Chapter 2

Many years had elapsed since the fateful day that had seen the demise of Winona's father. It was a day steeped in sorrow, a day that had left an indelible mark on her young heart. Yet, paradoxically, it was also the day that had sown the seeds of hope within her. The words of her young savior, the Celestial Alpha, had taken root in her heart, nurturing a belief that she would someday find a mate who would cherish her and see the beauty that lay within her.

However, as Winona grew older, she was confronted with a bitter truth that was hard to swallow. Her mother, Divina, harbored no love for her. In fact, she was the object of her mother's disdain. Winona was the child Divina had never wanted.

"Bearer of the darkness curse!" Divina would often spit out, her words laced with contempt.

Divina's animosity towards Winona was never concealed. While Hayley, Winona's twin sister, was allowed to mingle and play with the other pups in the pack, Winona was often relegated to the confines of the basement.

"I don't want you spreading your curse to the other children," Divina would say, her voice cold and devoid of any maternal warmth.

Winona was acutely aware of her differences. She was unlike anyone else in the pack. It was as if the Moon Goddess herself had conspired against her existence, burdening her with all the adversities life had to offer.

Physically, Winona was smaller than Hayley and the other werewolves. Her hair was a deep, dark shade, unlike the others. While most children had eyes that mirrored the hues of the sea or the earth, and hair that ranged from blonde to dark blonde, Winona's eyes were a deep, dark abyss. It was a trait that was unheard of.

Hayley, on the other hand, was the darling of the pack. She was taller, with eyes as blue as the sky and hair that shone like spun gold. She was often referred to as the golden girl, her radiant beauty illuminating every room she entered. She was the moon, while Winona was the darkness that surrounded it.

Wherever Winona went, she was met with scorn and derision. At school and during pack gatherings, she was treated like an outcast. She was often alone, subjected to the relentless bullying of her peers who were bigger and fairer.

"Hayley, you're so beautiful! You look like a princess from a fairy tale."

"That's true. I wish I could have skin as radiant as yours! The goddess must have spent all her time creating you!"

"I can't believe you share the same blood as that cursed girl! She's so repulsive!"

Such harsh words were a bitter pill for Winona to swallow. She bore them in silence, never retaliating, never defending herself. Instead, she sought solace in the cherished memories of her father.

Her father had been the only beacon of acceptance in her life. He didn't just tolerate her differences, he celebrated them. He was a constant source of encouragement, always reminding her that her uniqueness was a blessing, not a curse.

"My beautiful Angel," he would affectionately call her.

Whenever Divina, her mother, would lock her up, denying her the basic necessity of food, her father was there to ensure she was fed. When Divina would vent her frustrations on Winona in his absence, he would console his little girl and admonish Divina.

Despite the relentless cycle of beatings, the barrage of harsh words, and the cruel starvation, Winona clung to the hope that her father would always be there to pick her up and dust off the dirt.

However, life took a turn for the worse after his death. She felt like a soldier on the battlefield, stripped of her armor and weapon, left defenseless against the harsh realities of life. She was bruised, battered, insulted, and trampled upon by everyone around her.

The curse that seemed to have been cast upon her soon spread beyond the confines of her household, permeating the entire pack. Everyone began to refer to her as the bearer of the darkness curse.

Every day, she was forced to tread a solitary path to school and back home because Divina refused to drop her off or pick her up, unlike with Hayley. She dared not risk walking with her peers, for they would spit at her and laugh.

Her school days were a living nightmare, and she had no one to turn to. She found herself yearning for the comforting presence of her father and the Celestial Alpha who had once saved her.

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After a long and exhausting day, Winona's hands throbbed from the relentless work. As she struggled to finish the dishes, she heard Divina's icy voice echoing from the living room.

"Winona, have you washed those clothes I gave you?"

A wave of dread washed over her. She was only human, not a machine. How was she expected to juggle multiple tasks at once? But she dared not voice her thoughts.

Divina's animosity towards Winona didn't wane with time; instead, it seemed to intensify as the years passed. In the absence of her father, Winona had learned a harsh lesson - to accept her mother's cruelty as a part of her life.

One particular night remained etched in her memory. She was on her knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor - a routine task before retiring to bed. Divina approached her, pointing out a spot she claimed was still dirty. Winona didn't utter a word, knowing any response would only fuel her mother's ire. She crawled to the spot and began to scrub it, but Divina picked up a broom that lay nearby and struck her on the head.

Pain throbbed in her head, and her eyes welled up with tears. She had thought she would grow accustomed to the pain over time, but who could ever get used to being treated like a lowly servant by their own mother?

She didn't bother questioning Divina's actions. She knew her mother didn't need a reason to treat her harshly. She did it simply because she could, and because she wanted to. After enduring the verbal and physical abuse, Winona was instructed to finish her chores and sleep in the basement without dinner. A sharp pain pierced her heart, but she hid it behind a bitter smile.

The following morning, as she was preparing breakfast and washing dishes simultaneously, Divina approached her, her expression predatory.

"Why are those dirty clothes still there?" she growled.

It was barely seven in the morning. Winona had risen early to start her chores. It wasn't as if she hadn't done them the previous day, but this was her routine.

"Are you deaf? Didn't I just ask you a question?" Divina's voice snapped Winona out of her thoughts.

"Mother, once I finish making breakfast, I'll wash the clothes," Winona replied, lifting her head to meet her mother's gaze.

But all she received in return was a murderous glare. To Divina, she was nothing more than a repulsive piece of trash.

"Look at you! You're the spitting image of your father! Just like him, you've come into my life and ruined everything. I'm stuck in this godforsaken suburb because of your father!"

And so, the barrage of curses would commence, a relentless downpour of harsh words that Divina seemed to never tire of repeating. Winona often found herself wondering if her mother ever grew weary of uttering the same cruel words time and time again.

"I could have ascended to greatness, even become a Luna! But no, your father, a lowly Gamma, claimed to be my mate! As if being his mate wasn't degrading enough, he committed an even more abhorrent act!"

"He brought you into existence! I would have been consumed by shame if not for Hayley. At least I can find solace in her. She's beautiful and graceful, a mirror image of me, her mother. But you?..." Divina scoffed with palpable bitterness.

Winona closed her eyes tightly, steeling herself for the final onslaught of venomous words that were sure to escape her mother's lips. She fortified her heart, bracing herself for the inevitable.

"...you are nothing but a failure, a mirror image of him! A blight on my life... I wish you had never been born!"

With those words, Divina kicked Winona to the ground, drenching her with a bowl of soapy water. Having vented her fury, she spat at Winona and stormed off. Winona curled up on the wet, soapy floor, her cries echoing through the desolate room.

She was only fifteen at the time, but she clung to a sliver of hope. She held onto the belief that once she turned sixteen and underwent her shift, she would have her wolf as a companion. Her wolf would share in her pain, and she wouldn't have to face her trials alone.

That's what wolves were meant to be, right? Her wolf would stand by her side, and she wouldn't feel so isolated anymore.