"Ready Lay, blow the candles out." My moms voice said with laughter as I looked down to see my Lightning McQueen birthday cake.

Everyone thought I was a boy for getting that cake when I turned seven but, truth be told red was my favorite color. Plus I loved cars at the time. When I blew the candles out the air blew in my face and I heard a snap of a camera going off.

"There you go now what do you do now Lay?" My dad said standing on my left while mother on my right.

"I wish and I wish with all my heart and the birthday gods will give it to me." I giggled when I replied.

~~~~

A tear fell on the picture of myself sitting in front of my birthday cake with my parents on either side. I was way happier than and my parents, Aubrey and Daniel loved me. What had I done that made them leave? Today was my eighteenth birthday and all I could think about was my parents.

Not even the fact that I might find my mate today. Although I knew the moon goddess made mates for every wolf I couldn't help but, think 'do runts even get mates?'

On everyone's eighteenth birthday they'll have a chance to find their mate. Some take years to find theirs others are luckier. I hope I wasn't the lucky portion, having a mate would be terrible. I could only imagine the beatings all for being weak even if a mate is supposed to love you.

Plus my wolf is gone could I still have a mate with Mia being gone?

I sighed, putting the picture away in my dresser drawer before leaving my room to make breakfast. As I did I stopped at the restroom to check my bruise on my neck. I had thought I used enough makeup to cover it but, it was still there. If I went back to fix it now Steven would have my head if his breakfast wasn't made when he wanted it. Mustering all the energy I had I rushed back to my room to put another shade of makeup over the bruises.

After I fixed it up I made my way to the kitchen as quick as I could, clearly not quick enough. Since the second I got there I was now on all fours holding my cheek from the smack received by Jameson.

"She can't even make it here on time what a useless bitch." Steven sounded angry, this wasn't good.

If I had to rank them Steven would definitely be my second biggest tormentor. Suddenly I was gasping for air as I landed on my back in a swift motion from Steven kicking me in the stomach.

Cheap shot.

I tried to get up but, only got knocked back down by Steven, "I think she needs another beating," he said, meeting my eyes with a deadly smirk, "To remind her of her place."

"Steven no that's enough we almost killed her last time." Chester argued.

Trying to get up a second time received me yet another kick to the stomach this time by Jameson. I gasped, clutching my stomach.

"I don't care she's a runt no one will care." he stated, with a growl while his eyes met mine again, he took a step forward only to be stopped by Chester.

I seen his eyes changing colors meaning his wolf wanted to come out. If he did it was over for me.

"That's enough dude back up before alpha Landon comes in." he said warningly, reminding him of who the alpha is.

Steven's eyes seemed to settle on his natural brown color before walking over to me. I yelped in pain as he grabbed my hair yanking me up. With all of his strength he shoved me against the wall.

"You're just a runt that's all you'll ever be do you understand?" he growled, as I felt immense pain in my stomach from standing.

Quickly nodding my head he let me go, "Good now make my breakfast."

After the whole morning beating I made their breakfast how funny is that. All while doing so I noticed a terrible pain in my stomach, they must of broken a rib. Of course only they would give me a broken rib for my birthday. Not that I deserved anymore than that. I was just excited to finally leave the pack, only I had to speak to the Alpha first.

Would he let me leave to be with the humans. Surely there's obviously no reason to have a runt in your pack so why wouldn't he let me leave. Right now though I need to rest, my ribs were killing me.

Though fate had other plans as I was grabbed and pulled into a dark room. The smell I hated with all my might filled my senses, Brad's cologne. I hadn't seen him all through breakfast I knew it was to good to be true not to.

"Hey runt thought you wouldn't see me this morning huh?" he smirked, his hand wrapping around my neck and he squeezed tightly not even allowing me a breathe before, "I wouldn't want to miss giving you your birthday beating now would I?"

I never knew how he knew when my birthday was but, he did and I hated it. On my birthday he'd beat me calling it my 'birthday beating' as if it was a present. So I definitely braced myself for it when he was finished. I tried to think of anything but, the current situation. Although it didn't help when you couldn't breathe.

Then it hit me hard, it wasn't Brad's cologne but, a mixture of wood and spice and it was amazing. It smelt as if it was in the same room as me, was this my mate, that was impossible. Maybe the lack of oxygen was getting to my head, I squeezed my eyes shut more. Instinctively my hands went up to Brad's that was wrapped around my throat. This time it was different, I really felt I was going to die.

In a quickness there was a loud crash and I landed on the floor coughing. No matter what though I couldn't catch a breathe. Though when I really thought about it in the moment. Maybe dying wasn't such a bad thing after all. No more beatings would happen and I'd finally be happy.

Opening my eyes one last time I met the eyes of alpha Landon Carter as he uttered the words I never thought were possible, "Mate" then everything went black again.

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