Chapter 1: Little Orphan Girl

Evelyn’s POV

I often wonder what my life might have been like if my parents hadn't died when I was a baby. Maybe I'd be part of a loving family, with parents who cherished me and siblings who treated me like an equal. Instead, I was adopted by Alpha Hayes, the leader of the Blood Cloud Pack. Sounds grand, doesn't it? Being adopted by an Alpha should mean protection, privilege, and power. But for me, it meant none of those things.

Alpha Hayes took me in out of some sense of duty or maybe even pity. To him, I was just another mouth to feed, another burden. He never treated me as his own, nor did his daughter, Hannah. If anything, she made it her life's mission to remind me daily of my place in their household. To her, I was nothing more than a worthless orphan, a waste of space, and a convenient target for her cruelty.

My days were filled with endless chores and harsh words, and the echoes of her taunts haunted my nights. Hannah had a special talent for finding new ways to torment me. She'd hide my things, trip me in the hallways, and spread vile rumors about me at school. But the physical abuse was the worst. She loved to see me flinch, loved to see the fear in my eyes when she raised her whip.

And yet, I never fought back. Not because I was scared—though I often was—but because I had hope. Hope that one day, when I turned eighteen and got my wolf, I'd finally be strong enough to leave this place, to live a life free from Hannah's cruelty and the disdain of the Blood Cloud Pack.

This morning was no different. I woke to the sting of ice-cold water crashing onto my face. Spluttering and gasping for breath, I blinked up to see Hannah Hayes.

Hannah stood over me, her tall and slender frame casting a shadow that seemed to stretch across the entire room. Her long, golden hair was perfectly styled, cascading down her back in soft waves, as if she had just stepped out of a salon. Her piercing blue eyes were cold and calculating, filled with malice that contrasted sharply with her angelic appearance. She wore a designer outfit, tailored to fit her perfectly, exuding wealth and privilege—everything I was not.

As she loomed over me with the bucket in one hand and the whip in the other, her lips curled into a satisfied smirk. There was a cruel glint in her eyes, a look of twisted pleasure that only deepened when she saw my shocked and pained expression. Even at this early hour, her makeup was flawless, highlighting her high cheekbones and full lips. She looked every bit the princess of the pack.

"Get up, you worthless piece of trash," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. She struck me sharply across the arm with the whip, the pain searing through my skin. "Breakfast isn't going to make itself."

Hannah radiated confidence and cruelty in equal measure. She relished in her power over me, her every movement deliberate and graceful, like a predator toying with its prey. This was her favorite part of the day, her chance to remind me of my place and to exert her dominance. To the rest of the world, she was the perfect daughter of Alpha Hayes, but to me, she was nothing short of a nightmare.

Silently, I swung my legs off the bed and stood up, my wet clothes clinging to me. This was nothing new. For as long as I could remember, this had been my morning routine.

I didn't respond, keeping my eyes downcast as I shuffled past her towards the kitchen. I learned long ago that fighting back only made things worse. But today was my eighteenth birthday. Today, I hoped everything would change.

As I prepared breakfast, I thought about tonight, about the new life I'd have once I got my wolf. Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Hannah sauntering into the kitchen, her eyes narrowing as she watched me. "Make sure it's perfect, Evelyn. Father has important guests coming over," she sneered before leaving me to my work.

After serving breakfast, I hurried off to school, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. Today was the day I would get my wolf, and nothing Hannah did could ruin that.

As I walked through the school's front doors, I spotted Colin, the most handsome boy in school and the captain of the baseball team. He was leaning against his locker, a lazy smile spreading across his face as he saw me.

"Hey, Evelyn," he called, sauntering over. "You look different today. Pretty, even."

I stiffened. Colin was popular, and every girl in school swooned over him, including Hannah. But he seemed to enjoy talking to me, perhaps because I was the only one who didn't fawn over him. I knew better than to engage with him, though. Colin's attention only brought trouble.

"Leave me alone, Colin," I muttered, trying to walk past him.

But he stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Come on, Evelyn. Don't be like that. How about we hang out after school?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to sidestep him. "And why would I want to do that? So you can boost your ego by being seen with the 'orphan maid'? No, thanks."

He chuckled, leaning against the locker with a casual grace that made it hard to ignore him. "You wound me, Evelyn. I thought we could have some fun. Besides, you might find out I'm not as bad as you think."

"Oh, I'm sure you're worse," I shot back, finally meeting his eyes. "You're the king of this school, and I'm just a pawn. We don't mix."

Colin's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of genuine curiosity. "You know, you're the only girl who talks to me like that. It's refreshing. I wonder what makes you so different."

I shrugged, keeping my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. "Maybe because I see through your charm. Or maybe because I have better things to do than play your games."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Or maybe because you're afraid you might actually like me if you got to know me."

I snorted, shaking my head. "Not likely."

"Care to test that theory?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Before I could respond, a shrill voice cut through the air. "Colin! What are you doing talking to that nobody?"

Hannah stormed over, her eyes blazing with anger. She shoved me aside and wrapped her arm possessively around Colin's. "Don't waste your time on her," she snapped, glaring at me. "She's not worth it."

Colin chuckled, but I could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. "Relax, Hannah. I was just being friendly."

Hannah's grip on his arm tightened. "Friendly? With her?" She turned her full fury on me. "You think you can flirt with Colin, you worthless orphan? You think you're special?"

I tried to back away, but Hannah grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. "Maybe we should teach her a lesson," she said, loud enough for everyone around to hear. "Maybe we should strip her and hang her from a tree. That'll show her."

Laughter erupted from the crowd, and I felt my face burn with humiliation. This was too much. For two years, I had endured Hannah's abuse without complaint. But this... this was beyond my limit.

"Let go of me," I said quietly.

"What did you say?" Hannah sneered, tightening her grip.

"I said let go of me!" I shouted, yanking my arm free and slapping her across the face.

Gasps filled the air, and Hannah staggered back, her eyes wide with shock. For a moment, the entire world seemed to stand still. No one had ever dared to strike Hannah Hayes, and now here I was, glaring at her with a mixture of anger and defiance.

"You'll regret this," she spat, touching her reddening cheek.

But I didn't stick around to see what she did next. I turned on my heel and marched out of the school, my heart pounding with adrenaline. For the first time in two years, I had stood up to Hannah. And it felt good.

As I fled the school grounds, my heart pounded in my chest, and my mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I sprinted towards the forest, the familiar scent of pine and earth filling my lungs. Tears blurred my vision, but I didn't care. I needed to get away from that school, from Hannah, from Colin, from everyone.

The trees closed in around me, their branches reaching out like comforting arms. The forest was my sanctuary, the one place where I could escape the cruelty that had become my life. I slowed to a walk, my breaths coming in ragged gasps as I navigated the winding paths. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

I wandered aimlessly for hours, replaying the scene at school over and over in my mind. The humiliation, the anger, the defiance—I had finally fought back. I knew I was going to pay for it.

As I walked deeper into the forest, my thoughts drifted to the future. At exactly midnight, I would turn eighteen, and with it came the promise of change. Tonight, at midnight, I would finally get my wolf. I imagined the transformation, the surge of power I would feel as I transformed. I couldn't wait.

I would no longer be weak and helpless. I would be strong, capable of defending myself and escaping this life of servitude.

I pictured myself leaving the Blood Cloud Pack behind, starting a new life in a distant town where no one knew my past. I would get a job, save up money, and rent a small apartment—a place of my own. I would decorate it with cozy furniture and warm colors, filling it with the things I loved. I would wake up each morning to the soft rays of the sun, not the harsh sting of cold water and Hannah's mocking laughter.

I could see it so clearly, me, standing on my own two feet, free from the Hayes family's control. I would work hard, somewhere peaceful and quiet. I would make friends, people who appreciated me for who I was, not what I was.

The forest was quiet. The only sound was the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. I sat on a fallen log, my eyes fixed on the horizon as the sun began to set. The anticipation was building inside me, a tingling sensation spreading through my body as I thought about midnight.

As the sky darkened and the stars twinkled, I closed my eyes and whispered a silent prayer. Midnight was almost here. I could feel it. This was the moment I had been waiting for.

And then... nothing. Midnight came and went, and I felt no different. There was no surge of power, no connection to my wolf. I was still just Evelyn, the worthless orphan, the maid of the Hayes family.

Tears filled my eyes as the realization hit me. I didn't have my wolf. I would never have my wolf. My dreams of freedom, of leaving the Blood Cloud Pack behind, were shattered.

I sat there in the forest, alone and broken, as the weight of my reality pressed down on me. The life I had dreamed of was slipping through my fingers, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.