Millicent's POV

I had just taken out the dirty laundry and proceeded to separate them into the different washing basins when I heard my name.

'Millicent', the voice was really close and I swung round to see who the caller was, I hadn't known that someone else was behind the courtyard, with me. The courtyard was where I liked washing.

It was a voice that commanded respect and brooked no disobedience. Before I even saw his face, I already knew it was Alpha Sylvester.

'Yes?' I answered.

'Is that any way to speak to your Alpha?' he asked, his voice thunderous. 'Add Alpha to your utterance whenever you address me!'

'Yes, Alpha!' I said, not really showing much remorse.

I will not call you Alpha if I can get away with it, despite your maltreatment of me because I know you do not deserve that title. You have not earned it as far as I am concerned, I thought to myself.

You are the cause of my predicament - you orchastred my loss - and hence do not deserve any respect or reverence from me. I was secretly rebellious. I, had at first shown my rebellion, not being afraid of what he might do to me. I wanted him to end my torture so that I could be with my family wherever they were in the afterlife but as time went on, I grew wiser, feeling that my parents' deaths could not go unavenged. I therefore, adopted a servile attitude and it made the Alpha happy but sometimes, I forget myself and would not call him by his title.

'Immediately after doing the laundry, report in throne room for an important instruction', he said and without waiting for my response, he left.

'Immediately after doing the laundry, report in the throne room for instructions!' I mimicked him, eyeing him with the deep loathing I feel for him.

It gave me great satisfaction to defy him in some way, even if it was only in secret. I took my time with the laundry but I could not postpone going to him for the instructions forever.

I went in to see the Alpha as instructed but met him in a hot embrace with Cathania. They were kissing brazenly and Sylvester's hand was inside her dress. I stood there waiting. Disgusted with the scene before me. I stared fixedly at the wall, wondering if he had called me here for the express reason to make me watch how he made out with his girlfriend. I could not endure the repulsive scene before me any longer and produced a little cough to alert them of my presence when they seemed to be so absorbed in each other that they couldn't sense or smell my presence.

'Jeez', Cathania swore as she jerked away from her lover, straightening her dress. Sylvester had had his hands deep inside her, and her moans had prevented them from hearing me approach. 'Can you not knock?'

'I did but you were obviously too busy to hear', I retorted, my disgust evident in my voice and face.

'You will mind how you speak to me', she shouted at me.

Ignoring her, 'You asked me to see you', I said facing Alpha Sylvester.

' You asked me to see you, Alpha. Add Alpha', Cathania corrected furiously, looking from the indifferent expression on my face to Sylvester, and wondering why he put up with my insolence.

I kept looking at the Alpha as his eyes darkened in anger. I cared less. I was tired and not ready to care if my attitude annoyed anyone or not, definitely not the spoilt daughter of a warrior.

'Millicent, I will not remind you to address me properly in future', he said in a deadly voice. 'If I do, then, that will be the last time you use your ears, because I shall cut them off!'

Be careful, Millicent! I advised myself.

'I'm sorry, Alpha Sylvester, I did not mean to antagonize you', I said meekly. 'You sent for me. You intimated that it was very urgent'.

'I am throwing a party to announce my engagement to Cathania in a week', he said. 'I have told your Omega Lilian about it. She will intimate you on what your tasks will be'. He waved her off dismissively.

I nodded and bowing, left his presence, but not before seeing the smug look Cathania gave me. Did she think I was jealous of her engagement to Sylvester? Or was she trying to make me realise that my fate would worsen once she became Luna?

Omega Lilian was the head Omega. She took her position too seriously and though she was fair to me, the other Omegas were not. They took advantage of my fragile look and bullied me. I had accepted that before now because I had nobody in the world and did not feel like continuing in this world but my attitude changed over time but by then they were already used to my docile acceptance of their bullying.

I walked from the throne room to the Omega's quarters, and located Lilian speaking to a group of Omegas and waited at a respectable distance, waiting for her to finish addressing them, so I could approach her for instructions concerning the damn engagement party.

'What are you doing listening in on us?', Shannon, one of the bully omegas asked eyeing me. 'Were you not taught by your parents that eavesdropping on your elders is bad manners?'

I could feel my anger growing. How dare the pig, mention my parents. I had just come from the throne room where Cathania had irked me and here was this fool adding salt to my injury.

I looked at Shannon angrily, but kept quiet.

'Why are you starring at me like that?' she demanded. 'You have started growing wings. You are just the maid of the Alpha but recently, you have started behaving as though you are his mate. He will never bring himself so low as to make you his bedmate, if that is what you are trying for'.

I wondered why she would think that. But I did not dwell too much on that as I could no longer control the anger I had been repressing, and leapt from where I was standing, onto her, pushing her to the ground. I gave her a punch on the face and kept hitting her anywhere my hand connected with.

The others were shocked, I heard their gasp, they had never seen me behave in such a violent and aggressive manner. They had always taken me for granted, bullying me into doing their chores and I had not complained and they had thought it was out of my fear of them. They could see now, hopefully, that was obviously, not the case. That submission and compliance did not necessarily depict weakness.

It was Lilian who recovered first. 'Millicent! Stop it, this instant!' she bellowed but I was past caring and continued hitting and clawing Shannon till hands pulled me away from the coward bully who was whimpering on the ground.

Slap! On my cheek, it was from Lilian.

'You know it is against the pack laws to fight without cause in this quarters. Why did you break the rule?'

I rubbed her cheek with my hand, it stung but I didn't mind the pain because I was still seething. I looked around to see that a little crowd that gathered to watch the entertainment. Some of the men had were smiling at me with a kind of grudging admiration as we're some of the women, while others were looking daggers at me like they wanted to beat me to death. The men walked away as soon as the fight ended but the Omegas continued whispering among themselves.

'She asked for it', I replied. 'She's had it coming for a long time now'.

'Stop that and tell me why you fought her, or I will not only punish you severely, but Alpha Sylvester will hear of it and I need not tell you how angry he would be'.

'He sent me to you for instructions concerning his forthcoming engagement', I explained. 'You were addressing them when I got here, I stood here waiting for you to be through so I could be told what my duties were to be on that day, when she started picking on me. As if that wasn't enough, she had to mention my parents as well. You teach us respect here in the quarters. Are my parents not worthy of being shown some respect by her?' I heaved, still visibly vexed by the slight I perceived had been thrown on my late parents.

Lilian knew I was right. 'But that was no way to show your displeasure', she scolded me. 'Shannon, you did wrong, disrespecting her parents', she told her. 'I do not want a repeat of this occurrence. Is that clear?' she asked, looking at the both of us.

'Yes ma'am, we both said simultaneously.

'Else, the both of you will be severally punished', Lilian continued as though we had not spoken.. 'Even now, I shall give you some task as a form of punishment to serve as a deterrent to others!'

Shannon eyed me as she stood from the ground and was dusting herself. 'You will regret raising your hand to me!' she threatened, and I merely wrinkled my nose at her, already walking away with Lilian as I received instructions on what my duties were before and on the engagement day. Shannon was already out of my mind- she was the least of my problems.

Every Omega, in fact every wolf always wondered how it would be like on their eighteenth birthday. That was the age when they officially came into their wolf.

My eighteenth birthday was fast approaching and I was no different. I prayed to the moon goddess.

'Oh goddess, you have not been fair to me, you blessed me with everything and then took everything away from me', I said as I recalled my mother falling with her her unborn son, throat bitten off, and my father lying in the pool of his own blood as the life drained out of him.I sniffed and looked up, to stop the tears falling. 'You allowed me to be orphaned and all I hold dear taken from me. I am asking for a very strong wolf on my eighteenth birthday, to enable me work out my revenge on my enemy'.

The day of my eighteen birthday dawned and I longed for a work - free day to help me celebrate in private this special day. But did I say a work - free day? Was it going to be possible since my birthday coincided with the engagement party of the Alpha, I wondered.

I stretched my hands above my head and my legs as well as my bones cracked into place. I then bent backwards as though breaking myself in two. I just wanted these few moments alone. 'Happy birthday, Millicent O'Brien Harry', I wished myself quietly. 'May this new year of yours bring you closer to the realisation of your dreams'.

When I realised a couple of days ago that the engagement ceremony was coinciding with my birthday, I had gone to Lilian.

'Ma'am, You know that I always do my chores without complaint. But I just found out that the Alpha's engagement party is on the same day that I turn eighteen. Could I be excused from work on that day?' I asked.

'Really?' Lilian asked. 'But you see, there is nothing that I can do about it. Alpha Sylvester wants you to handle the chores, serving the guests and all. But you can go to him and explain. He is the only one who has the authority to excuse you from your duties on that day', she smiled sympathetically at me.

I hate asking any favours of Sylvester but I just wanted that day to myself so that I could indulge in thoughts of my parents and discuss with my wolf in case I came into it that day. So, I went to him and found him where I knew he would be - in the throne room.

'Alpha', I greeted respectfully.

'Did I send for you?' he asked arrogantly.

'You did not. I came of my own volition', I said my head bowed.

'Speak. What do you want?' he asked.

'Your engagement coincides with my eighteenth birthday, and you know how important that particular birthday is', she said.

'So?'

The way he said that single word made me visualize a raised eyebrow.

'I was hoping that you would excuse me from my chores that day. Make it a work free day for me. Of course I shall continue with my duties the very next day, working double if necessary', I declared, still bowed and aching from the strain of it and hating Sylvester for not being considerate enough to ask her to stand upright.

'And who told you I did not know it is your birthday, next tomorrow? That is the express reason I fixed my engagement on that day', he said mockingly, with a corresponding mocking smile playing on his lips. I stood upright with shock, not waiting for him to ask it of me. I could not believe what I had just heard. I was his personal maid and he was supposed to know my birthday if he was a considerate Alpha which he was not. All these years, he had not said anything about my birthday. I had not felt like celebrating it and so had not mentioned it to anyone except to Samantha and I am sure she hadn't mentioned it to anyone. But this birthday was special to me.

'You knew?' I asked, shocked as what he said sank. How could someone be as cruel as this?

'You are my maid. How could I not know?', he asked, watching her contemplatively. 'And how dare you think of celebrating on the same day that I am? Do you not have any respect for your Alpha? Perish the thought and get yourself ready for your chores on the said day. Now get out of here!' he ordered dismissively.

'But...'

'This matter is settled!' he said in a voice that brooked no contradiction.

I left his presence seething.

Today, the morning of my eighteenth birthday, the memory of my discussion with the Alpha besieged me but I pushed it to the back of my mind. I was not going to allow anything take my joy from me.

Before starting my chores, I decided to go for a quick dip in the stream, not far from the Omega's quarters.

I ran all the way there. I like being the first there. It felt special that way and if that was the only treat I could give myself on this day, then so be it.

As I was about to get into the water, I looked into it and instead of my reflection, I saw a white wolf. I looked behind me to see if there was someone else there but saw no one. Where had the wolf come from? I looked into the water again and the wolf was still there.

'Hello, Millicent. Happy Birthday to us', the wolf said and I understood.

'Yes, as you have just realised, I'm your wolf, Milly'.

'I'm glad to have you', I said happily, hoping the wolf was as strong as I desired and had asked of the moon goddess.

'That is not all. Strong or not, our mate should more than make up for that. With him, we are stronger than you can imagine'.

'Our mate?' I asked astonished. 'You know who he is?' I had not been particular about a mate but if the mate was as strong as my wolf was intimating, then rather than be an obstacle to my purpose like I feared, he just might help me accomplish my mission. I had heard of extraordinary things mates did for each other due to their mate bond.

She nodded and said, 'And so do you'.

'Who is he?' I asked.

'He is none other than Alpha Sylvester'.

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name but I hastened to assure myself that I must have heard wrong. I inserted a finger into each of her ears, shaking them vigorously, to clear off any dirt that might be responsible for causing her to perceive Milly's words wrongly. Then I looked at the wolf but Milly just stood there solemnly.

'What?' I exclaimed, fear that Milly might be right twisting my stomach. 'You must be joking! You are joking, aren't you?'

'No, I'm not'.

There was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. What have I done to make the moon goddess despise me so much? I must have been very bad in my previous life to be punished this way.

'You mean, the man who caused the death of my parents and that of a brother who did not even have the chance to be born, destroyed my pack, and have tortured me for many years is my fated mate?' she asked in anguish.

'I'm afraid so', she said but didn't sound too displeased about it.

'You seem not to be bothered that he is our mate', I said accusingly. Milly kept quiet. She had no response to that. At least not one that I might want to hear, it seems.

'How am I to avenge my parents', if he is indeed my mate? Why did the moon goddess do this to me?'

'I believe everything will work out just fine', wolf Milly said in an attempt to console me and make me accept the inevitable. I doubted that I could but maybe, my plan could still work. I only need a change of plan or another approach.

My mood was spoilt and this was as a result of that frustrating discussion I had with Alpha Sylvester. It nearly caused me, my usual dip in the stream but I refused to be sorrowful. So I discarded my clothes and into the stream I walked, splashing, determined not to permit myself any depressing thought. My wolf was laughing as we had fun splashing around in the water.

'Hope you have started your chores?' The voice permeated my consciousness, making me stop my thrashing in the water and look around but seeing no one, I realised that Alpha Sylvester had spoken to me through mind - link. The fun went out of my bath and I stepped out of the stream, down cast.

'Cheer up. It is not all bad', wolf Milly said.

I ignored her. Afterall, she was happy to have that God forsaken Alpha as her mate but I was not going to accept that except there was something in it for me - some way I could use it to my own advantage and work my vengeance on him. But how could my wolf and I have contrary feelings concerning the same person Were we not supposed to be one?

I was so deep in thought that I did not see my friend, Samantha until she was upon me.

'Happy birthday, dear friend. When I didn't see you in the quarters, I knew you'd be here, your most favourite place'.

'Thanks alot for your best wishes, Samantha' I said. 'And yes, I came for a dip'.

'You look sad', she observed, 'What is the problem?'

'Nothing', I said, trying to inject cheerfulness into my voice.

'You are not a good liar', she said. 'Spill'.

'I saw my wolf today', I blurted for want of something to say.

'And that made you sad?' she asked incredulous.

'No, it did not', I said quickly. 'I am just not used to it yet'.

'But of course, you're not. But you will soon be though. It is such a joyous occasion. Cheer up. Things are far better than you are imagining', she said sounding uncannily like my wolf.

I made an effort to smile, trying not to recall the mate I have been cursed with because that was what he was - a curse, but it came off as a grimace, which she quickly smoothened out and replaced with a smile.

'I recall when I came into my own wolf...', Samantha started.

It was a story she never stopped telling anyone who would care to listen.

Samantha was two years older than me but you wouldn't know it from the way we related to each other. On her eighteenth birthday, she had been running round in the open air, happy to be eighteen, when suddenly, she fell on all fours and a piercing pain shot through her as she screamed in confusion, not knowing what was happening. She felt as though her whole body was being ripped apart and she twisted in anguish. This attracted other more experienced wolves, who came to try to ease her pain. 'Take in air', they advised 'now release it'. She kept taking in air and releasing it, howling and growling from the pain she felt. It felt like she was dying. Then all of a sudden the pain ceased and she found she was moving on all fours. She looked at her limbs and they were not hers at all and then she realised what had happened. She had transformed. She was filled with joy. She felt free and strong and able to take on anything and anyone. She felt able to conquer and she leapt into the forest and kept moving all around, flaunting her wolf. The people who had gathered to help her with the experience laughed, happy for her for getting her wolf and being able to transform. Not all werewolves could do that. After that first experience, however, transforming became less painful but more pleasurable and exhilarating. Two years later however, she was yet to find her mate.

'Do you know who your mate is?' she asked, the question I had been dreading.

'Who needs a mate?' I asked, feigning nonchalance. 'You have not found your mate yet, I am not in a hurry'.

That topic was too distasteful to me and definitely not what I wished to talk about on the day that was supposed to be the happiest day of my life as a werewolf but which was fast turning into a nightmare.

'Go ahead to the stream', I said too brightly. 'I have chores. We shall see later at the party', and I hurried off, because I could no longer hold back the tears that were already stinging my eyes. I felt her eyes follow me. She must have wondered why I did not offer to wait for her so that we could get back together like I normally did. But I just did not want to break down before her and I did not want any show of pity which would most definitely cause me to shed more tears.

I wanted to start my chores when I had the mind link again.

'Come and see me right away'. It was Alpha Sylvester.

What did he want now? I wondered.

I scurried to the throne room. And as soon as I got there, he dismissed the officials he had been speaking with which surprised me, making me suspicious.

'Yes?' I asked wondering what was so important or private that he wanted to speak to her about that he had to dismiss those men.

'I feel that you have something to ask me!' he said without preamble.

'I do? What about?' I asked confused.

'Don't tell me you have not found out yet that I am your mate?' he asked leeringly.

'My wha...', I started, then my eyes grew very round as what he had said sunk and the implication dawned on me. 'You mean you knew I was your mate all this while , yet you never once told me or even gave me a clue? I asked, shocked again at his callousness. He knew of my birthday and of this and had kept it to himself, treating me like dirt.

I had wanted to hide this information from him, for how long before he smelled it, I did not know but for as long as possible had been my plan, but now that he knew, I was going to have to make the best of it.

'Well, now you know, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to call off your engagement to Cathania and claim me?' I asked hating to ask but having no choice because I needed to prepare a great defense against that. His next words showed me I needn't have bothered being afraid.

'Hell, no', he laughed mirthlessly. 'Look at you and then at me. I am a very powerful Alpha who is feared and respected by all and you think that I will stoop so low as to accept a lowly, weak maid like you, as my Luna? I'll be a laughing stock', he said looking at me condescendingly.

I could not take my eyes from him as I absorbed his every word.

'I could take you as my sex slave if you are that desperate to be with me, and If I want', he further said and I felt my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach.

Oh no, moon goddess, let him not want because I definitely do not want that, I prayed silently but not giving anything away.

'But I do not want!' he said and I offered silent thanks to the goddess for hearing my prayers. I was so relieved his next words rolled off me. 'I cannot forgive you enough for your crimes to want to be with you in such an intimate manner.

So, I, Sylvester Falcon Merryweather, Alpha of the Moon Ville pack reject you, Millicent O'Brien Harry as my mate'.

I clutched my heart. The pain was piercing. I didn't know why I should feel such pain, afterall, I had no feelings for him, and I could feel my wolf reeling and wringing from the force of the pain of his rejection.

I straightened and looked him straight in the eye.

'And I, Millicent O'Brien Harry accept your rejection, Sylvester Falcon Merryweather wholeheartedly'.

Sylvester's eyes were round as saucers. It was clear he had not expected that response from me and I laughed inwardly. He may have thought that I would go down on my knees and beg, being an orphan with no where to go and all.

'I exile you from this pack. You have just today to stay here. And that is because you still have to do your chores at my engagement party. After that, I do not want to see you here anymore!' he thundered.

'Your command shall be gladly followed!' I said, very pleased to see the shock reflected on Sylvester's face. He could not have given me a better birthday gift than his rejection but it was clear that my wolf Milly did not agree with that but I couldn't care less.