Claimed By The Ruthless Alpha King

Lisa's POV

Being an omega, the weakest wolf rank in the pack, meant that I was treated like an outcast. Not just by other wolves my age, but by everyone-even my own family. There was no respect, no acknowledgment of my worth, nothing. I was a burden, a punching bag for the pack's frustrations and jokes. No one expected anything of me, and it seemed no one ever would.

"Lisa!" A sharp voice called from behind, snapping me from my thoughts.

I flinched at the sound recognizing the harsh tone instantly. My stepsister, Brenda emerged from the trees, her brows furrowed in irritation.

"What are you doing here?"

"I-I was just sitting," I replied quickly, standing up and brushing the dirt off my dress. I spoke quietly as I often did when speaking to anyone, especially her. "I needed a moment to think."

Brenda crossed her arms and scowled. "To think? About what? How useless you are?" Her words were biting, filled with the same disdain that the rest of the pack showed me. "The mating ceremony is about to start. What do you think you're doing hiding out here? Aren't you supposed to fix my hair and makeup or should I do them myself?"

I dropped my gaze to the ground and whispered. "I'm going to the mating ceremony this year. You should do your own hair and makeup yourself."

"Excuse me. I didn't ask for a dog's opinion," Brenda scoffed. Then she pinched her eyelids. "You want to go to the ceremony? For what? You never attend any of them."

"I–I'm going." I stuttered terribly.

Though I wasn't sure if that was entirely true. The mating ceremony was something I dreaded and longed for. It was the moment when the Moon Goddess would reveal everyone's destined mates, the one person they were meant to spend the rest of their lives with. I never had the opportunity to attend any mating ceremony. I'd always hide in the kitchen with the maids or my room in the attic. But this time, I was going to attend. For an omega like me, hope was a fragile thing, but it was one thing I clinged onto.

Brenda burst out in a mocking laugh. "You should be thankful if anyone even looks at you, Lisa. I doubt the Moon Goddess will waste her time pairing you with anyone decent. You'll probably end up with some other omega, or worse, alone."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, trying to keep my emotions in check. This was nothing new. I had been hearing those same insults for as long as I can remember.

Brenda chuckled. "Oh, I know. She'll pair you with a loser. Isn't that match made in heaven?"

"I won't be paired with a loser." I clenched both my fists at my side.

"Are you talking to me like that?" Brenda threw me glare that sent a shiver down my spine.

She went on. "Ah... I see...she's finally growing some wings.