REJECTED AND REDEEMED

CHAPTER 1: The Unwanted Omega. Hazel crouched on the cold stone floor, her body worn from endless chores. The Shadow Moon pack's mansion loomed above, a place of cruelty and indifference. The scrub brush felt heavy in her hands, a reminder of her desperation. The three maids stormed in, their faces twisted with disdain. "Look at her, craggling like a runt." One of them sneered. Another other kicked Hazel's bucket of washing water, spilling it on the floor. "Lazy omega can't even show a single strength." she spat. The blonde one yanked Hazel's hair back and whispered. "You're nothing but a worthless piece of sh*t." Hazel's vision blurred as she felt the weight of her insignificance. She was a ghost, invisible and insignificant. The spark within her flickered weakly. She whispered a silent plea, Get up, Hazel... please, just get up. But her body remained frozen. Hazel was a nineteen-year-old girl without a wolf. She was a laughing stock in the pack, and even children looked at her with disdain. She was an orphan, abandoned by her parents at the pack border. People said they couldn't keep up with the bad luck she brought upon them and hated her for no reason. Hazel pushed open the creaking door to her room, a dingy cell in the pack's forgotten corner. The cold floor awaited her. Rats and roaches scratched and scurried into motion. The air reeked of rot and neglect. She slid down the wall, knees drawn tight to her chest. Tears threatened, but she'd cried oceans already. The rats crept closer, silent witnesses to her pain. Her throat and eyes ached from crying. She undressed to take her night bath, her patched and bruised skin a testament to her packmates' abuse. She was barely fed, eating once a day, and not even allowed to eat remnants from plates. As she stepped into the dingy bathroom, the cracked mirror reflected a stranger's face – swollen eyes, bruised cheek, and a whisper of hope lost in the shadows. She winced, turning away from the reflection. The cold water numbed her skin, a brief respite from the ache within. Wrapped in a tattered towel, she returned to her cell, rats scurrying for warmth. The night air clenched tighter. Tomorrow loomed as an endless cycle of drudgery and scorn for her. But on her twentieth birthday, just a few hours away, she had cling to hope. Maybe, just maybe, her wolf would emerge, strong and fierce. Maybe she would find a mate, one who'd shield her from this cruelty. Hazel curled tighter, eyes closing in the dark. In the silence. She smiled hoping everything would get better soon. While Hazel was lost in her dreams, a harsh voice cut through the darkness – "Hazel! Get up, you lazy mutt!" It was the head maid, standing over her with a bucket of icy water, which she promptly poured over Hazel's curled-up form. Hazel jolted awake, gasping, as the cold water hit her like a slap. "W-what...?" she stammered, wiping water from her face. The head maid sneered, her voice like a whip. "Don't you know the Alpha is returning today? You've got work to do, scrubbing and cleaning every inch of this place. So move, now!" She kicked Hazel's makeshift bed, sending rats scurrying for cover. Hazel scrambled up, her bruised body protesting. She dressed quickly in the damp, worn-out clothes laid out for her, her mind racing to the alpha's return. The pack was hard for her and harder with the Alpha. As she followed the head maid to the kitchen, the smell of food she couldn't taste wafted into her nostrils. The other maids avoided her gaze, their faces a mix of pity and fear, the Alpha is feared by all. The Alpha's return was never a good time for anybody and for Hazel, even worse. As she scrubbed the floors, her mind wandered to the Alpha, Ryder Blackwood. He was a force to be reckoned with – low temper, sharp tongue, and a reputation for being merciless. Hazel shuddered at the thought of facing him. Just then, the sound of engines roared outside. The Alpha's returning. Hazel's heart sank; she wasn't ready for this. The pack members began to gather, their faces a mix of excitement and nervousness. Hazel peeked out the window and saw a sleek black SUV pulling up. The door opened, and Ryder Blackwood stepped out, his piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd. He was taller than she remembered, his broad shoulders and chiseled features making him look like a god. But his expression was cold, his jaw clenched in a perpetual scowl. Behind him, the Luna, Sophia, emerged, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to Ryder's intensity. She smiled warmly at the pack members, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Alpha Ryder stormed into the pack house, his face like thunder. The pack members exchanged nervous glances, Alpha Ryder's eyes scanned the room, his gaze cold and piercing. "Lucas, Raymond, we have a meeting, Now!" He barked, calling out his beta and gamma. Without another word, he stalked off towards the meeting room leaving everyone flustered. Another car came to an abrupt stop right outside the pack house entrance. As the engine died, Ethan, the Alpha's son, emerged with his girlfriend. As she stepped out of the sleek car, her eyes scanned the pack house with a mix of disdain and curiosity. She was a stunning blonde, with piercing green eyes and a sharp tongue. Ethan's arm around her waist, he led her towards the entrance. Just as they were about to enter, Hazel stumbled out of the kitchen, her eyes downcast and her hair messy. She was carrying a heavy tray of dirty dishes, her arms shaking under the weight. Just as she passed by them, a cup with unfinished water accidentally fell and spilled on the blonde lady's shoes. Hazel's eyes flickered up, and for a moment, their gazes met. The lady's eyes sparkled with anger, and she took a step closer to Hazel. "How dare a smut like you spill water on my expensive shoes." She sneered, her voice like a whip. Hazel's face flushed, and she looked away, trying to sidestep her. But the she-wolf was too quick, her hand shooting out to grab Hazel's arm. "Where do you think you're going, runt?" She sneered, her nails digging into Hazel's skin. "You don't even deserve to breathe the same air as I do." Ethan watched, a mixture of amusement and boredom on his face. He didn't intervene, didn't say a word Hazel tried to shake off her grip, but she held tight. "Let me go please, I said I'm sorry." Hazel whispered, her voice shaking. She laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Make me bitch!" she taunted, her eyes flashing with challenge. The pack members began to gather, their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them. Hazel's face burned with shame, and she felt like she was trapped in a nightmare. Just as it seemed like things couldn't get worse, a low growl rumbled through the air. Everyone's heads turned to the source, Beta Lucas, standing at the entrance, his eyes blazing with anger. "Young lady, let her go." Lucas growled, his voice like thunder. The blonde she-wolf staggered back in shock, her eyes widened, and she released Hazel's arm. Hazel stumbled back, her eyes fixed on Ethan's displeased face. How dare the Beta interfere to save a lowly omega smut. "Are you okay Hazel?" Lucas asked. Hazel was too shocked and scared. She nodded affirmatively, bowed her head and hurried out immediately. As she walked back into the horrible sanctuary of her room, she knew she had curated unwanted attention. She had made a perfect plan of escape for the next day, she was supposed to be gone before anyone noticed. Now, she was on Ethan's top hate list and he was definitely going to make her pay for getting saved by Beta Lucas. Was her escape plan still worth giving a shot? She thought miserably.