"I told you not to show your damned face when the Alpha comes, didn't I?"

Laura asked Kendra menacingly. Kendra nodded.

"So why did you have to ruin the evening for me by flaunting your flawed self?!"

"The Luna asked for me. I needed to attend to the guests"

"No! You should have made up an excuse and send someone else in your place!"

"I'm sorry but I can not do that when the Luna sends for me, Laura."

"Why would you when all you want is to be noticed. You are always desperate to flaunt yourself in these rags you wear, before noblemen. You embarrass me!"

Kendra looked down on her dress and bit her lip. Refusing to cry even though she had the urge to

" I only wear what I have, Laura," she said in a quivering voice.

" Of course. Who expects a low life to look any better? It is bad enough that we look alike and you always manage to attract attention!"

Kendra sighed as she watched Laura storm off, infuriated. It was not her fault that the Alphas who visited Alpha Lachlan always took notice of her. Either they commented on her dexterity in serving them or her looks, despite the shabby clothes she always appeared in. Some even ask her name, to the chagrin of the Luna and her daughter, Laura.

"And listen," Laura said suddenly as she turned to face Kendra. "Don't think that by showing your ugly face to all the eligible bachelors who visit my father that you can get one for your stinking self!"

*****

Kendra found herself standing by the cracked mirror in their dilapidated inn. She felt the warm tears roll down her cheeks as she stood watching herself and she did not hear her mother come in.

"What is wrong with you dear? Why are you crying?"

Her mother asked as she hurried to her side.

Kendra did not reply..she stood fixated on the spot, the tears still running freely down her cheeks.

"What is wrong with you, child!"

Her mother asked, shaking her.

"Mother, do I look ugly?"

She asked as her mother pulled her gently from the mirror, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Of course not, child! Why would you ask that when I tell you everytime how totally good looking you are. Even the nobles who visit the pack house can not stop talking about your good looks, my dear."

"But why then does Laura always__"

"Laura?" Her mother asked, cutting her short "you know Laura will never speak good of you and you must not allow her words get to you because they are all lies, born from a place of anger and jealousy!"

" But mother," Kendra sobbed,"I can not keep myself from hearing her hurtful words because I must do my chores at the pack house!"

" Oh no, dear. You must not give in to her spiteful bullying! You know well that her words are false."

Kendra nodded.

" Now, dress up, you must go and attend to the Luna. I shall be in the kitchen with the ladies of the pack."

Kendra nodded again, her bright smile coming alive again.

" Don't forget, child," her mother said, " you are an Omega wolf. I tell you, on the night when the red moon shall come out fully and your wolf unveils itself, you will know the power that resides within you."

Kendra beamed. She always heard words like that from her mother and she never took it for granted.

*****

Kendra Stopped by the luna's door when she heard the voices coming from inside. She was not supposed to eavesdrop but she supposed she could wait out the discussion until it was over so she could go inside and attend to the Luna.

"Mother, the invitations has been sent and I can not wait for the ball!"

It was Laura's voice which was always soft when she spoke about eligible bachelors who wanted her and the dresses she wanted

" The Alpha of the Blood Moon pack will be in attendance, is that right, dear? "

" Of course, mother! Why then would I be so excited if of all the Alphas of the northwest pack, he would not be attending? "

" Well then, you must get your acts together! "

" But I always do, mother! "

Laura protested

" You must listen to me Laura. You have to win the heart of Alpha Lennox and you can not do so without a proper poise! "

" But I'm always elegant, mother. I have the perfect poise to catch the eye of any man I want. "

" Alpha Lennox of the Blood Moon pack is not just any man, Laura." Her mother objected.

" I hear he is extremely handsome and rich too! " Laura said excitedly.

" He is many things, my dear. He has also met the most beautiful women from different packs. He would not want to settle for a mediocre woman. Which is why we must ensure that you do not appear shabby on the night of the ball."

" What then shall I wear, mother? You must get the dress makers to make me even more exquisite dresses before the night of the ball! "

There was a brief silence.

Outside the door, Kendra could not peel herself away from the door as she continued to listen, partly hoping that no one would walk up the hallway at anytime and find her there.

" Mother!" Laura shouted suddenly, causing Kendra to jump." What shall I do with my hair?"

There was another silence and then a Quick response followed.

" I shall get the ladies to come here and discuss what coiffure would be best for you. I shall also send for the seamstresses. "

" One more thing mother, " Laura said. Kendra held her breath." I do not want Kendra to show her face on that day. "

" She will be at the inn with her mother on that night. Don't worry, dear. "

Kendra took a step back from the door as it flew open.

" What do you want?" Laura snarled at her.