Beta Xavier Costa.

Eleanor Amato - POV

Mom, please listen to me!” I begged her, but she shook her head.

“I...I...will not make it. Eleanor.” she choked out, blood dripping from the corner of her lips. “Promise me something, sweetheart,” she mumbled, but I shook my head. I know what she wants me to do, and I don’t think I will ever be able to do that.

“Go and stay with your father.”

“No! Mom!” I jolted awake and looked around my surroundings. The depressing grey walls of my bedroom greeted me, letting me know where I was. A thin layer of precipitation coated my forehead while I took a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

It was just a nightmare, again. I mumbled to myself before I got up from my bed and walked into the bathroom. I splashed some cold water on my face, trying to clear my head, and slowly looked at my reflection in the mirror.

My dull gold eyes stared back at me. Why did you leave me, Mom? I whispered while tears streamed down my cheeks. It has been a year since I lost my mother and came to live with my father and his family, but the memory of her torn body still kept playing in my mind.

I quickly wiped away my tears and walked into the shower. After I was done with my morning routine, I wore a red color t-shirt, paired with a pair of black jeans before I walked out of my room.

“…I don’t like it!”

“We don’t have a say in this at the moment, Karla. She has to come with us.” it was my father’s voice, and he sounded irritated. Which only made me aware that it was a discussion about me. I know I don’t want to go downstairs now with everyone in the house, but I have no option, so plastering a blank look on my face, I slowly walked downstairs.

I made my way to the kitchen, where the noise was coming from when I noticed that my entire family was inside, including Jacob and Avery. Why haven’t they left the house yet?

“Go…good morning.” I stammered, but no one acknowledged my greeting.

Well, at least I tried to be nice for once.

“You are going to attend the Moon Ball with us tomorrow, so make sure you clear your schedule for tomorrow.” my father spoke in a monotone as soon as he saw me. I stood there for a couple of minutes, not understanding what he said when his words finally sank in.

The Moon Ball! Why do they even need me?

“But w… why do you want me to come?” I questioned.

“If it was up to me, I would have preferred if you stayed back, but the alpha insisted that everyone from my family should be present there, and that includes you,” he answered, and I briefly glanced at my stepmother to see a scowl etched on her face.

She clearly doesn’t like me tagging along.

“I tried talking to the Luna, but she wouldn’t hear it.” my stepmother spoke, which made me look at her. “So, I have ordered a dress for you. Make sure you do your makeup and hairstyle properly, I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of the other high-ranking members,” she said.

“I could have bought something for myself.” I asserted, and this made her roll her eyes.

“I don’t want people to think that I am treating you like dirt,” she said before she got up from her place and walked out of there. A couple of minutes passed by in tense silence before the rest of the family left the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

After I heard the sound of the door closing, I walked to the fridge pulled out the carton of milk, and poured myself a glass. “You shouldn’t have let her walk all over you.” Erica, my wolf, chimed in, and I could feel the anger pulsing through our veins.

“Just a few more months, and when we have enough saved up, let’s leave this pack,” I told her. I know I am breaking the promise that I made to my mom, but I don’t think I can cope with this house any longer.

No one clearly wants me here, and I know that the longer I stay, it will only make things worse. “We can leave once we find our mate,” Erica tells me. The thought of finding my mate brings a smile to my face.

I know people must wonder after my mother’s unsuccessful relationship, I might be aversive about finding my mate. But deep down, I know not everyone is like my father. After finishing my glass of milk, I left the house on my way to the bakery.

Ever since I came to this pack, I have been working at the pack bakery, the only place that brings a tranquil feeling within me.

Ding.

A bell chimed as I pushed open the glass door and entered the small bakery. “You are finally here!” the cheerful voice of Aunt Jennifer brought a smile to my face.

“Sorry, I am late. I had something important at home.” I told her, but she waved her hand.

“Don’t apologize, sweetheart. We only had a few customers today,” she told me, I nodded my head and immediately made my way to the kitchen with Aunt Jennifer right behind me.

“So, what do you want me to bake today?” I asked her, and she shuddered her shoulder.

“Surprise me,” she said and made her way to the coffee machine to make a cup of coffee for herself. Well, this has been going on from the first time I started working here. Aunt Jennifer always wanted to have something new as the bakery’s special for the day, and this allowed me to experiment with my skills.

I took out all the ingredients that I needed before I walked back into the kitchen. I know what I want to make today. “So, I heard Gamma Amato’s family is going to the Moonball this year.” Aunt Jennifer asked me just as I was putting my cupcakes into the oven.

“Yes, and I am forced to go too,” I told her in a dejected tone.

“Why are you sad about that? You know all the girls in this pack would kill to be in your place.” Aunt Jennifer exclaimed. I turned around to face her with a look of disdain.

“Yeah, and I would gladly like to trade my place with anyone.”