VIDA

Auntie Olivia and I hurriedly made our way to the kitchen. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a bustling scene of she-wolves hard at work.

Everything was meticulously arranged, from the gleaming pans and plates to the assortment of cooking utensils.

Some kitchen assistants diligently peeled potatoes, while others busied themselves with washing the vegetables that would be used for tonight's meal. As soon as they spotted my auntie, they offered their greetings, “Hello Miss Olivia.”

Taking a quick glance around, you could discern the hierarchical structure in place, with designated tasks assigned according to one's rank.

As always, I received disapproving glances and hushed whispers, but I had grown accustomed to such treatment. It was nothing new, for I had endured far worse.

“Who’s that?”

“Why does she look like that?”

"She looks absolutely dreadful! I can't bear to look at her face," one of them remarked, promptly retreating to the bathroom as if she were about to vomit. Others simply cast disgusted frowns in my direction.

"My goodness, Vida! Quit standing there and fetch me the pans!" my auntie commanded, her voice filled with impatience.

Obligingly, I scanned the area to locate the pans, then approached the counter to retrieve them.

However, as I reached for them, someone carelessly bumped into me, causing me to lose my grip. The pans crashed to the floor with a resounding clatter, reverberating throughout the kitchen.

‘Thud!’

‘Clang!’

‘Crack!’

I stood frozen in surprise as the person who bumped into me smirked and seamlessly merged into the crowd. My attention quickly shifted as my auntie's furious voice thundered through the air.

"VIDA! YOU STUPID, USELESS OMEGA!" she roared.

I cast my gaze downward, knowing deep down that it wasn't entirely my fault. However, I was certain that my auntie had no interest in hearing my side of the story.

Well, who would want to listen to me anyway?

Even before my auntie became my guardian, the people who knew my parents treated me as if I were invisible, as if I weren't even human. Their treatment mirrored that of my co-workers.

They were even worse than my auntie's family. They spat in my face and hurled insults my way.

They relentlessly branded me a cursed witch, an ungrateful ingrate.

The memories flooded back, echoing in my ears and searing into my heart. It hurt, but I refused to allow them to witness my tears; instead, I held them back.

"Sorry," I whispered, offering an apology. Auntie Olivia scowled in response. Gathering my composure, I picked up the fallen pans and dutifully brought everything over to her.

"You're truly clumsy! Stupid girl!" My auntie commented, continuing her work. I assisted her in preparing the food for the entire pack.

The mansion we were in belonged to the renowned and wealthy Golden Hades Pack—an ancient, distinguished, and well-regarded pack known for their strength and etiquette.

Once I finished helping my auntie, I found myself standing quietly in a corner, observing the others as they worked.

Fatigue gnawed at me, and I longed to return home for a decent and peaceful sleep before starting my own work.

"You, girl! Go and assist the others in preparing the food in the dining room!" One of the helpers called out.

I glanced at her, then looked around to confirm if she was referring to me. No one seemed to be paying attention. I tentatively pointed at myself, seeking clarification.

"Are you referring to me?" I inquired, seeking clarification. She frowned and directed a glare at me.

"Yeah, you're the only one who isn't busy at the moment! Get to it! Move your ass, freak!" she responded curtly.

I nodded, complying with her instruction. Stepping outside, I joined the others who had been assigned to assist in the dining room.

As I entered, my eyes widened in awe at the sight of the ceiling adorned with glistening crystal jewels, forming an exquisite chandelier.

The grandeur and elegance of it all captivated me, leaving me momentarily transfixed.

However, my fascination was abruptly interrupted as one of the helpers smacked my arm.

"Quit staring and start working!" she snapped.

Apprehensive of further reprimands, I quickly focused on the task at hand. A long table stood in the center of the room, positioned beneath the resplendent chandelier.

Adorning the walls were paintings that perfectly complemented the room's elegant and modern ambiance.

I diligently assisted in arranging the food on the table, taking care to ensure that no spills marred the pristine white tablecloth. The consequences for any mishap would undoubtedly be severe.

With the task completed, I returned to the kitchen.

Spotting my auntie near the doorway, donning a coat over her shoulder, I hurried toward her.

"Auntie, where are you going?" I inquired. She regarded me sternly.

"You stay here! If they aren't satisfied with the food, you'll have to make it right!" She instructed. My eyes widened in disbelief.

"B-But... but I have work tomorrow. I need to go to the factory," I protested, clutching the hem of her coat. Her scowl deepened as she forcefully pulled her coat from my grasp.

"You'll manage, so stop whining!" She retorted, then promptly exited the room, slamming the door behind her.

I gazed at the closed doors, a heavy sigh escaping my lips.

Will life ever offer me an ounce of respite? Seeking solace, I located a chair in the corner and sank down into it.

"Don't make me talk to her! I refuse to be in the company of a freak!"

"Look at her face! It's so hideous and terrifying!"

"Go ahead, approach her! Let's see if whatever she has on her face is contagious."

Their comments grew increasingly malicious. I bit my lip, feeling the sharp sting of their words.

It hurt, deep down, to be in this situation where every pair of eyes regarded me as the most repulsive, abominable creature they had ever encountered. With a heavy sigh, I lowered my head in resignation.

After enduring hours upon hours of this torment, the family finally finished their meal, and the plates were being collected for washing. Relief washed over me.

Finally, I could escape! It was time to go home.

Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized I only had three or four hours before my work began. I grumbled, letting out another sigh. I bid farewell to the others in the kitchen, but no one paid me any attention. So, I left.

"I hope I can squeeze in an hour of sleep," I muttered to myself, as I wandered down the hallway.

Lost in thought, I gazed out of a nearby window, observing the night sky adorned with twinkling stars.

Suddenly, my attention was drawn to someone on the balcony. Though it was not far from me, I could tell it was a man by his physique. Someone called out his name, causing me to gasp in shock.

“Blaze!”

It was none other than Blaze, the Alpha's son. The heir of the Golden Hades Pack.

BLAZE

When I arrived home, I was taken aback to find my entire family gathered around the dining table.

The spread of food before us was always lavish, but today it seemed more like a grand feast than usual.

I glanced at my mother, seated beside my father, and she smiled warmly, gesturing for me to take a seat on the other side of him. I couldn't help but feel curious as I observed their excitement.

Was my father about to make an important announcement?

"It seems like everyone is filled with anticipation," I remarked as I settled into my seat. My mother, Miranda, looked at me with a wide smile.

"Your father has something to share to everyone, son," she said, her smile never faltering as her gaze shifted towards my father.

“Blaze, son.” I turned my attention to him, but he simply shrugged his shoulders. With that, they began to partake in the meal.

It was a rare occasion for our entire family to dine together like this, and even more surprising to see important members of our pack joining us at the table.

"Well, the flavors tonight are absolutely delightful. Is the chef in a particularly good mood?" one of the elders inquired. I sampled the food and discovered that it truly was exceptional.

"Yes, it appears they have prepared this dinner with extra care," another chimed in.

I listened to their conversations as I silently enjoyed my meal. I was present mainly to hear what my father had to say.

Just moments ago, I had returned from managing the company and overseeing our sources of income.

As the heir to the pack, it was crucial for me to learn how to effectively govern and lead our pack.

"So, how's work, Blaze?" they inquired. I met their gaze with a smile.

"Everything is running smoothly. Nothing out of the ordinary," I replied.

They nodded and engaged in conversation amongst themselves. From the corner of my eye, I observed my father silently consuming his meal, while my mother attended to his needs.

To outsiders, they appeared to be a loving couple, but at times, I questioned whether my father truly loved my mother, given his impassive demeanor.

Shaking off those thoughts, I decided to focus on my food. A delectable assortment of desserts was presented before us, a testament to the kitchen's efforts in providing a truly satisfying dinner.

"Bring forth the wine," my father commanded. A servant promptly brought an aged bottle of wine, treasured by my father. A smirk crossed my lips.

"This is unexpected, father. I'm surprised you've chosen to unveil your prized wine for this occasion," I remarked with a smile. He glanced at me, his smile feeble and devoid of genuine warmth. It felt more like a mocking grin than a sincere expression.

"It's a special occasion," he uttered, rising from his seat.

The servant poured wine into my father's glass, followed by mine. As each person's glass was filled, my father surveyed the room, his eyes lingering on each individual.

"Well, now that everyone is gathered here, eagerly anticipating the announcement… Everyone, I officially declare that I will step down as the Alpha of Golden Hades and pass the mantle to my son," he proclaimed. I gazed at him, a mixture of amusement and surprise washing over me upon hearing his words.

Did I hear it correctly? Is he truly relinquishing his position?

Congratulations and well wishes flooded in from everyone, and I accepted them with gratitude. However, my surprise deepened when I learned of the condition attached to this transfer of power.

“Only if, Blaze will get married.”

"Excuse me?" I couldn't contain my reaction. He met my gaze, his smile now tinged with amusement.

"You heard me, my son. If you desire the throne, you must first take a wife," he reiterated.

The room fell into a hushed silence as I glared at my father. I couldn't say that I welcomed this stipulation.

I had attempted to court various women, but none had captured my heart. Marriage was not something I was prepared for at the moment.

"Father, can we discuss this thing first?" I confronted him, my voice tinged with frustration. He regarded me sternly.

"We can discuss it, but only after you marry and present a wife before me," he retorted. I stood up, facing him directly.

"That's absurd! You have no intention of relinquishing power to me. That's the real truth!" I exclaimed, raising my voice. My mother rose from her seat, a frown etched across her face as she looked at me.

"Blaze! Don't speak to your father like that! He is simply concerned for your well-being!" My mother reprimanded. I scoffed in disbelief.

"Seriously? If he's concerned, why am I being forced to marry someone? I don't need a woman to..." I began, but my father interrupted me.

"As an Alpha of the pack, you require a Luna by your side. Use your intellect for once, Blaze! You're no longer a child, and you must shoulder responsibilities," my father asserted. I rolled my eyes in exasperation.

"I don't need a Luna’s help! Currently, I have no need for one. If I were to accept a Luna, she would be my mate!" I retorted. My father smirked and casually patted my shoulders, treating my words as a joke.

"Well then, you better get started," he remarked.

The urge to punch him or unleash a string of curses surged within me. Without uttering another word, I drained the last drop of wine from my glass, rose from the table, and left the room.

The atmosphere in there was suffocating and aggravating. Why did my father insist on me marrying before bestowing the alpha rights upon me?

"Blaze, are you alright?" my wolf, Knoxx, inquired. I let out a sigh and made my way to my favorite spot—the balcony.

Upon reaching it, I retrieved a pack of cigarettes from my pocket and extracted one.

My lighter emerged from another pocket, and I ignited the cigarette. With a sigh, I gazed at the night sky, adorned with twinkling stars against the backdrop of darkness.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm just pondering why my father insists on me marrying first before declaring me as the next Alpha," I mused, shaking my head slightly.

"So, should we search for our mate then?" Knoxx proposed.

VIDA

As I laid eyes on the man standing on the balcony, my heart began to race.

‘Thump… Thump… thump…’

Its beats echoed so loudly that even my breath caught in my throat. It was the first time I had encountered such a strikingly handsome man in my entire life.

Well, not that he was the only one, but seeing him in person like this was both shocking and mesmerizing.

I had often heard other omegas talk about Blaze, the heir of the Golden Hades pack, as an Alpha, but I never imagined he would be this breathtaking.

"He's so captivating..." I whispered dreamily.

His features were undeniably dashing, resembling a prince from the pages of a fairytale.

It was the kind of charm that could hold any female lead's gaze endlessly. I was certain that everyone, myself included, couldn't help but indulge in fantasies of being his Luna.

His grace and handsomeness were truly exceptional. I had initially believed people were exaggerating, but they weren't.

His eyes shone like yellow sapphires when touched by the sun's rays, and they sparkled like twinkling stars in the night sky.

His nose was straight, and his lips were so alluring that one couldn't help but imagine pressing their own against them.

And then, my gaze wandered downward, and I noticed his broad shoulders.

"Oh, how would it feel to be embraced by those strong arms?" I mused with a smile, sighing wistfully.

But I quickly shook my head, scolding myself for entertaining such thoughts. I shouldn't let my mind wander like this!

Just as I was lost in my reverie, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder, causing me to squeak in surprise.

"Ack!"

"Oh! I apologize for startling you," she said.

I blinked repeatedly and saw a petite girl before me, her eyes downcast and her hands clasped together nervously. She was dressed in worn helper's attire.

I studied her closely, trying to recall who she might be, until it dawned on me.

She was the girl who had spoken to me earlier, but she wasn't looking at me with contempt this time. I remembered her name: Sonia.

"You’re name is Sonia, right?" I inquired. She glanced at me and nodded.

"Yes, that's me. I apologize if I startled you," Sonia replied. I shook my head and focused on her.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked. She averted her gaze, then looked down.

"I noticed you gazing at the balcony. That's where the young master spends his alone time. But it's best if you leave now. It won't benefit you to stay longer than necessary. What if some higher-ranked individuals spotted you? You could face punishment," she warned.

My eyes widened. ‘Oh no! I must have been staring at the heir for too long. I need to leave!’ I bowed and nodded.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I stared at the heir for too long," I admitted, feeling ashamed.

Earlier, I was eager to go home, yet here I am, transfixed by him like an infatuated girl. "Thank you for letting me know."

"No, it's alright. Many girls fall for him, and those who are deemed disrespectful face severe consequences," she revealed, sounding frightened. Her words warmed my heart.

Sonia, she was kind enough to inform me, hoping I wouldn't end up like the others.

"Thank you for telling me. I should go first," I acknowledged.

Sonia nodded and waved me off. I cast one last glance at the heir before exiting the mansion and heading home.

Glancing at the clock, I realized I only had three hours left before work.

‘Would I even have time to sleep?‘

"I really shouldn't have stared at him for so long. I should have come home right away," I murmured to myself, filled with regret for lingering to admire him.

Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. Upon arriving home, I noticed Auntie Olivia engrossed in watching television.

"I'm back, Auntie," I greeted her, but she simply ignored me without asking about what happened.

Shrugging it off, I made my way to my room in the attic to freshen up. Settling down on the old chair I used for studying, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror and frowned upon seeing the hideous prosthetic on my face.

With a heavy sigh, I started removing it, a task that proved more challenging than applying it.

It would take at least half an hour, and I needed to apply some toner to prevent any damage to my skin. Sleep wasn't an option if I wanted to be efficient at work.

"Good luck to me," I forced a strained smile, releasing another sigh as I shook my head.

After thirty minutes of painstaking effort, I finally finished removing the prosthetic.

A sense of relief washed over me as I applied toner to my face. I stretched my tired arms, which had been diligently working to rid my face of makeup, and observed my reflection in the mirror.

Tilting my head, I couldn't help but smile. The only thing I could thank my parents for was bestowing upon me this face.

However, I wondered if this face was cursed, considering how rare it was for an omega to possess such beauty.

It's not that I am vain, but I must admit that I am content with this appearance. Yet, Auntie was right—it attracted trouble.

A beautiful omega was seen as a sin, an unspoken rule dictating that one should not surpass the higher ranks in beauty. With another sigh, I made my way to the bed, where I sat and lay down for a while, lost in my thoughts.

"I should take a quick nap," I mumbled, closing my eyes.

However, instead of drifting off to sleep, my mind wandered to the vivid memory of encountering the heir on the balcony.

Startled, I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. Images of being embraced by him, nestled against his chest, with tender caresses and a gentle kiss on my forehead flooded my thoughts.

Ah, wouldn't that be wonderful? My cheeks flushed at the mere thought.

“Oh no!” I shook my head and lightly slapped my cheeks. "Snap out of it, Vida! That's just a fantasy!"

Glancing at my wristwatch, panic struck me. It was almost time for my shift!

I sat up abruptly, feeling a jolt of shock. I had been daydreaming for an entire hour! I needed to leave immediately!

Hastily, I rose from my seat, grabbed my bag from the table, and tiptoed downstairs, anxious not to disturb anyone so early in the morning.

Then, propelled by a sense of urgency, I sprinted as if my life depended on it. Well, in a way, it truly did.