Phoebe's point of view.
"Ouch! Please don't hit me! I don't want to rest anymore! I will... continue working! I'll do anything you ask. Please..."
No matter how much I begged, the beating didn't stop.
A burst of abusive scolding echoed in my ear. "You b*tch! We provide for you, yet you dare to slack off when we ask you to do some chores!
"How dare you glare at me? Do you want me to gouge out your eyeballs!"
That was the rebuke from my foster mother, Kassie Copeland.
My name's Phoebe Copeland. Indeed, I was the foster daughter of the Copeland family. I heard they found me in the forest and brought me back. At that time, I was almost becoming dinner for lions.
Although they saved my life, I would never say gratitude to them.
They fed me with the leftovers from everyone's meals in the house. The place they provided for me to live was a small barn, and the clothes they gave me were the ones worn-out by the household servants.
Since I could remember, I had been doing various household chores every day, such as cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning the house and the farmhouse.
I had the most household chores, yet my status was the lowest.
If I had known at that time that being rescued and brought home by them would feel like this, I would rather have died in the forest.
After midnight, I would be 18 years old.
I would be having my transformation ability into a werewolf soon. Initially, I wanted to take a day off.
As a result, I ended up receiving a severe beating because I expressed dissatisfaction with the household chores arranged by Kassie.
Pain spread all over my head from my cheeks, and my vision blurred.
Every time I got kicked, I felt intense pain, as if countless hot nails pierced my skin, causing every inch of my muscles to convulse violently.
I tried defending myself, but my body had become weak and incapable of resisting the onslaught from all directions. Each strike left me feeling an enormous impact.
My breathing became rapid and difficult, and my body couldn't bear such agony.
After the beating, I got thrown into the barn like trash.
I kept shedding tears from the pain and groaned feebly.
I begged the Moon Goddess to pity me, bestow upon me a strong werewolf body, and take me out of this suffocating place.
As the night fell, the full moon outside the window shone with a mysterious light.
A strong sense of unease suddenly swept over me. My body began to tremble as if an irresistible force was brewing inside. I knew these were signs of my transformation.
I was nervous and excited at the same time. As my body was undergoing a violent change, a heart-wrenching howl erupted from my throat.
My body completely transformed into a majestic wolf, with silver fur shining brightly. I was in awe of my beautiful wolf form.
Due to my weak constitution, my first transformation didn't last long.
As I fell into a drowsy sleep, two people barged into my room and forcibly took me away. Since I was exhausted from the torment, I had no strength to struggle.
When I woke up the next day, I found myself back at my foster parents' house.
"Put it on!" Kassie ordered as she tossed me a white dress.
While feeling utterly confused, I heard mocking laughter from outside the door. It was the voice of Kassie's biological daughter, Monica Copeland. "Huh, a lowly werewolf like you probably has never worn such a nice dress in your entire life. If it weren't for you getting married soon, I wouldn't have bothered giving it to you."
"Getting married?" I asked while being perplexed by the situation.
Monica laughed wildly again. "Well, you're going to marry that dying Alfredo Livingston soon. You should feel honoured. Otherwise, with your status, how could you get married into the Alpha's pack?"
Alfredo from the Alpha's pack?
That cruel and ruthless demon?
I heard he fell seriously ill and was close to death. Before this, he had several wives, but all of them had mysteriously disappeared.
There were rumours that Alfredo had cruelly murdered those women.
The purpose of the marriage was to take care of him until his death and then become one of his grave goods.
I was only 18, yet they wanted me to become a grave good?
I couldn’t accept this cruel fate. I had just gained my shapeshifting ability into a werewolf and would encounter my destined mate in the future!
My happy days had only just begun!
"No, I don't want to get married!" I exclaimed.
"Humph, do you think you have a choice?
"We've raised you for 18 years. It's time for you to repay us now."
"No, you people haven’t been raising me for 18 years! On the contrary, I’ve been your slave for 18 years! You’ve never cared about my me... Ouch!"
Before I could finish my words, Kassie slapped me across the face.
My cheeks burned with pain. At that moment, I kept telling myself I mustn't compromise and must escape from here!
Kassie wouldn't allow me to leave. She locked me up and forbade anyone from giving me food.
I overheard the servants outside discussing, saying that Monica was the one meant to be sent for marriage. However, Kassie didn't want her biological daughter to become one of the grave goods, so she chose me.
This intensified my determination to escape.
When I was taken outside for makeup and to change into a wedding gown, I finally found the right opportunity to escape.
I looked at the position of the main entrance, knowing that if I could rush out through it, I could escape the clutches of those wicked people.
Therefore, I exerted all my strength and ran forward.
All of a sudden, I bumped into someone.
A deep and primitive aura instantly wafted over.
It was a unique and fascinating scent, blending the fragrance of nature with a wild essence.
This scent filled my senses, making it irresistible to me.
It accelerated my heartbeat and made my blood boil, as if an ancient instinct had awakened within me.
When he got close to me, I could feel the powerful impact of this scent. It resembled an electric current running through my body, connecting me closely with him.
Indeed, my destined mate appeared when I needed help the most.
My heart raced, and my body trembled involuntarily. Anticipation and anxiety intertwined as well.
I muttered to myself, "Mate!"
But when I looked up, I found my destined mate to be my elder sister's boyfriend, Ken.
When my family caught up, they seemed to sense the subtle atmosphere between Ken and me.
Monica pressed on to Ken. "Ken, are you really going to accept a slave like her as your mate? She's just a weak Omega Werewolf!"
Her words carried an intense sense of pride and mockery.
I couldn't help but lower my head.
Ken lifted my chin, and I saw the desire in his eyes.
If he accepted me, it would be the best revenge against these wicked b*tches because Ken was the heir to our pack's Alpha!
I had a crush on him since I was little, but I never dared to confess.
I knew that no one would fall in love with an Omega Werewolf. However, the bond of mates had connected us.
It was a blessing from the Moon Goddess.
I looked at him with anticipation.
"Mate!" Kane said with a smile.
His gentle smile filled me with hope. When I abruptly looked up at him, my heartbeat was out of control again.
Then, I heard him say, "Honestly, I’m disappointed. You don't fit the criteria of my ideal mate, but the ridiculous fate has us bonded."
"Huh... What did you say?" I could hardly believe my ears.
Ken heartlessly continued, "I said I reject a ridiculous Omega Werewolf like you to be my mate."
