The Unshift Wolf

3. Not Invited

Aspen POV

At that moment, I realized I had landed myself in significant trouble.

I can't believe I actually did that.

I approached her cautiously, checking to ensure she was still breathing. Thankfully, she was.

As she transformed back into a human, she coughed loudly, and I reached out to assist her, but she swiftly shifted away.

"Don't touch me, you witch!" she shouted, leaving me momentarily stunned.

"She needs a blanket, please," I told the guards who had come in to check on her.

"Fool, stop staring at me!" she barked at one of the guards, who promptly went to retrieve a blanket.

After a while, he returned with a white blanket. Layla attempted to stand up, but her weakened state prevented her. I couldn't help but furrow my brows.Why hasn't she healed already?

'Perhaps she intentionally did that so that your little ass can pay for your actions," My subconscious mocked me and I could only snap my fingers.

The guards assisted her, ensuring the door was securely locked as they led her back to the pack house. As soon as she stepped outside, she looked back at me, dead in the eyes before speaking.

"I am very sure that you will be un alived if father hears of this!"

Feeling drained, I slowly sank to the floor, leaning against the wall. Five minutes later, I noticed two guards in khaki shirts and black shorts approaching with a flashlight.

They opened the gate and motioned for me to follow. "Alpha Asher is requesting your presence," they said, causing all color to drain from my face.

They dropped me to the ground, and I looked up to find Alpha Asher, Dad, Stella, and Layla herself, all fully dressed and wearing concerned expressions.

"What the hell did you do to my daughter?" my father demanded before the Alpha could even speak, causing a tear to slip down my face. I glanced up to see Layla smirking at me.

Unable to meet their gaze, I lowered my head, only to hear him threaten, "Are you also incapable of speech, just like you're deprived of your wolf?" I shook my head.

"I didn't mean it. It's all my fault," I managed to say.

"She will be confined to the dungeon for the rest of the week," he declared with finality in his voice, and the guards came to drag me away.

Back in the dungeon, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I awoke to the grumbling of my stomach. Crawling toward the door, my hands collided with something metallic, and warm liquid dripped down, stinging like hell. I banged on the silver door, desperately seeking help, but no one answered. Exhausted, I slumped back, pressing my back against the wall before drifting into another world.

~~~~~~~~

I found myself in a strange place, rays of light gently illuminating my face. And then I saw her—a figure in a flowing white gown with cascading blonde hair. It was my mother.

"Mom," I called out to her, my voice filled with remorse. "I'm sorry for everything," I added, bowing my head in shame.

She slowly lifted my chin, her voice as soothing as a gentle breeze. "Aspen, there is no need for apologies," she said.

"Mother, I'm struggling here. I wish to join you on the other side, where everything feels calm and peaceful," I expressed.

"No, Aspen. This is not your place. You need to stay here and be strong," she replied gently, her hand patting my hair.

"But mother, I'm tired of this world. I want to be with you on the other side," I pleaded.

"As I said before, you must find strength and never give up," she reiterated, offering one last smile before vanishing.

"Mother! Mother! Mother!" I called out, but there was no response. It was just a dream, yet beads of sweat formed on my forehead, trickling down to my chin and chest.

"Bring her out!" I heard someone order gruffly.

"Did four days just pass?" I wondered to myself as they forcefully dragged me back to the kitchen. The Omegas continued their work, paying no attention to me.

Scanning the room for the head Omega, I realized she was absent. Then, I felt a gentle nudge on my shoulder. I looked up to find Eva, one of the Omegas, standing beside me. "It's our turn to clean the house," she informed me. I nodded and followed her sluggishly until she hurriedly brought me into the Omegas' quarters.

"Here, take this," she said, handing me a cup of water, which I eagerly gulped down.

"I also got you these," she spoke again, offering me some cookies that I quickly devoured.

I mouthed a "Thank you" to her before asking, "Why are you helping me?"

"Because your mother is kind, and you're not a bad person either," she shrugged her shoulders.

"Let's get back to cleaning before we get caught," she said, returning to the stairs.

Then I noticed something peculiar—they were decorating the house.

"What's happening?" I asked her.

"Tomorrow is Beta Layla's birthday, and she's going to find her true mate," she explained in a monotone voice.

"Oh, I see," I nodded before resuming my work.

As I lay on my bed, a realization struck me—tomorrow was my birthday too. Layla and I shared the same birthdate. However, unlike her, I couldn't venture out to find my mate because I was an Omega, bound to this pack. At least that's what Layla had told me.

~~~~~~~~

"Wake up, Aspen, wake up," someone called, nudging me out of bed.

I opened my eyes to find Eva towering over me.

I quickly got out of bed and changed into my usual attire, making my way towards the kitchen.

First, I tended to the garden, as instructed by Samantha, which I genuinely enjoyed. Then, I rushed back to the kitchen.

"Keep an eye on that bacon, Aspen," Samantha continued to bark orders at us.

Stella entered the kitchen, smiling at Samantha and praising her for her hard work. She greeted everyone in the kitchen, but her smile vanished and turned into a scowl when she reached me.

She pulled me aside, away from the kitchen, and said, "I hope you've learned your lesson, Aspen. If you ever dare harm my daughter again, I won't hesitate to have you eliminated," she threatened.

"One more thing, remember?" You are not invited to the party, you being there is only to serve, do I make myself clear," she barked, I nodded and heaved a sigh of relief as if a huge burden was laid off her chest as I nodded.

Sooner than I expected, the party began with everything hustling and bustling with guests on the dancing floor while slow music was going on. I took the opportunity to grab a tray of drinks and walked around.

Just then I heard," It's high time the celebrant was out, " I watched as she moved in the long blue floral dress with smiles. I turned to walk away when I bumped into a hard chest.

Sparks and twinges burst through me, his heavenly scent clouding my senses. At that instant, I knew I had found my mate.

I finally looked up to say sorry to the fellow when I was met by deep blue eyes like the ocean and a brown hair well styled which belonged to no one other than the future Alpha of the Raven pack.

BLAKE!!