Hated By My Mate Series novel Chapter 2

As I approached the house, I couldn't help to feel annoyed at its grandeur. It was exaggeratingly huge. How many people lives here? A guard stood ready at the entrance and eyed me from head to toe before he spoke: "Name your reason for the visit?" He asked.

"Umm, I've been hired as a housemaid to help with the alpha's party celebration." I answered somewhat intimidated.

"Name." He asked as he pulled out a clipboard with multiple sheets of leaves.

"Oh, yeah... Aurora Craton, sir" I managed to squeak. He checked the list and then nodded. It took me a second to understand that I was allowed in.

I've only been to the leaders' house once before back when my dad was the gamma. I was about six years old and we were together at the park when he was summoned for an urgent meeting. Since he had no one else to leave me with in such short notice, he took me with him. Montana hadn't entered our life by then yet.

I remember he sat me in a chair just outside the meeting hall.

"Stay there Rory. I won't be long." He said as he patted my head and walked into the room filled with the other werewolves.

As I sat there, a huge man came walking into the direction where I was seated, he had long jet-black hair and dark eyes like onyx. A horrible gash across his face. Alongside of him was a kid with a mop of the same jet-black hair and bright blue eyes a few years older than me. He was arguing with the older one.

"But I'm the future alpha dad! I should be in that meeting hall with you!"

He argued. It was the packs alpha and his son.

"You're still not ready to face meetings such as this son." He answered in a monotone voice with a stoic expression.

As they came closer to where I was, I quickly slid off the chair and bowed my head in respect. That's what my dad and the other villagers did when they saw the alpha.

They didn't even acknowledge my presence though since they stood right before me and continued their banter.

"They killed my mother!! Those bastards killed her, and I want them to pay!" The kid screamed at his father. He was now trembling, and tears threaten to fall from the corner of his eyes. His father stood there expressionless before he finally spoke.

"Son, when the time comes, you will join us in the meeting hall, for now continue on your defenses lesson." The man said as he went to grab the doorknob. "I will avenge your mother." He said with a deathly aura before disappearing behind the door.

I lifted my head a little to see the boy still staring at the door. His eyes red with unshed tears while he held his hands tight in a fist.

He finally noticed me as he suddenly turned to face me and glared.

He quickly wiped his tears off with his arm as she shouted.

"How long have you been there? Who let you in?" He asked still glaring at me.

"Um... Daddy was called for an important meeting with the alpha and the elders, sir." I quickly answered as I bowed my head once more.

"Who's your father? What's his name?" He asked still not convinced.

"Rodrick Craton, sir." I answered him as I fidgeted with my hands.

"Craton? Your father is the gamma?" He asked me more passively this time.

I still wasn't familiarized with the statuses that were kept in the packs. You have the alpha, who is the leader. Then there is the beta, his second in command.

"Yes ma'am?" I replied not understanding her sudden change.

She then surprised me with a big embrace.

"Ooh Rory! The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl. Look how big you've grown!" She said as she pushed me back and eyed me from head to toe.

"Have you found a mate yet?" She inquired?

"Ummm. No ma'am. I won't be eighteen until a couple more days. Do... Do I know you?" I asked the lady.

"Oh, Right... I'm sorry my child. I am Kala. The head of maids of the leaders house and the village midwife. I knew your father back when he was the packs gamma and your mother as well. I was there the day she..." She trailed off. "I'm sorry I couldn't save her dear." She said with a mournful face.

I placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "It's ok Mrs. Kala." I said as I held her hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you." I smiled at her.

"So. You're here to help us out for the big night tomorrow hun?" She said as she started walking off to the direction she came from. I followed her.

"Yes ma'am. My stepmother postulated my name. I'm sorry to say that I didn't even know help was needed." I said as I scratched my head.

"Well. Thank God she did. We need all the help we can get." She said as she opened two large golden door that led to an enormous hall.

No wonder they needed all the help they could get; this place was huge!