Meredith’s POV
I kept my head down as I walked through the dim corridors of the packhouse, my fingers tightening around the edges of my dress. I had learned long ago that walking silently, moving unnoticed, was safer. It was easier to pretend I was oblivious, easier to endure when they thought I couldn’t hear their words.
Princess Rachelle walked beside me, her steps graceful, her presence overbearing. Ever since Alpha Kael proposed to her, she had been living in the packhouse.
Then—a sudden force against my foot.
I barely had time to react before I stumbled, my balance thrown off. I caught myself just in time, but the sharp movement sent a dull ache through my stomach. My pulse spiked.
Rachelle, feigning innocence, gasped and quickly signed, "Oh, I’m so sorry!"
But her lips said something else entirely.
"Serves you right, deaf! I don’t even know why you’re still here when you’re just a nobody. A lowly omega."
I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palms.
"I know this deaf girl just wants to steal my man," she continued with a smirk, her voice a quiet sneer. "Thinking she can seduce the Alpha? Dream on. As if Kael would ever marry a pathetic, deaf Luna."
I lifted my head and looked at her. Just looked.
Her smirk deepened, and she chuckled before signing again. "Oh, nothing."
But her voice carried on with its venom. "How pitiful. You don’t even know that everyone has been cursing you right in front of your face for years. Even the maids of this pack laugh at you."
I swallowed the sharp sting in my throat and kept my expression carefully blank. Don’t react.
Her laughter trailed behind me as we entered the dining area.
I took my usual seat, forcing my hands to remain steady as I reached for my cup.
Then, Rachelle signed sweetly, "Meredith, could you pass me the soup?"
I hesitated but nodded, reaching for the steaming bowl. As soon as her fingers touched the edge—she shoved it forward, right into her own dress. The thick, hot soup spilled all over her pristine silk gown.
"Ahh!" she shrieked dramatically, pushing back from the table.
I stiffened in shock, my eyes widening. I hadn’t even touched her. But before I could move, before I could even process what had just happened, the doors burst open. A cold shiver ran down my spine.
Kael.
His presence filled the room instantly, his sharp blue eyes scanning the scene. His gaze landed on Rachelle first, then flickered to me—and darkened.
"What the hell is going on here?"
His voice sent a tremor through my bones. He signed to me, “What did you do?” And he had already assumed it was my fault—not even asking what happened first.
Rachelle whimpered, clutching the soiled fabric of her dress, looking every bit the fragile, innocent victim.
"Oh, Alpha," she sniffled. "Please don’t be angry. It’s not her fault. Maybe she’s just... jealous of me. I mean, I understand. After all, I get to marry you soon while she’s still just a lowly omega. Maybe she just couldn’t help herself."
The breath caught in my throat. She was playing the role perfectly. And he was buying it. Kael turned to me, his expression stern, his hands moving sharply as he signed—
"Why would you hurt royalty? Are you wishing for death?"
The words hit harder than any slap. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs. I wanted to scream. I wanted to shout the truth, to let him know what kind of woman he was about to make his Luna. But I knew it wouldn’t matter.
It never did.
Slowly, I lowered my hands. And nodded. Then, without another word, I turned and walked away. Each step felt heavier than the last, but I kept moving, kept my head high even as my vision blurred.
Then I heard it. Kael’s voice—gentle now, coaxing.
"I’ll reprimand Meredith for this," he murmured. "Don’t worry, Rachelle. I won’t let her get away with it."
A bitter laugh built in my chest, but I swallowed it down. Instead, I placed a trembling hand over my stomach, pressing lightly against the life growing inside me.
"How could your father do this to us?" I thought.
