THE LYCAN KING'S CHOSEN MATE

Octavia's POV

"Ah!" I yelped as I found myself tripping on something and falling forward. Immense pain enveloped me as I hissed. I would have bashed my head on the granite floor if I hadn't reacted fast. Instead of my head, my hand and knees bore the brunt as they were scraped badly.

"Oh! Sorry about that runt." I looked up slowly to see that it was Riley, my coworker smirking deviously at me with one of her feet stretches out. Her two minions stood cackling like witches behind her.

I really wanted to question if she thought that this was a school setting and she was the queen bee but I knew better. "It's okay." I scrambled to my feet, biting my lip to endure the numbing pain in my knees.

I bent and picked up all my belongings that had been scattered on the floor. I could feel their mocking stares on me.

"You really don't need to kneel to Riley. We know you respect her but she doesn't need it. Especially from a worthless runt like you." One of the minions said sarcastically.

"Hehe. Let her be. She is at the lowest rungs of the pack anyways so serving Riley is giving her a bit of peace." The other echoed and I rolled my eyes inwardly.

I straightened up with a groan and then tried to leave thinking that they had let me off but they blocked my path.

I frowned.

"I have to go for my shift so please let me pass." I really had to leave or I would be scolded and my little pay would be docked.

I kept praying that they would let me go today but my prayers were unanswered.

One of the minions smacked my face abruptly making me yelp. I covered it and leaned backwards as I stared at them warily.

"Who gave you the permission to leave runt?"

I didn't understand why these girls just keep jabbing at me. We were all working for the alpha's manor so I have never understood why they placed Riley on a pedestal.

Ever since our pack faced war a few years ago, both men and women have been allowed to take up patrol jobs to earn money. That was the only job that would take me as no one else wanted to work with me.

I was seen like some kind of anomaly.

I knew the reason why but I could never accept it, even now.

Yes she was pretty with her golden locks and baby blue eyes but at most, she would get a befitting suitor. She was still a lowly maid like I was.

Like she had heard my thoughts, Riley piped up in a voice that sounded way too high pitched to me. "Look at her looking all confused. I'm sure she thinks that she's in the same caliber as us." She giggled like she just told the joke of the century. "What a farce."

She walked closer and pinched my chin harshly between her fingers. I tried to struggled but her minions were besides me in a flash holding each of my hands to keep me in place.

Riley had an evil looking grin on her face. I started to tremble at the sudden turn of events.

"You'll never measure up to me. You can never find your place and will never be more than a weak worthless runt. You will always be beneath me and everyone in the pack and you are well aware of the reason, aren't you? So I don't need to spell it our for you."

I paled.

Yes I was well aware of why she and everyone else treated me like this. I was aware of why I never fit into anywhere in the pack.

She released my chin and I thought that would be the end of it but I was wrong.

Fear engulfed me as they covered my mouth and then proceeded to drag me to a desolate corner in the manor.

There, they hit me in places that they knew I wouldn't show anyone. Riley stood at the side watching my suffering with joy in her eyes.

After a while, they had their fill so Riley spat at me before turning to leave with her posse.

I trembled in pain and fear for a while but eventually I struggled to my feet because I was well aware that I still had to go for my job. My superior never cared about any excuse I gave him.

"What took you so long?" My superior bellowed and I flinched. My whole body ached terribly from my ordeal earlier but I knew better than to show weakness in front of him.

If I did, I would be out of the job faster than I could even blink. It took a lot for me to get here and I wasn't ready to toss it all away just because I was being a baby about a few bruises.

"I'm sorry sir" His nose wrinkled in distaste at my apology and I could see the disgust and disdain for me swirling in my eyes.

"Whatever. Get out of my sight."

Throughout the night, I wandered through the woods alone. At a point, the partner I was assigned to patrol with had transformed and left me behind.

I wouldn't say that I didn't mind but I was already used to it.

The night was pretty uneventful and I was grateful but that changed towards the end of my patrol.

I sat down near a tree to rest as the pain of my wounds got too unbearable when I heard them.

A few drunk men who had somehow carried their debauchery into the patrol area.

I stood up slowly and they all turned to look at me.

Don't show weakness! Don't show weakness "Stop there. This place is off limits at night. It's quite dangerous so if you could please go back the way you came, it would....."

"Fuck! You scared me. And here I thought you were an actual guard. I never knew it was just a little girl." One of the drunk men slurred

"A fine one too." Another piped up and I could vaguely see his lips curve into a lecherous smile.

I felt my skin crawl and goosebumps appeared on my skin. I sensed danger.

"It doesn't matter. Do what you want." I said before I began to back away. I needed to get away.

"Where do you think you're going miss? Let us accompany you."

"No thank you." I turned and tried to hightail it out of there but they were on me before I could go past three steps.

I screamed as the huge men held me down. One of them immediately covered my mouth. I struggled with all my might.

"Let me go first. I'll surely enjoy tasting her." One of them said and my struggles became stronger. It was no match for them though.

A hand suddenly slid under my skirt and began to crawl under my skin.

My mind blanked and I felt despair and hopelessness like never before.

I prayed with all my heart for someone to come and at the point when I wanted to give up all hope, someone did.

"Stop right there!"