Chapter 1: Bullied

Julia Meetsell POV

My hands trembled like aspen leaves caught in a gale, their grip on the heavy silver tray white-knuckled. The weight of the porcelain dishes seemed to mirror the crushing burden of the pack's derision. Their eyes, like venomous darts, pierced through me and made me feel like an outcast, a spectacle for their amusement.

" You weak and pathetic thing, shouldn't you be doing the one thing you are worth? Serving me!!. Amorel, the dsughter of the beta, sneered. Her eyes, cold and predatory, fixed me in place as I hastened to obey. The scent of her contempt was a tangible thing, thick and suffocating. I was embarrassed and scared, scared I would make a mistake that would result in them punishing me.

I watched my so-called family, who had sat at a corner. Gulping their wines while they stared at me with hatred and disgust. It was so funny and sad, they never wanted anyone to know we were related and had kept me far away from them, ever since my parents died.

My uncle, Micheal, and his wife, Anna, spoke in silent tones as they gazed at me with disdain. My cousins, Sarah and Maddie, also chatted in a corner with their friends and I could easily guess they were all mocking me.

I walked close to my Uncle praying he wouldn’t spill any harsh words on me because I have had enough for tonight. Suddenly, a sharp pain jolted through me as a foot connected with my ankle. The tray tilted precariously, and then, in slow motion, the pastries tumbled and landed with a sickening splat on my aunt’s exquisite gown.

A blood-curdling scream pierced the air like a broken siren. My aunt's face contorted into a mask of fury, her eyes blazing with a hatred that chilled me to the bone as her gaze landed on me. The room seemed to tilt, and I felt the first tendrils of panic wrap around my heart. I knew, with a chilling certainty, that I was in big trouble.

“She is so useless that she can’t even serve food right!” The pack members whispered among themselves.

I turned to see Amorel's mean gaze on me and I knew she was the one who tripped me. I turned to look at my aunt and tried to apologize, but before I could utter a word of apology, her hand connected with my face, a stinging slap that echoed through the room. The world spun, and I crumpled to the floor, the taste of tears mingling with the metallic tang of blood stung my tongue.

"How dare you, a pathetic, worthless omega, ruin my dress!" she yelled at me. My lips parted to offer an explanation, a plea, anything to quell the storm, but her voice, like a dam breaking, drowned out my feeble attempt.

“If you're so tired of life, join your parents where they are and stop disturbing our peace!” The words that she so carelessly threw at me, harsh, cruel, and unforgiving broke me into a million pieces. A chorus of agreement rippled through the pack members. Tears, hot and relentless, streamed down my face. I had watched my parents fight for this pack, and defend them with unwavering loyalty, only to be met with such callous disregard. Where was the honor, the compassion, the shred of humanity they claimed to possess?

I turned to my uncle, seeking a glimmer of compassion, a shred of the man I once knew. But his eyes were cold, distant, and filled with contempt. The sound of laughter now erupted all around me, so loudly, I could hear and feel their sneers and disgust.

"Scum! Do us all a favor and drop off the face of the earth, your ugly face is giving us a migraine!" They all mocked while I also watched my family join in, chuckling at the insult and the thread of betrayal wrapped tighter around my heart.

“Hey Julia, why don’t you take a break. It’s clear you’re even too useless serving people,” Amorel crooned sarcastically.

My blood roiled, a tempest brewing within me. How I longed to confront her, to retaliate her cruelty, to reclaim a shred of dignity. But reason prevailed. Ten years of conditioning had transformed me into a shadow of myself, a puppet dancing on strings of fear and obedience. Retaliation would only invite a storm of punishment, and I was too weary, too broken, to face another onslaught. I only slowly stood up and walked away while they all gazed at me, irritated by my presence.

LATER THAT DAY

My head throbbed like a relentless drumbeat as I dragged my feet through the door. A forced smile plastered itself on my face as I glanced at the back entrance, I was warned by my stepfather never to pass through the front door, to avoid people getting to know we are related.

The Cabin's worn wooden walls seemed to close in around me immediately after I entered. My uncle and his family were clustered on the couch giggling at whatever it was they were talking about. Their smiles vanished as their eyes landed on me, transforming into icy daggers. My cousins, with their arms folded across their chests, regarded me with open disgust.

"Julie, we need to have a conversation," my uncle's voice cut through the silence, carrying the weight of an impending storm.

"Your nonchalant and stupid behavior at the event is unacceptable!" His voice rose. Fear gripped my heart as I lowered my gaze, unable to meet his accusing glare.

"I tried to obey everyone's rules. I tried my best," I pleaded, my voice trembling as I looked at my uncle.

"I really can't believe I wasted my money on you! Try harder!!. Your best isn't enough," he snapped, his voice sharp and harsh. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought to hold them back, sniffing them away before they could fall.

"Haven't you realized you'll never be considered worthy among the pack? And why? BECAUSE YOU'RE AN OMEGA," my aunt interjected, each word dripping with disdain.

"Why can't you be like your cousins? They're always perfect at what they do. They're valued and respected. Well, I don't blame you…….. it runs in the blood. Your mother was as pathetic and worthless as you are now, and that's what led to her death. If your father had listened to my husband and abandoned you and your mother, he would still be alive," my aunt spat angrily. I couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears.

"You're the cause of my brother's death, Julia. Always remember that. You're cursed and can never be valued," my uncle added, his words pounding in my ears as my tears flowed uncontrollably.

I had listened to their cruel words every single day, but today felt different. Their hatred felt more real, more palpable. Deep down, I feared they were right. Maybe I was worthless. Maybe I was the cause of my parents' deaths.

As I stood there, I could see the smug, satisfied smiles on my cousins' lips. They always enjoyed watching me be taunted and humiliated. The pain in my heart deepened, but I swallowed it down, determined to endure another day in this hellish life.

"Both Sarah and Maddie are unique wolves and are not like you," my aunt continued, her eyes narrowing as she walked closer to me. Her disdain was palpable.

"Let me give you a piece of advice. As an omega, you won't easily find favor in the eyes of others. You need to do something different to earn a rank for yourself," she suggested, her voice dripping with condescension. The moment the words left her mouth, I could hear my cousins' giggles.

"Doing your best isn't enough, Julia. You need to step outside your comfort zone, use what you have , to get what you want," she added, her tone unyielding.

I stared at my stepmother in disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew she despised me, but I never imagined she could be this ruthless. The shock of her suggestion made my head spin, and a wave of nausea swept over me.

I watched my uncle nod his head in agreement, his expression cold and calculating. It was then that I realized how serious they were.

"I have a friend who's well-off and could help you secure a better life, if you offer yourself to him. My daughters don't have to go through this because they are destined to succeed, but you might need extra help," he said bluntly. His words felt like a punch to the gut, and I staggered backward in horror.

"I want to wait for my mate," I responded, my voice trembling with fear and determination.

Their eyes bored into me, cold and unfeeling, stripping away my dignity piece by piece. I felt like a caged animal, desperate to escape but with nowhere to run.

"I don't want to whore myself out, I want to keep my virginity for my mate," I asserted, my voice quivering with fear and determination.

Alex, my secret boyfriend, had promised to mate with me tomorrow, and I couldn't afford to lose that for anything. Never!

"I won't!" I shouted, surprising even myself, before rushing to my room and slamming the door shut, locking it behind me.

"Come out, you brat! How dare you!" My uncle's voice thundered from outside, filled with anger and disbelief. I sighed in frustration, knowing his rage would only intensify.

I was determined to prove to everyone that I wasn't worthless and useless. Tomorrow, I would be mated to the one I had always loved, and that thought filled me with excitement and hope.

I sank onto my bed, lost in my thoughts, imagining the joy and fulfillment that awaited me at my mating ceremony tomorrow.