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.

VIDA

I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me, but despite my efforts, I still ended up being thirty minutes late. Gasping for breath, I reached my station only to be confronted by my stern-faced supervisor, who narrowed her eyes at me.

"You're half an hour late," she declared. I lowered my gaze, feeling helpless.

Even if I explained that it was unintentional, I knew she would still impose a punishment. There was no room for appeals from those lower in the ranks, especially someone like me whom they refer as, freak.

"I apologize. It won't happen again," I muttered, mustering the courage to look at her. I noticed her left eyebrow arching skeptically.

"OF COURSE! YOU BETTER NOT! WE'RE PAYING YOU TO DO YOUR JOB! TIME IS PRECIOUS, AND CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT BECAUSE OF YOU!" She shouted, angrily.

I nervously bit my lower lip, aware of the attention from onlookers. The shame of my tardiness weighed heavily on me, yet no one seemed to care about my exhaustion or lack of sleep.

"I'm truly sorry!" I pleaded, bowing my head. I yearned for her to cease her tirade as my head throbbed. She grunted in response, shaking her head. Rubbing her temples, she finally glanced at me.

"You, step away from your station. I'll assign your punishment for being late," she commanded, then turned away.

Hastily, I abandoned my post and followed her. However, as we reached the designated spot for my penalty, a frown etched itself on my face. "Since you had the audacity to arrive late, your task is to clean up this area!"

In a hushed voice, I muttered, "The factory's backyard?"

My gaze fell upon the sea of waste and debris that cluttered the space. There was an overwhelming amount to clean up.

‘Could I handle it?’ Exhaustion threatened to consume me, but I knew I couldn't voice my complaints.

"Yes, any thoughts? If you don't want a repeat of this, you better arrive on time!" she scolded, her tone harsh.

With a forceful push, she ushered me out of the building and promptly shut the door.

Letting out a sigh, I made my way to the location where cleaning supplies were distributed.

A separate building housed these items, and it was there that I headed. A lower-ranking supervisor, responsible for overseeing the backyard cleaning, sat behind a desk, engrossed in paperwork. I approached her cautiously.

"Excuse me, may I request a set of cleaning equipment?" I inquired. She scrutinized me from head to toe.

"Are you here as a form of punishment?" she asked.

I nodded, averting my gaze. A sigh escaped her lips as she rose from her seat. Handing me the cleaning gear, she pointed towards a locker.

"You can find the necessary tools in there."

"Thank you." After donning a mask to shield my face, I retrieved the cleaning implements from the designated locker.

With a heavy heart, I stepped outside. The sight of the towering mound of waste and rubbish greeted me in the backyard.

Taking another deep breath, I commenced my arduous task. However, a throbbing headache plagued me. I hadn't eaten breakfast, and my next chance for a meal would only come after five long hours.

Slowly but diligently, I worked my way through the debris, meticulously segregating each item and disposing of it in the appropriate trash bins.

Eventually, the waste was contained within large garbage bags and deposited into the designated receptacle.

These circumstances in my life felt like an ongoing penance, a punishment befitting a cursed soul. Perhaps I deserved it for being a burdened child.

Yet, at times, I allowed myself to entertain a hopeful notion.

What if I had been born into a loving, normal family?

What if I had caring aunts and uncles who cherished me for who I am, supporting and nurturing me?

Such dreams seemed enticing, but they were nothing more than fleeting illusions. Reality dictated otherwise.

There were moments when I contemplated what it would have been like if I had perished alongside my parents.

At least then, I wouldn't be alone, spared from the hardships and animosity of others.

"I miss you, Mom and Dad," I whispered, taking a moment to catch my breath and sit down. A heavy sigh escaped my lips.

"Well, time to get back to work," I muttered, preparing to resume my cleaning duties, when a familiar voice caught my attention.

‘Wait, isn't that Roxanne's voice?’ Curiosity piqued, I moved towards the area where I could eavesdrop on Roxanne's conversation.

And there she was, near the backyard, engaged in conversation with a man.

Roxanne, a bully I had the misfortune of working with, outranked me. She was the daughter of a beta and had also inherited the beta status.

Her outfit consisted of a halter top and high-waisted tight jeans. The makeup on her face, intended to create a dewy look, only made her sharp eyes resemble those of a villain from a melodramatic TV series.

As she started to glance in my direction, I quickly sought refuge behind a large trash bin. I knew that if she spotted me, I would become the target of her wrath once again.

I wasn't sure why she singled me out, but I tolerated it out of fear of enduring more bruises. Peeking out, I observed her conversing with an unfamiliar man.

‘Who could he be, and what were they discussing?’

"The Alpha's mansion is hosting a forthcoming party," the man spoke, his gaze fixed on Roxanne in an unsettling manner.

A sly smirk formed on Roxanne's lips upon hearing his words. My heart raced.

The Alpha's mansion, where my auntie worked, would be the venue for this party.

Anticipation surged within me, as I was certain my auntie would need extra assistance. Such events required numerous helping hands.

However, before I could fully process this exciting thought, I suddenly noticed a pair of black stilettos right in front of me.

Tilting my head upward, I received a stinging slap across my face, causing me to lose my balance and fall to the ground. Without mercy, Roxanne proceeded to kick me repeatedly in the stomach.

"Ouch!" I cried out, enduring the agonizing blows. She then yanked my hair, forcing me to face her. Fear gripped me as I awaited her next move.

"I-I'm... sorry... Please, have mercy on me..." I stuttered, my voice trembling. A malicious smirk adorned her face as she shook her head.

"Why would I? You're so pathetic! I despise you! Ugly! Freak! Murdered" she spat out each word with venom.

Does she truly hate me? But what have I done to deserve her animosity? I haven't wronged her in any way!

With a forceful shove, she sent me crashing into the trash bins. I landed face-first on the ground, the impact causing immense pain throughout my body.

To add insult to injury, she pressed her heels against my face, grinding it into the dirt.

"Know your damn place, you wretched bitch!" she exclaimed, delivering another vicious kick that sent me sprawling into the trash heap.

Suppressing my cries, I braced myself for further torment, fully expecting her to return and inflict more pain upon me.

‘When will this torment ever come to an end?’

BLAZE

I glanced behind me and spotted my father, a wine glass held in his right hand, observing me. He possessed a notorious stern expression that often intimidated others, but not me.

Facing him, I took a drag from the cigarette lodged between my index and middle finger before uttering a few words.

"Are you here to tell me that you want to pass on the throne to me without any conditions?" My father gazed at me with disappointment and let out a sigh. It irked me, but I concealed my true feelings.

"Why don't you grow up, Blaze? Your mother and I won't always be there to shield you," he remarked, joining me and gazing at the stars. I scoffed.

"I know. But you should also know that I have no desire to get married. So why are you so insistent on arranging a marriage for me?" My father locked eyes with me, his breath heavy.

"You're at the age where you should assume the role of the pack's Alpha, and a chosen Luna would assist you in caring for the pack. I don't want the burden of pack responsibilities to weigh on you while you manage the company," he explained.

It was the first time I witnessed my father in such a vulnerable state.

"I understand..." I pondered my emotions in response. It felt as though there was more to this situation than met the eye. Something lingered beneath the surface.

"I don't care who you select as your Luna. Whether they're of lower rank or even an omega, it makes no difference to me. I simply want you to get married and settle down," my father stated.

Our eyes met, and I recognized the familiarity in his gaze, mirroring my own. Letting out a sigh, I stubbed out the cigarette on the stone railing of the balcony and departed.

Leaving the mansion behind, I embarked on a stroll. My father's announcement and his words continued to weigh heavily on my mind.

‘Seek a bride? If I were to embark on such a quest, it would likely take me numerous days, if not years, to find my true mate!’

"I can sense it, Blaze! Our mate is just close by," Knoxx exclaimed with excitement, but I couldn't share the same sentiment.

"Are you certain about it Knoxx? Finding my soulmate could take months or even years. Worse yet, she might not even be alive," I grumbled, feeling Knoxx's disagreement through our bond.

"No, I'm certain she's nearby. I felt it, although it was faint. Perhaps she hasn't realized we're destined mates yet!" Knoxx insisted.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. ‘Whatever.’

If she comes, both of us will know. The moon goddess will reveal it. I lost track of time, but when I encountered a pack member, they smiled at me.

"Congratulations Mr. Blaze Dawson," they said. I nodded and continued walking past them. As I distanced myself, a frown creased my brow.

"It seems the news has already reached the pack members," I remarked to Knoxx. He shrugged nonchalantly.

"It's bound to happen. After all, you're the heir and the strongest wolf in the pack," he explained. I shook my head, trying not to dwell on it.

Many pack members congratulated me, but I brushed them off. Their well-wishes didn't sit well with me. Then I overheard two betas conversing.

"I heard the Alpha is planning a ball for the heir," the female beta said, crossing her arms.

"Oh, really? I heard the same. It seems the Alpha wants to find a partner, rather a wife for the heir. Do you think we might have a chance?" another female beta giggled.

I rolled my eyes as I know I have standards. ‘I'm not desperate to choose just anyone besides my mate!’

"Damn it!" I had no idea about this ball they were discussing. I needed to speak with my mother about it.

I returned to the mansion to find her, but she wasn't in her room. ‘Where could she be?’

Then I spotted an omega cleaning the windows. I called out to her.

"You," I exclaimed. The omega turned and immediately averted her gaze onto me. I approached her.

"What do you need, heir?" she asked. I sighed, adopting a stern expression.

"Where is my mother?" I inquired. She gestured towards the east wing with her arm.

"She's in the drawing room, heir. She mentioned working on her embroidery." Without wasting any time, I left and headed to the drawing room, where I found my mother engrossed in her peaceful activities. I approached her.

"Mother, what is this I've heard? Father is organizing a ball? For what? For whom?" I demanded. My mother looked at me and let out a sigh.

"Yes, it's been decided. For you, son. And like we’ve mentioned, it's for your own good," she responded. I ran my hands through my hair, staring at her with anger.

"Do you know about all of father's plans, mother?" I questioned.

She averted her gaze and remained silent. I was beyond angry, I was furious!

Why couldn't they just let me handle things as though time wasn't running out? Rolling my eyes, I turned to leave when my mother called out to me.

"Where are you going, Blaze?" she asked. I scoffed at her.

"Away from all of you!" I snapped. I left the mansion to calm my nerves. If I didn't leave, I would unleash chaos inside. I made my way to the back forest, stripped off my clothes, and prepared to run with Knoxx.

"Knoxx, take over! I need to get out of here!" I instructed.

Closing my eyes, I embraced my shift. I felt my bones break and reform, transforming into my wolf form. Opening my eyes, I darted out of the mansion's grounds. I needed to run, to clear my head and think.

"Where shall we go?" Knoxx asked. Only one place came to mind.

"To La Selena Lake," I replied. Knoxx nodded and raced towards our destination. It was the perfect spot to bask under the moonlight.

When I was young, I was told that La Selena Lake was the dwelling place of the Moon Goddess, although no one had ever proven it.

The first time I shifted into my wolf form, I visited the lake for a soothing soak. As I arrived, I allowed Knoxx to lead.

I took in the breathtaking scenery—the lake's water mirroring the sky. I leaped into the lake and chose not to return to my human form.

The serene waters calmed me as I swam around, and then I noticed someone on the other side of the lake—a woman.

‘What was she doing here?’ I was curious.

‘Could she not hear me?’ I contemplated approaching her and reverting to my human form, but before I could act, someone called out to me.

"Sir Blaze!" They called. It was the mansion's guards and the beta warriors. I rolled my eyes.

"Your mother requested us to bring you back," they informed me.

I glanced at where the woman had been, but then decided to comply and accompany them. The woman's tranquility was disrupted, so I followed them. I don’t want to cause her trouble.

‘Would I have the chance to meet her again?’