THE ALPHA'S REJECTED BLIND MATE

BIANCA

"Oh, God. I'm dead!" The words tore out of me as the late evening sun streamed through the small window of my tiny room. The golden rays hit my closed eyes, forcing them open. Panic surged in my chest-how had I slept so long?

I groaned, rolling onto my side, but a sharp pain stabbed at my waist like a blade. "Shit," I hissed, clutching at my side.

I'd spent the entire day scrubbing every inch of the packhouse. The alpha's birthday wasn't for another three days, but apparently, the celebration started early this year. He'd invited friends from other packs, and naturally, it was my job to ensure everything was spotless. No rest, no reprieve, just endless cleaning.

My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn't eaten all day. Between scrubbing floors, carrying laundry, and polishing the endless silverware, there hadn't been time for even a sip of water. I tried to push myself off the bed, but the pain forced me back down, mocking me for even trying.

"Maybe I can sneak into the kitchen and grab a bite before they find me," I muttered, my voice hollow with exhaustion.

But as if on cue, a loud knock rattled my door. "Bianca!" came a shrill voice, followed by a rapid series of bangs. Shula. Her screeches were as recognizable as the sunrise.

I winced but forced myself to the door, my movements stiff and sluggish. The second I opened it, she shoved her way in.

"The head maid needs the lutress pot," she snapped without so much as a glance at me.

"Now?" I asked, barely keeping the irritation out of my voice. "Can't it wait until morning? I've been working nonstop, and I'm in so much pain-"

"Does it look like I care?" Shula sneered, cutting me off. "All you do is sit in the dark all day. Stop whining and do what you're told."

Her words stung, but what came next was worse. She reached out and rapped her knuckles hard against my forehead. The sharp pain made me gasp, and tears sprang to my eyes.

"Move!" she barked, slamming the door as she left.

I stood there for a moment, my hand pressed to my aching forehead, the sting of her insult deeper than the physical pain. I had no choice. Refusing wasn't an option-it never was.

Throwing on my jacket, I grabbed my walking stick and headed outside. The packhouse was alive with chatter and laughter, but I didn't stop to listen. I stepped into the woods, the cool night air hitting my face like a balm.

Only then did I let the tears fall, hot and silent. I sobbed until my chest heaved, letting the ache of my life pour out into the quiet night. Blindness had been my burden since birth, a cruel twist of fate that left me in the dark-literally and figuratively.

My mother had always said the packhouse would be a safe place for me after her death. If only she knew. There was no safety here, just endless mockery and cruelty. I was nothing to them-a maid, a nobody, a joke.

The only family I had left was my grandmother, but even she wasn't allowed to take me in. I hadn't seen her in years.

I sniffled, brushing the tears away with the back of my hand. Self-pity wouldn't get me through tonight. I had a task to finish, and I'd already taken too long.

The woods were eerily quiet, the only sound was the crunch of leaves under my feet. I gripped my stick tighter, the memory of a snake bite I'd gotten as a child flashing through my mind. Nighttime wasn't safe for anyone, but for me, it was a nightmare waiting to happen.

Then I heard it. A rustling in the bushes, too close to ignore. My heart raced as I froze in place. Was it an animal? A predator? My fingers trembled as I crouched low, trying to hide, though I had no way of knowing if I was doing it right.

Suddenly, a hand clamped over my mouth.

I screamed, but the sound was muffled by the rough palm pressed against me. My body went rigid with fear, every muscle locking into place.

"Don't shout," a deep voice whispered near my ear, so close I could feel his breath on my skin. It was low and commanding, but not harsh. Almost... comforting.

"Who are you?" I mumbled against his hand. "What do you want?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, his grip loosened, and his hand slid away from my face.

"I need your help," he said, his tone soft yet urgent.

"Help?" I repeated, confusion swirling in my head. "I think you have the wrong person. I can't-"

"You can." His voice was firm, almost like he believed it more than I did.

Before I could respond, he leaned in closer. "I want you."

My breath hitched. The words hung in the air between us, heavy and undeniable.

"W-what?" I stammered, my thoughts a tangled mess of fear and bewilderment.

But before I could form another word, his lips were on mine. The kiss was fierce and possessive, leaving no room for doubt or resistance.

My mind screamed at me to push him away, to run, to do something. But my body didn't move. There was an undeniable pull, a magnetic force drawing me to him.

I surrendered, letting him take what he wanted. His hands gripped my waist, steadying me as his lips claimed mine with an urgency that left me breathless.

Time seemed to stop as he touched me, his movements sure and unrelenting. Every brush of his skin against mine sent sparks racing through my veins. I'd never been touched like this-never been touched at all.

When it was over, he pulled away, leaving me breathless and trembling. My heart pounded as I tried to catch my breath, my mind still reeling from what had just happened.

But before I could say anything, he was gone, disappearing into the darkness as quickly as he'd come.

I stood there, my lips still tingling, my body still humming with the memory of him. I didn't even know his name, yet he'd left an indelible mark on me-a stranger in the night, stealing more than just my innocence.

As the wind whispered through the trees, I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cool air. Something had changed tonight. Something I didn't understand but couldn't ignore.

And I knew, deep down, my life would never be the same again.