1
I am Rose, the daughter of the Alpha. At least, I was supposed to be. Now, I'm nothing more than a servant and a slave in my own pack. The others used to call me the Alpha's daughter, but now they simply call me "the girl who can't shift." It's a title that stings with every whispered taunt and every pitiful look.
My twin sister, Sarah, on the other hand, is the perfect Alpha's daughter. She shifted into a magnificent white wolf during that pivotal ceremony, and her transformation was celebrated with a grand feast and cheering from the pack. Since then, Sarah has reveled in her newfound status, basking in the adoration of our pack members. She's taken every opportunity to remind me of my failure, subjecting me to her cruelty and making me her personal maid.
Today, as I scrub the stone floors of our pack's grand hall in preparation for Sarah's engagement party, I can't help but feel the weight of my existence pressing down on me. I know I must remain invisible, a ghost in the shadows, a mere whisper in the background. It's the only way to avoid more of Sarah's torment and protect what little dignity I have left.
The hall is alive with bustling pack members, preparing for the impending celebration. The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread fills the air, and I can hear the joyful chatter of the guests arriving from the neighboring Alpha's territory. My heart aches as I watch them, knowing that I'll never be allowed to participate in such gatherings as an equal.
"Rose, hurry up with those dishes!" Sarah's voice cuts through the din of activity, and I flinch at the sharpness of her tone. I'm not allowed to address her as my sister anymore, not since my failed transformation. To her, I'm nothing more than a servant.
"Yes, Sarah," I mutter, obediently picking up a pile of dirty dishes and carrying them to the kitchen. I wash and dry them as quickly as I can, trying to avoid any further confrontation.
As I work, my thoughts drift to the son of the neighboring Alpha, the man Sarah is set to marry. I've never met him, but I've heard he's strong, handsome, and a powerful Alpha in his own right. Sarah's marriage to him will solidify our pack's alliance with the neighboring territory, a union that our pack desperately needs.
The engagement party is not just a celebration; it's a political statement, a symbol of our pack's strength and unity. And I, the girl who can't shift, am destined to remain in the background, invisible.
Hours pass as I continue to clean and prepare for the party. I watch from the shadows as Sarah is adorned in a stunning white dress, her hair woven with flowers, and her beauty enhanced by subtle makeup. She truly looks the part of the Alpha's daughter, while I remain in my plain servant's attire, invisible to all.
The guests begin to arrive, and the grand hall fills with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. I serve food and drinks, my movements careful and discreet. I can't help but overhear the conversations around me, the guests praising Sarah and her impending marriage.
"The Alpha's daughter is so fortunate," one guest remarks. "Marrying such a powerful Alpha's son."
Sarah's laughter rings out, and I see her twirl in the arms of her future husband. I can't deny that she's radiant and deserving of the praise, but it stings knowing that I'll never experience such joy or admiration.
As the night wears on, I retreat to a corner, my eyes fixed on the couple as they dance and enjoy the festivities. The tension in the hall is palpable, and I sense the weight of expectations on Sarah's shoulders. She must be the perfect Alpha's daughter and, soon, the perfect Alpha's mate.
I'm lost in my thoughts when a sudden hush falls over the room. I look up to see the neighboring Alpha, a tall, imposing figure with a regal air, enter the hall. He's accompanied by his own son, the man who will soon be my sister's husband.
The room comes alive with whispers and hushed conversations. The presence of the neighboring Alpha commands respect and attention. I can't help but notice the striking resemblance between the father and son, both possessing the same air of authority.
Sarah and her future husband approach the neighboring Alpha, and I can see the exchange of pleasantries and formalities. It's a momentous occasion, and the alliance between our packs is being cemented in this grand hall.
I slip away from the crowd and find a quiet spot near the large windows, gazing out into the moonlit night. A soft breeze stirs the curtains, and I feel a momentary sense of freedom as I watch the silver glow of the moon.
But my respite is short-lived. The sound of footsteps approaching behind me startles me, and I turn to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It's Sarah's future husband, the man I've only heard of in passing.
He looks at me with curiosity, his eyes searching. "You must be Rose," he says, his voice gentle.
I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes, that's me."
He offers a small smile. "Your sister speaks of you often, though not in the most flattering terms. But I've always believed in making my own judgments."
I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope at his words. "Thank you," I reply, my voice barely a whisper.
He extends his hand. "I'm Johnny Ballard, by the way. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
I shake his hand, surprised by the warmth and sincerity in his touch. "Likewise, Johnny Ballard."
We stand in the moonlit silence for a moment, two outsiders in the midst of a grand celebration. It's a fleeting connection, but one that fills me with a sense of possibility. Perhaps not all hope is lost.
As the night progresses, I return to my duties, but I do so with a newfound sense of purpose. The world may see me as the girl who can't shift, the servant in the shadows, but I won't let that define me any longer.
I watch Sarah and Johnny Ballard as they dance together, the center of attention, the perfect Alpha's daughter and her soon-to-be Alpha mate. But I also steal glances at Johnny Ballard, the one person who saw me for who I am, not what I can't be.
The engagement party carries on into the early hours of the morning, and I can't help but wonder what the future holds for our pack and for me. The tension and betrayal that have defined my life thus far may not disappear overnight, but I'm determined to navigate this difficult existence with strength and resilience.
In the darkness, beneath the silver glow of the moon, I find a glimmer of hope and the promise of a different path. The story of the Alpha's daughter who couldn't shift is far from over, and I'm determined to make my own destiny, one that doesn't rely on the expectations of others.
As the night comes to a close and the guests begin to depart, I catch one last glimpse of Johnny Ballard, and our eyes meet. The stare lasted for a brief second and then I left without saying a word. There was nothing for me to say because Alpha Ballard was for my sister, Sarah, and he was not for me.