The Alpha's Cursed Mate novel Chapter 3

She kicked her legs in the water, staring at how it rippled and splashed, but not enough to scare the little ducklings away. Her mother took her to the pond to catch some fish. She sat on the bank of the pond, her new yellow dress bunched up on her thighs, her short hair dancing with the breeze. A particular thought ran through her mind, over and over again. She was curious, she was agitated.

"Mother?" She called softly, not lifting her gaze from the water. Her mother hummed in response. "Can I ask you a question?" She asked.-

"Sure, honey, what is it?"

"What happens when I find my mate?" Her mother stiffened, a small gasp leaving her lips. Never had she thought of that. The only thing she ever thought of was how to keep her daughter alive, not remembering that important part of the little girl's life. Her tensed shoulders tightened along with the veins in her neck. Without missing a beat, she spoke:

"Reject him."

____

Sixty-two, sixty-three, sixty-four, sixty-five… twelve more to go. I stretched on the tip of my toes, letting out a stretched-out yawn. I was tired to the bones. My work for the day was to wash the cars and SUVs. The pack had so much, I wondered what they did with them. If each one of them had jobs that assist the pack, I'd understand they could afford the maintenance of the cars from their own pockets. However, all received monthly allowance from the alpha, yet they all squander and shake the budget with their obsession with the iron machinery. If there's one thing they all have in common, aside from being judgmental jerks, was their obsession with cars.

The alpha had the most cars, next to his son, the Beta, and then the Luna. Somehow, your rank is increased by the number of cars you have. Trust me, it's ridiculous, but they didn't see it that way. I vividly remember the number of times the alpha proudly showed off the pack garage to visiting packs. Even if you are a rogue who later joins the pack, eventually, you'll join the race for the best cars for the highest respect.

I didn't really care. It was not my money wasting. But at least, if they are going to buy so much junk, they should learn to care for it themselves. Every omega had their permanent duties, mine the most stressful because I had to handle the vehicles, the kitchen, and the garden, though shared with three other omegas.

Car washing days were always the hardest for me. Their vehicles were dirt magnets, extraordinarily dirty. ‘I hate cleaning,’ Zinnia complained.

‘I hate being alive but I can't die, so you see? We can't always get what we want.’

‘Baby, you are brutal.’ I chuckled at her reply, sighing heavily at the end. If it wasn't for Zinnia, no doubt I would have been dead. Suicide is so easy to commit, you see.

It took me an hour more, but I completed the job. I was drying the last car, a black saloon when they just had to come in. They tittered as they walked in, probably talking about this hot high school boy to the other. Edna and Emma, the Alpha's daughters, were with them as the leaders, of course. I knew my bad day was about to get worse.

"I swear, Jordan is so cute. He winked at me." I was right, boys.

"You must be dreaming, he winked at me. I mean, why would he wink at you? Have you seen me?" Edna boasted pompously. "I am the second alpha female and the most beautiful girl in this pack. Why would he wink at you?"

"I don't know, maybe because he is my mate?" The girl, Pepper, offered with a sneer. Emma snorted derisively.

"Oh, puh-lease, Pepper, not that again. Last month, Herod was your mate, and three months ago, it was Bayan. Make up your mind, or wait, find your actual mate. Just because a guy is cute doesn't make him your mate. You don't see me claiming Guy, do you? Oh, and Edna, you might want to get your head out of the clouds. Everyone knows the most beautiful girl here is me. I mean…" she spun around abruptly, swinging her hips to the side, "have you seen these hips? I don't remember you having one."

Edna scoffed. "Just because you have large hips doesn't classify you as the most beautiful. Hips and beauty is a distant topic."

"Whatever, I'm still better than you." I rolled my eyes as all five girls began their argument on who was prettier, well, until they saw me. I sighed mentally, preparing myself for whatever nonsense they might have to say or do.

"Well, what do we have here? Is the slave still trying to work on these simple vehicles?" Said Edna. I gave them a polite bow in response. They all scoffed, running their eyes over the length of my body with distaste. Emma bit down on her lower lip, rolling her eyes back to my lowered face. I could feel each of their eyes on me, even without looking. The bitter scorn and envious glower, I could feel it even in my sleep.

"I hate you." Emma spat disdainfully.