LENA

I ducked almost immediately, but I wasn't fast enough.

A heavy glass-maybe a mug-smashed into my forehead with a sickening crack.

"Agh!" I screamed, stumbling back. My hand flew to my head, but blood was already pouring.

The pain exploded as the blood was now dripping into my eyes. It hurt so bad.

My vision blurred, a mix of tears and blood. My forehead throbbed like someone had hacked it with a blade.

My hands shook as I tried to wipe the mess away, but more kept coming, soaking my fingers.

"Is this it?" I whispered, my voice breaking. "Is this how I die?"

A glass thrown at my head like I was nothing?

"Why do you hate me?" I sobbed, clutching my forehead. The blood wouldn't stop. "What did I do?"

Marta stood there, her eyes cold and vicious.

She didn't care.

I'm an omega. A weak.

Other wolves heal in minutes. A cut like this? Nothing to them. But me? This gash could take days to close, and every second of it would hurt like hell.

"I try so hard," I choked out, tears mixing with the blood. "I work fast. I don't complain. I would've finished those dishes if you'd given me a chance. But you wanted me to fail. You wanted to hurt me."

"Why???"

Her lips curled into a sneer. "Because you're an omega," she spat, stepping closer. "You're a pathetic, useless thing. Your kind shouldn't exist."

"Weaklings like you belong in the dirt," she hissed. "The Alpha's too soft to wipe you out, so I'll do it myself."

She leaned in and spat on my face, the wet glob landing on my cheek, mixing with the blood.

I froze. My heart pounded so hard I thought it'd burst.

Who had hurt her to make her this cruel?

Or was it just me?

"People like you are a waste of air," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "And that blood on the floor? Perfect. I'll tell the Beta you're trying to curse his birthday with your filthy omega blood."

"What?" My voice cracked. "I didn't do anything! You threw the glass! I'm bleeding because of you!"

She laughed. "Who's going to believe you, Lena? A disgusting omega? They'll burn you before you can open your mouth."

My chest tightened. She was right. No one would listen to me.

I was nothing to them.

"Five minutes," she said, heading for the door. "I'll be back with the guards. If you're still here, crying and bleeding, even better. They'll drag you out and be done with you."

She smirked. "Good riddance."

BANG.

The door slammed shut.

I sank to my knees, the world spinning. Blood dripped onto the floor, pooling with soap and broken glass.

"Mom... Dad..." I whispered, staring at nothing. "Why did you leave me in this hell?"

My sobs echoed in the empty kitchen as I broke down.

The blood was blocking my view making it unable for me to see.

"I can't see, somebody help!!!." I cried as I was trying to clean the blood off my face.

I stayed on the floor, eyes squeezed shut against the stinging blood.

........

Finally, I forced myself to move, fumbling for my torn bag in the corner.

My hands shook as I pulled out an old rag. I pressed it to my forehead, wiping away the blood. It stung, but the bleeding had slowed.

I could open my eyes, just barely.

The floor was a disaster-blood, glass shards, soap foam. It looked like a slaughterhouse.

I limped to the tap, wincing as pain shot through my foot. I'd stepped on a glass shard, and it burned like hell.

Gritting my teeth, I washed my face and hands, the water stinging my cuts.

I had to clean up. If Marta saw a single drop of blood, she'd make good on her threat.

"My life's a nightmare," I muttered, watching the red swirl down the drain.

I cleaned the floor fast, scrubbing every speck of blood and glass.

Then I tore a strip from my rag and wrapped it around my cut foot, biting back a groan.

......

I then went back to the dishes.

The soap burned my raw hands, but I didn't stop. I couldn't dare stop.

After what seems like the longest time, I finally finished, my legs gave out. I collapsed into a chair, dizzy and weak. Every inch of me hurt.

The door swung open again.

I shot to my feet, ignoring the pain.

Marta stood there, giving me a cold look. .

I bowed, forcing a shaky smile. "I'm done, ma'am," I said softly.

She didn't blink. "Good. Now get out."

I hesitated. "But... my uncle's payment. For the work."

Her lips twisted into a mocking grin. "Payment? After you broke that glass? You're lucky I don't make you pay for it."

My heart sank. "But I didn't-" I whispered, my voice shaking.

Marta suddenly cut me off as she burst into laughter. "Who's going to believe you, you filthy omega?"

Her eyes gleamed with hate. "I could say you tried to poison the Beta, and they'd burn you without a second thought."

My knees wobbled, but I forced myself to stand.

"I didn't break that glass," I said, my voice barely audible. "You threw it at me."

She stepped closer, her lip curling. "Keep talking. No one cares. You're nothing."

"Now get out before I drag you to the guards myself."

My heart sank.

No money. If I went home empty-handed, my uncle would kill me.

"Please," I begged, dropping to my knees. Tears mixed with the blood on my face. "Just a little. He'll beat me to death if I don't bring something. Please."

Marta's eyes were cold. Empty.

"Good," she sneered. "Let him. Saves me the trouble of dealing with your worthless kind."

I couldn't breathe, my chest tight with panic.

"Please..." I whispered, choking on sobs. "I'll do anything."

"Disgusting," she spat. "Get out of my sight. Other maids are waiting to replace you."

She turned and slammed the door so hard I flinched.

I grabbed my ragged bag, my hands shaking, and limped out the back door.

My foot burned with every step, my head pounding.

People stared as I dragged myself down the street. Their whispers were as mean as always.

"Filthy omega."

"Look at her, covered in blood. A curse."

"She shouldn't be here with normal wolves."

I kept my head down, used to it.

The words still hurt, but I had no fight left.

The sun scorched my skin as I limped home.

Home wasn't safe but I didn't have a choice because I have absolutely no where to go apart from home.

My heart raced as I reached the door, hands trembling.

I whispered a prayer to the Moon Goddess, knowing she'd never answered before.

"Just this once, please. No more pain tonight."

My uncle sat in his creaky chair, a half-empty bottle of whiskey on the table.

He reeked of sweat and booze, his shirt unbuttoned, eyes glassy.

I tried to tiptoe past, holding my breath, but his voice stopped me cold.

"Where do you think you're going, Lena?"

I froze. My stomach twisted. "I-I was just going to clean up," I stammered, forcing a weak smile.

He stood, swaying, a nasty grin spreading across his face.

"No hello for your uncle? Rude little brat."

He stepped closer, and I backed into the wall, heart pounding.

"Please," I whispered, eyes down. "I didn't mean to-"

"Where's my money?" His voice turned sharp, hungry.

He grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. "Give it to me."

My breath caught. "I... I wasn't paid," I said, barely audible.

His eyes darkened. "What?" he growled.

Before I could explain, his fist slammed into my face..

My nose broke, blood gushing down my chin. I gasped, collapsing to the floor, pain exploding in my skull.

"Where's my money, you useless thing?" he roared, kicking my side. Once. Twice. Again.

Each hit stole my breath. I curled up, choking on blood, unable to scream.

"Please," I whimpered, barely able to speak. "I tried... she wouldn't pay me... I swear..."

He didn't care. His fists kept coming, pounding my ribs, my back.

I was nothing but a punching bag, my body screaming for it to stop.

Then he paused, panting, and crouched beside me.

His grin was pure evil.

"You're done working for me," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. "I sold you. Pack your pathetic rags. Your new master's coming tonight."

My heart stopped.

"W-what?" I croaked, blood dripping from my lips.

"You heard me," he snarled, standing. "You're someone else's problem now.."

LENA.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice shaking, my throat closing up tight with fear. My lips trembled as I stared at my uncle.

This couldn't be happening. He wasn't for real. He must be drunk-he had to be playing some sick joke.

"Please tell me you're joking," I whispered. "You're just trying to scare me, aren't you?"

I looked around the room, telling myself this was all a bad dream. Maybe I fainted from the hurt earlier and none of this was true.

I lifted my hand slow and slapped my cheek-light at first, then harder.

"Wake up, Lena," I mumbled to myself. "Wake up from this. It's just a nightmare. The Moon Goddess must have made you sleep. This can't be real."

But nothing changed. My uncle still stood there. That same nasty smirk on his face.

I looked into his eyes, begging for a sign-anything-that he was lying.

"Uncle... look at me and say it's not true," I said, stepping closer with tears blurring everything. "Say it's a joke. A mean prank. Please, I'm on my knees here."

I reached for his hand. I just wanted him to hold it for a second. Pat my head and say, "Lena, you dumb girl, of course it's a joke." I prayed for that.

But instead...

He grabbed my head and smashed it against the wall, hard.

"Aaaah!!" I screamed, dropping to the floor as pain exploded in my skull. It burned sharp, like my brain was splitting open.

Blood started pouring out again. I felt it trickling down my forehead, past my nose, soaking into my ripped dress.

"No... no, please no!" I sobbed, pressing my hand to the wound, but it kept coming. It wouldn't stop.

I looked up at him through my watery eyes, shaking all over.

He snorted and folded his arms, rolling his eyes like I was being silly.

"Why are you whining like a baby?" he said, his voice ice cold. "Why cry over nothing?"

I blinked at him, shocked.

"You're not supposed to bleed so easy," he went on. "If you were a real wolf, strong like us, a little bang like that would toughen you up. But no, you're weak. Bleeding like trash. Crying like a worthless pup. That's why you're nothing."

"That's why I sold you," he said, like it was no big deal, like selling old junk. "Sold you to the alpha of our pack. Now you're gone, and I get money. Good deal for me."

My heart broke more. I wanted to yell. To run. But I couldn't move.

Another tear fell.

He smirked again.

"You wanted to know if this was a dream?" he mocked, throwing my words back. "Well, slamming your head proves it, right? Feel that pain? That's real."

I pressed my shaky hand to my forehead, trying to stop the blood. My eyes were still blurry, and blood tasted salty in my mouth.

"Get ready," he said flat. "They come for you today."

He sat back in his chair, grabbed his old newspaper, and started reading like I wasn't there.

"Please..." I whispered, throat dry, lips cracked. "I'm begging. Not for me, but for my dead parents."

My voice broke as tears came again. "Think of them. Just once. How they'd feel... you selling their girl for cash."

He didn't look up. He just smiled.

"How they'd feel?" he mocked. "Grateful, that's how. Grateful someone took their useless omega kid who can't do a thing right. They'd thank me for dumping the load."

My heart twisted hard.

I fell to the floor. I wanted to scream. To disappear. But I just cried.

I looked up, still crying. "You hurt me because the ones who'd save me are dead."

He dropped the paper, stared right at me, and spoke again.

"Right, Lena. They're dead. And guess what? You killed them."

"You heard me. Your cursed birth killed them. So no, they can't help now." His voice dripped hate.

"Be thankful," he said. "I thought you were worth zero. But you fetched a bit. So hey, not total trash."

I dropped to my knees in front of him.

"Uncle... please..." I cried. "Tell me the price. I'll work hard. Ten times harder. Pay you back double, I swear. Just say how much they paid for me."

He didn't flinch.

"You couldn't earn that in your sorry life," he said cold.

The front door creaked open.

I turned fast, wiping tears with my hand. It was my aunt.

For a second, hope flickered.

She's here. She'll stop this. She won't let her niece get sold like meat.

I stumbled toward her, falling at her feet. "Auntie, please," I sobbed. "Please, don't let them take me. Don't let him sell me. I'll do anything. Please."

She didn't answer.

Instead, she shoved me out of her way-hard enough to make me hit the floor-and walked straight toward the table.

Uncle pulled out a fat envelope, slammed it down, opened it, and spread cash like a prize.

"Too late," she said, smiling like she loved my pain. "Paid already. Debt gone, and this"-she pointed at the extra money-"is bonus."

"This... is my worth?" I whispered, voice gone.

She scoffed, arms crossed. "Be lucky. Thought you were worthless like your dead mom. But offer came, we grabbed it fast."

Pain got worse.

"Cry all you want, Lena. Scream, roll around. Won't change a thing. Guards are here now. You'll go."

I knew I was nothing. Felt it daily. But why rub it in? Why laugh?

Why do people love reminding the broken they're broken?

I should've stopped hoping.

No words could fix it. Their minds were alreadymade up.

I turned slow.

Through the window, I saw them waiting for me outside.

I started crying hard again.

"Please... one more chance," I begged her, clutching her dress. "Don't do this today."

She shoved me off.

"Get out," she said cold. "Or they'll drag you."

I had no choice.

I walked to the door, tears streaming.

The guards grabbed my arms rough and they pulled me to the car.

I climbed in as I was still crying.

One of the guards finally spoke.

"You should save your strength," he said without looking at me. "You'll need it once you reach the pack. A lot is waiting for you there."

His words didn't help. If anything, they made the fear worse. But what could be worse than this?

The ride felt like it lasted forever. Trees blurred past.

By the time we stopped, I was numb again.

The guards led me inside, saying nothing. I followed them.

We walked through long halls for what seems like eternity.

Finally, they stopped at a small door and opened it.

"This is your room," one of them said, tossing a bundle of clothes onto the bed. "Get dressed. You have five minutes. The Alpha is expecting you."

He turned to leave but paused at the door. His eyes flicked to my face.

"And clean that mess off," he added flatly. "The Alpha won't want to see you looking like roadkill."

Then they left.

The room was tiny-barely enough space to breathe. Just a single bed, a small sink, and a cracked mirror on the wall.

I picked up the clothes.

The fabric was rough and smelled faintly of soap and harsh chemicals. My fingers shook as I unfolded it, staring for a long time before forcing myself to change. The dress scratched my skin, clinging to every bruise.

When I finally looked into the mirror, a stranger stared back. Pale skin, eyes red and swollen, a faint line of blood still dark along my temple. I turned on the sink, washed my face, scrubbing until the last trace of red was gone.

Just as I was about to open the door to leave, something hit me.

I don't even know where the Alpha is.

Oh no. I don't know where to go.

Panic crawled up my throat.

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the room anyway.

I'd have to guess. Maybe I could find the Alpha's chamber just by instinct.

I walked slowly through the halls, hoping no one would yell at me or punish me for being lost. My hands kept shaking as I touched the cold stone walls to guide me.

Then I saw a grand door-tall, carved, with gold handles and a dark wolf insignia in the center. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.

This had to be it.

I swallowed hard and reached for the handle. My heart was beating so fast I thought I'd pass out. I didn't even knock. I just... opened it.

And that's when I saw something that made my whole body freeze.

"So... you're the one who's been sneaking in to watch me get naked?"

My eyes traveled to where the voice came from and I was so stunned to say anything.

A naked back. Broad shoulders. And... a perfectly bare butt. Smooth. Strong. Catching the light the way polished marble does - unreal, like something sculpted rather than born.

I froze. Then blinked. Then blinked again.

Was I dreaming? Had I died? What in the name of the Moon was I looking at?

"...oh-shit," I breathed before I could stop it. My hand flew to my mouth. It was already too late.

He turned sharply.

I didn't even get to see his full face before his voice crashed into me.

"Answer me!" he barked. The force of it made my knees threaten to fold.

"I-!" The word tore out of me with a gasp as I bowed my head on instinct, shaking.

"No-no, sir, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to come in here," I stammered, the words falling over each other. "I wasn't the one who keeps coming to watch you. I just arrived today - I swear - I've never even been to this side of the pack before now."

I immediately knelt down as I kept my eyes glued to the floor. I didn't dare look again. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt.

"And I'm supposed to believe that?" he asked with his voice filled with disbelief..

My mind spun in circles.

"I swear on my dead parents, this was the first time that I have ever stepped in this room."

"It's shameful," he said, each word dripping with disgust. "For your parents to be dead, and you swearing on their names like it means anything. The way you behave, I doubt they're even resting in peace."

His words hit me. Pain swelled up in my throat, pushing hot tears to my eyes.

How could he say that? He didn't know them at all. He didn't know me. He had no clue about the fire that took them, or how I'd spent every night wishing I could remember their faces, their voices.

And now, he was dragging their memory through the mud, like it was trash. It hurt so deep.

I stayed quiet. What could I even say? I was just a nobody, a sold-off girl in a slave uniform.

Then his voice cut through again.

"How should I deal with you?"

My whole body went stiff. Deal with me? What did that mean? My mind raced with scary thoughts-whips, chains, dark cells.

I'd heard stories about packs like this, where omegas like me disappeared and no one asked questions.

He chuckled, a low, dark sound that sent chills down my spine.

"Tell me. I want suggestions. Since you're already in this much trouble, you might as well help me decide your punishment."

My heart stopped dead. Suggestions? From me? What was I supposed to say?

Yes, sir, please beat me until I can't walk? Or lock me away forever?

"Please..." I whispered, shaking violently. "Please forgive me. I promise, I swear-it won't ever happen again. It was a mistake. I was scared and rushed in without thinking. Please... let me go. I still need to meet the Alpha."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Why?"

"Why should I forgive you?" he asked again, his tone mocking. "Give me one good reason."

I had nothing. No good reason at all. Who was I to deserve mercy? I stayed frozen, my hands clasped tight together, my knees aching from the hard floor.

"Do you even know the punishment," he said slowly, drawing out each word like he enjoyed the taste of them, "for walking in on someone important, naked without knocking?"

I shook my head fast, too terrified to speak. My imagination ran wild-horrible images of blood and screams.

He gave me a cruel smirk, one that made my stomach twist.

"It's simple," he said. "We cut off your fingers. One at a time. The same fingers you refused to use to knock on my door."

I gasped loud, clutching my hands to my chest like someone had already pulled out a sharp blade.

"No... no, please," I whimpered, my voice cracking into pieces. "My hands... my body... it's the only thing I have left. Please don't..."

"Sir, please! Forgive me! I'm so sorry! I swear I'll never, ever make that mistake again. Please don't hurt me. Don't take my fingers. I'll do anything. I'll be careful. I'll knock a thousand times if you want. Just don't..."

But it was like my words bounced off him, meaningless. He didn't move, didn't soften.

"LOOK at me!" he snapped suddenly, his voice booming.

"I said, look at me this very instant!"

I lifted my head slow, my neck shaking and---

My cheeks burned hot, like they were on fire. Goddess, help me.

Even in my panic, I couldn't ignore how he looked.

I quickly turned my eyes away, mortified.

Goddess, help me.

The man had the audacity to look like a carved god in the middle of my breakdown.

His muscles. His body. His-

No. I forced myself to focus.

I took a deep breath and finally dared to look into his eyes.

"You have two options, whoever you are-because frankly, I'm not interested in learning your name."

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat like a rock.

"Either I take you to the pack chamber right now and report you for spying on me..."

My heart plunged into my stomach.

"...or you apologize to me-in my own way."

My mind blanked out completely.

Everything stopped.

"Apologize... in my own way."

What on earth did that mean?

No... please, he couldn't mean that. Did he want me to... touch him? Or worse?

No, Lena, stop. You're jumping to conclusions. Maybe it's something else, like cleaning his room.

But the way he stared, that slow, wicked smile creeping on his lips... it didn't feel innocent. Not one bit.

My voice came out cracked and small.

"P-please... what way?" I asked, barely able to hold his gaze.

"Just... just let me go. Please," I begged again.

But he only smirked wider like he was enjoying every bit of this.

"I'm not letting you go," he said slow and calm. "And you'll find out what I mean... very soon."

He started walking toward me.

Still half naked.

My heart leaped into my throat, pounding wild.

I panicked hard. I scrambled to my feet, almost tripping over my own shaky legs, and backed up fast.

But with every step I took back... he took two forward, closing the gap.

No.

No, no, no.

This couldn't be real. My mind screamed for escape, but there was none..

My back slammed into the door behind me.

I reached back, fingers fumbling desperate for the handle.

Why was it so hard to open now? Panic clawed at me.

I was trapped.

My breaths came quick and shallow. Fresh tears blurred my vision.

"Please... Moon Goddess... not like this," I whispered to myself, but it felt useless, like my prayers were lost in the wind.

He reached me.

His bare chest was right there, inches from my face. So close I could see the drops of water still clinging to his skin from whatever bath he'd been in.

He smelled so good.

His wet hair fell over his forehead, messy and wild, a few strands dripping slow.

And Goddess... his lips. Soft pink, full, curved just right. They didn't match the threat in his eyes at all.

I hated that I noticed. Hated that in the middle of my fear, my body reacted weird.

My heart hammered so loud, I bet he heard it echoing.

He leaned in closer, his face now so near mine. His eyes locked on, intense, like he was reading every secret in my soul.

"So..." he whispered, his voice low and husky. "Are you ready to pay... in kind?"

I couldn't speak a word.

I didn't want to "pay" anything. All I craved was to run back to that tiny room they gave me, hide under the thin blanket, and never peek out until someone assigned me a safe job that is far from him.

He leaned even closer, and I squeezed my eyes shut tight, bracing for whatever came.

Was he going to kiss me? Force it? My mind whirled with dread.

But instead...

His mouth moved not to my lips, but to my ear.

His lips brushed my skin. His warm breath sent shivers racing down my spine.

He whispered, slow and deep, each word tingling against me:

"What am I going to do with you... little spy?"

My eyes squeezed tighter still.

His voice was dirty, teasing, wrapping around me like smoke.

I didn't get what was happening to my body. A strange heat built inside, confusing and wrong.

A soft moan escaped my lips-before I could clamp it down.

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

Why did that slip out? Shame flooded me hot.

I wanted the floor to crack open and pull me under.

He pulled back slow, his eyes dropping to my lips now.

His mouth hovered just an inch away. So close I could almost taste his breath.

My heart slammed against my ribs, air stuck in my lungs-

And then-

BAM!

The door burst open behind me, shoving me forward a bit.

"Why aren't you ready yet? And who is this lowlife?"