Chapter 1
Cassia's POV
I was already tired from all the work but this was my last task for the day before I retire to my room. Knowing that, I quickly served the drink into the jar, placed it on a tray, and arranged cups around it.
I picked up the wine tray and headed to the meeting hall. The hall was not so far from the kitchen so I took my time on my way to avoid spilling the drink.
As I approached the hall, I started hearing conversations between the elders but disregarded them. I got close to the entrance door and was about to open the door when Alpha Gaetano spoke up.
"No, not Cassia," Alpha King Gaetano said, which made me pause in front of the door.
I was holding the wine tray that I was supposed to take inside but hearing my name made me stop on my track. What were they discussing about me?
"Alpha, she's the suitable fit for this. She has all the qualities that he would like and he needs her," a man said. He must be part of the elders.
"No Elder José. There should be another option. Let us pick anyone else," the Alpha said which made me wonder what this whole meeting was about. What is going on?
Why would they want to pick from the others? Better yet, what am I a suitable fit for?
"Alpha, he has enough and he would want an Omega. Someone he can easily control and bear heirs. Besides, Cassia is very pretty and we all know how the Lycan loves them pretty," the elder insisted as the men laughed at the last statement.
Wait, who is he? What does he mean by he loves them pretty? What is going on? Why are they talking about me and him?
"I said no! Are you in any way resisting my objection, José?!" Alpha asked loudly which made me almost flinch.
Okay, I don't know what they are talking about but I'm glad that Alpha is supporting me for once in my life.
He had always disregarded me or simply gave me some hidden glances and sometimes he would treat me specially from the rest of the Pack maids but that was it. I just saw him as a nice alpha who cares for me but I never knew he would stand against the elders for me.
This must be a serious matter but why stand up for me? I am just a mere Omega who can not even know her mate considering my age.
"Alpha Gaetano, this will be like using a stone to kill two birds," Luciana said.
I never regarded Luciana as any of my favorite persons. I feared her because of all the stories I'd heard about her. She was an old powerful and fearless witch. She was known to destroy things with just the snap of her fingers.
"We know that the more she stays in our Pack, the more vulnerable we are to future destructions she will bring," Luciana added.
With that statement, I almost broke down but I simply stood frozen as I stared at the door blankly. I will never get used to the fact that I am of a low breed and even worse, I am an outcast, the last of my kind. I mean, I already knew but it hurts to be reminded of it.
I was dumped in this Pack at age 12 by my sick mother who already told me about my curse but left me to go die somewhere I knew nothing about. My curse was discovered by Luciana who alerted the Pack but left me to live here as she claimed she would need me one day. I guess the day is today.
"But… She…" Alpha said in a calm and almost defeated tone. He always obeyed whatever Luciana said. She was the great witch that stood by him and also helped him obtain his title.
"We have rogues attacking and I can only stop them for a while with my powers because I am getting weak. We need his help," she said calmly and coldly.
"There… there has to be another way," Alpha Gaetano said, this time, almost in tears. I wondered why he was that emotional towards me. I am just an ordinary Omega with no strength but just curses.
There is something fishy. Aside from the fact that the Alpha is still standing for me, the fact that there seems to be an exchange that will go on between me and someone kept me pondering. The most important question in my mind was, Who Is He?
"This is the only way Alpha. I understand that she is your mate but you have to let her go finally. She would be doing us a massive favor," Luciana said emotionlessly.
Wait, What? Mate? Did I hear her right?
"All the more reason I can't let her go, Luciana. I have obeyed you and kept my distance from her but this, I can not agree to. Cassia is my mate and I refuse to give her up," Alpha Gaetano said
He has to be kidding, right? What does he mean? Oh, Goddess! I want to puke.
"I can not possibly let you be with her. She is a low breed and she is cursed. She can not destroy all we have worked for Gaetano!" Luciana said angrily.
"We have rouges killing our people and a mere mate that could end our Pack is what you are worried about? I would advise you to let her go and save your people!" Luciana added with vermin laced around every word she uttered.
I… I am Alpha King Gaetano's mate. What is going on? I never had any idea about it. What more am I going to find out standing here? Why did they have to hide it away from me?
I feel like dirt, I have never felt worse in my life. My mate is the Alpha and I could not tell because I was not up to age. What was the need to even know when he already rejected me?
I was beginning to fidget with all the revelations I was discovering. This has to be the worst day ever. My status and curse have brought me this pain. My mate had rejected me before I discovered it.
"It is settled. She will be sent to the Lycan King as his wife in exchange for his warriors," Luciana concluded.
I stood there more confused than ever as the tray slipped out of my hands to the floor.