Beta Xavier Costa.

Eleanor Amato - POV

“Don't say that, sweetheart. You never know, maybe, you might find your mate there.” Aunt Jennifer said, but I shook my head.

“I doubt that,” I said, and this made a frown appear on her face. “I am a gamma’s daughter, Aunt Jennifer, and the majority of people who are going attend that function would be Alphas and Betas.”

“Why do you think so lowly of yourself, Eleanor?”

“I…I…” I didn't know what to tell her. I know there are possibilities of finding a higher-ranking werewolf as my mate, but the thought of that sent a shiver down my spine. I know I said earlier that I was not against the idea of finding my mate. But I would prefer it if it were an ordinary pack member because I want to live a fairly normal trouble-free life.

“Eleanor?” I felt Aunt Jennifer’s hand on my shoulder, which broke the trance I was in. “I think the cupcakes are ready,” she said, and I nodded my head and walked towards the oven to check up on them. After the cupcakes were cool, I started piping in the tropical fruit mix into each one of them.

“Wow, they look like treats to the eyes.” I turned around to see Aunt Jennifer standing behind me.

“I hope it serves as a treat to the tongue as well,” I told her as I finished filling in the final cupcake. Once I was done with my baking, I took my place at the cashier for the rest of the day.

“I will see you tomorrow, dear.” Aunt Jennifer waved at me as I walked out of the bakery at the end of my shift.

“Bye.” I waved back before I walked back home. It was seven pm now, and I knew that no one would be home at this hour. When I reached the house, I fished out my keys and pushed open the door.

As soon as I closed the door, an eerie feeling descended within me.

Is someone in here besides me?

I cautiously walked towards the staircase, but before I could walk upstairs, I heard a moan, which made me halt in my steps. “Faster baby.” it was Avery, and by the sound of that, she had some company. Disgust rushed through my body, and I didn't even want to go upstairs. I walked into the kitchen and took out some fruits and started making myself a fruit bowl.

Once I was done, I took the bowl and walked out of the kitchen, ready to head upstairs to my room, when Avery walked downstairs wearing a silk robe with alpha James’s son right behind her. “Go…good evening, Alpha Richard,” I said and slightly bowed my head in respect.

“Good evening, Eleanor. It's been a long time since I last saw you,” he said with a smirk on his face while his eyes scanned my body with lust swirling in his eyes, which only disgusted me.

Just because my step-sister is a whore don't add me to that group, you idiot.

“Yes, I have been busy at the bakery,” I told him with a forced smile.

“Let's go and have something to eat, babe.” my sister interrupted our awkward conversation, and for once, I was thankful for that.

“I will see you around, Eleanor,” he said before Avery grabbed his hand and pulled him into the kitchen. I stayed there for a couple of moments before I walked upstairs to my room. I placed the fruit bowl on my table and made my way to the bathroom to take a shower.

After changing into my pajamas, I plopped down on my bed with my dinner, and my laptop opened in front of me with another episode of Mean Girls. I was so engrossed in it that I didn't even hear my door bang open. “What are you trying to do?” the nasal voice of my sister interrupted me from my show.

“What are you talking about, Avery?” I asked her with a frown on my face.

What problem does she have now?

“Don't act like you don't know what I am talking about, you slut.” she spat out, and this made my hands tighten around the glass bowl.

Who the fuck is she calling a slut!

“Avery, mind your words. What the heck is your problem?” I yelled at her. My breathing was heavy now while I tried my best to not stand up and murder her.

“Don't act like you don't know anything. I saw how you tried to seduce Richard.” she accused me, and this made my stomach churn in disgust. “He is mine, I suggest you stay away from him, or I might have to tell Mom about your act.” she threatened me before she turned around and walked out of there.

“Calm down, Eleanor.” Erica's voice filled my head, but I didn't know how the fuck should I calm down after what she accused me of. “Shall we go for a run?” Erica suggested, and even though I wanted to deny it, I knew that I needed to blow off some steam, so I nodded my head.

I got up from my bed and placed the bowl on my table before I walked downstairs. The house was calm again, and there were no signs of anyone in there. I walked to the back door and left the house quickly, walking towards the forest.

After walking a safe distance away from the house, I looked around my surroundings to make sure no one was there before I quickly stripped my clothes and closed my eyes, slowly giving control to my wolf. I felt my bones shift while fur started to sprout from my skin, and the next thing I knew, I was standing on all fours.

“Ready to go?” Erica asked me while her excitement was flowing through my body.

“Let's go,” I told her, and we started running through the dark forest with no particular location in mind. My mind momentarily drifted to a memory when my mother was still alive.

“Run faster, Ellie before I catch you!” I heard my mom say through the mind link, and this only made me push my legs faster. We were running through the forest when I saw my mother running a few meters behind me.

“I don't think you will ever catch me,” I said, and this only made her laugh.

“You never know,” she said. “Let's go to the river,” she suggested, and I nodded my head. I dodged trees and bushes on my way when I finally slowed down.

The trees thinned out, and I heard the flow of a river. My mother came to stand beside me, and we started walking towards the river. The moon was shining bright, making the water glisten like diamonds.

I walked towards the river, stopped, and looked down at my reflection in the water. The brown color of my fur matched the color of my hair in human form. “You look so cute,” Mom commented when she came to stand next to me, and this only made me glare at her. “Come on, you know you look cute with that white fur around your nose and ears.” she teased.

“Mom, we have talked about this,” I told her in an annoyed tone, but she shook her wolf head and rubbed herself on me.

“You are beautiful, Ellie. Especially with those white socks on your paws too.”