Madison Willow's POV :
"Alpha Jacob Guzman! He won the league of pack championship again! "
I gave a lazy look to my step sister, Cassandra, who was jumping with excitement as the new Alpha of our pack, Black Eclipse, made his way to the stage. Her newly done nails and make-up was the talk of the pack today. That's what she wanted in addition to grabbing Jacob's attention.
Jacob Guzman. Sorry, Alpha Jacob Guzman was a tall, sharp blue eyed blonde who had more ego than the entire Pacific Ocean's depth. He had a Godly character and was self obsessed. Everything in the pack was about him. Since he had returned back from the Alpha Training University, he was being worshiped by everyone.
Alpha Jacob's gym timing, his diet, his swimming routine and even about the size of his manhood.
"It was huge… Gigantic… "
That's what my friend Ada had said when she had 'mistakenly' caught a glimpse of him in the shower.
Yuck! I took the last bite out of my sandwich and grabbed my bag. I had to attend this stupid soccer tournament and now it was over.
"Where are you going,birthday girl? " Ada asked, grabbing my arm.
I rolled my eyes, " Home. I don't have enough energy left to jump and scream his name. And please don't let anyone know about the birthday. No one remembers it fortunately. Don't say a word about my birthday now. "
Ada sighed and stood up too. She took me to a calm corner where there was less noise.
"Mady, why do you hate him so much? "
I gave her a sharp look and instantly looked away.
"Ah, that was nearly a decade ago. We were all kids back then. He didn't even mean it. I bet he has forgotten about it by now… " Ada tried to make me feel better.
But how could I even forget that. The incident which changed my entire childhood. Something which made me a loser in everyone's eyes.
"Fat cow! That's what he called me before pushing me into the mud. Everyone laughed at me, Ada. Madison the ugly Fat Cow. " I realized my voice raised a little too high and Ada touched my shoulder.
"I know, Mady. But if you will not join him in his win as a pack member, they will pester you more. It's his 21st birthday too. Also, he has been so busy with everything, especially the butterflies around him. You are the last girl he has in mind. "
That hurt. Knowing that I was someone who was not considered breathtaking or even beautiful because of my weight made me insecure again. I just didn't care though. I never hated my body. If I was a little heavy, then it shouldn't be the concern of the supermodels who think highly of themselves.
"You are right. I will just stand in the corner. " I whispered.
Ada elbowed my belly, " You are beautiful! Don't pretend you don't have the most unique lavender eyes. Once you get your wolf today, you will not be weak either. "
I blinked rapidly and gave her a creepy smile. We both laughed our stress off. She had gotten her amazing wolf, Lara, two weeks ago after her 18th birthday celebration. And she had been giving me motivation since then.
The corner place, that's what we got because the girls had been going crazy about him. I saw my step mother, Clara, standing with a bouquet and welcome card. She was the late Beta Magnum's wife. I didn't call him dad after he married her because my mom had died just a week ago. He never cared about her. Even when my mom gave him everything, he barely looked at her for her entire life.
I had pledged to myself that I would never allow my pups to stay in a family where the father hated me. They needed to learn love and warmth.
"Look at Cassandra… " Ada said.
Dressed in a red velvet gown, her cleavage almost popping out, she definitely looked like the trophy girl. She was also the face of the pack magazine and desired by every commercial company. Both in the human and shifter world, she was the highest paid model among all.
Only if they knew about her vile heart, they wouldn't be running behind her. How she burnt my birthday gown or how she destroyed my photo collection calling me fat.
"You are welcome to your pack, Alpha Jacob. " Clara welcomed him.
Cassandra gave him the bouquet and he kissed the back of her hand. She blushed and he couldn't take his eyes off her. Everyone knew they would be the next Luna and Alpha of the pack.
Luna Sophia, his mother, gave a warm smile but I knew beneath that happy face, the layers of arrogance and authority hid.
"I am happy to win the championship and also to meet the beautiful pack members. "Alpha Jacob said, his voice deep and rough, " All those years, I waited for the time when I will be back and looking after my people. "
"We love you! " Someone shouted from the crowd.
"Ha! I love you all too. But I love someone else more… " I saw him looking over at his shoulder and Cassandra chuckled.
The Luna took to the stage and cleared her throat. Her eyes never even reached us for a second. She was the reason why Jacob was such an arrogant prick.
"As you all know, it's Alpha Jacob's 21st birthday today. We will now proceed with the cake cutting and greetings. He is tired and needs rest. So, everyone please hurry up and meet your Alpha. "
For the tenth time, I rolled my eyes because it was so forced. To meet him, attend his soccer match, and wish him a happy birthday. Everything worked in a mechanical manner. They didn't feel like our saviours.
A Luna should be polite, full of empathy but neither Luna Sophia nor Cassandra had any inclination towards us.
"Just wish him a quick birthday and don't look at him. " Ada suggested.
"That's what I am going to do. "
We followed the huge queue and I nervously wiped the sweat off my hands. I could feel him closer to me, his eyes not even glancing at anyone. The girls tried to talk to him more but he was already bored. I was thankful for his lack of enthusiasm to meet his own people. The speech of love and responsibility was just a show to put up for the media.
"Happy birthday, Alpha Jacob. You're looking really handsome. You played so well today. " Ada wished him.
He gave her a nod and she walked away. My turn…
"Happy birthday, Jacob… " I bit my lip, " Alpha Jacob. "
He shot his head up, a smirk playing on his lips. I quickly bowed my head and tried to run after Ada but someone grabbed my arm.
"Madison. " He said, " The Fat…"
The last two girls behind me began laughing and I roughly tried to take my arm from his grip. But he was persistent. The media was clicking pictures. Hundreds of flashlights almost blinded me.
"Sorry. But you are not ugly anymore. Madison. Happy 18th birthday to you. " He whispered to me. My heart was beating profusely inside my chest.
"Thank you, Alpha… "
I felt a sharp pain across my face and realized that I was slapped as I rubbed my cheek.
"F*ck off! Who allowed this ugly fat cow here? The reporters are clicking pictures! I don't want her face on the papers. " Luna Sophia screamed at me and pushed me into the crowd.
Alpha Jacob's hand still stretched out for mine as he watched me running away with shame from everyone's judging eyes. His eyes held sympathy and his jaw clenched in anger. But I should have never come here. I was too ugly in comparison to other girls.
"Madison-" Someone called my name but I continued to run into the wild woods.