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?"

LENA

I stared at him, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest.

What had he just whispered? "Fuck me"? No, wait... he said something about them fucking me. All of them. The words hit me, my mind spinning in circles.

Why? Why would they say that? My thoughts crashed around, loud and messy, making my head hurt.

But before I could even open my mouth to beg or plead or anything, the one with the fiery auburn hair let out a huge laugh.

I blinked hard, tears blurring everything. My chest went up and down so fast I thought I might pass out. I stood there, feeling like the biggest idiot ever, my face burning hot.

"What's so funny?" I wanted to snap, but the words stuck in my throat like glue.

"You should've seen her face," he gasped between laughs, pointing right at me. "She lit up like a damn firework when Draven said we were gonna fuck her. Like it was Christmas morning in her pathetic little world."

Draven. So that's the name of the golden blonde one.

Happy? Me? No way in hell. I was scared out of my mind, humiliated down to my bones. My fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms, drawing tiny drops of blood. I wanted to scream, "You're a liar!" But I bit my tongue until it hurt. I knew better.

These guys were alphas-quadruplets, born to rule, with power that could crush me like a bug. One wrong word, and I'd be dead or worse. Omegas like me don't fight back. We bow and break.

"That slut," the auburn-haired one kept going, his voice dripping with poison, "is so thirsty for it, she probably dreams about getting railed by strangers every night. Look at her-standing there, practically begging for us to bend her over right now. Cheap as dirt."

My stomach twisted. Thirsty? Begging? I felt sick. The tears came harder, sliding down my cheeks like rain on a window. Why were they doing this? I'd accidentally walked in on Harlan-that was all. Harlan had grabbed me, teased me, made my body react in ways I hated. I'd moaned without meaning to, and now they were using it like a weapon.

The one with the copper red hair smirked, leaning back against the wall. "Yeah, Theo's right. She's got that hungry look. Bet she's never had a real man before. Just some sad, lonely omega fantasies."

Theo. So auburn hair was Theo.

And the golden brown-haired just chuckled low, his eyes raking over me like I was meat on a hook. "Draven, pass me that drink. This show's getting good. Watch her squirm."

My brain was trying to keep up with the names.

But Harlan, the black-haired leader of this nightmare, stepped closer again. His voice was quiet.

"Pathetic. You walked in here, interrupted us, and now you're crying like a baby because we called you out? We could ruin you, slave. Snap our fingers and have you thrown to the rogues."

I hated them all. Hated their smug faces, their cruel laughs, the way they talked about me like I wasn't even in the room. Hated how they made me feel small and dirty. But most of all, I hated myself for not fighting back.

How could I? They were alphas, rich and strong. One click of their fingers, and I'd be gone. If they lived my life for just one hour-felt the hunger, the beatings, the loneliness-they'd crumble. But they never would. They were born on top, stepping on people like me.

Harlan's eyes locked on mine, and he sneered. "Now get the fuck out before we decide to make good on that promise. We'll fuck you up so bad, you'll wish you were never born, you worthless orphan bitch."

His words stabbed deep.. I bowed my head low, hiding my face, and bolted from the room. My legs shook as I ran down the dark hallway, tears blinding me. Everything blurred-walls, doors, my own feet.

"Moon Goddess," I sobbed under my breath, "why do you hate me? What did I ever do to deserve this hell?"

I don't even remember how I got back to my so-called room. It was more like a closet with a door-a tiny space with a thin mat on the floor that they called a bed.

Hard as rock, covered in a rag that smelled like mold. I slammed the door shut and collapsed onto it, burying my face in the flat pillow. My whole body shook with sobs, loud and ugly.

If my parents were alive... gods, everything would be different. Even as an omega, they'd have shielded me. Loved me. I wouldn't be sold off, dragged here like livestock, treated like garbage every damn day. I'd have a family, a home, not this empty pit inside me.

I cried until my throat burned, gripping the rough sheets until my knuckles turned white. I was so tired. Tired of hurting, tired of surviving, tired of being nothing.

Then, a knock came at the door.

I didn't move. "Go away," I whispered into the pillow, my voice cracked and raw. "Please, just leave me be..."

Another knock. Louder.

I ignored it. What more could they take from me? My dignity was already gone.

The door creaked open anyway. Footsteps echoed on the creaky floor, slow and heavy. Someone stopped right by my bed, their shadow falling over me like a dark cloud.

"Were you deaf when I knocked?" The voice was sharp and filled with disgust.

I stayed still, eyes squeezed shut. Why couldn't they give me peace? Even slaves need to breathe, to cry without eyes on them. I'd been sold, beaten down, handed over like a sack of potatoes-but did that mean I couldn't have one moment alone?

"Do you want to get punished on your first day here, slave?" the voice snapped. "Didn't the guard who dragged you in tell you not to disrespect the head of slaves?"

My tears stopped cold. Head of slaves? Oh no. I jerked my head up, wiping my face fast. It was a woman, maybe in her forties, with hard lines on her face and eyes like steel. She looked like she'd seen too much and cared too little.

"I'm so sorry! So, so sorry!" I bowed over and over, my head bobbing like a broken toy. If I didn't stop, I might knock myself out, but better that than her wrath.

She just stared, arms crossed. I kept bowing, silent, hoping it was enough.

"Were you crying?" she asked, her tone flat.

I shook my head quick. "No, ma'am. Not crying. Just... something in my eye. Dust or whatever. I was rubbing it out, that's all." I forced a smile, but it felt fake as hell. Better to lie than admit weakness-they'd call me soft and beat it out of me.

She raised an eyebrow. "Suit yourself, girl. But your attention's needed. Now."

My heart sank. "What have I done again?" I whispered, dread filling me.