Chapter One

Bethany's pov

“There's really nothing we can do. We've given her all the medications your deposit could buy, but it's not just enough for us to begin treatment.” The Doctor said, trying to be remorseful but I sat there, wondering how heartless these people could be.

I have been working my ass off for the past 6 months, even dropping out of school so I can meet up with my several part time jobs just so I could be able to earn money for her medications.

It was a whooping 2,000,000$ to treat her. It was a very rare illness; happened to 3 out of 1,000,000 of people in the world and the unfortunately my sister was a vixtim of this treacherous illness.

It's been months now and I've barely even gathered up to 1 million dollars and no matter what still, they wouldn't start the official treatment on her, instead my miney was used to feed her and pay a night nurse who took care of her from night til dawn.

“But you know how hard I've worked just for her sake up till now. It's just me, Doctor. She's my only family and…” I couldn't help the tears that began running down my cheeks. “I can't loose her. Not when I've gone through so much for her. I love her and..”

“We understand your plight, Bethany. But this is just hospital guidelines we're following. We can't begin official treatment on the patient until the medical dues have been duly paid.”

“But she could die in the process.” I got up, slamming my hands on the table. I was already fidgeting, the thought of having to gather the money eventually only to come back to the corpse of my sister. “I promise I will get the money, but she's just lying on there, living off food and meagre medicines.”

“Then do whatever you can to get the money before time runs out. I can't do anything else for you, Miss Bethany. Have a nice day.” The Doctor, already fed up with my outburst, coldly uttered and with another fresh set of tears springing into my eyes, I got up, grabbed my worn out shoulder bag and walked out of the office before slamming the door behind me.

It was quiet on the halls of the pack hospital, so when I stepped out after slamming the door, I earned quite the attention from all sides. Most of them were nurses, most of who knew me since I had been frequenting the hospital for the past half year.

They wore degrading and disgusted looks on their faces, but at this point I didn't care, not even to wipe the tears on my face as I adjusted the bag over my shoulder and walked away.

By the time I got outside, I finally made the decision to call them. The sound of cars beeping and horning loudly, accompanied by catcalls and yells drifted past my ears as I mindlessly crossed the road.

My shaky thumb brushed over the name. ‘Step Mother Joyce' before I finally took in deep breaths and dialed the number.

As It rang, I nervously bit my lip. My Stepmother and stepsister, Vivian hadn't wasted a single second chasing my sister and I out of the house with nothing but our clothes on the moment our father had died.

We never even got the chance to fight for our rights or even to get a share of our properties from my father's late will because it was obvious even If we managed to get a lawyer, I didn't have money to take them to court.

So I had gone to live with my boyfriend, Joel who took us in and took good care of us till I was able to find a job along side my scholarship sponsored school at a prestigious college. Things were going fine. Although sometimes, it got so bad that we only ate once a day just to ensure my little sister, Annabelle ate well, but it was better because we were happy and that was all that mattered.

Joel and I were so much in love with each other that he didn't care we were mates. He loved me for me and was planning on even officially proposing to me so we would get married. Even I knew Joel wasn't my true mate, but my wolf, Hannah accepted him whole heartedly, more than any man I've met.

However, tragedy struck and my sister at a young age of 9 was already battling with a treacherous illness that threatened to take her away from me and that was when things even began falling apart.

Once she picked, I felt my stomach twist in knots as I heard her voice.

“Hello… “

She was my last resort. I had no other person to turn to help. Joel had already helped enough and I couldn't bother him anymore.

“Hello. Who's this. If you're not going to say anything, I'm going to hang up.”

“Step mother Joyce, it's me, Bethany.”

I expected her to at least be surprised that I had called after three years since none of them had ever bothered to check on me but her next words were cold and filled with arrogance.

“Okay? What do you want?”

I felt so discouraged to ask of anything but I had to do it. Everything I did was for the sake of my sister.

“Annabelle… “ before I could even say anything , a fresh batch of tears sprang up in my eyes and began rolling down my cheeks. “She has been really sick for the past 6 months now and the bill hasn't been paid… they said…”

“I don't have money. If that's what you're calling about, then forget it because you won't get a dime from me.”

“Please, I… “

Right there and then, she ended the call. I just stood there in the street, my vision clouded with tears as I looked at the screen of my phone in disbelief.

Was all hope really lost?

Have I really failed to save Annabelle?

But I promised her. I promised she'd leave the hospital safe and okay.

I noticed people already giving me looks from the sides and I decided to hail and cab and go home.

Speaking of which, It's been a while I've gone home. I had shared an apartment with a friend who was staying close to the hospital so I could be able to work effectively and also be able to visit my sister easily.

Today however, I wanted to go home. It might be selfish of me but I wanted Joel. I wanted to feel his embrace, his warmth, his soft kisses, his touch, the feeling of my heart swelling whenever our eyes locked.

I called him for the nth time since the week began but he didn't pick as usual. I wondered If he had blocked me because it was odd for him to miss my calls and it's been one week already.

The moment I paid the cab, I began walking towards the familiar building. I knocked for over five minutes, wondering why he hadn't opened up. His motorcycle was in the garage and he didn't go anywhere without it.

My worry intensified as I searched under the doormat for the spare key. Luckily it was there as usual and I quickly ope ed the door and went in.

“Joel… I'm home.” I called out before my eyes finally settled on the messy scene in the living room. The television was left on strangely enough but that wasn't what made me freeze in my steps. There were clothes scattered all over the couch down to the floor.

I recognized the shirt as the one I had bought for Joel last Christmas. As I progressed forward, eyes squinting at the other non familiar clothes, I almost tripped on something, and upon looking down, my heart froze in shock.

It was heels. Hot pink stiletto heels.

And it was only one person who would wear such.

A woman.

Without thinking, I flung my bag down and dashed upstairs, flinging the door open without thinking.

Upon meeting them on the bed, I froze, staggering back with my hands to my mouth, my fingers trembling as the tears impulsively dropped down my cheeks.

Joel was lying naked with a woman in his embrace, sleeping under the sheets. The woman was no other than Vivian, my step sister.

The room was already smelling with the stench of sex which meant they had done it and have been fast asleep for a while since none of them could even hear when I walked in.

I was so shattered, so broken, I didn't know what to do them but cry. My wolf was in so much pain with what she had seen, amplifying the surging pain in my heart, and threatening to break it into pieces. Not until Joel finally woke up did he notice me. I expected to see a look of remorse on his face at least, but he had a look of annoyance on his face as he got up.

He wore his briefs hastily and marched me out of the room before shutting the door behind us.

“What are you doing? Do you want to wake her?”

I was in disbelief. I thought he was joking so I actually laughed, a bitter smile spread across my face, one that didn't reach my blank, souless eyes. “Wake her? Is that really what's bothering you right now? That she'd wake up? Who are you dating, Joel?”

“You, but… “

“And of all women, my sister. I thought what we had between us was real. I thought you loved me. How could you do this to me.” I didn't want to cry, especially when he didn't even look bothered at all, but the tears just rolled down freely and I was left standing there, feeling hurt.

My heart was in so much pain and Hannah howling deep within my soul, did nothing to help matters at all.

“Vivian is my mate.”

His words left any form of restraint shattering in me and I staggered back before sliding down the wall sitting there, crying in pain.

“So? You knew what we went through and yet you'd choose her over me?”

“Yes. Because I'm tired Bethany. I'm tired of this shit we call a relationship. Who knows if you only finally came back home to ask for more money. You don't even care about me anymore. It's always your sister. I got sick of it a long time ago.”

“Well excuse me for caring about the only family I have. Don't you know the demons she's fighting in the hospital bed alone? And she's just 8!”

“Well, I'm completely relieving you of me to finally take care of her. I want you to leave and I don't want to see you anymore,” A disgusted, disapproving look crossed his gaze as he scanned me head to toe. It sent chilling sensations down my spine I never expected I'd ever see that look in his eyes.

He looked so hateful.

“You barely even take care of yourself anymore. You look so disheveled, haggard and ugly. No man in his right senses would want to have anything to do to you.”

I was at loss of words, only tears left my eyes as he finally said,

“I, Joel Adams reject you Bethany Williams as my mate.”