Gina's POV
I silently cleaned their shoes and helped them get ready for the moon ball, which we are hosting this year. Alphas and Betas from different packs are going to be present, and it is going to be one of the best parties of the year.
It was the ball where most werewolves found their mate, but I had never attended the moon ball, not even when I was eighteen and old enough. My dad and stepmom would never allow me to leave the house.
I never really thought about mates, or maybe I could find mine for a very long time. But now that I'm twenty, I'm determined to attend the ball, and maybe I'll also find my mate there.
The problem now is my father will never allow me to attend the ball, as I am a disgrace and a shame to his family and reputation.
But this time I've already made arrangements with Camille, my mother's friend. She was the one who took care of me after the death of my mother, and she has always been someone I could confide in. I would have easily gone to live with her and her family, but my father insisted on keeping me with his family.
Camille is the best chef in our pack, so she was easily the one in charge of cooking for any big occasion in our pack. Which is why I will be attending the ball as one of Camille’s servants. Better to watch the festivities from afar than not be a part of it.
I stood beside the door watching my sisters as they filled the living room waiting for my dad and brother.
My father walked into the living room alongside my brother and smiled at each of my sisters, complimenting them on how beautiful they looked. As soon as his eyes landed on me, they immediately turned cold.
“Regina” He called with his cold husky voice, and my body tightened in fright as he barely called me by my name.
"Y-y-yes," I stammered, barely able to get the word out, feeling uncomfortable with the way everyone was staring at me.
He glared at me, “Make sure you clean up before we return.”
I nodded quickly, “Father, can I attend the ball when I'm done cleaning.” I asked after summoning courage and I instantly regretted asking him.
His eyes narrowed, and I could see the irritation flicker across his face. No,” he finally said, his voice cold and final. “You think finishing your chores earns you the right to prance around at a ball? Ridiculous.”
My heart sank as I stood there, wishing I could take back the question. I just wanted to get his permission to attend the ball so I wouldn't receive any beatings when I got home. But it seems like I will be getting the beating of my life tonight.
I waited for everyone to leave before going to change into my cleaning uniform.
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The hall was filled with lots of men and women from different packs, and they were all looking magnificent as they moved and danced around the hall.
I stood by a corner, watching everything with keen interest, allowing my thoughts to wander freely and imagining how my life could change for the better if I could find my mate. I just hope that the moon goddess takes pity on me and gives me a mate who will love, cherish, and protect me.
“Gina!” Camille’s voice cut through my wandering thoughts, snapping me back to reality.
“Yes ma’am?”
She gestured to a plate of food. “Go and serve the Alphas and Betas table. Hurry up.”
My heart stopped, then pounded furiously as I looked at the table and saw my father and Harlin, the Betas' son.
I always had a crush on Harlin. Despite the way everyone treated me like a slave, he never treated me that way.
Could he be my mate? No way a low slave like me, and son of a Beta like him?
Only in my dreams.
I straightened my dress and was about to drag the tray to the table when my face was hit with the most amazing scent. It was a mix of lavender and chocolate, with a hint of an almost musky, woodsy smell. It almost knocked me off my feet. It filled the hall and I found myself looking around, searching for the source. Raven was practically jumping in my head, wanting to come out.
I dragged the tray up to the table where they were, trying to figure out where such an amazing scent was coming from. I avoided the glare from everyone, including my father, who wasn't happy to see me here. I know I would probably get beaten for that later. I noticed that as I got closer to the table, the scent got stronger.
“Mate! MATE!” Raven screamed.
What?!
“Where?” I asked.
Then I saw Harlin staring into my eyes.
Harlin was my mate?
A wide smile came to my lips as I kept staring into his eyes, which held me captive. His eyes were a warm honey gold with flecks of brown.
“This is our mate?” I asked Raven.
“Yes!” I could feel her connecting with our mate’s wolf. She was purring with joy and happiness.
I couldn't quite believe that Harlin, my crush and son of the Beta of our pack, was actually my mate. That meant I wouldn't be a slave anymore.
That meant good things. Maybe he will come to love me. My head pounded with happiness and hope filled my chest.
However, reality crashed down on me as I noticed the disapproving scowl on my father's face.
He sneered at me, his voice laced with disdain. “What is this lowly servant doing here? Get back to the kitchen, Gina!”
I hesitated a little bit, my eyes still locked with Harlin’s, but all my excitement died as he let out a loud sigh, standing up to his feet.
Everyone was watching now, and they were making fun of me, but I didn't care. I had eyes only for my mate.
But my mate didn't have eyes only for me.
Hitting me from behind, my eldest sister, Anayah, walked past me with a smirk on her lips. She reached Harlin, and what happened next felt like a knife was stuck in my chest.
They kissed, leaving me gaping at them with disbelief, and the tray in my hand came crashing to the floor, the sound echoing in the whole hall.
I felt a sharp pain that ripped through my heart like a fire, and from what I know, it is called the pain of betrayal. The pain one feels when his or her fated mate cheats on them.
“H-harlin?” I stammered, tears falling from my eyes as I held my chest. Mates are supposed to love, protect, and cherish each other, right? Why was mine kissing my sister?
“But you are my mate!” I cried, ignoring the hisses of anger my father was directing at me and the crowd's mocking laughs.
Harlin sighed. “You are not my mate, Anayah is.”
The world crumbled around me, and I fell to my knees, the realization hitting me hard like a tidal wave.
The one glimmer of hope, the fantasy of escaping my life as a servant, vanished before my eyes.
“But… the scent,” I whispered, my voice choking with sorrow. “My wolf said…”
“Your wolf was mistaken. You're nothing to me.” Harlin interrupted, his tone cold and indifferent.
I looked at them with tears streaming down my eyes as Anayah kissed him deeply, both not caring that I was here, dying.
When it seemed like they were both out of breath, Anayah broke the kiss, grinning at me. “Harlin, reject her officially. I don't want her getting the wrong idea.”
“Yes, baby.”
Harlin pinned me with a stern look. “I, Harlin Elrand, son of the Beta of Bloodmoon pack, reject you, Regina George, as my mate.” He pronounced, and the whole guests laughed loudly as I screamed in pain, feeling the mate bond cut.
All my life, I have been hated. Even by my own mate.
Was there a reason to be here anymore?
An aggressive tug of my hair pulled me upright abruptly, his grip never ceasing. “Worthless slave,” my father yelled with a bone-chilling snarl, and the whole hall went silent.
Pushing my face roughly against the dining table, I felt his other hand lift my dress. I could feel the gust of cold air brush against my skin, realizing that I was exposed for the entire hall to bear witness. I shut my eyes tightly, bracing myself for what was to come.
The jingling of his belt rang into my ears, and I couldn't stop the small whimper that escaped from my chest. My body shuttered from pain when the leather violently struck my backside. My skin burned from the lashing, causing me to cry more. I could hear the whip of his belt slice through the air as it struck me a second time, my entire body trembling from the impact.
Soft murmurs began to echo around the hall, and I squeezed my eyes even tighter, the seconds to the next blow feeling like an eternity. But the third blow never came. Instead, he released his hand from my hair and let my body fall to the floor.
“Now get out of here!” My father thundered, his face red with anger as he glared at me.