Chapter 2: Expel Her from the Pack

Nova had been quiet lately, but this was the first time I'd seen her so excited. That strange scent enveloped both me and Kane, turning the tense atmosphere into something oddly intimate.

I couldn't believe it. Alpha Kane was my mate? The Moon Goddess had to be joking. After all, I'd killed his father—though it was purely in self-defense—but in his eyes, I was nothing but his father's murderer.

Kane froze too, staring at me in shock, his blue eyes wide with disbelief.

He probably hadn't expected me to be his mate either. I figured he'd reject me...

"Oh, please, I hope our mate accepts us," my wolf Nova pleaded.

I knew she longed for our mate just as much as I did. During all the abuse I'd endured in the past, Nova had always comforted me, saying everything would be fine once our mate showed up. She believed he'd save me and pull me out of this misery.

But fate was cruel—my mate turned out to be Kane!

"Damn it..." Kane muttered under his breath, furious. "Get the hell out of here right now!"

He pointed at the door, his eyes reddening with rage. I shuddered and scrambled out of the room, practically tripping over myself.

At least I hadn't been raped by Kane. Last time, his father Jacob had nearly forced himself on me, and then I'd shifted uncontrollably, killing him. That incident had changed my life forever, turning it into a nightmare.

"What do we do, Liora? Will he reject us?" Nova fretted, her voice echoing anxiously in my mind.

"I don't know," I replied, bowing my head, my thoughts in chaos.

Nova paced restlessly in my mind, desperate to break free. I wanted to shift too, but I knew I couldn't. Tragically, after that out-of-control shift where I killed Jacob, his wife—the former Luna Aurora—had ordered a witch to seal my wolf, forbidding me from shifting.

Since then, I couldn't transform, only communicating with Nova in my head. She was frustrated and yearned to break the seal.

She'd always hoped our mate would help lift the curse, setting me free completely.

"You lazy bitch, still slacking off here? Go clean my room!" Former Luna Aurora's voice suddenly boomed.

She rushed up to me, her slightly plump face twisted in arrogance and anger.

After I killed Jacob, I'd explained over and over that it was self-defense—that he'd tried to assault me. But no one believed me. Aurora insisted her husband would never do such a thing, and it was all my fault.

Aurora stomped over in her high heels and roughly grabbed my ear, dragging me forcefully to her room.

The luxurious space was filled with dirty clothes and trash, the floor littered with melon seed shells—a complete mess. I knew she did this on purpose; she loved tormenting me like this.

"Clean it all up in half an hour. I'll check it myself! And take my clothes to wash—by hand!" Aurora commanded haughtily, tossing a dirty garment right at my face.

The stench of sweat made me gag. I yanked it off and glared at her in frustration.

"Not happy about it? You're an Omega—this is what you do!" Aurora jabbed her finger into my forehead, her sharp nail scraping my skin.

My ear and cheek burned with pain, the humiliation overwhelming.

"And stay the hell away from Kane from now on! Trying to seduce my son? Let me tell you, he's engaged to Princess Elara of the Silverfang Kingdom! She's the Lycan King's sister—only she's worthy of him!" Aurora declared proudly.

I rolled my eyes. Sure, I'd had a crush on Kane, but I'd never imagined anything happening between us. I couldn't help retorting, "Does Princess Elara know how promiscuous Alpha Kane is? Not everyone likes a playboy."

"You fucking dare!" Aurora exploded in rage, slapping me hard across the cheek.

I couldn't dodge in time. The blow sent blood spurting from my nose, and I tumbled to the ground. Not satisfied, she kicked me in the stomach. I clutched my twisting abdomen and groaned.

"Princess Elara adores Kane, and no one will ruin their marriage! Watch yourself—if you try to seduce my son again, I'll end you!" she screamed hysterically, kicking and punching me relentlessly. I curled up on the floor as her blows rained down, pain engulfing me.

Ever since Alpha Jacob's death, she'd resented and hated me, venting her emotions on me at every opportunity.

Finally, Aurora stopped. She pulled back her foot, composed herself into an elegant, noble posture, and sashayed away.

I was covered in bruises, staggering to my feet. Enduring the pain, I cleaned her room from top to bottom, then headed to the laundry area to wash her clothes.

By the time I finished, it was late at night, and I was too exhausted to stand straight.

The next day, I had to wake up early to prepare breakfast. The pack house housed one or two hundred people, with the Alpha's family in the most luxurious suites. Back when my parents were Betas, I'd lived in a fancy room too, but now I was stuck in a small, damp Omega quarters with tattered blankets.

I served sandwiches and milk on the table, then brought out the other dishes. Everyone around me shot disdainful looks, their whispers filled with mockery. My parents sat in the corner, no longer as glamorous as before, looking much older. I glanced at them, but they only glared back with hatred. My heart stung sharply.

Alpha Kane sat in the most honored seat, probably because Lilith was his lover—they were seated close together. Lilith looked at me arrogantly and flung her jam-smeared sandwich at my face. "I won't eat this crap! Make it again!"

Jam smeared across my face as the room erupted in laughter. My chest trembled with anger. I looked at Kane, hoping he'd at least say something in my defense—after all, we were mates. But he only gave me a scornful glance.

My heart ached terribly. Nova fell silent; she must have been heartbroken too.

I fought the urge to lash out at them all, biting my lip until it bled, and remade Lilith's breakfast.

After they finished, I could only nibble on some expired dry bread. The dining hall was a mess, waiting for me to clean it up.

I washed the dishes, then swept and wiped the tables. Finished, I rubbed my empty stomach and wandered into the garden for a breath of fresh air.

It was the most peaceful moment of my day.

But soon, that peace shattered.

"Princess Elara, this is the bitch who overestimates herself and tries to seduce Alpha Kane, your fiancé!" a fawning voice rang out. I turned instinctively, but before I could react, a punch landed square on my face.

Blood streamed from my nose. I stared in disbelief at the two figures before me.

It was Lilith, and a beautiful woman in a light purple gown, her makeup flawless. Her golden curls shone stunningly in the sunlight, and her emerald eyes burned with hatred and contempt.

So beautiful—this had to be Princess Elara, Kane's fiancée?

"An Omega daring to seduce an Alpha?" Princess Elara scrutinized me, her lip curling in disdain. "Lilith, I order you—expel her from the pack immediately!"