He gnawed, there was a loud noise of bones cracking and he glared at the shivering worthless Omega before him "How dare you bring your cursed face to my ceremony? How dare you spread your curse as far as inflicting a wrong feeling in the atmosphere?

I am Alpha Kasper, the bravest of the warriors in the cliffwood pack and the moon goddess has to curse me on a day like this by making you my mate? What bad omen did your presence bring along to my coronation?" He thundered.

Amelia was shivering like a spineless wolf that she is. This is not her fault at all. She wasn't expecting to have a mate in this life.

All she wants is a shelter over her head and food to eat. She would be asking for too much to conceive the thought of having a mate and having the Alpha in the first place.

Why has the moon goddess cursed her and allowed it to spread all over her this way? No one loves her, but at least she was left alive, thanks to Nana.

What will befall her now? What is her fate?

"I won't let your curse spread over the entire pack by making a useless thing like you my mate and the future Luna of this pack. I will reject you and banish you from this pack forever" Alpha Kasper declared.

If that day wasn't his special day and coronation, he would have dug his claws into her and plunged out her intestine and fed it to the birds. Does the moon goddess hate him and his pack this much?

When Nana heard the Alpha's words, she knew it was over for Amelia. She was the reason why she came to the gathering. She was the one that made it compulsory for her. She cannot watch that happen

What will she do now? The Alpha cannot marry her.

"I Alpha..."the Alpha was saying when Nana went on her knees. Her old bones hurt her, kneeling before a boy enough to be her grandson. But for Amelia, she would do anything.

"I ask that the Alpha listen to this old healer. I request for a favour, this is the last favour I want until my death. I am childless and I have no mates anymore. Amelia is all I have now.

She's weak and wolfless. She has no ability to withstand your rejection. She would die and I would return to become that childless she-wolf I used to be.

If you banish her, she'll become a rogue and cannot fight for survival, she would still die. In both ways, I'll lose my child. I'd rather you please abandon her..." Nana pleaded.

"Do you listen to yourself when you speak huh Nana? You're an old woman but you violated the rule that cursed wolves should not come anywhere close to public gatherings of other wolves.

This girl was cursed from birth. She was going to be a plague to the entire pack now because of your unguided emotions to keep her. Now, you don't want the Alpha to reject her so that the whole pack will be plagued and our enemies would raid us all away and destroy our pack.

It is best that she dies. That is the only way we can cleanse the entire pack from her curse. The Alpha cannot mate such a curse and call it his mate neither can this worthless Omega be the Luna of this pack" Beta Night growled.

Amelia's tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks. If it were someone else who said those words, she wouldn't be this hurt, it's alright for them to think mad and say such words. But she was told that the man, Beta, was her father.

She was told otherwise, she would never connect the reality that she was an offspring of that man. He prefers that she dies. He'd always wanted her to die and at every opportunity, he sought her death.

"You won't tell me what to do, Nana. You should be grateful that I didn't have you thrown into the dungeon for bringing this curse here, for my coronation" Alpha Kasper declared.

Suddenly his mother walked over. She glanced at the woman before her. How insulting that her son should be mated to this wolfless omega. Her royal family has been reduced to nothing by the moon goddess.

"It would be cruel for the Alpha Kasper to let anyone die on a day like this. I'd suggest that she should be thrown in the dungeon and be forgotten there. On a day that he chooses, he would reject her and let her miserable curse die with her" she suggested.

How can her son dirt his hands with the blood if a worthless wolf. He should soak his hands with the blood of his enemies, worthy warriors like himself.

Chelsea was secretly unhappy. She sneered. It's better that she dies. If she was spared, she might rise one day to compete with her for Kasper and she cannot take it, she might have to be the one to eventually end her.

"Guards, throw this filth in the dungeon and have her feet stuck in the stocks" Kasper ordered. His mood was soiled. How can it be, that such misery should befall him on the day of his coronation?

The guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Amelia away. She stretched her hand, calling out to Nana "Nana, save me...they're taking me away Nana..." Amelia was sobbing.

Nana fell at the Alpha's feet "I beg that you spare Amelia. I promise to take her away, we'll leave this pack forever. All I ask is that you should let her go and hand her over to me..." She pleaded.

"I see that you have decided to leave your responsibility as the Pack's healer and go with this curse of a girl? Shame on you, Nana, shame on you" The former Alpha Stone reprimanded.

She is the special healer to the pack house and everyone relies on her. She'd got a few apprentices as well. And she was going to leave her duty and become a rogue because of that thing?

"I am the Alpha of his pack. I hereby forbid anyone from coming anywhere close to Amelia Night" Kasper declared. There was an uproar of applause. Finally the decision has been taken against that woman.

Amelia was dragged, her weak body taken to a dungeon far away from the pack house. It was surrounded by tall trees and dug under the earth. It appears only the highest level of offenders were brought there.

She was thrown on the floor and her feet were chained. Just before the guard shut the iron gate, he turned and said "you weren't supposed to be alive. But you are useless and death kept denying it's right over your good for nothing existence, it's good that you are thrown to the wild dogs for dinner"

He glared at her with a killing intent and spat on her. Because she's in the dungeon now, he has to be around, to ensure he keeps a watch over her. What's the use for her existence? She's not good for anyone and she's also not useful for herself.

He wished he could kill her himself.

When Amelia heard the guard's words, she glanced at him with reddened eyes. Even the guards detest her so much. He also wants her to die. Many people want her dead but she's alive, she's not dead, now she knows it's really going to take a lifetime for their desire to come through.

Since she stayed alive until now, it only means that the moon goddess wants her alive and not dead as everyone wants. She will become stronger henceforth. If she survives the dungeon, she will come out stronger and determined.

Amelia closed her eyes and didn't realise that she had dozed off...

***Amelia opened her eyes with a sharp grasp, her arms clutched her cheap dresses as if she'd just escaped from the wild dogs indeed. Her chest heaved up and down, pounding wildly against her rib cage.

She heard a voice in her heart, still echoing loudly in her mind "I shall return..." Was it a dream? Is this what dreams look like? It's so real and she glanced around, oh, she's in the dungeon.

"Oh...so this is how dreams are, so real" Anyways, it's a dream and she'd experienced it. She hugged herself but something was off, the air around her felt...wrong.

It's too cold, too alive and she seemed to feel something off about her. She waved the thought and feelings off. All she wants is to get freed from the dungeon and be with Nana again.

She closed her again and quickly shut them open when she heard footsteps approaching. Her breath stilled, has her date been decided? She tried to stand up, her survival instincts taking a hold of her but her feet were in chains, she fell back.

She must survive, no matter what happens, she must survive this phase of her life and come out alive and strong.

"I have returned..." She heard the thought and she stood still. Was it from her? She glanced around and didn't see anyone except the guard who came into view and glared at her before walking away again.

What is happening?

Why is everything becoming strange to her and around her? A hush of fear clouded her heart when she heard it again. She listened and heard her thoughts "Amelia, we are going to be fine. Stay strong, I'm here with you" she went still. She glanced around and wanted to ask who was speaking when she answered her thoughts again.

"You can call me Ann, I'm your wolf" Amelia's hand stiffened and tears instantly dropped. She's got a wolf! She'd never felt it before. How ...when..had she always been with her all these years?

"Yes, I've always been here. But I'll be active now" Ann answered her thoughts. Now, the mind link was a perfect way for their communication. She can mind link with her wolf form.

A sigh of relief flushed over Amelia. She found her mate, though he hates her and she's undeserving of him, at least she found him and he found her too.

But more than that, she found her wolf too. Looks like her eighteenth birthday was exceptionally beautiful from the moon goddess. She thought she was doomed, but now, she knows that the moon goddess had not totally left her miserable.

The ceremony continued. Alpha Kasper apologised to the other Alpha's who had arrived to grace this special occasion. Nana couldn't bear it, she was humiliated by the Beta so much, using hateful words on her.

Amelia had become a prisoner for committing no sin. Why shouldn't they blame the moon goddess if anyone was to be blamed? It was not Amelia's doing nor was she envisaging the position of a Luna.

Chelsea was furious. Because of Amelia, her position as the Luna of that pack will not be affirmed. If Kasper doesn't reject her, there's no way he can be with her. Why was this woman born to ruin her life and happiness?

Nana wanted to leave but stayed behind. She needs to plead with the Royal family to lessen Amelia's punishment. She's not a criminal, she shouldn't be imprisoned.

The ceremony soon ended. The Alpha had been in a terrible mood. The Alphas that came from other packs were entertained and soon bade a farewell.

Alpha Kasper retired to the pack house. His eyes were fiery red, obviously not pleased with the outcome of who his mate was. He was supposed to have the second part of the ceremony, the mating ceremony, but it was cancelled.

Chelsea walked in and placed her hand on him "It turned out that the ceremony was not as exciting as we thought. Everything got ruined, thanks to the cursed Omega. I wished you had rejected her and let her die.

What use does her existence do to anyone? It only brought her misery and dragged everyone in the pack into this misery. How can there be a new Alpha and no Luna, can't you see how unfortunate she was?

I wished the royal mother hadn't intervened. You should have just rejected her and have her thrown out of the pack. It would be amazing if she turns out to become a meal for the rogues. That's what she deserves.

But I am here for you,Kasper. I am your childhood friend and lover. We've been together for long and today would have been our mating ceremony, but that woman ruined it..." Chelsea gnawed.

"I will make her life miserable. She doesn't want to be rejected, but she would experience a fate worse than rejection" Kasper growled.

"I'm with you Kasper. The moon goddess must have been slumbering to have mistakenly linked you with that cursed Amelia. It was me, she snatched it away from me by her curse. She wants to separate us and be the fated one to you" Chelsea insinuated.

It's in the destiny that the Beta's daughter should be the destined mate to the Alpha. But Amelia sabotaged it. She can't imagine herself would one day share Kasper with Amelia.

So disgusting.

"That would be over my death. And I swear to you Chelsea, over the throne of the Cliffwood pack, that you will be my Luna" Kasper declared, holding Chelsea's hands.

The Former Alpha and his Luna were having a headlong argument with Nana. How dare she try to annul the Alpha's order? Is she courting death?

All the elders were all gathered together. They were the only ones, capable of making the Alpha change his decision and she presented her complaints.

"...this wasn't Amelia's fault that she became the chosen mate for the Alpha. She didn't do it, she didn't initiate it and why should she be punished for what she didn't do?

She's as surprised as the Alpha himself. And tell me, why was she the one punished? Is it because she's a wolfless omega or because she's less than a werewolf like every other pack member of the cliffwood pack.

I want to know why she should be the one to suffer and what is her offence? If anyone has any blame or accusations, he or she should direct it towards the moon goddess if you can" Nana explained.

"Are you saying the Alpha is partial?" Beta Night gnawed, the fury surging within him. He had to apply every restraint to force back his wolf form from taking over his rationality.

"This is preposterous!" The former Alpha thundered. He might not be the present Alpha but he was still as authoritative as before, after all, the new Alpha was still his son.

"I want the Alpha to be present,elders of the cliffwood pack. We can't be talking about a sensitive matter about him and he isn't going to be here" Nana requested, ignoring the outburst of the other people.

"No way am I letting my Alpha son be here to listen to the accusations you have just laid before the elders against him. He is whimpering in discomfort to be destined with a curse instead of a mate.

I was the one who made him lessened the punishment that Amelia deserves for coming to the Pack's gathering. If she wasn't here, we all know his destined mate would have been Chelsea.

If the Alpha had punished her, would you have been able to invite the elders together here for a complaint? You should be grateful that he didn't reject her and let her die from breaking the bond.

He didn't reject her nor banished her and yet you have a complaint against him? You are an old member of this pack, you've been here from the time of my father otherwise I would have had you banished forever" Royal mother frowned, her wolf furious.

"And my question still remains unanswered. What is Amelia's offence that would make her end up in the dungeon? You all can say anything and everything but I want my answers" Nana insisted.

There was a silence that followed.

Elder Kaitano coughed slightly. Everyone waited for him to speak. He glanced at Nana and the royal family seated. Of course Beta Night is automatically a part of the royal family.

"It is true that Amelia was refused from attending any gatherings in the pack. But first, before I proceed, why was she prohibited? Isn't she a member of this pack by birth?"

He glanced round. The royal family first. Then the Beta, Nana and the other elders. He waited and no one said a word. Since he couldn't get the answer, he turned his gaze on the Beta and asked "Beta Night, you are Amelia's biological father, so tell this elders how Amelia became prohibited from the privileges that other pack members have?"

Beta Night growled.

Beta gnashed on his teeth. This cursed girl had reduced him to a commoner in the pack that the elders will now be interrogating?

What nonsense!

He is the Beta of the pack and next to the Alpha himself by hierarchy. And he would have become the father in-law to the Alpha if this cursed thing hadn't ruined it by bringing her evilness to the pack gathering.

"I forbid her from being a part of any gathering in the pack because I am the Beta of this pack and the reason for that decision is because she was cursed.

She was born with a curse and should have died long ago and be forgotten if Nana here hadn't intercepted it" he gnawed, his gaze feisty against the old pack healer.

The elders exchanged glances and the beta felt elated. They should acknowledge his decision and know that he was right to have issued that decree and decision.

Elder Kaitano stamped his walking stick on the floor and nodded as if agreeing with what Beta Night had said. "You said she was cursed from birth. Tell us the nature of the curse if perhaps we can find a cure for it"

Before Beta could respond, the former Luna intercepted "This is a deviation from the reason this meeting was summoned. Please elders, can we ignore the non relevant matter and conclude what needs to be concluded?"

The irritation in her voice cannot be overlooked. Her son has been crowned the new Alpha and she's been held behind by matters that make no sense.

That's Ridiculous!

"I think the former Luna should either exercise a little more patience or we at this moment,lift the ban placed on Amelia and make her have every privilege and access in this pack like every other member.

We are not charlatans, nor do we enjoy spending time staying behind when everyone else has gone to their homes. Do you agree with that?" Elder Kaitano stamped his stick angrily.

"Please your majesty, can I briefly explain what made that girl cursed?" Beta Night hurriedly explained. He cannot afford to let her be free. That would ruin things for his dear daughter Chelsea.

"She was born and my mate died. Her birth brought about my empty and lonely life. Rather than being happy, I mourned the death of my mate. Isn't that enough for her to be a cursed child?

As if that was not enough, she grew up without a wolf. She's worthless, an Omega. I am a warrior, my daughter Chelsea took after me, but that curse in a fleshy form is not. I thereby proclaimed her cursed" Beta sneered.

There were murmurings and silent whispers among the elders. Nana shook her head. Only today, did she know that Beta Night has a small brain. How can he utter such nonsense from his mouth and feel no shame about it?

He's a warrior and a Beta. He can handle the sword and kill rogues in their hundreds without bringing down his sword. He is a shapeshifter but never had she known that he has a low IQ.

A very small brain.

"Is that all that made her cursed?" Elder Kaitano asked, his voice shaking. This innocent girl has suffered humiliation from every member of the pack including his own grandchildren. She was denied several privileges and the reason is just what the beta said?

"Is it not enough to make her a cursed worthless Omega?" Beta Night snared back. His eyes filled with contempt and fury.

The elders exchanged glances and shook their heads. Is this how this man had been? Is this how unjustly he had treated this girl? Why didn't anyone ask questions all these years?

"If that is the reason why she was termed being cursed, that is unfair to her. I hope the Alpha hears this and issues a decree against that. If I remember correctly, your mate was sick and had a premature birth.

If she died, it's because her health was not in order to sustain her after the birth. Amelia was born immature and she became sickly all these years. How can that be her fault? How can you say she was responsible for your mate's death?

And do you realise that her mother's death deprived her of the love of a mother and the privilege of sucking her mother's milk like every other child?

Did she beg to be born? Was it not your doing that resulted in your mate being pregnant with Amelia? In what way has this been her fault Beta Night? Besides, is she the only Omega in the cliffwood pack?

How can she be affirmed to be cursed because she's an Omega? This is injustice and the Alpha must hear about it. Something needs to be done and it's urgent" elder Kaitano declared.

He glanced at the other elders and they nodded in affirmation. The Former Alpha and his mate couldn't utter a word. They were also gobsmacked at the Beta's words.

Sometimes it is always better to be quiet than say things that make others question your intelligence.

"As for being imprisoned, I suggest that the Alpha reconsider his decision. It is understandable that Nana pleaded that he shouldn't reject her because she's wolfless and might not be able to survive the rejection.

He can spare her life by finding other means. If she needs to move to another pack, it would be awesome rather than being a rogue. And if the only way to deal with this is by rejection, then that's her fate.

The moon goddess knows her vulnerability and yet destined her with the Alpha. She knows her weakness and would help her survive" Elder Kaitano concluded.

"Did you do justice here, elder Kaitano? If the Alpha doesn't reject her, he cannot be mated to another and the pack would be without Luna? Even if he chooses a concubine, how can the future heir be born?

Only Luna can birth the future Alpha. Should my son now become stranded because he is trying to save a mere Omega whose usefulness doesn't mean anything to the pack?

That is never going to happen. The Alpha must reject his mate in order to have his Luna" the former Alpha Stone declared.

The other elders reasoned and consulted within themselves. What Alpha Stone said was the truth. The pack needs a Luna and a weak Omega cannot be the Luna. And if the Alpha doesn't reject her, there would not be another mate for him.

Who then will be Luna, ruling alongside him?

How will the future Alpha be born?