Beneath the Alpha's Claim

Leila's pov

I don't know who my father is. I don't remember my mother very well either. 

Father's face has long faded from my memory while mother's face is a blur. I don't even remember her voice but I remember the day she left.

It was a very cold morning. My birthday cake was on the dining table, the candles were in and I sat in my chair waiting for her to come home. When she did, she clutched a suitcase. She never told me “Happy Birthday” instead she walked through the door. My own mother didn't waste a second to turn her back on me. I was 7 years old back then — too young to understand why she abandoned me. 

“She's better off without you.” Someone had whispered to me that day. I didn't know what they meant but I do.

The Silverwood pack is my prison. A cage for people like me.

Someone had said it was not a place for someone like me. I never really understood until the day I realized the pack thought of me as a monster. 

Why?

Because my father was a Rogue. 

The people of Silverwood see Rogues as monsters and they said my father was the worst monster of all. I had never met him. I don't even know his name but it didn't matter to them. They said anyone born of a Rogue was a Rogue too. 

“Rogue spawn!” They would hiss thinking I couldn't hear them. 

“Abomination!” They would whisper for me to hear. 

They didn't even hide their hatred at all. 

Why should they? 

I'm nobody.

“Leila!” Valerie yelled and I jerked upwards, her sharp voice pulling me from my thoughts. 

Valerie has long, golden-blonde hair that she often wears in perfectly styled waves. She has sharp, piercing blue eyes that hold a hint of cruelty. Valerie possesses a slender figure, accentuated by her fashionable and well-put-together appearance. She's perfect in every way I'm not. 

“Why do you always disturb Leila?” Klaus, her father, dropped his iPad on the polished mahogany table.

Valerie scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why do you even waste your time on her, father? She's nobody.”

Klaus glanced at me with a look of pity etched on his face. “Go inside, Leila.”

“But father!” Valerie stomped her foot on the floor.

“Valerie, that's enough!” Klaus said in a firm voice then he looked at me. “Go inside now, Leila.”

I looked between him and Valerie, not knowing who to obey. “But —”

“Now!” He said. 

“Ugh! I can't do this!” Valerie pushed her seat and walked away before I could.

It's going to be a long day.

After fulfilling my duties in the kitchen, I hovered in the garden, the only place I found peace.

The wind tugged softly at the flowers, carrying a few petals in midair. Now, I suddenly wished I was like those petals – free, gone like the wind. But that was only wishful thinking. I was trapped. In this hell.

“Leila.” A soft voice called behind me and I was startled.

I quickly rose to my feet and bowed.

“Relax, it's me.” The voice said.

I looked up to find Klaus. My stuffy shoulders sagged comfortably and I heaved a sigh.

“Are you alright?” He asked softly, beaming at me with a smile.

I returned his smile. “Yes.”

It was strange to me that Valerie was his daughter and yet his smile was warm while hers made my stomach twist in an uncomfortable way.

“Are you sure?” He asked, taking a seat on one of the chairs in the garden.

I was quick to nod even though there was a heavy feeling in my chest. 

He shook his head and handed me a small bag of bread and cheese. “Here. I figured you might be hungry.”

“Thank you, sir. But I'm not hungry.” I bowed my head, praying to the Goddess that my stomach wouldn't betray me. But it did and it was loud like a siren.

My stomach grumbled annoyingly and Klaus put the bag in my hand. 

“Always listen to your stomach.” He said with a smile.

‘I wish I could put mine on silent.’ I nearly said. 

“Thank you.” I brought the bag to my chest. 

Without wasting a second, I opened the bag and whipped out the expensive bread and cheese dressing. 

One bite out of it brought tears to my eyes. “Thank you so much.”

“You're welcome, kid.” Klaus smiled brightly.

Klaus was the only person in the pack that didn't treat me like dirt. I felt somewhat safe around him and appreciated his kindness even though it was a hidden one. 

If the Alpha found out he was helping me, Klaus might lose his position as Beta. If that happens, I would lose the only person that doesn't hate me.

Actually, I see why he keeps his distance and I don't blame him. No one wanted to be seen with an outcast like me. 

No one.

****

I sit in the tiny room the pack Alpha gave to me — the room barely bigger than Valerie's closet. Then and only then am I allowed to dream.

Tomorrow, I will turn 18.

Tomorrow, I will finally feel the bond of a fated mate.

It was the only thing keeping me going. 

The Moon Goddess will choose someone who will love me. She will choose someone who will see me for who I am and who I'm supposed to be. 

My mate will save me. He will take me away from the Silverwood pack and Valerie and everyone who hates me.

On my birthdays, there were no celebrations, no warm greetings, no cakes and no presents. I didn't expect any of those things. At least for someone like me but I would have my celebration, my warm greeting, and my present tomorrow – my mate.

Tomorrow, I'll find him.

He would be mine and I would be his. He would call me his “love” and not a “rogue spawn”. He would see me for who I am. 

“Tomorrow…” I shut my eyes and dreamed. “...everything will change.”