Marcus's P O V
Claire's calm tone and the happy smile on her face hit me like a bolt of lightning. Her smile was so bright that it was hard for me to even look at her.
How was it possible that she was the daughter of the late Alpha Lewis Smith of the Rainbow Pack? Wasn't she just a lowly slave? How could a slave be from an Alpha bloodline?
My wolf screamed at me, "You idiot! How could you reject a mate with Alpha bloodline?"
But I was stubborn. "Rainbow Pack already has a new Alpha. This girl is just a lowly slave now. She doesn't deserve to be my Luna at all. It was right for me to reject her," I told my wolf.
However, I couldn't deny the anger rising within me.
"You're such an idiot. You're regretting it now, right?" My wolf was taunted.
"Damn it! Shut up!" I responded.
How could I regret rejecting a slave? As the future Alpha, all the she-wolves in the pack would die for a chance to be with me.
"Can I leave now?" Claire asked, interrupting my thoughts with a smile.
I felt nothing but disdain and impatience from her.
I wanted to punish her for her rudeness, but the mocking look in her eyes was too annoying to even look at.
"Fuck off!" I snarled.
And just like that, Claire walked out of the bathroom without looking back, avoiding me like the plague.
As angry as I was, I couldn't help but desire her. But with no way to let it out, I roared and punched the wall, fighting back the urge to tear everything apart.
Brenda's P O V
Claire had rudely interrupted Marcus and me in the middle of sex, but what was even worse was the fact that Marcus seemed interested in her.
I was insulted. I had the noble Beta bloodline and had grown up with Marcus. I had already made up my mind that I would be his Luna one day.
Callox always treated me well. If I went to him and complained about Claire, he would for sure punish her.
So I quickly rushed to his office, gathered up some tears, and walked in with a pitiful face.
Callox asked with concern, "Brenda, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Who bullied you?"
I mumbled, lowering my head respectfully. "It's nothing. I'm sorry to worry about you like this."
But Callox wasn't having any of it. "Who bullied you? Don't be afraid to tell me. Whoever it is, I'll teach them a lesson!"
I finally told him the truth. "It's ... Claire. She stole my pearl necklace yesterday. I asked her to give it back to me, but she refused, and even said that she wouldn't mind fighting me for it. I finally got it back, but she threatened me and almost slapped me! And what's worse, she even seduced Marcus. She told me that she's the only one who's qualified to be his mate..."
I paused, pretending to be emotional. "I'm sorry, Callox. I shouldn't have come to bother you with such a trifle..."
When I raised my gaze, I saw that Callox was on the verge of exploding with anger.
"How dare a lowly slave threaten you? And she even covets the position of Marcus's mate? Such a shameless and evil slave must be punished!"
Callox turned to his bodyguards.
"Summon Claire to this room immediately!"
Within moments, Claire entered the room. She appeared in worn-out clothing, with a tattered white shirt and torn pants, giving off an impression of poverty. As Claire approached the sofa, Callox motioned for her to come closer.
Two she-wolves, tall and strong, emerged from behind Claire. They seized her, delivering a flurry of slaps across her face.
Each slap resonated with a malicious pleasure within me, though I maintained a composed exterior.
"Why are you doing this, Callox?" Claire questioned, shock evident as she covered her swollen cheeks.
"This is the consequence for bullying Brenda!" Callox responded sternly, assuming a domineering posture.
"Remember your place. Should you ever dare to overstep the boundaries again, I won't be so forgiving," he warned.
Frustrated, Claire attempted to offer an explanation, but Callox refused to grant her the opportunity.
"In two days, Mr. Derek will arrive and select a few elite werewolves for training at the royal training ground," Callox continued. "Claire, ensure you are prepared for the welcome ceremony and trials. Don't mess it up, or the consequences will be even more severe."
"May I participate in the trials?" Claire's eyes sparkled with newfound hope, momentarily forgetting the humiliation she had just endured.
Her outburst nearly provoked laughter from me due to its eccentricity.
Callox surveyed Claire disdainfully, his contempt thinly veiled.
"You? Who do you think you are? How could a mere slave expect to take part in the trials? Cease your ridiculous delusions. You are not qualified. Focus on fulfilling your duties and refrain from entertaining such whims," he snarled.
Observing Claire being put in her place brought an immense satisfaction to me.
"Only werewolves of noble bloodlines possess the requisite qualifications for the trials. Do you truly believe you deserve such an opportunity?" I chimed in mockingly, glancing at Claire's pallid face.
"What if I am qualified?" Claire responded resolutely.
"In your dreams!" I retorted, rolling my eyes in disbelief.
"Claire, a lowly slave such as yourself will forever remain beneath me," I jeered.
"Do you consider yourself noble? What gives you the audacity to spout nonsense in front of Callox? If I am merely a slave, why do you constantly make my life difficult? I hold nothing but disdain for you!" Claire glared at me, her voice filled with contempt.
"You have the audacity to look down on me?" In my fit of rage, I forgot my propriety in a public setting.
I lunged at Claire, driven by an overwhelming desire to tear her apart.
"At this moment, all I desire is to rend you into pieces, you wretch!"
I hurled myself at Claire, forcefully grabbing onto her hair as I attempted to mar her flawless face.
However, to my surprise, Claire was more prepared than I anticipated.
She swiftly blocked my attack with her elbow, delivering a powerful kick to my belly and retaliating by scratching my arm.
Writhing in pain, I clutched my wounded belly and surveyed the bloody scratches. Claire's resilience drove me to the brink of madness.
"You wretched bitch! How dare you lay a finger on me?!" I seethed, not caring that my disheveled appearance revealed my rage.
I was well aware that, at that moment, I must have looked horrendous. But it was all because of Claire. I hadn't anticipated being unable to defeat a mere slave.
"Miss Brenda, you brought this upon yourself," Claire spoke coldly, her gaze unwavering.
Finally, Callox interjected with a growl, putting an end to our altercation.
"Claire, prepare yourself for the upcoming ceremonies. I shan't repeat my instructions," his voice carried a hint of warning.
It appeared that Callox wouldn't subject Claire to the severe punishment I had expected.
My objective remained unaccomplished, leaving me dissatisfied.
It became clear that I would have to devise another plan to torment this wretched girl. Making her life a living hell seemed like the ideal solution.
Abruptly, a perfect idea formed in my mind.