CHAPTER ONE

ODESSA

"Odessa!"

I could hear Ama's angry voice even in my sleep. I could not roll over on my small bed, I stayed still with my eyes shut. I was too tired to stand up. I had worked late into the night, so I was exhausted.

I was still lying there when I felt cold liquid suddenly drench my whole body. I gasped as I jumped up to my feet.

My bunk made the usual creaking sound as I jumped out of my bed. I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I knew the iron from my bunk had cut me again. I didn't mind it.

"What are you doing still sleeping by this time, you cow?" Ama's voice roared.

I gulped down hard on my saliva. I was already shivering from the cold. I turned to the wall clock, and it was still four o'clock.

"What is the problem?" I inquired calmly. "Is it not too early to get angry?"

Ama frowned deeply as she stepped forward and slapped me hard across the cheek. Of course, I swallowed the slap without arguing. I didn't want any trouble with my stepfather.

"How dare you question me?"

The door opened, and her sister, Cala walked into the room.

"The water heater stopped working," she informed me calmly. "Go and prepare water to bathe for us."

"Do you go to school on Saturdays now?" I mumbled.

"We are going with father to a meeting at the Alpha's mansion."

I nodded without saying a word. I was struggling to keep my tears from falling.

"Pick up this bucket and take it to my bathroom!"

Ama kicked the bucket as she turned around to leave. I figured that it was the bucket that she had emptied the contents on me.

"Move!" Ama commanded, stopping by the door.

I knew there was no point in bargaining. I was already sizzling. I would endure the cold and hot water for them first.

As she opened the door, she bumped into Mr Orion, my stepfather.

"I knew I would find you girls here," Mr Orion said with a straight face as he walked into the room.

I quickly grabbed my wrapper and wrapped it around my chest. I had only my nightie on. It was transparent now due to the fact that it had been soaked.

"Only one of you can go with me," Mr Orion announced.

The girls exchanged glances.

"But why?" They chorused.

He took in their entire frame, his eyes moving freely from their head to their toe.

"Because that is my order!"

Mr Orion was huge, with a big stomach. One would easily tell that he was a no-nonsense man, judging from his appearance.

"I will go with you," Cala quickly snapped. "I am the fairest and most beautiful!"

"No father_" Ama cut in. "I am the eldest.

"And whoever would go with me must be able to prove to everyone that they are very hardworking. I am contesting for a position at the council_"

"Hardworking?" The girls exclaimed at the same time as they turned to their father.

Their brows were now squeezed in frowns.

"Amarantha and Calantha," Mr Orion began to speak again. "Do you..."

"No, father."

"Not me, father."

The girls hurried away from the room.

Mr Orion turned to me. He didn't usually concern himself with me or my personal life. He only asked his guards to beat me up whenever his daughters ganged up against me to tell lies. He waited for when 'my cup got full,' as he would say.

"Yes, sir," I bowed in front of him.

"You will go with me to the meeting."

My eyes widened in shock.

~

As I walked into the Alpha's mansion, my jaw dropped in awe. The grandeur was breathtaking!

The foyer's high ceiling seemed to stretch up to the sky, with majestic chandeliers seated on it perfectly.

The staircase curved like a ribbon. The walls were adorned with stunning artwork.

The hallway stretched into the mansion with doorways that were excepting designed. The air was filled with the scent of different perfumes and a mixture of air fresheners that smelt like rose flowers.

Every step I took echoed through the cavernous space.

I felt small, I felt intimidated.

Everyone present dressed in fine attire. They seemed like they had just had a royal bath. A few men also came with their daughters, who seemed to be my age.

They greeted me with smiles. For thirteen years, since my mom passed. I had never left the Sages' mansion. I had never met anyone who treated me nicely.

I was led into the meeting room by my father. I smiled at everyone and tried to act as polite as possible.

The meeting started, and the men discussed how to move the pack forward. The alpha joined the meeting a few minutes after it started.

His presence was commanding. He wore the finest robe and very thick perfume. I didn't dare to look at his face.

I crossed my legs and pressed them hard against each other. I folded my fists and hid them behind me.

Immediately after the meeting, I rushed out of the meeting room and went to stand by the balcony. I left the other girls there.

Most of them were busy showing off and trying to draw attention to themselves.

"Miss," I heard the deep, commanding voice of the Alpha and turned around quickly.

"Alpha Arlo," I uttered and bowed in front of him.

He continued towards me, his gaze not leaving mine. I gulped. The prince's look was breathtaking. His hair was braided, and it fell towards his waist. He had pricing grey eyes and very well shaped lips. His oval face was blessed with a long nose that seated perfectly on it.

He was dangerously handsome.

"What is your name, miss?" he questioned calmly.

Even though he spoke to me nicely, it sounded like he was scolding me. Nobody here was like my sisters.

"My name is Odessa," I replied. "Odessa Sage."

His brows furrowed immediately after I said that. My stomach began to rumble. I wondered why I was suddenly feeling nausea.

"Odessa Sage?" He repeated.

I nodded slightly.

"You are Mr Sage's daughter? Orion Sage's daughter?"

I hesitated. Mr Orion had warned me strictly not to let anyone know that I wasn't his daughter. He introduced me proudly to everyone as his daughter.

'Mate,' I heard my wolf scream.

I gulped. I was already eighteen years old. I should have gotten my mate by now.

I slowly nodded again.

"His last daughter."

"You are my fated!"

My eyes widened. He felt it, too! He didn't sound like he was going to reject me. I was conflicted.

"My fated!" He repeated in a whisper.

Alpha Arlo pulled me close to himself and kissed me. My eyes went wide open, and my heart sank deeply.

"Should I pull away from him or just enjoy the moment?”