as I wanted but it was manageable. I was able to see the pack house from a distance which filled my heart with joy. I went to my bed for a quick nap, as the day's events drained all my energy.

A knock woke me up from my quick nap and I immediately went to the door.

I opened the door and saw a small girl between the ages of ten to twelve standing in front of me. "Miss, you have to be ready for dinner in 15 minutes. Here are your clothes." She left immediately after giving me the clothes.

I went to freshen up and prepare for dinner. The clothes were a little bigger than my normal clothes but they'll work for tonight.

I was directed to the dining hall by the young girl who delivered my clothes. I tried starting a conversation with her but she gave me a one-word reply so I refrained from asking her more questions.

I got to the dining hall and sat down waiting for everyone else to arrive. We all ate dinner as calmly as possible. Where we came from, we weren't opportuned to eat a full meal with patience. It was the survival of the fittest. We basically ate like hungry dogs.

We would rush to get a portion of the food and then rush to finish eating before someone else would hijack it from you.

I am not the fighting type so most times I don't get food to eat. It was just leftovers from the leftovers we called food. I sighed, "what a poor life!"

At dinner, we all ate calmly, but the lady in charge seemed disgusted with us. She informed us of the rules, which were not much of a problem to me. A month had passed since my stay, and I had been reading books that the little girl had supplied, which had helped me stay productive. The lady in charge informed us that the Alpha had requested our presence at the pack house, which made me happy, curious, elated, and shocked. I decided to get some sleep, so I would not show up with eye bags.

I decided to wear a cropped burgundy turtleneck top with my boyfriend jeans. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but notice how much weight I've gained since I arrived here a month ago. "My cheeks are so full, my thighs have become thicker, and my body is curvier and sexier," I thought to myself.

I grabbed my few clothes and underwear and headed to the living room. Everyone was there, waiting for the Beta to take us to the pack house, just like he did a month ago.

Suddenly, the Beta arrived. We all stood up and greeted him with our heads down to show our respect. He then went to meet the lady in charge.

"I see you've done your job well in grooming these ladies. The Alpha will be pleased with your handiwork," the Beta complimented her.

I could see the lady's genuine smile for the first time since I arrived here. "She must be really happy to receive such compliments from the Beta," I thought to myself.

"We shall leave now," the Beta announced. We said our farewells and headed to the black limousine parked outside. It was my first time seeing a limousine up close, and it was breathtaking.

I put my luggage in the trunk and entered the limousine. The leather seats felt luxurious and comfortable. The ride to the pack house was quiet, except for the sips of wine and the music playing in the stereo.

When we arrived at the pack house, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was standing in front of the pack house! We carried our bags and followed the Beta inside the building.

We took the elevator and stopped on the second floor, meant for the guests. The interior was indescribably beautiful. We saw a lady in the drawing room who welcomed us with open arms and a motherly smile.

After formal introductions, she showed us around the second floor and explained the rules of living here as guests. "Do not step foot on the third to the sixth floor, or anywhere marked private by the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. There will be severe consequences," Lady Lisa warned.

She then directed us to our rooms, which were big and comfortable. I couldn't wait to see who my roommate was going to be..

As I opened the door to my room, I couldn't wait to find out who my temporary roommate would be. But as soon as I stepped inside, I froze in terror.

My eyes widened and my heart raced as I saw the person standing in front of me. It was Mimi - the one person who bullied me the most, that I never wanted to see again.

Memories flooded back, and I felt a sense of dread wash over me. What was she doing here? And what was I going to do now that we were sharing a room?