Broken

ETHAN'S POV

I stayed for a long while in the servant's quarters after I was done changing my clothing.

The servant who had helped me was already gone, but I couldn't leave yet. I just laid carefully on the bed which felt softer than the one I sleep on at home, dreaming of being a servant in the palace.

The nice food I will probably eat, the money I would be bringing back home to my stepdad.

I imagined him finally treating me the way he treats my step siblings. And it made me heave a sigh.

I rolled to the other side as the event that happened earlier played in my head making me feel ashamed once again.

I was still lost in those thoughts when I heard my name in the most firm yet heart fluttering voice I had ever heard.

"Ethan," the voice called, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

I sat up tensed and turned to see Alpha Ryan standing in the doorway, his sharp brown eyes fixed on me.

I quickly stood up, my heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement.

"Y...yes, Alpha?" I stuttered, bowing my head in respect.

"I didn't mean to laze around, I will get back to work immediately." I said with my head still bowed, hoping he doesn't get angry.

"Come with me," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. I nodded hastily, following him out of the servant's quarters.

He didn't take me back to the gathering, instead he took me through the palace corridors.

I couldn't look around as I was trying to keep up with his long strides. We walked in silence, the only sound being the soft rustle of our footsteps on the floor.

A sense of unease washed over me as I pondered on where he was taking me, and what he wanted to do with me.

As we turned a corner, Ryan stopped in front of a door. My heart sank as the memories of my stepdad opening the closet door at home, and pushing me in before leaving me all covered in bruises and cuts flashed through my eyes.

I felt a lump in my throat as my heart pounded.

"Was he angry I made his mate mad? But he was the one who stopped me from obeying her orders, maybe I should have just gone ahead." I thought.

I didn't know I was already tearing up until I felt my tears warm on my cheeks.

"No, no, no… Please no." I heard myself crying out as I stepped back slowly.

"I'm sorry for making her mad, I'm sorry I was slacking off instead of working, but please don't push me in." I cried as I fell to my knees, my hands clasped together in a desperate plea.

"Please, Alpha." I begged, my voice shaking with fear. "I'll do anything, just don't push me inside."

His hand touched my shoulder, and I flinched, expecting to be dragged. But instead, he held on my face and raised it gently.

I couldn't open my eyes, couldn't bear to see the anger or disgust that I knew would be there.

"Look at me." I heard his voice say, it was commanding but gentle.

I opened my eyes and met his expression, he looked rather confused, which was unexpecting.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently, and that was when it dawned on me that I might have acted on the wrong impression.

"The door," I said, pointing. "Is… Is that not where I...I… get punished?" I stuttered.

The moment those shameful words left my lips, he smirked and stood straight.

"Hmph, get up." He commanded.

I quickly stood up, confused.

I've heard a lot about the Alpha, how he's vicious, cruel and doesn't forgive a mistake, but the person standing in front of me wasn't like that or was this just a facade?

"You can go home now, but you're to report back to the palace first thing tomorrow morning."

"I can go now?" I asked again for clarity, maybe I had misheard him.

"Take this." He said as he brought out a red pouch from his sleeve and handed it to me.

I took it and opened it, and that was when I saw it was filled with gold coins. I never expected gold coins, I expected some copper coins.

I stared at the pouch confused, unsure of what to do.

Finally, I looked up at him, "This is not…"

"Consider it a token for your services." He said and left without even waiting for me to thank him. He was the first person that had been nice to me and I didn't even get to say a thank you.

I felt the weight of the gold coins inside. It was more money than I'd ever seen in my life. I smiled.

"Thanks," I said softly even though I knew he wouldn't hear me; if only I could mind link.

I carefully studded the pouch to my waist.

Smiling, I traced my way to the palace exit.

When I got to the ceremonial ground, it was almost deserted.

Only the servants who were cleaning up and a few pack members were left, I carefully snuck out so they won't see me and ask me to clean up with them.

It was already late, and I still had to walk home in that dark, scary night.

I quickened my pace, my heart racing with anticipation and a hint of fear.

As I approached my home, I saw my stepdad, stepbrother, and stepsisters waiting for me by the door, their faces twisted in anger.

"Where have you been?" my stepdad growled, his voice like thunder. "You're late, your first time out, and you repay me with lateness."

"No Dad I …"

He snapped. "Don't you ever!" He hated it when I call him Dad, but I always find myself calling him that.

"You know what I said would happen if you get back late." He yelled.

I swallowed hard, trying to apologize, but before I could speak, he lunged at me, his fist connecting with my jaw. I stumbled back, as I felt the pain all over my face.

"He thinks he can just waltz in here whenever he pleases?" My step-sister Jasmine sneered.

"He's nothing but a useless servant, and he can't even do his job properly. Embarrassing us like that in front of everyone." The other Lily spat.

I tried to defend myself, but my stepdad slapped me across the cheek.

"I'm sorry…" I pleaded as I struggled to push him away, but he was too strong. He hit me again and again, the blows landing on my face, my chest, and my stomach. I fell to the ground, curling up in a ball to protect myself.

I thought I was going to feel wanted tonight, but I guess I'm just as pathetic and useless as they say.

Just as I thought it was over, my stepbrother handed him a stick.

"Here Dad, this should teach this wolf less runt a lesson." He sneered, his eyes blazing with fury.

As my Stepdad raised the stick, I yelled. "I was paid in gold coins." Trying to ease his anger towards me.

His hand stopped midair before he gently took them down.

"And where are these gold coins?" He asked.

I immediately loosed the pouch from my waist and handed it to him.

Instead of being happy with me, his face twisted in anger.

"This is more than I've ever earned," he spat, his eyes scanning the contents of the pouch. "Where did you get this money? Did you steal it?"

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "No, Father, I swear I didn't steal it. The Alpha gave it to me, be said it's a token for my services."

"What services?" Jasmine spat. "The poor service you did that got you dripping in a cup of wine?"

"I…I…" I stammered as I was already out of words. I can't understand why I was given such amount myself.

"You're a thief, Ethan," My stepdad cuts in, his voice dripping with venom. "You always find new ways to bring shame to my family."

He pulled me by my long hair and dragged me towards the closest, ignoring my pleas.

He pushed and locked me in the closet, the darkness closing in around me like a suffocating shroud.

I curled up on the floor, my body aching from the beating, my heart heavy with disappointment and pain.

Why? Why does he hate me so much? The tears flowed freely, and I let them, as I already felt too exhausted and defeated to do anything.