Only A Few Broken Ribs

Emilia’s POV

“What the fuck is going on?” I glance to the other end of the otherwise deserted hallway and see one of the guys who accompanied Alpha Kade storming to us. He comes to a halt in front of Kendrick, towering over him. “I will ask only one more time. What the hell is going on?”

“This doesn’t concern you,” Kendrick growls, pushing himself off the wall. “None of this is your fucking problem.”

The guy laughs and his eyes dart to me, momentarily softening as he takes in my appearance before turning back to Kendrick, his eyes hardening.

“Whenever I see a man towering over someone ten times their size and punching the shit out of them, while she tries and fights back, it becomes my problem. What the fuck could a damn Omega do to you to warrant this kind of treatment?”

Neither of them answers him which only seems to further piss off the man. He brings his fist back, letting it collide with Kendrick’s nose. A small smile spreads on my face when I hear the crunch of his nose cracking.

Ozara steps forward as the guy takes a step away from Kendrick. “This is my pack,” he growls. “The fucking bitch deserved what she got. Kendrick didn’t really fucking hurt her. You have no authority Beta Marcus. Don’t you fucking come to my pack and tell me how to treat my pack members, especially the fucking low of the low Omegas!”

Beta Marcus takes a menacing step towards Ozara, an intimidating grin spreading across his face. “You really want to try me? You know who my Alpha is and you know what pack I come from. Don’t think your father will protect. All it takes is one word and your fucking dead.” He takes another step closer to Ozara and grabs him by the collar of the shirt, his voice dropping to a deadly octave. “You best hope I don’t decide to tell Alpha Kade about what I witnessed you doing to this poor Omega. Now get out of my fucking face.”

I bristle at his words. I am not some poor and helpless Omega. I may not know how to truly fight, but it doesn’t mean I can’t fucking hold my own. I have just learned if I injure these assholes, then I fucking pay for it. I have had enough ‘punishments’ throughout the last eleven years to know better than to fuck with my anyone.

Both boys take off, shooting Beta Marcus and myself a bunch of angry glares before disappearing around the bend.

“Thank you,” I mumble, straightening up, my hands clutch at my ribs where there is a dull ache. This is going to make leaving even harder for me. “I didn’t need it though. This isn’t unusual to be happening to me. I’m not some damsel in distress that needs saving.”

A low rumble leaves him as he laughs at my words. “No offense, but you didn’t look like you were faring too well on your own.”

I glare at him and stare walking in the opposite directing Ozara and Kendrick went. I don’t make it very far before the Beta catches up to me.

“Just leave me alone,” I huff. “I have to get to the kitchen and finish the dinner for tonight for the party you will be attending.” My breathing is a little ragged as I fight through the pain in my ribs. I am nearly positive Kendrick broke at least one of my ribs, but going by the pain I am in, it might have been two ribs.

I make it halfway down the hallway, almost making it to the front doors, before I have to stop to catch my breath. My sides are killing me, and my breathing is becoming labored.

Goddammit, I am going to fucking kill Kendrick.

Even if I could use tonight as my distraction to leave this hell hole, I don’t know if I am going to be able to, not when I feel like this.

I can feel Beta Marcus getting closer to me as I try and catch my breath, getting up the energy to leave the building the rest of the way.

“You need to go to the pack doctor,” Beta Marcus tells me softly.

“No,” I bite out. “I can’t do that. Alpha Jackson and Luna Ismalda has made it perfectly clear, Beta. I am not allowed to go to the pack hospital for any reason. You think this is the first time I have had an injury like this? Nope, not a chance in fucking hell. Everyone pretends not to see what is done to me. Alpha Jackson has made one thing perfectly clear to everyone here. He doesn’t give a rat’s ass what happens to me, and I mean why should he—I am nothing to him. I am not even an Omega for this pack. I am a lowly slave to the people here. Alpha Jackson only cares if they leave the bruises where they can see them. I am covered at all times, which only leaves my face and arms as off limits. I am sure the mark on my face will get Kendrick in trouble with the Alpha, but I doubt he will get into any severe trouble.”

I turn to face him, hating the look of sympathy in his eyes. I don’t need anyone’s sympathy. I am going to get myself out of here. And once I am a rogue, no one will be able to control or own me again. Everyone will learn I am not some fucking object here for everyone’s amusement. No one will be able to beat the shit out of me, no one will boss me around, no one will control me, no one will threaten me.

I let out a soft sight before continuing. “Beta Marcus, I am not telling you this for any sympathy. This has been my life for the last eleven years; I am used to it. I am telling you this so you understand why I am not going to do anything about Ozara and Kendrick. I am going to go prepare dinner for tonight. I am sure I will see you at the ball. After all, your Alpha made sure I am going to be there to serve.”

Beta Marcus grimaces. “At least let me look at your ribs. I am nearly positive with the way your breathing is labored, at least one of them is broken. There is no harm in that, right?”

I roll my eyes before immediately regretting that decision. I know better than to roll my eyes at anyone of rank. Beta Marcus seems nice, but I am sure he has a mean streak just like everyone else, especially with who his Alpha is.

Beta Marcus comes closer to me, and he gingerly lifts the bottom of my shirt, stopping right above my stomach.

“Fucking hell,” he murmurs, one finger gingerly tracing one of the bruises along my ribs. “You really should go to a doctor to get this looked at.

“Sorry, Beta,” I tell him, keeping my voice soft. “It’s not gonna happen today. I have too much to do and I have already wasted a crap ton of time just talking to you. I can’t afford to waste anymore.

Marcus sighs and gestures for me to leave. “Hey!” he calls out as I make it to the door. I turn to face him to see an unreadable expression on his face. “Come to Alpha Kade’s room before the ball tonight. I will get your ribs taken care of. We don’t want them to set wrong; otherwise, we will need to rebreak them just to get them to set properly.”

I just nod, not giving him an answer. Although, I know I will most likely not be going to his Alpha’s office. I can’t afford to waste any more time.