The Beta’s Ugly Daughter

Chapter 2

Maybe if I held my breath long enough, I could disappear into the wallpaper. Then again, I wasn’t sure the wallpaper wanted me either.

The Sullivan estate blazed with golden light, every window glowing like a beacon against the evening sky, and I had never felt more out of place in my entire life.

I tugged at the plain gray dress that hung loose on my frame, the fabric cheap and ill-fitting compared to the elegant gowns swirling around, announcing my unworthiness to every predatory gaze.

"Walk faster," Mother hissed behind me, her ice-blue gown making her look like a beautiful specter. "And try not to slouch like a beaten dog."

Garrett laughed, the sound sharp as shattering glass. "Why bother? Everyone already knows what she is."

The grand foyer swallowed us in golden light. Crystal chandeliers cast rainbows across marble floors while pack members moved through the space with elegant precision. Their conversations died as I entered, replaced by whispers that followed me like hunting hounds.

"Gail!" I turned, and there was Mira, gliding toward me with a voice cut through the venom like sunlight through storm clouds.

Her soft blue gown complemented her olive skin perfectly, and her dark hair was swept up in an elegant style that made her look like the future Luna she was born to be.

She was a perfection incarnate, yet her smile held genuine warmth as she approached.

"I'm so glad you came," she said, pulling me into a gentle embrace that smelled of jasmine and hope.

Around us, the whispers intensified. Pack members stared in open confusion at the future Luna embracing the family disgrace. Their shock was palpable, dangerous.

"Mira, you don't have to—" I began.

"Don't." Her voice carried quiet steel. "You're my cousin and belong here as much as anyone."

Her words hit like physical blows. In eighteen years of existence, Mira was the only person who'd ever defended me, ever stood between me and the pack's cruelty.

The only one who saw something worth protecting.

"You look beautiful," I managed, my voice barely audible over the celebration around us.

"Thank you." Mira's smile softened. "But I'm more interested in how you're doing. I know these gatherings can be..."

"Overwhelming?" I supplied.

"I was going to say terrible for people who don't enjoy being stared at."

I almost laughed, but then my gaze drifted past her shoulder, and my breath caught. Wyatt stood near the fireplace, surrounded by a group of warriors and pack elders.

"He's nervous," Mira said quietly, following my gaze.

"Nervous?" The word came out sharper than I intended.

"About the announcement. About everyone watching." She sighed. "Sometimes I think he'd rather be anywhere else."

I wanted to ask what she meant, but Wyatt's gaze swept the room again, and I quickly looked away before he could see me staring.

"Come," she said, guiding me deeper into the celebration. "I want you to finally meet each other properly."

My stomach clenched as we approached the fireplace. Even surrounded by powerful men, Wyatt commanded attention effortlessly. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and those silver-blue eyes of his moved across the crowd with quiet calculation.

At twenty-one, he carried himself with the calm authority of someone born to lead, every line of his aristocratic face sharp and controlled.

He was devastatingly beautiful in a way that felt untouchable, distant as a star.

"Wyatt," Mira called softly.

He turned, his gaze falling first on his fiancée, then sliding to me with polite indifference. Not cruel, not disgusted—simply nothing.

I was background noise, easily dismissed.

"My cousin Gail," Mira said, her voice carrying a subtle challenge. "I don't believe you've been properly introduced yet."

Wyatt inclined his head slightly. "Miss Raymond."

The formal acknowledgment sent heat crawling up my neck. He'd spoken my name, actually looked at me for one precious second.

"Congratulations on your engagement," I managed, my voice barely audible.

"Thank you." A flicker of something—resignation?—crossed his features. "Though I suppose congratulations are overdue, considering we've been promised to each other since we were children."

Silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken tensions. The warriors flanking Wyatt exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by the awkwardness.

"Perhaps we should let you return to your guests," I said quickly, desperate to escape.

But as I stepped backward, my elbow struck something solid. A server carrying wine glasses stumbled, sending crystal flying. Time slowed as red liquid arced through the air in a perfect, horrifying spray.

It splashed across Wyatt's pristine white shirt with the sound of thunder.

Every conversation died. Every eye in the room fixed on me with laser precision. The wine bloomed across expensive fabric like blood, marking me as the clumsy fool who'd just humiliated the Alpha's heir at his own engagement celebration.

"Oh Goddess," I breathed, staring at the spreading stain. "I'm so sorry, I didn't—"

"Gail Marie Raymond!" Mother's shriek could have shattered the crystal chandeliers.

She materialized before me like an avenging angel, her beautiful face contorted with absolute rage.

"It was an accident," I whispered, backing away from her fury.

"Accident?" She advanced on me like a predator stalking wounded prey. "You deliberately threw wine at the Alpha's heir! You pathetic, jealous little wretch!"

"Mother, please—"

Her hand cracked across my cheek with explosive force, sending me staggering sideways. Gasps echoed through the crowd as I fell against a marble pillar, my vision swimming.

"Aunt Vivian!" Mira's voice cut through the chaos. "That's enough!"

"The girl is a walking disaster!" Mother's voice rose to near hysteria. "A genetic failure who brings shame to everything she touches!"

I pressed my hand to my burning cheek, tasting blood where my teeth had cut my lip. The entire pack watched in fascination as I was destroyed before their eyes.

"Enough." Wyatt's voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

Everyone froze. He stood motionless, wine still dripping from his ruined shirt, his silver gaze moving between Mother and me.

"The server was bumped. These things happen," he said calmly, tone brooked no argument. "Shirt is replaceable. As are most things."

He turned and walked away, leaving stunned silence in his wake. Mother stood frozen, before storming away, her heels clicking against marble like gunshots.

The crowd began to disperse, their entertainment concluded.

"Are you hurt?" Mira appeared at my side, her face etched with concern.

I shook my head, not trusting my voice. She'd stood up for me again, risked her own standing to defend the family embarrassment.

"I should go," I whispered.

"Gail—"

"Thank you." I squeezed her hand briefly. "For everything. Always."

I fled through the garden doors into cool night air, my cheek throbbing where Mother's hand had connected. The Sullivan gardens stretched before me in moonlit silence, offering sanctuary from the golden hell inside.

I found a stone bench hidden among rose bushes and collapsed onto it, my breathing ragged. The thorns caught the moonlight like tiny daggers, beautiful and sharp.

Footsteps crunched on gravel behind me. I tensed, expecting security or perhaps Mother coming to finish what she'd started.

Instead, Wyatt emerged from the shadows, his stained shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He'd discarded his jacket, the wine dark against white fabric.

"Why did you defend me?" The question escaped before I could stop it.

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

"It doesn't matter." He turned to go. "What's done is done."

"Wyatt, wait.” He paused but didn't turn around. "Thank you," I said quietly.

"I didn't defend you," he said without looking back. "I just stated a fact. That's all."

He walked away, leaving me alone with the roses and the weight of his words. I touched the thorns with trembling fingers, their sharp points a welcome distraction from the ache in my chest.

My eighteenth birthday was just three days away. Three days until I was supposed to meet my wolf and finally become complete.

And all I wanted, more than beauty, more than power, more than anything, was to be seen.

Just once, I wanted someone to look at me and see something worth noticing.