Please stop!

{Warning: Chapter contains violence and harassment. For those sensitive, read at your own risk}

Violet’s POV

My eyes unconsciously strayed to the table where my mate was sitting, drooping in disappointment at his absence.

His friends remained, though — one of them in particular threw a scowl at me as my wolf whimpered under his gaze.

“Hey, would you quit eye fucking them?!” Joyce yelled, her shriek causing heads to snap in my direction.

I paled, words fleeing my head as I tried to deny her words.

“I– I am not!” I stammered, looking around nervously.

I didn't want to be branded with a different name.

Joyce however, didn't get the memo. She rolled her eyes at me, jabbing her perfectly manicured fingers in my direction. “Don't try that innocent shit with me, and get to work or else!”

I glared at her, clenching my fists beside me as she left with a dismissive huff.

I wish I could smack her in the face, but I couldn't. Not without me getting punished. Trust me, I had tried, and didn't want it to repeat ever again.

My wolf whined sorrowfully in my head, and I couldn't help but lower my gaze as tears pricked my eyes.

I didn't deserve this life, but the moon goddess was cruel to omegas like me.

Lowering my gaze, I continued with my work till my shift ended, not minding the fact that I worked extra hours.

Jogging down the familiar path home, dirt picked up at my feet, the cold evening air brushing at my face and slapping away the few jeers that had managed to make its way to my ears.

I paused mid jog, my eyes catching sight of a teal blue diamond cut wristwatch standing in display at a shop's window.

Just looking at it, I knew I had to sell an arm and a leg to afford it, but still what made me stop to admire the watch was because of how it reminded me of him.

His eyes in particular.

It made me imagine him wearing the watch in a suit. It would suit him.

My wolf purred at the back of my head, and I blushed, my face going an even brighter shade once I caught sight of my reflection in the shop's window.

“Calm down Violet, it's just the mate bond messing with your head. A person like him could never like you.” I muttered, exhaling through my mouth as I resumed my walk back home.

I shouldn't get ahead of myself, I repeated in my head, but gosh it wasn't helping.

Not when my damn wolf kept bringing up images of him staring at me — how his gaze had felt like he was worshipping my whole body while I was naked. Heck, standing in front of him made me feel that way.

I knew there was no hope for us as he would reject me, but for once, I was allowed to wallow in my fantasies, right?

For the rest of my walk home, I felt bliss, but sadly, all things must end.

Staring at the nightmare that stood in front of me, the small smile that had managed to creep onto my face slipped right off, my knees trembling in fright.

Once again, I was about to step into the cage I called home.

I couldn’t believe I had called this place home all my life. The abuse, the neglect — everything was here, yet I stayed.

A psycho was what one might call me, but when you’re desperate for love, especially from a parent, shit hits hard.

Closing my eyes, I exhaled, trying to prepare myself for the unknown.

"Violet?” A voice called, one I knew all too well, one that brought immediate disgust and had me snapping my eyes open.

Standing in the doorway of my apartment, Owen, in my father’s pajamas, grinned like a Cheshire cat, acting as if he owned the place.

“You’re back!”

“What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning at him. “Where is my dad?”

I looked around, pushing him aside as I made my way in.

The house was littered like always, but there was no sign of my father.

“Your father went to get something. He said he'd be back soon.” He answered, locking the door behind him.

Hearing the door click shut, I became painfully aware of the tension between us.

Ever since that day at the cafe, I had avoided Owen as much as I could, but luck wasn't on my side today.

“Why are you here?”

“Don't you want to see me?” He tilted his head, taking a step closer to me and I took one back to put some space between us.

He let out a chuckle, the sound hollow, even an idiot could notice the anger in them. “Are we going to keep doing this? I told you I was sorry. Miss Donna was only a business partner.”

“Okay, but I remember telling you I didn't care.” I said, eyes darting to the door of my room.

Something about him felt off.

It made my wolf scream at me to get away and I didn't like it.

I stared at him warily, hating once more of the fact that my father wasn't here.

“Owen, I think you should go.” I spoke, looking at his face. “I need to clean.”

I wished he'd get the message and just leave.

Owen's face fell, his fists balling beside him. “You are sending me away?”

“What?” I laughed awkwardly, “No. Why would I?”

Please go away.

My heart thumped loudly in my chest, my breath picking as he stared at me.

What should I do to make him leave?

Just as I was contemplating, he suddenly grabbed me in the arm. “You think I am a fool, Violet? You think I can't see what's going on? You've been sleeping with someone, haven't you?”

I winced, hitting on his arm as his nails dug into my flesh. “Let go! I have no idea what you are talking about!”

“Shut up!” He snapped, smacking me on the face causing me to fall on my butt.

“The whole pack is talking about it, and yet you dare act all innocent?” He roared, his hot gaze piercing my skin. “For months, I tried behaving like a gentleman, hoping you would come around, but you dare go around sleeping with the Alpha's son and his friends?! Is that how cheap you are?!”

His words sent stabs to my heart, like a sharp dagger.

I choked, tears leaking from my eyes as I glared at him. “If you think so, then leave me be! I never liked you anyway so you'd be doing me a favour by leaving me alone.”

The last part slipped out of me, and when I realized it, it was too late.

I saw Owen's face turn dark before he pounced on me.

Everything happened so fast that I barely had time to think.

It was only when he started tugging at my shirt did it come to me what he was planning on doing.

“No! Please, stop!” I shouted, hands flailing about as I tried protecting my dignity even as my skin met with every blow I received from him.

“You bitch! I'll make sure to teach you never to open your legs!” He growled, his fingers turning to claws as he ripped my shirt open.

Feeling the cold air on my skin, my heart thundered like a rainstorm, adrenaline pumping in my veins as dread filled me.

No, no, no. This can't be happening!

I sobbed, reaching around, my hands suddenly coming in contact with one of my dad's empty bottles.

Just as he ripped open my pants, I smashed the bottle on his head, his pained howl filling the room as he clutched his head.

I kicked at him, dashing out of the house, thankful I had held on to the keys earlier. Tears streamed down my face as I ran into the woods, my heart hammering like a drum, and my wolf whining in my head.

After putting a good distance between us, I felt my legs give out beneath me. I collapsed at the base of an oak tree as tears continued to stream down my face.

I could have been raped by a man I didn’t even want. How much more pathetic could my life be?