Chapter 1

Millicent was rejected by her mate as soon as she came of age and got her wolf.

The Alpha didn't want a weak omega slave for his Luna.

Millicent accepted his rejection and was exiled.

'Can you ever forgive me?' Alpha Sylvester pleaded. This was coming two years later when he found her. He had been looking for her these two years to no avail.

'You rejected me and I accepted your rejection. What more do you want from me?'

'I want you back'.

'You no longer have any right over me'.

'Oh, but I do. You are my mate after all and therefore mine forever!'

But how was it possible when she was mated to the twin Alphas?

********

'Do you want me?' Alpha Christopher asked.

'Can't you smell it?' she asked.

'I want to hear it from you. Do you want me?' he repeated and Millicent could feel the tension in his body from the restraint he was exercising.

'I want you so much, Christopher that it hurts!' Millicent said and taking his hands, placed it at the entrance of her pleasure pot.

He felt how wet she was and with a mighty growl, pounced on her...

Chapter 1: Millicent, the Omega Maid

Millicent's POV

I look around and saw that I still had alot more to do but the heat was draining and I was getting tired. I prayed for the strength to complete my chores today.

I wiped the perspiration from my forehead with the back of my hands, first with my right and then my left hand before it could slip down into my eyes, blinding me. And then proceeded to wipe them on the apron I had on. My body was soaked with sweat and my palms were very dirty from doing the chores all day.

I finished sweeping the training arena as well as the reception and dinning halls for the top officials and council of elders.

Then, I bent down to scrub, the sweat pouring down my body like someone had poured a bucket of water on it. My palms were no longer enough to wipe it, I had to use the apron to wipe my face at least. It was the middle of summer and the weather was really very hot. I got a mop and started mopping the the places I had swept and scrubbed, I do this everyday, at the Alpha's orders, which must be obeyed or be damned.

I heard footsteps and looked up to see it was Cathania. I frowned inwardly, hoping she was not going to pick on me this time.

'Have you really mopped these areas?' she asked indicating the areas I had just mopped.

'Ye...', I started but the word stuck in my throat as I saw that Cathania had covered the floor I had taken pains to scrub and mop with her mud- covered boats. Where she got her boots covered in mud was beyond my comprehension since the grounds were supposed to be dry this time of the year. She had probably gone to the stream or improvised in some way to make my work harder for me. I was sure it was a deliberate action to make my life harder.

Looking at the mess, I was so angry, I could not utter a word. And my stomach growled making me remember I had not eaten anything and needed to ingest something. Cathania smiled smugly to indicate to me that she had heard it too, getting me more furious and embarrassed..

'You could at least have used the doormat', I lashed out, trying to keep the anger out of my voice but failing woefully. 'If you had, there won't be mud all over this place! You do not know the first thing about scrubbing, so you wouldn't know how hard it is!'

'Are you speaking to me that way?' Cathania asked. 'How dare you take that tone with me!' Cathania was the lover of Alpha Sylvester and it was rumoured that she was going to be his Luna. But why she chose to pick on me everytime, was something I just could not understand.

As I looked round the sullied reception area, I felt like throttling Cathania.

'Get started with your work before I make a report of your lackadaisical attitude to your chores to Alpha Sylvester', she threatened.

I swallowed the sharp comeback that was on the tip of my mouth and bent to start mopping the arena all over again, seething impotently.

Cathania hissed as she walked out, stamping her feet as she did. I heaved a sigh, thinking that I got off easily this time, but there was no such luck as she came back with the dirty doormat and flipped it on the floor, allowing sand and dust particles to fly in all directions.

The mop slipped from my hand as I looked furiously at Cathania. But my fury only amused her. I imagined myself giving her a slap that would get her pale face red but I knew I could not dare and I bit my lip in frustration.

'Get on with your chores beggar maid', she taunted. 'I have other interesting things to do, things like being with my fiance. Else, I would have spent more quality time with you'. And off she went, swinging her waist, leaving me to clear the mess she had made. I watched her leave, seething, and unable to do anything about my fury except to attack the chore with vehemence. My stomach growled again, and with great effort, I picked the broom and started sweeping off the dirt and dust particles before proceeding to mop all over again, all the while, sobbing silently in rage, cursing my fate for being so unlucky. Then I looked up, screaming out my frustrations in my head: It is getting too much, How much longer will I have to endure this before justice is served? Will I get my revenge when I slump and die? Oh Moon goddess, you have to come to my aid.

Afterwards, bent double with fatigue and hunger, I looked into the kitchen to make sure I have stacked the plates well after washing. The dishes and pots were well stacked, glittering in their rack. The cabinets were spotlessly white as was the floor, and I sighed with satisfaction at the impeccable job I had done, though I knew that my efforts were not going to make any impact in the cold heart of that bastard with the title Alpha.

There was an incident that took place some years back, when I was yet to learn how to stack the plates and one had fallen and shattered, pieces of broken China all over the place. The head Omega had been mad, scolding me unendingly, no one caring to see that I had torn my feet when I had inadvertently stepped on the pieces of china, in my effort to salvage the situation. It had been hell.

'You are going to sweep the whole of Moon Ville Pack', the ruthless Alpha had ordered when he heard. I was supposed to be his personal maid, but I was actually Pack's maid because I did all the chores in the pack. Not that the other Omegas didn't do some chores, but they left the bulk of it to me. I can't complain, not because I am the youngest - although I am among the youngest. I feel, it is because I am not from the MoonVille pack but had been brought from another pack, - Crescent Pack when Alpha Sylvester had attacked and conquered my people. I had been ten at the time but being blessed with a photographic memory, I recall how my world had been turned upside down.

It had been a massacre. Too much bloodshed. I can never forget how I lost my parents in that war. The scene is still etched in my memory.

It had been close to dawn, when we had heard some noise, the warriors had been roused and went to investigate, not really expecting something threatening. They had been taken by surprise as they faced and tried to fend off attacks coming at them from left, right, and centre. The warriors had been brave, protecting their Alpha but the attacking pack had been more prepared, the element of surprise on their side. There had been a disagreement between the Alpha's of both packs and Alpha Sylvester had threatened them. Crescent Pack had not taken the threat from the Moon Ville seriously because Alpha Harry, my father had told Alpha Sylvester he was innocent of the crime he was accusing him of and that if he doubted it, he was free to carry out his own investigation, - what nature of crime it was, I never got to know, because no one wanted to tell me anything, they felt I was still too young to learn about the official matters of the pack.

There were bodies everywhere one looked My father - Alpha Harry was torn down as he fought fearlessly. He stood and continued fighting with blood dripping out from his injuries as he took down some of his attackers. He was fighting without any weapon since it fell from him when he fell the first time and there hadn't been time to search for it or to take another from other fallen warriors as he was the main target. His own warriors were busy fighting and none noticed he did not have any weapon, or they could have thrown him one. Then Alpha Sylvester came and delt him a blow on the head with his weapon and my father staggered and fell, the blow disoriented him, I believe. I covered my eyes with my palms as I felt fury raging inside of me. Who dates raise their hands to my father? Luckily, he grabbed a weapon that had fallen from another warrior and was about to struggle to his feet again when someone clawed him down. I waited for him to get to his feet again but the sword fell from his hands and he remained on the floor.

I had refused to go into hiding, and when I was forced, no one saw me sneak out again. They were all too busy being afraid and discussing the raging war.

Seeing my father fall and not able to get to his feet again, I had come out from behind the door where I stood watching the fight and run to him. I had been so confident he was going to win the fight. He had never lost before.

'Daddy, no daddy, don't leave me. Don't die', I pleaded as I saw my father bleeding to death. 'Who will take care of your little princess if you die?'

'Run', he had mouthed with his failing strength as the life drained out of him, but I wouldn't leave him. My father and I had been very close. He tried to push me away from him but I held on tight, not really understanding why he would want me to leave him in his condition.

'Run!' he repeated.

'No. I cannot leave you Dad. Where could I possibly run to? I shall stay here and nurse you back to health'.

He shook his head, but I wasn't paying attention. I hugged my father kissing him on his cheek as though to kiss life and strength back into him.

'I did not do it', he said. I did not know what he was talking about. But that was not important at that moment. What was paramount was to get him some help.

'Of course, you did not', I said, hoping the assurance that I believed him would give him strength.

'Amelia', he whispered.

Amelia was my mother, he must be wishing to see her. But even I did not want her to come here.

When I felt no movement from him, I looked down at him, shaking him violently, I saw a tear drop from his eye. My own eyes widened as fear gripped my heart.

Chapter 2: Traumatic Memories

While trying to shake father back to life, I looked the battle raging around me, my eyes searching for someone to help me save my father. I saw my mother and wondered why she had come out. I knew her Omegas and my father's Beta had taken her and some of the women and pups into the secret hideaway to protect her in her delicate condition. She might not have been able to stay away just like I hadn't. She and my father were so much in love. She must have felt her husband calling for her and came to answer his call.

I waved at her frantically, pointing to my father. I knew the instant she saw me because she nodded and started towards us but right before my eyes, she fell. Some wolf attacked her, breaking her neck. And she fell heavily on her stomach.

I was puzzled, at first, not knowing exactly what had just happened. One moment my mother was running towards us, the next she was lying in a pool of her own blood. When what had happened to her registered, the pain in my heart intensified almost suffocating me, I had to open my mouth to scream to let in air into my lungs. And scream I did in my anguish. I screamed so much that no sound came out of my throat anymore. My mother had been pregnant. The pack's seer had foretold that mother had the long - awaited prince in her womb. The news had brought so much joy to the whole pack and had been greeted with much celebration. Why had the seer not foretold this?

I left father lying there and ran to mother, not giving a thought to my own safety as the butchering went on all around me. But Ma, as I fondly called her, was already beyond help. In helpless confusion, I ran from mother's lifeless body to father's, crying and screaming, not knowing what to do, until strong hands pulled me away, 'Come my princess, it is dangerous out here'. It was one of the loyal warriors of our pack.

'No!' she screamed. 'Can't leave them'.

'You can't help them now', he insisted, 'The future of the pack depends on you now'. But as he was taking me away, He was clawed down and blood gurgling out of his throat and mouth, he still tried to save me.

'I'm sorry, my princess, I am use... less to you now. Run!' he said, his voice sounding funny due to the blood gurgling out of his mouth as he spoke. The effort must have been too much for him because his eyes rolled upward and his head fell to the side as he breathed his last. I was beyond grief by this time.

Strong hands grabbed me again but I could tell that these hands were different from those of our loyal warrior, these were rough. I tried to claw and kick my way out of the grip that proved too strong for my fragile ten year old self. I hated myself for my weakness and inability to save my parents or at least remain there and die with them. What kind of princess was I if I could not save my pack? Of course the war ended with the death of my parents as the warriors surrendered. There was no Alpha to protect or lead them and no Luna as well.

I came back to the here and now and vigorously wiped the tears that stung my eyes at this painful recollection. I feel so alone. But for my friend Samantha, I did not know if I could have survived the life I've had to live. It hasn't been easy, this transition from a princess to a maid.

I blinked now, as I recalled my reaction to the announcement made by Alpha Sylvester that I was to clean up the entire pack, as punishment for breaking a dish.

'What?' I had exclaimed, not believing I had heard right.

'You heard right. The task must be completed before the end of the day', he said and walked away with heads bowing at his departure.

Thinking at first that it was just a sick joke, afterall it was only one piece of china that was broken, not a whole set, I looked round at the faces around me, their expressions showing me, it was no joke. Some looked at me with pity, others with glee and others with indifference. And then the guards marched me off to where I was to start serving my punishment and stood guard to ensure that I obeyed or got beaten to submission.

I do not know if I would have been able to do it all alone if a young girl, though older than I had not come from no where and asked to help me. The moon goddess must have sent her.

'Let me help you for a bit', she said smiling sympathetically at me.

I was surprised but glad that she offered. I nodded. She bent and we started working together. Of course the guards wanted to stop her but she was able to convince them to allow her stay with me with her gentle voice and charming smile.

'If Alpha Sylvester finds you here or finds out you helped her, we are done for and you will be no better?' one guard told her.

'I shall not bother about that if I were you because the moon goddess asked me to come here and help this poor soul', she said smiling at them sweetly.

'I am Samantha Crane', she said smiling at me as we continued our daunting task. 'What's your name?'

'Millicent', I said but I could not return her smile. 'Millicent Harry'.

'Can we be friends?' she asked.

I was shocked that anyone would want to be friends with someone like me who had been shown all kinds of hostility since I got to the pack. I could not speak as I looked into her expectant eyes. So, I nodded and she smiled.

At the end of that day, I fell sick, trembling and running temperature at the same time. I was to be on bed rest for one full week according to the doctor, the Alpha sent to come administer some form of treatment on me, when they saw I was not pretending to be ill but was actually very sick. Even the necessity of a bed rest was denied me as I was made to commerce my duties with the pains and aches which were the souvenirs of the punishment I served, immediately my fever broke. I have never forgotten it till this day. It instilled greater fear in my heart for the ruthless Alpha but caused me to lose any respect that I had left for him, and made me all the more determined to teach him a lesson, he would never forget. He might have thought he had broken me and made me forget my roots. I let him think that.

I am exhausted now, but dared not stop for a little rest for I don't know who amongst the other Omegas might be watching and report to the Alpha. They did that often in order to get into his good books or curry favour from him. And if it were reported that I was seen sitting around when I was supposed to be doing my chores, I just might have to pay dearly for it.

I collected all the dirty clothes, filled a big basin with water, sprinkled into it the required quantity of detergent, dipped my hand into the mixture and stirred, causing fumes and bubbles. Sorting the clothes according to colours, into different buckets to prevent the whites being dyed by the clothes of other colours, I washed, first the Alpha's clothes, then the other higher officials.

'Millicent, are you still washing?' Samantha asked. She had been working in the fields, picking flowers and fruits.

'Just getting started but I must confess, I am already exhausted and very hungry.

'Let's do it together then. We shall be through in no time and then you can go and eat', Samantha offered, and I could have kissed her, I was so touched. Samantha must be tired as well but did not think of herself as she bent and started washing.

I sneezed and this caused Samantha to look at me. 'You might have caught a cold as a result of dipping your hands in water all the time, doing one washing after another', she said but she must have seen something that looked suspiciously like tears in my eyes, because she asked, 'What is it?' 'It's not a cold is it?'

I don't know why I have not told Samantha about my original pack from where Sylvester had brought me. I confided everything in Samantha but that.

'Nothing', I said. 'I have a running nose and it brings tears to my eyes, and you are really a great friend' I said meaning every word but feeling bad for hiding my past from her.

It's been about seven years now, but I still have nightmares about what happened in my pack, but the pain of my loss had not grown blunt with time, it was reinforced everytime the Alpha maltreats me. I don't really care how he treats me because I'm more determined to avenge my parents' deaths. How I'll accomplish that, I do not know, especially since I am so fragile. So, like an activated bomb, ticking away and ready to explode, I remain silent, doing the chores, enduring humiliation, torture, ... bidding my time....

Chapter 3: Alpha Sylvester's Rage

Sylvester's POV

I have heard rumours that my father, the late Alpha Merryweather, had not been as Ruthless as I am. I have also heard that I took after my uncle who liked bullying and engaging in wars. My mother too, had not been the docile type but a he - woman wolf since she one of the most ruthless Luna the park has ever had. I am fond of wars, I will not deny that. There is this rush it gives me to fight and when the wolf is a worthy opponent, I derive greater satisfaction in my defeat. I fight dirty, my main aim being to conquer and collect the spoils.

But that wasn't the case with the Crescent Pack, where I got Millicent, he refected. I don't know why I didn't kill her along side her family. Her father had murdered my parents.

I hated my father for being too kind, look what it got him! I vowed I was never going to be like him.

Alpha Merryweather, had had a peace treaty with Alpha Harry of the Crescent Pack and had gone to meet with him so they could finalize and sign the terms in the treaty, one of which was not to allow rogue wolves in their individual territories. He had been ambushed. He had not been prepared, travelling with his wife and Beta unarmed, thinking he was going to a friendly pack, with an intent that was mutually beneficial.

When his and my mother's remains was brought home, I vowed to destroy the Crescent Pack and its Alpha and I have no regrets. After the massacre, I felt justified. The fool had lied that he had no hand in the death of my parents. He had sounded convincing. If I had not known better, I would have been bought over by the coward, Sylvester thought, to himself as he recalled the conversation he had with Millicent's father before the attack.

'I am very sorry for your loss. I know nothing about the death of your parents', Aloha Harry had assured him. 'But since it happened within my territory, I shall investigate and get back to you'. Then looking at me with those seemingly sincere eyes, had added, ' If it's any consolation, Alpha Merryweather was a great and brave Alpha'.

I hadn't believed he was innocent but had decided to give him benefit of doubt which he did not live up to because after waiting for him for about a week, without hearing any encouraging news from him about the capture and execution of the culprits, I sent them a warning before I attacked. It was evident he did not heed my warning, probably thinking I was a kind and trusting fool like my father.

'If he was not responsible for my parents' deaths, who was? And how could he not be aware, of such a crime being committed in his territory?' Sylvester thought furiously. 'And as the Alpha, how could he possibly find it difficult apprehending the culprits if he were indeed innocent? Asking me to carry out my own investigation as though I have the time for that. I knew it was just a tactic of his to convince me of the truth of what I already knew to be a lie!

I wanted to teach him not to betray those who trusted him in his next life. So I set out not just to destroy his pack but to kill all of Alpha Harry's descendants but the way Millicent's frail body fought against the warrior who captured her, clawing and kicking, had impressed me and had she been a boy, I had thought at the time, I would most definitely have had him killed, so that he won't grow up and stage a rebellion against me. As it is, I turned her into my personal maid, with the intention to torture her. She was going to stay alive and wish for death. I had to break the stubborn streak I perceived in her and make her forget that she was once the princess of a pack and see herself as my maid and indeed the maid of the entire Moon Ville Pack and nothing more.

I also planned to make her my sex slave when she came of age. I have wanted to find out how feisty she would be in bed, would she claw and bite? If I had not been taught discipline, I would have had her before she even came of age, it would have been part of her punishment but apart from my discipline, I just could not bring myself to ravish her before she came of age.. But as she grew and I got ready to enjoy my spoil, knowing that the pleasure and satisfaction I'll derive will be greatly enhanced by the wait. But while waiting, I found out something so extremely unacceptable, that it gave me pause and made me vow that that discovery was going to be effected only over my dead body, and which made me despise Millicent the more...

How could I possibly accept that? I have done so much, worked so hard to get to where I am today and no matter the consequences, I shall not accept it.

'Cathania', he called through mind - link.

'Yes?' she answered huskily. She already knew why I was calling for her but it always turned her on to hear me say it.

'I need to see you urgently', I said.

'Exactly what is this urgent need?' she asked.

'Well, I need to bury myself deep inside you', I said already feeling myself grow hard at the thought.

'Ohhh.... but I might not want that same thing', she said, her voice husky and I knew she was teasing me. 'Infact, I do not have the same need. So, what are you going to do about it?'

My need was growing uncontrollably and I just had to have her.

'But how is that possible when I can already smell your arousal from this distance?' I asked, my hand going to my shaft , moving up and down its hard length. ' You should come fast and spread your legs wide for me to have my way with you or you could delay your coming and find someone else has already replaced you in my bed, moaning with pleasure as I bang her brains out!'.

'You wouldn't dare!' she said.

'I can dare anything and anyone! I am the Alpha afterall!' I said seriously. She must have sensed it for her next words brought a smug smile to my face.

'Say no more!' she said hastily. 'I'll be there even before you can blink!'

Chapter 4: Pack Rules, Never to Be Broken!

Millicent's POV

I had just taken out the dirty laundry and proceeded to separate them into the different washing basins when I heard my name.

'Millicent', the voice was really close and I swung round to see who the caller was, I hadn't known that someone else was behind the courtyard, with me. The courtyard was where I liked washing.

It was a voice that commanded respect and brooked no disobedience. Before I even saw his face, I already knew it was Alpha Sylvester.

'Yes?' I answered.

'Is that any way to speak to your Alpha?' he asked, his voice thunderous. 'Add Alpha to your utterance whenever you address me!'

'Yes, Alpha!' I said, not really showing much remorse.

I will not call you Alpha if I can get away with it, despite your maltreatment of me because I know you do not deserve that title. You have not earned it as far as I am concerned, I thought to myself.

You are the cause of my predicament - you orchastred my loss - and hence do not deserve any respect or reverence from me. I was secretly rebellious. I, had at first shown my rebellion, not being afraid of what he might do to me. I wanted him to end my torture so that I could be with my family wherever they were in the afterlife but as time went on, I grew wiser, feeling that my parents' deaths could not go unavenged. I therefore, adopted a servile attitude and it made the Alpha happy but sometimes, I forget myself and would not call him by his title.

'Immediately after doing the laundry, report in throne room for an important instruction', he said and without waiting for my response, he left.

'Immediately after doing the laundry, report in the throne room for instructions!' I mimicked him, eyeing him with the deep loathing I feel for him.

It gave me great satisfaction to defy him in some way, even if it was only in secret. I took my time with the laundry but I could not postpone going to him for the instructions forever.

I went in to see the Alpha as instructed but met him in a hot embrace with Cathania. They were kissing brazenly and Sylvester's hand was inside her dress. I stood there waiting. Disgusted with the scene before me. I stared fixedly at the wall, wondering if he had called me here for the express reason to make me watch how he made out with his girlfriend. I could not endure the repulsive scene before me any longer and produced a little cough to alert them of my presence when they seemed to be so absorbed in each other that they couldn't sense or smell my presence.

'Jeez', Cathania swore as she jerked away from her lover, straightening her dress. Sylvester had had his hands deep inside her, and her moans had prevented them from hearing me approach. 'Can you not knock?'

'I did but you were obviously too busy to hear', I retorted, my disgust evident in my voice and face.

'You will mind how you speak to me', she shouted at me.

Ignoring her, 'You asked me to see you', I said facing Alpha Sylvester.

' You asked me to see you, Alpha. Add Alpha', Cathania corrected furiously, looking from the indifferent expression on my face to Sylvester, and wondering why he put up with my insolence.

I kept looking at the Alpha as his eyes darkened in anger. I cared less. I was tired and not ready to care if my attitude annoyed anyone or not, definitely not the spoilt daughter of a warrior.

'Millicent, I will not remind you to address me properly in future', he said in a deadly voice. 'If I do, then, that will be the last time you use your ears, because I shall cut them off!'

Be careful, Millicent! I advised myself.

'I'm sorry, Alpha Sylvester, I did not mean to antagonize you', I said meekly. 'You sent for me. You intimated that it was very urgent'.

'I am throwing a party to announce my engagement to Cathania in a week', he said. 'I have told your Omega Lilian about it. She will intimate you on what your tasks will be'. He waved her off dismissively.

I nodded and bowing, left his presence, but not before seeing the smug look Cathania gave me. Did she think I was jealous of her engagement to Sylvester? Or was she trying to make me realise that my fate would worsen once she became Luna?

Omega Lilian was the head Omega. She took her position too seriously and though she was fair to me, the other Omegas were not. They took advantage of my fragile look and bullied me. I had accepted that before now because I had nobody in the world and did not feel like continuing in this world but my attitude changed over time but by then they were already used to my docile acceptance of their bullying.

I walked from the throne room to the Omega's quarters, and located Lilian speaking to a group of Omegas and waited at a respectable distance, waiting for her to finish addressing them, so I could approach her for instructions concerning the damn engagement party.

'What are you doing listening in on us?', Shannon, one of the bully omegas asked eyeing me. 'Were you not taught by your parents that eavesdropping on your elders is bad manners?'

I could feel my anger growing. How dare the pig, mention my parents. I had just come from the throne room where Cathania had irked me and here was this fool adding salt to my injury.

I looked at Shannon angrily, but kept quiet.

'Why are you starring at me like that?' she demanded. 'You have started growing wings. You are just the maid of the Alpha but recently, you have started behaving as though you are his mate. He will never bring himself so low as to make you his bedmate, if that is what you are trying for'.

I wondered why she would think that. But I did not dwell too much on that as I could no longer control the anger I had been repressing, and leapt from where I was standing, onto her, pushing her to the ground. I gave her a punch on the face and kept hitting her anywhere my hand connected with.

The others were shocked, I heard their gasp, they had never seen me behave in such a violent and aggressive manner. They had always taken me for granted, bullying me into doing their chores and I had not complained and they had thought it was out of my fear of them. They could see now, hopefully, that was obviously, not the case. That submission and compliance did not necessarily depict weakness.

It was Lilian who recovered first. 'Millicent! Stop it, this instant!' she bellowed but I was past caring and continued hitting and clawing Shannon till hands pulled me away from the coward bully who was whimpering on the ground.

Slap! On my cheek, it was from Lilian.

'You know it is against the pack laws to fight without cause in this quarters. Why did you break the rule?'

I rubbed her cheek with my hand, it stung but I didn't mind the pain because I was still seething. I looked around to see that a little crowd that gathered to watch the entertainment. Some of the men had were smiling at me with a kind of grudging admiration as we're some of the women, while others were looking daggers at me like they wanted to beat me to death. The men walked away as soon as the fight ended but the Omegas continued whispering among themselves.

'She asked for it', I replied. 'She's had it coming for a long time now'.

'Stop that and tell me why you fought her, or I will not only punish you severely, but Alpha Sylvester will hear of it and I need not tell you how angry he would be'.

'He sent me to you for instructions concerning his forthcoming engagement', I explained. 'You were addressing them when I got here, I stood here waiting for you to be through so I could be told what my duties were to be on that day, when she started picking on me. As if that wasn't enough, she had to mention my parents as well. You teach us respect here in the quarters. Are my parents not worthy of being shown some respect by her?' I heaved, still visibly vexed by the slight I perceived had been thrown on my late parents.

Lilian knew I was right. 'But that was no way to show your displeasure', she scolded me. 'Shannon, you did wrong, disrespecting her parents', she told her. 'I do not want a repeat of this occurrence. Is that clear?' she asked, looking at the both of us.

'Yes ma'am, we both said simultaneously.

'Else, the both of you will be severally punished', Lilian continued as though we had not spoken.. 'Even now, I shall give you some task as a form of punishment to serve as a deterrent to others!'

Shannon eyed me as she stood from the ground and was dusting herself. 'You will regret raising your hand to me!' she threatened, and I merely wrinkled my nose at her, already walking away with Lilian as I received instructions on what my duties were before and on the engagement day. Shannon was already out of my mind- she was the least of my problems.

Chapter 5: Her Eighteenth Birthday

Every Omega, in fact every wolf always wondered how it would be like on their eighteenth birthday. That was the age when they officially came into their wolf.

My eighteenth birthday was fast approaching and I was no different. I prayed to the moon goddess.

'Oh goddess, you have not been fair to me, you blessed me with everything and then took everything away from me', I said as I recalled my mother falling with her her unborn son, throat bitten off, and my father lying in the pool of his own blood as the life drained out of him.I sniffed and looked up, to stop the tears falling. 'You allowed me to be orphaned and all I hold dear taken from me. I am asking for a very strong wolf on my eighteenth birthday, to enable me work out my revenge on my enemy'.

The day of my eighteen birthday dawned and I longed for a work - free day to help me celebrate in private this special day. But did I say a work - free day? Was it going to be possible since my birthday coincided with the engagement party of the Alpha, I wondered.

I stretched my hands above my head and my legs as well as my bones cracked into place. I then bent backwards as though breaking myself in two. I just wanted these few moments alone. 'Happy birthday, Millicent O'Brien Harry', I wished myself quietly. 'May this new year of yours bring you closer to the realisation of your dreams'.

When I realised a couple of days ago that the engagement ceremony was coinciding with my birthday, I had gone to Lilian.

'Ma'am, You know that I always do my chores without complaint. But I just found out that the Alpha's engagement party is on the same day that I turn eighteen. Could I be excused from work on that day?' I asked.

'Really?' Lilian asked. 'But you see, there is nothing that I can do about it. Alpha Sylvester wants you to handle the chores, serving the guests and all. But you can go to him and explain. He is the only one who has the authority to excuse you from your duties on that day', she smiled sympathetically at me.

I hate asking any favours of Sylvester but I just wanted that day to myself so that I could indulge in thoughts of my parents and discuss with my wolf in case I came into it that day. So, I went to him and found him where I knew he would be - in the throne room.

'Alpha', I greeted respectfully.

'Did I send for you?' he asked arrogantly.

'You did not. I came of my own volition', I said my head bowed.

'Speak. What do you want?' he asked.

'Your engagement coincides with my eighteenth birthday, and you know how important that particular birthday is', she said.

'So?'

The way he said that single word made me visualize a raised eyebrow.

'I was hoping that you would excuse me from my chores that day. Make it a work free day for me. Of course I shall continue with my duties the very next day, working double if necessary', I declared, still bowed and aching from the strain of it and hating Sylvester for not being considerate enough to ask her to stand upright.

'And who told you I did not know it is your birthday, next tomorrow? That is the express reason I fixed my engagement on that day', he said mockingly, with a corresponding mocking smile playing on his lips. I stood upright with shock, not waiting for him to ask it of me. I could not believe what I had just heard. I was his personal maid and he was supposed to know my birthday if he was a considerate Alpha which he was not. All these years, he had not said anything about my birthday. I had not felt like celebrating it and so had not mentioned it to anyone except to Samantha and I am sure she hadn't mentioned it to anyone. But this birthday was special to me.

'You knew?' I asked, shocked as what he said sank. How could someone be as cruel as this?

'You are my maid. How could I not know?', he asked, watching her contemplatively. 'And how dare you think of celebrating on the same day that I am? Do you not have any respect for your Alpha? Perish the thought and get yourself ready for your chores on the said day. Now get out of here!' he ordered dismissively.

'But...'

'This matter is settled!' he said in a voice that brooked no contradiction.

I left his presence seething.

Today, the morning of my eighteenth birthday, the memory of my discussion with the Alpha besieged me but I pushed it to the back of my mind. I was not going to allow anything take my joy from me.

Before starting my chores, I decided to go for a quick dip in the stream, not far from the Omega's quarters.

I ran all the way there. I like being the first there. It felt special that way and if that was the only treat I could give myself on this day, then so be it.

As I was about to get into the water, I looked into it and instead of my reflection, I saw a white wolf. I looked behind me to see if there was someone else there but saw no one. Where had the wolf come from? I looked into the water again and the wolf was still there.

'Hello, Millicent. Happy Birthday to us', the wolf said and I understood.

'Yes, as you have just realised, I'm your wolf, Milly'.

'I'm glad to have you', I said happily, hoping the wolf was as strong as I desired and had asked of the moon goddess.

'That is not all. Strong or not, our mate should more than make up for that. With him, we are stronger than you can imagine'.

'Our mate?' I asked astonished. 'You know who he is?' I had not been particular about a mate but if the mate was as strong as my wolf was intimating, then rather than be an obstacle to my purpose like I feared, he just might help me accomplish my mission. I had heard of extraordinary things mates did for each other due to their mate bond.

She nodded and said, 'And so do you'.

'Who is he?' I asked.

'He is none other than Alpha Sylvester'.

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name but I hastened to assure myself that I must have heard wrong. I inserted a finger into each of her ears, shaking them vigorously, to clear off any dirt that might be responsible for causing her to perceive Milly's words wrongly. Then I looked at the wolf but Milly just stood there solemnly.

'What?' I exclaimed, fear that Milly might be right twisting my stomach. 'You must be joking! You are joking, aren't you?'

'No, I'm not'.

There was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. What have I done to make the moon goddess despise me so much? I must have been very bad in my previous life to be punished this way.

'You mean, the man who caused the death of my parents and that of a brother who did not even have the chance to be born, destroyed my pack, and have tortured me for many years is my fated mate?' she asked in anguish.

'I'm afraid so', she said but didn't sound too displeased about it.

'You seem not to be bothered that he is our mate', I said accusingly. Milly kept quiet. She had no response to that. At least not one that I might want to hear, it seems.

'How am I to avenge my parents', if he is indeed my mate? Why did the moon goddess do this to me?'

'I believe everything will work out just fine', wolf Milly said in an attempt to console me and make me accept the inevitable. I doubted that I could but maybe, my plan could still work. I only need a change of plan or another approach.

Chapter 6: Confrontation and Rejection

My mood was spoilt and this was as a result of that frustrating discussion I had with Alpha Sylvester. It nearly caused me, my usual dip in the stream but I refused to be sorrowful. So I discarded my clothes and into the stream I walked, splashing, determined not to permit myself any depressing thought. My wolf was laughing as we had fun splashing around in the water.

'Hope you have started your chores?' The voice permeated my consciousness, making me stop my thrashing in the water and look around but seeing no one, I realised that Alpha Sylvester had spoken to me through mind - link. The fun went out of my bath and I stepped out of the stream, down cast.

'Cheer up. It is not all bad', wolf Milly said.

I ignored her. Afterall, she was happy to have that God forsaken Alpha as her mate but I was not going to accept that except there was something in it for me - some way I could use it to my own advantage and work my vengeance on him. But how could my wolf and I have contrary feelings concerning the same person Were we not supposed to be one?

I was so deep in thought that I did not see my friend, Samantha until she was upon me.

'Happy birthday, dear friend. When I didn't see you in the quarters, I knew you'd be here, your most favourite place'.

'Thanks alot for your best wishes, Samantha' I said. 'And yes, I came for a dip'.

'You look sad', she observed, 'What is the problem?'

'Nothing', I said, trying to inject cheerfulness into my voice.

'You are not a good liar', she said. 'Spill'.

'I saw my wolf today', I blurted for want of something to say.

'And that made you sad?' she asked incredulous.

'No, it did not', I said quickly. 'I am just not used to it yet'.

'But of course, you're not. But you will soon be though. It is such a joyous occasion. Cheer up. Things are far better than you are imagining', she said sounding uncannily like my wolf.

I made an effort to smile, trying not to recall the mate I have been cursed with because that was what he was - a curse, but it came off as a grimace, which she quickly smoothened out and replaced with a smile.

'I recall when I came into my own wolf...', Samantha started.

It was a story she never stopped telling anyone who would care to listen.

Samantha was two years older than me but you wouldn't know it from the way we related to each other. On her eighteenth birthday, she had been running round in the open air, happy to be eighteen, when suddenly, she fell on all fours and a piercing pain shot through her as she screamed in confusion, not knowing what was happening. She felt as though her whole body was being ripped apart and she twisted in anguish. This attracted other more experienced wolves, who came to try to ease her pain. 'Take in air', they advised 'now release it'. She kept taking in air and releasing it, howling and growling from the pain she felt. It felt like she was dying. Then all of a sudden the pain ceased and she found she was moving on all fours. She looked at her limbs and they were not hers at all and then she realised what had happened. She had transformed. She was filled with joy. She felt free and strong and able to take on anything and anyone. She felt able to conquer and she leapt into the forest and kept moving all around, flaunting her wolf. The people who had gathered to help her with the experience laughed, happy for her for getting her wolf and being able to transform. Not all werewolves could do that. After that first experience, however, transforming became less painful but more pleasurable and exhilarating. Two years later however, she was yet to find her mate.

'Do you know who your mate is?' she asked, the question I had been dreading.

'Who needs a mate?' I asked, feigning nonchalance. 'You have not found your mate yet, I am not in a hurry'.

That topic was too distasteful to me and definitely not what I wished to talk about on the day that was supposed to be the happiest day of my life as a werewolf but which was fast turning into a nightmare.

'Go ahead to the stream', I said too brightly. 'I have chores. We shall see later at the party', and I hurried off, because I could no longer hold back the tears that were already stinging my eyes. I felt her eyes follow me. She must have wondered why I did not offer to wait for her so that we could get back together like I normally did. But I just did not want to break down before her and I did not want any show of pity which would most definitely cause me to shed more tears.

I wanted to start my chores when I had the mind link again.

'Come and see me right away'. It was Alpha Sylvester.

What did he want now? I wondered.

I scurried to the throne room. And as soon as I got there, he dismissed the officials he had been speaking with which surprised me, making me suspicious.

'Yes?' I asked wondering what was so important or private that he wanted to speak to her about that he had to dismiss those men.

'I feel that you have something to ask me!' he said without preamble.

'I do? What about?' I asked confused.

'Don't tell me you have not found out yet that I am your mate?' he asked leeringly.

'My wha...', I started, then my eyes grew very round as what he had said sunk and the implication dawned on me. 'You mean you knew I was your mate all this while , yet you never once told me or even gave me a clue? I asked, shocked again at his callousness. He knew of my birthday and of this and had kept it to himself, treating me like dirt.

I had wanted to hide this information from him, for how long before he smelled it, I did not know but for as long as possible had been my plan, but now that he knew, I was going to have to make the best of it.

'Well, now you know, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to call off your engagement to Cathania and claim me?' I asked hating to ask but having no choice because I needed to prepare a great defense against that. His next words showed me I needn't have bothered being afraid.

'Hell, no', he laughed mirthlessly. 'Look at you and then at me. I am a very powerful Alpha who is feared and respected by all and you think that I will stoop so low as to accept a lowly, weak maid like you, as my Luna? I'll be a laughing stock', he said looking at me condescendingly.

I could not take my eyes from him as I absorbed his every word.

'I could take you as my sex slave if you are that desperate to be with me, and If I want', he further said and I felt my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach.

Oh no, moon goddess, let him not want because I definitely do not want that, I prayed silently but not giving anything away.

'But I do not want!' he said and I offered silent thanks to the goddess for hearing my prayers. I was so relieved his next words rolled off me. 'I cannot forgive you enough for your crimes to want to be with you in such an intimate manner.

So, I, Sylvester Falcon Merryweather, Alpha of the Moon Ville pack reject you, Millicent O'Brien Harry as my mate'.

I clutched my heart. The pain was piercing. I didn't know why I should feel such pain, afterall, I had no feelings for him, and I could feel my wolf reeling and wringing from the force of the pain of his rejection.

I straightened and looked him straight in the eye.

'And I, Millicent O'Brien Harry accept your rejection, Sylvester Falcon Merryweather wholeheartedly'.

Sylvester's eyes were round as saucers. It was clear he had not expected that response from me and I laughed inwardly. He may have thought that I would go down on my knees and beg, being an orphan with no where to go and all.

'I exile you from this pack. You have just today to stay here. And that is because you still have to do your chores at my engagement party. After that, I do not want to see you here anymore!' he thundered.

'Your command shall be gladly followed!' I said, very pleased to see the shock reflected on Sylvester's face. He could not have given me a better birthday gift than his rejection but it was clear that my wolf Milly did not agree with that but I couldn't care less.