ARRIVAL DAY!

Zara’s pov

“Where the f**k is she?,” I hear the Alpha scream. I already know that Alpha Leo was talking about me, the only servant of the house. This is how he does everytime he looks for me, most especially to beat me and reminds me that I'm indebted to him for saving my ass.

I groan as I get to my feet, grabbing the mop and bucket from the floor and taking them with me.

The moment Alpha Leo sees me, he lifts his hands in the air and gives me a hot slap on my cheeks, thereby sending pain through my face. I don't make a sound. I have learned to swallow my pain, to keep my head down and my mouth shut, no matter how much it hurts.

“I'm sure you remember that my sons are all coming back, so I expect that the house will be sparkling clean and food will be ready before they arrive. I do not want any mistakes. Everything should be perfect before their arrival. Do I make myself clear?” Alpha Leo said in a commanding tone. I nod my head while my hand tightens on the mop and bucket I'm holding.

It would make my day if I could just find the courage to hit him with the mop on his head. He was stronger than I, so I couldn't because I don't want to be locked up for days without food or water again. My stomach already hurt from all the starvation.

Whenever I remember that the triplets are coming back today, my blood begins to boil. It's been a long time since I had set my eyes on them since the day we all got into a fight when I was ten, and it almost ended my life. As usual, I was blamed for everything and withdrawn from school while the triplets were all sent to Canada to continue their education.

In two days, is my birthday, not that anyone cares or even remembers because it was also the birthday of the three rascals. I know that by now they would be all grown up, but I do not care about that because I'm sure they won't be able to remember who I am.

The three rascals were the pride of Moon Spring pack, and as Alpha Leo's sons, they had it all: wealth, privilege, and power. I, on the other hand, felt like an unwanted shadow, forced to share a birthday and a home with the very people who made my life miserable.

Talking about home, I'm supposed to inherit all these after my parents, Alpha Daren and Luna Lisa, died. Up till now, I still do not know who exactly is behind their death.

“Do not trust anyone, Zara.” These were the last words of my mum before she died, even though I was seven years old; I still remember it so well.

It wasn't until a week later that my parents died, and Alpha Leo, my dad's best friend, took over. I didn't know how it happened, everything happened so fast, but I ended up living with him in my own house and begging to eat in my own house.

Emily, his wife, is even worse than the devil himself; as that is not enough, I had the three rascals who made my life unbearable then.

The identical triplets, sons of the Alpha, were, in order of birth, Jaxon, Jaxen, and Jaxon. Their names sound alike, and they all have very bad character except for Jaxon, who is a little bit soft. I can still remember everything about them, and I hope that by now they must have changed.

In some werewolf packs, the new leader takes over at eighteen, when they have their first transformation. But in my pack, you have to be twenty-one to do so. In just two days, on October 9th, the triplets will turn twenty-one and seize control of our pack. The thought sends a shiver down my spine. As for me, I'll be turning eighteen, and with it, I'll face my first transformation. But more than that, I'll finally have a chance to find my fated mate, the one who can save me from this living hell…The one who can love me for who I am, not just a poor, abused wolf. My heart aches with longing. I can't wait for it to happen, to find peace in the arms of my true mate. Please, fate, let it be soon…

“Are you still standing there?” I heard Alpha Leo's voice in a harsher tone, and it was then that I realized that I had been lost in thought since. I ran off immediately to the kitchen to begin to prepare some dishes to finish on time before Alpha Leo would have my head.

I started immediately as I arrived in the kitchen, while I put my hair in a huge bun. I don't usually like it when it scatters all over my face. I stared at myself in the mirror, and my heart sank. My eyes look sunken, my skin pale and tired. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of chores, with no lifeline in sight. The Crimson family had dumped all the work on me, and I was too scared to complain. I had been silent for so long, afraid of getting in trouble. But the truth was, I was dying inside. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and utterly alone, but no matter what, I had to keep moving.

While trying to prepare some dishes for the triplets, I had to prepare something for breakfast fast because Alpha Leo had a meeting this morning, and I know he would love to have something before stepping out.

I cooked a big breakfast: crispy bacon, juicy sausages, fluffy waffles, golden pancakes, and scrambled eggs. I put butter and maple syrup on the table and brewed a fresh pot of coffee. I grabbed a quick cup of sweet coffee to give me some energy and started setting the table.

Just then, Luna Emily walked into the dining room, her eyes scanning the table and scrutinizing my work. She was a tall, imposing woman with short, curly, dark brown hair, pale skin, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul.

“The table looks nice,” she said, a rare compliment. I was shocked at first, but I felt it was because her sins were coming back today; I could feel the happiness in her voice.

Alpha Leo came in, kissing his Luna gently. He nodded in approval at the breakfast spread and began to dig in immediately. I didn't even bother standing there. I went back to the kitchen to continue from where I had stopped.

After what felt like hours of working my ass out, I decided to take a break while sitting on the kitchen floor.

“Zara!” I heard Luna Emily call out to me. I grumbled as I tried to get my feet back on the ground. “I can't even have a simple rest,” I murmured to myself as I made my way to where she was.

Before she could say anything further, I received a hot-sounding slap from her, and I couldn't help but find myself on the ground. It felt so painful, but I refused to shed any tears.

“How many times have I told you to put the flowers over the counter and not here? You are just messing the whole place up.” She yelled at me. I got up immediately and started readjusting the flowers to avoid another slap.

“Zara,” she called out to me again. “List out the dishes you have prepared for my sons.” I didn't only prepare some random dishes, instead I also did it according to their favourite. I started by saying, “Beef stew for Jaxon, Chicken Parmesan for Jaxen, and Lasagna for Jaxon.” She immediately nodded her head, and I was glad that she didn't have a problem with that.

“Make sure that the kitchen is stocked with the triplets' favourite snacks, they will be arriving soon.” She said as she wandered off back to her room. I suddenly recalled that I had forgotten to get the drinks. I hastily stepped out to fetch them. Thirty minutes passed, and as I made my way back, a sleek, customized Range Rover SVAutobiography came into view. The vehicle's gleaming black paint seemed to absorb the sunlight, radiating an aura of power. My heart skipped a beat as I realized who it belonged to - the triplets, the Alpha's sons.

My hands began to tremble, the drinks threatening to spill over. "I knew this day would come," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "And it's finally here." With a deep breath, I steeled myself and stepped into the house, the drinks still clutched in my shaking hands.