The Forgotten Little Wolf

No one believed in me. That was their first mistake. I was a small, skinny girl with deep brown eyes. My long raven black hair was almost at my bum and desperately needed a wash. I looked vulnerable and weak. Nothing like the other she wolves in my pack, but I knew I had greatness within me.

The pack valued strength above all else, and I was seen as a liability. After my parents were killed in a rogue attack, they raised me out of duty, not love. I was bullied, ordered around, and often dreamed of leaving. But leaving meant becoming rogue—an outcast with no pack, no protection, and no life beyond survival. As the bullying grew worse, I began to wonder who had the better life, me or a rogue?

I wasn’t old enough to shift yet, but I knew she was there. Wendy had already spoken to me, telling me I had greatness within me and that one day they would beg for my forgiveness. But no matter how much I pleaded, she refused to explain why.

I stood at the pack border, as I often did, wondering what it would feel like to cross it and become rogue. But I had never found the courage.

“You cannot leave them. Not yet,” Wendy said. I sighed.

“Why not? You say they’ll need me, but never explain. Tell me more.”

“I can’t, but you’ll understand soon enough, Emma.” I rolled my eyes, and Wendy growled. “Patience, child.”

The sun was setting, and I had to get back to help with dinner or face punishment. I had no one in this pack but Wendy. The servants cooked, cleaned, and did whatever the high-ranked wolves demanded. They were the worst, especially Brodie, the future Alpha. I tried to avoid him, but it always felt like he came looking for me.

I sensed movement behind me and turned. Roy, the next beta, stood with Brodie. Both were tall, dangerous, and far too attractive. Roy had brown hair and eyes; Brodie was blond with green eyes. Wonderful, I thought as their predatory gazes locked on me.

“It will be okay,” Wendy said. I doubted that.

“Oh look. It’s the little orphan,” Roy sneered, stepping closer.

“Thinking of stepping over?” Brodie asked, moving in too. My heart raced, and I knew they heard it.

“Why would anyone stay in this pathetic pack?” I snarled, instantly regretting it.

Brodie moved fast, all high-rank power and future Alpha arrogance. I wanted to be gone long before Alpha George handed him the title.

“What did you just say?” he asked, his hand tightening around my throat. Blackness flickered through his green eyes as his wolf fought for control. He did have nice eyes too bad his personality ruined them.

I couldn’t answer; he was cutting off my air. Still, I refused to show fear.

"After all we, have done for you... you are so ungrateful." he sneered. Ungrateful!? Was I meant to be grateful for how they treated me. I was their punching bag.

“Brodie, there is no time to the teach this ungrateful bitch a lesson. The razorclaw pack will be here any minute." Roy said. Brodie's eyes settled to his normal green colour as he gained control over his wolf.

"This isn't over." He warned releasing my throat. My hand shot to my sore throat. As my panic settled, Roy’s words sunk in. Razorclaw pack! Shit, Why were they coming here? They were the largest and strongest pack; you didn’t mess with them. I had heard their Alpha was harsh with his punishments. Everything was black or white with him. Brodie grabbed my arm tightly and dragged me back to the pack's kitchen.

“Start helping with dinner. I’ll find you later to discuss your punishment” Brodie snarled. surrounded by other pack members. I dropped my head.

"Yes, Alpha Brodie.” I muttered quietly hoping he had more pressing things to attend too. He growled but left.

I helped cook dinner, then I was sent to clean because no one wanted an ugly girl serving them. Fine by me—I didn’t want to be out there. I filled the sink by hand, since using the dishwasher meant punishment, and started on the endless dishes. A long night waited, made worse by Brodie’s promise to find me later.

"It will be okay." Wendy said.

"Are they the only words you know?" I asked annoyed. She growled at me, not liking my attitude.

"Your attitude and short tongue makes you a target Emma." She snapped back.

"Oh Please. Just breathing makes me a target!" I shot back before pushing her to the back of my mind. I focused on the mind-numbing task ahead of me.

I was two hours in. I was waiting for everyone to clear out so I could get the plates from dinner. I had started cleaning the kitchen, I knew the head servant would make sure to tell me to clean the kitchen too.

"We are leaving. Make sure the kitchen is spotless before you leave or I'll inform the Alpha and Luna of your laziness." The head servant ordered with a snarl. My laziness!? I was cleaning the kitchen top to bottom and washing every fucking plate from dinner with no help. I bet they had all had dinner too. Food was wasted on someone like me, or so they told me. I nodded, clamping my mouth shut biting back the words I wanted to say. However, she wasn't happy with my respond. She spun me away from the sink while I was still holding the cup I’d been washing, splashing water all over her.

"You useless bitch." She hissed.

"That was your own fault." I snapped without thinking. She slapped my cheek hard. My cheek burnt with pain but the rest of me burnt with a need to rip her head off.

"Learn your place, you ungrateful bitch. The Alpha and Luna will hear about this and your disrespect, laziness and attitude." She snarled at me and left. I stayed rooted in place, glaring at the ground, the anger was charging through my veins, and I needed it to settle.

"And you want me to help them!?" I asked Wendy.

"They will need your help, Emma. They will regret their actions and how they have treated when the truth is revealed." She said, I noted the new information.

"The truth? What truth? Truth about me?" I asked, begging for more answers. I saw her wolfish face smirk into a cocky grin.

"Patience child." Was she reply before retreading to the back of my mind.

I shook my head. I didn’t have time to overthink Wendy’s words. I needed to get the plates. I poked my head out and found the room empty, with only music playing. Finally, I thought. I started clearing the large table, slowly moving to the beat as the music melted my anger away. When my favourite song came on, I glanced around and smiled. No one was there. Fuck it. I closed my eyes, letting my body move as the words fell from my lips. I spun as the chorus hit, ready to sing it out, but froze when my eyes locked on a man watching me. Oh shit. He wore an amused smirk. He wasn’t from my pack; he was from Razorclaw. Panic flooded me.

"Please continue." He said waving his hand in front of the floor.

"He means you no harm Emma." Wendy informed. I didn't believe her for a second.

"No... I. . . should get back to work." I got out, dropping my head in respect. I keep my head down as I felt he came closer. My heart was beating painfully in my chest.

"Relax little wolf. I mean you no harm." He said gently lifting my chin to look me in the eyes. He was attractive and tall. Light brown hair with blue eyes. "Why didn't I see you at dinner?" He asked, tilting his head.

"I was busy cleaning up; I helped cook dinner." I answered. I was surprised he didn't scare me, if anything I felt safe.

"You can trust him, Emma." Wendy voiced. His eyes narrowed on my face; he turned my chin exposing my slapped cheek. I casted my eyes down.

"What happened here little wolf?" He asked. My heartrate picked up.

"It's nothing." I muttered. Hoping he would let it drop. His hand fell away from my face, I noticed he clinched it into a fist.

"What is your name?" He asked sharply. I flinched at his tone.

"Emma, sir." I answered quickly.

"How old are you, Emma?" He asked in a softer tone.

"16 sir." I answered quickly.

"Victor." He said sharply again. I looked up panicked; I need to see his eyes to know if I was in danger. Blackness was rolling thought his eyes. Oh no!

"I am sorry." I said worried I had angered him.

"My name is Victor. Beta Victor Matters." He explained. Beta! Oh shit! I was dead meat.

"Calm down Emma. He won't hurt you." Wendy voiced.

"Emma, breathe, please. I would never hurt you. You’re safe, I promise." he said gently. I took a much-needed breath. He said please, I realised. Twice. What the hell? A beta didn’t need to say please or thank you. His rank was second only to the Alpha’s, and his orders were meant to be followed without question.

"Beta Victor, please I really need to get back to work." I said, I looked up with pleading eyes. He looked at me for a long moment before nodding. It was like he didn't want to leave me.

"Very well." He said before turning and heading out but suddenly he stopped and turned back to me. "Thank you for dinner little wolf. It was delicious." He said smirking as he said delicious. That threw me, what the hell did that mean?

"You're welcome, Beta Victor. I am glad you enjoyed it." I said politely when I realised he was waiting for my reply.

"Victor." He corrected with a smile and left. I stayed put, trying to work out what the hell just happened.

It was a sign of disrespect to not address all high rank wolves with their titles. So why did he want he to call him Victor? It was confusing and he thanked me for dinner.

I was in auto pilot as I continued with my job clearing and cleaning up. But my thoughts rested on Victor. He was nothing like I had expected from a person of Razorclaw pack. I thought I would be more terrified of someone from razorclaw but I felt safe. Sure, he scared me once or twice but not to the point I thought he was going to be violent with me.

"Why do I feel like this Wendy?" I asked, she was curled lazily in my mind watching me.

"You'll understand soon enough." She answered. I smiled; I couldn't help it. Typical Wendy answer.

"How did you know he wouldn't hurt me?" I asked. Her reply took a while.

"I didn't sense any harm or violence coming from his core or wolf." She answered. I frowned that only raised more questions.

I was suddenly yanked away. I had been so lost in my thoughts. I didn't feel anyone approach. I looked into the angry eyes of Aplha George. Oh no! I thought, panicked.

“You have been disrespecting everyone and giving attitude all day. I won’t stand for it,” he snarled. The scent of alcohol hit me hard. Shit. If he was drunk, the punishment would be worse. I couldn’t take another week of healing from his lashes.

“Please, Alpha. I haven't done anything wrong.” I begged. I was slapped hard. My eyes watered.

“You dare to lie to me! You dare to call my pack liars.” He roared at me. Oh shit! This was happening no matter what. I dropped my head. He grabbed my arm tightly and dragged me away.

I was injected with wolfsbane to stop my healing, and the back of my shirt was cut open. I separated myself from what was happening and retreated into memories of my parents—their love, my mother’s gentle touch, and my father’s words of strength. Be strong, my little wolf. Little wolf. Just as Victor had called me. For a moment, he filled my mind: his gentleness, and the safety I had felt with him.

Then the first lash struck, ripping me back to the present. I flinched but refused to cry out. I wouldn’t give them that satisfaction. Again and again, the whip cracked across my back. I sensed people gathering to watch as blood trickled down my skin. I bit back my sobs, allowing only the occasional whimper to escape. By the tenth lash, my legs gave out, and I crashed to my knees. I forced myself to breathe as the pain began to break through the wall I had built.

“Stand up!” Alpha George growled. I slowly got to my feet. I prayed I had enough strength to withstand this punishment. Mum, dad, I thought as the whipping started again. 'Be strong, little wolf'.

“Dad” I whimpered. My lips were trembling in pain, unable to separate myself from what was happening anymore. Maybe this would be the day; the punishment that killed me.

“What the hell is going on here?” A voice roared, shooting fear into everyone. I looked up. Three people, one woman and two men. They were pissed and one was Victor.

“Emma” He breathed as our eyes locked. He rushed to me, grabbing my face. I heard yelling in the background. I flinched at the growls and snarls. "What have they done to you?” He muttered. “it's OK. They won't hurt you.” he said when I flinched at the snarls again.

“Hi sweetie, my name is Lauren. Luna of the razorclaw pack.” A gentle voice said beside me. I turned.

“Hello Luna Lauren.” I muttered in respect.

“She is big on titles.” Victor muttered to her.

“Can you tell me what happened? Alpha George is saying it's your punishment.” She said. I looked at Victor.

“I didn't do anything wrong.” I pleaded with him. His eyes softened.

“I know. . . but we need to hear both sides little wolf.” He explained. Before I could, my legs gave out. He reached to catch me. I cried out in pain as his arms connected with my bloodied back.

“Why aren't you healing?” He asked, panicked.

“Wolfsbane.” I breathed. He growled. I heard more yelling behind me. I was guessing Alpha George, and the other man were arguing.

“She is bleeding everywhere, Lauren.” Victor said pained. He tugged me gently until I was leaning on him. I thought he would crumble but he held strong.

“Roman, she needs to be treated.” The Luna yelled, standing.

“She needs to finish receiving her punishment.” I heard Alpha George say.

“I can smell him.” Wendy said softly.

“Smell who? Wendy.” I asked, but stupidly it was out loud.

“Who is Wendy?” Victor asked.

“I can smell him... our mate. He is coming.” she explained.

“Fuck your punishment.” I heard Luna snarl. George snarled and growled at her loudly. I flinched.

“You dare growl at my mother?” a new voice demanded. The Alpha and Luna’s son, I assumed. I looked up—and forgot how to breathe. He was stunning, tall and muscular like most male wolves, but there was something more about him. It was in the way he carried his Alpha power, calm and controlled, yet impossible to ignore. I could feel it pressing against the air around him, and beneath it, something even stronger.

"Mate," Wendy purred in my mind as his eyes locked on mine. My battered heart stumbled, then raced.

“Mate,” he breathed, as he moved toward me. Hope and longing filled his face as he neared me. I tried to answer, but my body finally gave out. Pain, blood loss, and exhaustion dragged me under, and darkness swallowed me whole.