LEONA’S POV
The condominium is spacious, just enough for me. Mommy Rose bought it as a gift for my graduation, but she didn’t get the chance to give it herself. And I thank her love for making my life easier. I called my friend, Sophie Lucas, and informed her that I’d already settled in the city.
We will apply to a fashion company together and, hopefully, get the job, so I won’t rely on the money that Mommy Rose left me.
****
“Where are you?” Sophie asked over the phone.
“Almost there!” I park my car outside and rush into the company’s lobby.
“Leona. Over here!” Sophie waved at me.
“Sophie!” we peck each other’s cheeks, “Are we on?”
“You are just in time.”
The human resource officer called our name for the interview. We went inside and confidently answered all the questions they threw at us. It was a panel interview, but they didn’t spook us. I am here for the job. As a result, we got in as marketing staff.
“I am so flattered to be part of the leading fashion company in our country now. I am so excited for our first day!” Sophie giggled.
“So am I. I hope everything turns well.”
“It will, Leona. With our wits, they won’t resist us,” Sophie arched her brow and laughed.
She’s really bubbly. And I discovered my bubbly side as well around her. She’s a good friend, and her positivity makes me happy. I’m her number one supporter, and she’s mine as well. I remembered Ellen through her. I miss her and Mama Thelma and Papa Simon. I want to visit them soon and take them with me.
But how? I’m a fugitive in my pack. Framed by the crime, I didn’t commit. If I go back, they will arrest me and cage me. Life is unfair with the beast.
****
I lived amongst the beast unknown to man, a werewolf. Serving Alpha Riley and his daughter Victoria is my undying responsibility. Yes, I am a slave. I am what they called, Omega.
Taken when I was a child, the only family I’ve known is my Mama Thelma and Papa Simon. They are also an Omega from the Silver Dawn pack. And the only memory I have is being a human.
Enslaved and deprived, for I am a human. Growing up, I was treated badly and unfairly. Bullied and maltreated, I am an outcast in my pack. My Mama and Papa are my only refuge. Their love is the only reason I endured all the suffering.
“Leona!” I heard Alpha Riley’s thunderous voice echoing in the four corners of the house.
I need to prepare his warm bath early in the morning along with Victoria. Failing to do so will result in a punishment. A whip or a night in the cage with no food.
“I’m coming!”
Rushing upstairs, I quickly bow my head and lower my eyes in front of Alpha Riley. Enslaved people are not allowed to stare directly into the Alpha’s eyes. If caught, a resounding slap will land on our cheeks. It’s a sign of disrespecting the leader of the pack.
“Is my warm bath ready?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
He turned his back on me going to his bathroom without waiting for my answer.
“Leona!” Victoria started screaming. She does that every morning. Waking the whole pack in her screeching voice.
“Coming!” I run my way to her room.
I remove her clothes and then prepare her bath. Alpha Riley won’t barge in when I served Victoria. He would call another slave to attend to his needs. But most of the time, I serve them both.
My only salvation is the Moonbeams. Each year, all the allied packs gathered and find their mate. Once claimed, he will take you to his pack and be a loyal partner to him. I know I am human, but I still have the chance to be mated to a wolf, and I can feel it. I need to wait for him to claim me. But if my mate comes from our pack, forget it! I will be the one to reject him. If given a choice, I don’t want to be mated; I don’t want to love a beast I despise. But what choice do I have? If this is the only way that I can leave my horrendously miserable life.
Toxic. Ruled by a ruthless leader, I have no future in my pack. I’ve longed for the day that I will leave this place with my Mama and Papa. Go somewhere safe and peaceful. Because here, we cannot guarantee our safety. One day we will be fertilizer to the garden. Buried alive. That’s why we need to live by the rules.
The best day of my life happens every last Sunday of the month. Every Saturday night, I fled to my tree house, which I built into the woods away from the pack for my day off. Wake up to the sound of the chirping birds and fresh air. Swim in the lake, go fishing, and rest. My friend Ellen would stay with me after work and return before dawn. Here, freedom is within my reach.
Into the woods, my inner wolf felt ecstatic being free. I called it my inner wolf because despite being a slave, I have the strength, speed, and sense of a wolf. Even more pronounced and amplified. Only I am not a wolf. I think my body adapts to the way of life here. Many times I wish to be like them. Out here, shifting and running free. Maybe then my pack would be kind to me.
At the same time, I felt relieved that I was not one of them—an odious beast. Through time, I felt nothing but despise them. They’re mean, selfish, hideous, and cranky. Only my Mama and Papa showed me love, and my friend Ellen. Other than that, life sucks here!
My heart felt heavy whenever I needed to go back into the pack. I always missed my tree house. Counting on days, I busied myself with my chores until my next freedom day.
“You’re home late!” Mama Thelma looked scared.
“I woke up late, sorry.”
“I took care of the Alpha’s warm bath and made an excuse that you are taking care of Victoria. Go to the leader’s cabin now. Quickly!”
I’m sure Victoria is pissed by now. I went to the kitchen and took the hot water for her warm bath. Running into her bathroom, I met her by the corridor.
“Where were you? What took you so long?” she yelled. But before I could explain myself, a resounding slap landed on my cheek.
“Ah!” I spill the hot water all over me.
“That suits you, you lazy pig!” she turned away without even checking my condition.
I felt my skin tighten and break apart. It burns. I rushed outside, went to the cold spring nearby, and soaked myself.
“That felt good,” I close my eyes.
“Leona, what are you doing here?” Mama Thelma saw me running and followed me.
“I spill the hot water on me, Mama,” my eyes started to glisten in tears.
“What? Let me see it.”
I slowly removed my clothes and revealed my red skin.
“Luckily, you came here. The cold water will prevent it from swelling. And do not scratch that, you’ll scrape your skin,” Mama paused and examined me, “Did you spill hot water on your cheek too?”
Mama noticed my red cheek. I have no intention of telling her about the slap, but I have no excuse to lie since she found it.
“She slap you?”
I nodded. I often hide all Victoria did to me, but sometimes Mama Thelma has her way. The pack talks. Mama shook her head and hugged me.
“Sorry if I cannot protect you from her. Sorry that you experienced this all,” Mama cried.
“Mama, I don’t blame you believe me. Don’t worry, when my mate findsme, we will be off in this hell of a place.”
“Alright, enough with the mate thing. Soak back in the cold water.”
Whenever I talk about my mate, Mama Thelma and Papa Simon change the topic or busy themselves. What’s with mating? Not because I’m human, that doesn’t mean I don’t have the chance to have one. I think they both do not believe that mate is also for humans.
“Leona!” Alpha Riley called.
“What again?” I whined. I just started doing the laundry. I can’t finish my job with all the interruptions.
“Yes, Alpha,” I bowed my head.
“I want you to prepare the guest's rooms for the Moonbeams. Clean it.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
I returned to my laundry and finished it as fast as I could. Moonbeams gives me a happy hormone. I feel optimistic about this year’s gathering.
The guest rooms are next to the leader’s house. I immediately clean each and place lavender flowers inside for fragrance.
“Hmmm, fresh lavender. The winds of change,” I smiled in my thoughts. I will finally meet my mate.
LEONA’S POVSophie and I arrived early in the office. The CEO’s secretary, Fiona, introduced us to some of the employees and showed us our space. She gave us our contract, and we happily signed it and waited for the next instruction.“We have our own desk!” Sophie gasps softly. Her eyes are popping out of excitement. I just laugh at all her reactions.Shortly, Fiona came back to collect us and led us to the training room, where all new employees were gathered for the orientation.“Good morning, everyone, my name is Glenda, and I am the training manager of the Flame Corporation. I welcome you all to our company, and I hope you all sit back and relax as we begin our orientation.”The projector started, and the first topic was the company’s background. On the screen, it flashes the humble beginnings of the company. Then goes to the owner that I almost fainted.The Flinch family owns Flame Corporation. Since Don Rafael stepped down as CEO, Darren Flinch took over. Darren Flinch, the name
LEONA’S POVMy first day of work went well. I successfully avoided my fiancé because Darren was on a business trip for weeks. Luck is still on my side. I will deal with him later when he gets back. One thing that stresses me out is my future in-laws. It seems like Madam Sonia is so fun of me and wants to create close family ties.“Leona, you have to go. At least your fiancé’s parents are nice and approve of you.”Sophie was referring to the dinner invitation Madam Sonia prepared. She wanted me to treat them as family. And since I am her husband’s best friend’s daughter, she wanted me to treat her as my mother.“You mean we are going,” Sophie drops her jaw, “I told her I’m with my best friend, and she invited you as well.”“What are we going to wear?” she gasps softly.“Clothes,” I sneered.“Are you for real? Leona, they are not just your future in-laws; they are the owner of the leading fashion company in our country. It will be an honor to meet them!”“Point taken. But seriously, be
LEONA’S POV“No, please. I didn’t do it! Help me! No!” I woke up in tears and sweat. I dreamed of my life with the beast, my horrible life.****Dress in white, Ellen curled my hair and did my make-up. It’s Moonbeams. Our mates are waiting now. We have to look beautiful and wait until some wolf guy approach us.“Whoa, you are gorgeous, Leona!”“So are you,” I check myself in the mirror. Wow, Ellen did well and made a major transformation to my ugly face.“Is that me?”“Do you have doubts?” Ellen pinch me.“Aw!”“So it’s you,” she laugh.“Do you think our mates will like us?”“You are worrying again. They will like us and will probably want to make the bond and mark us.”“Hey, naughty girl,” I laugh.Bond and mark means we will surrender ourselves to our mate. Marking will happen if we have sex with them. The bond is when we become one—a spouse. I don’t know what comes first, but I’m pretty confident that is what they mean.“All single she-wolves are now outside. I think it’s time to m
LEONA’S POVDarren is back. He was impressed with the project proposal my manager submitted to him and asked for the list of newly hired marketing staff, preferably the brain of the project. And my name was at the top of the list. He called our supervisor by the intercom and asked about my file. I am so busted.“Leona,” Sophie held my hand in nervousness. We both didn’t expect him to come back soon. Not until the next two weeks.“I have to face him eventually. I guess it’s for the best?” I plastered a fake and invigorating smile.“Okay, ah, call me. If he molested you, we’d immediately storm out of this company!”“Molested?”“Sorry, I don’t know what I’m talking about now, I’m terrified for you!”“Don’t be. He wouldn’t dare to get near me here, or our cover will blow off.”“Any plans?”“Just continue working and avoid him at all cost. I will do what he asks me. Anyway, I don’t have any plans to stay in this company. Once Amanda declared my rights, I won’t be working here anymore.”“Ok
LEONA’S POVMorning has come. I heard the main door open and hoped its food or water. But it was the guard. They pulled me out and tied my hands to the pole. Victoria came in with evil eyes. She whips me. After getting tired, she would order the guards to beat me.“Cage her,” she said, content with what she did.After two days of beating and starving, I plead to the guard to end my life. To end my agony.“I’m sorry,” the guard turned away.I thought I was stronger now, but my wounds didn’t heal, and my skin burned. Hunger, thirst, and the beating go on for days. Every whip made my skin shiver; I peed on myself countlessly. Even fell to my knees, but nothing could stop Victoria.My pain is her happiness.I haven’t seen my Mama and Papa. I’m sure they forbid them to see me so is Ellen. Before, I prayed for my mate to rescue me, to claim me; now, I prayed for my death.Metal clicks. I know it’s the key to the main door. Could be Victoria again. If she beats me again tonight, I hope she’l
LEONA’S POV “Are you alright, Leona? Sophie followed me to my desk.“Shame on that guy!” I let out my tears of disappointment. I told Sophie what happened in his office and his accusing words.“Shall we file a resignation now? Just say a word, and I’m ready to print it. You know I drafted already just in case.”I smile a little. Sophie really knows my soft spot.“Later. Don’t worry; I can still handle him.”“That’s the spirit, Leona. Prove to him that he’s wrong, or I’ll kick his ass.”“Hahaha yeah, right.”Ignoring Darren’s mockery is my own way of inducing peace to my mental health. He can think whatever he wants; I don’t care. As long as I do my part in this company, I can leave here with dignity before Amanda announces the new heir of the Eldrich’s asset.Following the Muse Fragrance, Darren wanted me to present an advertisement plan to him that would be presented to the investors. To prove myself, I focus on it and prioritize this project. But it seems like he is determined to m
DARREN’S POVYou got to be kidding me! What is she doing here? Is she following me? That’s impossible since she’s new in the city. But I know her friend is familiar with this place. I didn’t expect to see her here.“This girl is pissing me off,” I gritted.“What’s that, Darren?”“Nothing, Brent,” I quickly texted Leona to see me back door and whispered to Brent that I needed to go to the toilet.“Don’t leave us hanging, okay?”“I’ll be back.”I made sure no one followed me and slid into the back door. When I smelled Leona’s scent, I quickly pulled her as she opened the door and pinned her to the wall.“Listen, you flirt, I don’t know what you are doing here, but do not make a scene. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, is that understood?” I hold my breath. I really hate her smell.“First, you don’t own this place. Second, I didn’t know you were here. Third, who says I want to be publicly associated with you? And fourth, you are conceited. I am not following you,” Leona pushed me
DARREN’S POV:I found my way home and saw my mom waiting at my secret door. Before, I woke up somewhere, covered in blood. Beside me was a carcass. My greatest fear is waking up with a human corpse next to me. But over time, I manage to control the beast in me. I am fully aware now of what’s happening around me.“Mom,” I sobbed every time. I still can’t accept my curse.“Hush now, son. I am so sorry we can’t do anything for you,” mom wraps her arms around me.This is the scenario of every full moon, and I hate it. I hate myself; I hate my curse. Oftentimes, I tried to end it, stabbing myself, but I healed fast. I wanted to put a stake in my heart, but I couldn’t do it. It will leave my mom devastated. Now I only live for her and my dad, who has advanced Alzheimer’s.When I was three, Dad told me a werewolf accidentally bit me. At first, they thought it was just a normal bite and had me immunized with an anti-rabies shot.Not until the eve of my eighteenth birthday. It was the worst da