CHAPTER 1: Rejected

Bianca's POV

I didn't want to go downstairs for lunch. If I had my way, I'd stay locked in my room forever, away from the stares, the whispers, and the suffocating presence of my so-called family.

But Dad's rules demands everyone must be at the table during mealtime.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself out of bed and forced my feet to move. As I descended the stairs, the hum of conversation met my ears.

They had already started eating without me. For a moment, I considered just turning around and going back to my room, but I remembered Dad's rules.

Taking in a deep breath, I pushed my feet forward until I arrived at the table, and the moment I did, all eyes were fixed on me.

As usual, my stepmother had the annoyed look she always wore whenever she saw me. My stepsister Vanessa had that pure look of hate, and my father had a look of love and concern in his eyes.

"You're here," Dad said, setting down his fork. "I was about to send someone to get you."

I forced a small smile and walked over to take my seat across from Vanessa.

"You should consider getting surgery," my stepmother sneered, stirring her coffee.

"Your face looks awful."

Vanessa let out a soft chuckle. "She shouldn't even bother, Mother," she chimed in. "It won't help."

My heart ached at their cruel words, but I buried the pain, quietly placing two pancakes on my plate.

"At least she should try," my stepmother continued coldly. "I'm tired of looking at that ugly face every day," she spat, her tone filled with bitterness.

"Enough!" Dad's authoritative voice resounded in the air, and both my stepmother and Vanessa went mute.

I swallowed my pain and took a bite of pancake, forcing it down. I was used to their cruel remarks about my looks and how I was wolfless.

To them, being wolfless was an unforgivable disgrace. I was a shameful secret, an embarrassment to the family. Every day, my stepmother reminded me of how unfortunate I was; how ugly, how useless.

After a long silence, Dad finally spoke again. "We're leaving for the town square soon. Everyone, be ready."

I sighed inwardly. Today was the anniversary celebration of our pack, and all pack members would be celebrating at the town square. I didn't feel like going. I wished I could stay back in my room. What was the point of trying to mingle with pack members who ridiculed me and saw me as an outcast?

I thought about asking Dad if I could stay home, but I already knew what his answer would be. He hated leaving me behind. He insisted I socialize, even when most of the pack wished I didn't exist.

After lunch, Dad drove us to the town square.

The town square was booming with celebration. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, the scent of roasted meat and sweet pastries filled the air, and the sound of laughter echoed through the streets. Pack members danced, drank, and talked in cheerful voices.

I wished I could disappear.

I kept my head down as we walked in, trying to make myself as small as possible. But it didn't matter. The whispers started almost instantly.

"Why is she even here?"

"Still no wolf? What a disgrace."

"She should just leave the pack already."

"Such an ugly creature."

"I swear if she were in my house, I wouldn't mind selling her off."

The words were painful, even though I had heard them all before.

Vanessa, walking a few steps ahead, turned back just enough to smirk at me. "You should smile more, Bianca. Oh, wait… I forgot. That face can't be helped."

Her friends burst into laughter.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and kept moving. Father shot Vanessa a warning glance, but as always, he didn't actually do anything. He never truly stopped them; only ever told them to tone it down when it got too obvious.

Then, suddenly, the energy in the atmosphere shifted.

A heavy silence fell over the crowd. People turned, their eyes widening in awe and fear. 

I felt it before I even saw him.

Alpha Enzo had arrived.

He walked into the gathering like he owned the world; because, in a way, he did. His broad shoulders were squared, his midnight-black hair slightly tousled by the wind. His piercing blue eyes swept over the crowd, unreadable as always. He didn't have to speak. His presence alone commanded attention. Even the strongest warriors lowered their heads in respect.

I didn't.

Instead, I lifted my chin and stared at him with a glare.

I hated him.

Not because he was powerful. Not because he was my Alpha. But because he was ruthless. In Alpha Enzo's world, there was no room for mercy. He was strict, brutal, and heartless.

One by one, everyone bowed their heads. Even me.

Then, before he could speak, a scream tore through the air.

The celebration stopped instantly.

The scent of blood filled my nose.

Flames erupted.

People screamed. Warriors rushed forward as snarls and growls echoed through the square.

The blood fangs.

We were under attack.

The entire crowd scattered, everyone running to take cover.

Thorns of fire erupted in the air, some already falling from the force.

Where's Dad? Where's Venessa?

I searched through the panicked crowd for Dad, but he was nowhere in sight. My heart raced, my blood rushing in agony.

Neither Venessa nor her friends were anywhere in sight. I staggered, my legs pinned to the floor as the terrified pack members shoved past me in their desperate escape.

The once-crowded square gradually became a desolate battlefield, littered with thorns of fire. The booming music stopped abruptly, replaced by the rising cries of warriors and the fearful murmurs of those who couldn't fight.

The fluttering banners were torn and scattered in disarray.

From a distance, the voices of those who had run forward erupted once more, their cries echoing in dread.

 Standing in the middle of the pack, my instincts screamed at me to hide. My legs trembled; I could barely lift them, crippled by fear.

The approaching noise grew louder.

Closer than I had anticipated.

 They were angry warriors.

My eyes widened in shock, and my heart etched in fear…..