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?"

LENA

I shoved him away the instant the door flew open behind me, stumbling back in a rush of shame.

My skin burned hot, like fire under my uniform. My cheeks felt like they were glowing, and I couldn't bring myself to look up. I bowed my head low, as if the floor could swallow me whole and hide me from the mess I'd walked into.

I pressed a hand over my face, wishing I could vanish. Why had this happened? Why had I ended up like that, so close to him? Now they'd all see me as some cheap girl, throwing herself at the first man who looked her way.

They wouldn't care that I was terrified, that I hadn't meant any of it, that he'd pulled me in with his whispers and his presence. No, they'd just judge.

I stayed quiet, head down, my breaths coming short and shaky. The air in the room felt thick, pressing on me.

"I was just about done getting ready," the man I'd thought was the Alpha said, his voice deep and casual, like nothing had happened. "Why didn't you knock anyway?"

"That's not the point," another voice shot back, full of smug mockery. "Don't pretend like you've got something down there I haven't seen a hundred times."

I kept my eyes on the floor. The walls seemed to close in tighter, my heart pounding in my ears. Damn it, I thought to myself. Why did they have to walk in right then? Why did the Moon Goddess keep throwing this kind of hell at me?

The voice turned colder, sharper. "What I really want to know is why you were all over a worthless maid like her?"

My stomach dropped. Worthless. The word hit.

"If you're that desperate," the voice went on, dripping with disgust, "why not call one of those fine she-wolves from the Northern Pack? Or your fuck mate-she at least doesn't reek. Not like this... filthy omega."

I flinched hard, my hands balling into fists at my sides. I wanted to look up, to scream that he didn't know me, that I wasn't what he thought. But I didn't. I stayed bowed, the insults sinking in.

They always said things like this. Lowlife. Disgusting. Stinking omega. Did they have to rub it in my face every time?

Then, something surprised me. "How do you even know she's worthless?" the Alpha asked.

My breath caught. Was he... standing up for me?

"She's in a maid uniform, sure," he added, "but that doesn't make her trash."

For a second, I felt a tiny spark of gratitude. At least one person wasn't ready to kick me while I was down.

But the rude one just laughed, harsh and mean. "Please. I could smell her stink before I even opened the door. That rotten omega scent nearly made me puke."

Tears pricked at my eyes. I squeezed them shut, biting my cheek to hold it all in. No crying. Not here, not in front of them.

Then the Alpha laughed too-a low, cruel sound that shattered that spark in my chest.

"I knew you'd say that," he said. "I smelled her too. You know me, brother... I'd never touch garbage like her for real. I was just testing her. Seeing if she was different from the others."

He chuckled again, like it was all a joke.

"But nope," he went on, "she's the same. Cheap. Dirty. So desperate she moaned when I whispered in her ear. Didn't even push me away properly."

My body went cold. Tears slipped down my cheeks now, hot and silent. How could he say that? Twist it like I wanted it?

"She was begging for me to take her," he said without shame, laughing loud. "Probably planning to fake a pregnancy later. Trap me like some sneaky omega whore."

"And she moaned?" another voice chimed in, full of revulsion. "Goddess, that's nasty."

"How pathetic can you get?"

"Bet she'd spread for any Alpha in here and then play the victim."

"Should toss her in the pit with the other sluts. That's her level."

"Ugh, standing there like we can't see right through her."

"She's quiet now-probably hoping for round two."

I heard them all now. Not one or two, but a group. Their voices blended into a storm of mockery, laughter cutting through me like knives.

Still, I kept my head down. I didn't want to see their faces, to match voices to eyes. If I did, it'd haunt me forever.

"And why's her head still down?" a new voice snapped, laced with hate. "Ashamed of your true colors?"

Someone else laughed. "Or waiting for the next guy to step up. These omegas are all the same."

"Raise your head and look at us now."

I shook my head slow, tears dripping to the floor.

"Raise that ugly head!" one barked. "Or I'll rip it off and make you hold it."

My heart froze. I didn't want to, but fear won. My neck lifted before I could stop it.

There were four of them standing there, tall and powerful. They looked alike-brothers, maybe-but each had his own twist.

One had golden blond hair that caught the light like fire, one had fiery auburn locks swept back, one had raven black strands that fell sharp over his forehead, and the last had copper red waves that looked almost soft.

Was this real? Or some twisted dream I couldn't escape?

"So," one said with a nasty smirk, "sucking up to Alpha Harlan wasn't enough? Now you want the rest of us to line up?"

My heart broke more. I opened my mouth, but nothing came. What could I say? They'd twist it anyway.

Tears kept falling, soaking my collar, but I couldn't stop them.

The one with the golden blond hair stepped closer. "You deaf? Answer me."

I bowed my head quick. "I'm sorry," I whispered, voice shaking. "I didn't mean any of it. I didn't know this was the Alpha's room. I forgot to knock. Swear it wasn't on purpose."

"So you just tripped into his arms?" Golden Blond sneered. "What next? A magic spell made you moan like that?"

The others laughed low and mean, their words stabbing my chest.

I couldn't speak. Just stood shaking, head down again.

I felt so small, like a bug under their boots.

"I didn't mean to," I whispered, mostly to myself. "I'm new. Don't know the rules. Just trying to work."

"First day and already whoring for the Alpha," one muttered.

"No!" I said louder, desperate. "Please don't say that. I wasn't trying to... to do anything with Alpha Harlan. Swear. Wasn't thinking. Forgot to knock. Punish me different. Anything but this."

Quiet for a beat, then the voice I knew-Alpha Harlan. "By work, you mean barging in while I'm naked?"

Half naked if we are being honest but I wouldn't dare correct them.

My chest squeezed. I looked up slow. His eyes were cold, blank.

"I am apologizing to you again, My Alpha. Please forgive me. It is never going to repeat itself again." I apologized to him over again even though I had done that multiple times.

"Please just let me go, My Alpha. I have been through a lot already." I pleaded with them.

"Tired already?" Golden Blond laughed. "We haven't even started."

I backed up a step, fear rising.

The one with copper red hair leaned on the wall, smirking. "Know what we do to omegas who pull stunts like that?"

Please... stop, I thought, begging inside.

Shame and fear pressed on me. I felt like I'd break any second, their stares boring deep into me.

"Please..." I said again. My voice cracked. "Please just let me go. You can punish me another day. But not today. Not like this. I've been disgraced enough."

The golden blond one's smirk grew, eyes dark with cruelty. "Why should we let you go when we can all fuck you at once so you can get what you have been craving for?"