Caught in the Alpha’s shadow

Being dragged back to the pack felt worse than any nightmare I’ve ever had.

Antonio walked ahead of me with long, angry strides. Two warriors walked behind me in case I “try anything.” Their shadows stretch long across the ground as we approach the Alpha’s mansion, the largest building in the Red Moon Pack.

Everything about the mansion screams power. The tall walls, the sharp stone pillars, the wide double doors carved with wolves and moons. I’ve never stepped inside before. Girls like me aren’t allowed near the Alpha’s residence unless we’re delivering laundry or scrubbing floors.

Now I am being dragged inside like a criminal.

The moment the doors swung open, heat rushes toward me from a giant fireplace lights the hall. Omegas scurry around with towels, trays, and buckets. They all freeze when they saw me.

Their eyes widen as their gazes drop to my body. Curiosity sharpens into confusion.

Then into something else.

Pity.

“Beta Antonio,” an omega whispers, bowing her head. “Is this…?”

“Take her,” he snaps. “Get her cleaned. The Alpha will see her soon.”

A shudder runs down my spine.

Soon?

Two omegas approached me carefully, as if I might bite them. Their hands are gentle, but I can feel the tension in them. They lead me down a hallway into a warm washroom filled with steam.

“Strip her,” one of the older omegas orders quietly.

My stomach knots in embarrassment. I clutch my cloak tightly.

“I can undress myself,” I whisper.

The omegas share a look,surprised I spoke then stepped back a little.

I turn away from them, cheeks burning, and slowly remove my clothes. Dirt is smeared on my legs from running. Leaves are tangled in my hair. My cloak is torn from branches pulling at it. I’ve never felt so small, so exposed.

The older omega pours warm water into a wooden tub. “Get in. We must hurry.”

I stepped into the tub. The heat stung my cold skin, but slowly melts into comfort. I close my eyes for a moment, feeling the water wash away the forest dirt and maybe a bit of the fear too.

They scrubbed my skin quickly. My arms, my back, my legs and my hair.

But they never spoke to me, and Only glanced at each other.

They whispered softly when they thought I was not listening.

“Do you think the Alpha will accept her?” One whispered softly.

Each murmur made my heart tighten.

When they finished washing me, they pulled me out and wrapped me in a clean cloth. I shivered from nerves more than cold.

Then they dressed me.

A long pale gown was pulled over my head. Silky,Soft ,Much softer than anything I’ve ever worn. It hugged me in places I was used to hiding like my waist, my hips, and my arms. I felt exposed, and vulnerable like everything I had spent years covering was suddenly out in the open.

The omegas fetched a corset. I had never worn one before, but I had seen slender girls wearing it with their snatched waists. I always wondered if they breathed well.

“Please don’t make it too tight,” I whispered,but they didn’t answer.

The two omegas pulled the strings, tightening them until I gasped.

“Stop…please…”

“We have to,” one whispered . “It must look proper for the Alpha.”

The corset squeezed me like it wanted to push all the air out of my lungs. My breath became shallow, my ribs protesting.

The omegas stepped back to admire their work.

“You look… presentable,” one mutters.

Presentable? Not beautiful?Not lovely? Not even acceptable.

Just presentable.

I sighed and tried not to cry. Then a cold wave swept the room.

The omegas freezed as the Alpha arrived. The door creaked open, and the omega bowed deeply.

I turned slowly, my heart hammering so loudly I can barely hear anything else.

And there he was.

Damon.

But not as a wolf, but as a man.

He stood in the doorway shirtless, wearing only black trousers that hung low on his hips. His skin glowed slightly in the warm light, showing off muscles cut like stone,broad chest, sculpted arms, sharp jawline. A dark dragon tattoo curled from the side of his neck down to his ribs.

My breath caught.

His wound, where his wolf was bleeding has healed almost completely. Only a faint scar ran down his side. Alphas healed faster than any normal wolf.

His eyes…Golden.

The same eyes that stared at me in the forest.

I swallowed hard. I was such a slow poke, just when I thought I was escaping from my ordeal, I was caught like a cow escaping from the slaughterhouse.

He stared at me without blinking.

Not with emotion,not with anger,not even curiosity. Just cold observation.

Like I was an object someone placed in the wrong room.

His gaze traveled from my face down to my arms,to my corseted waist,over my hips to my legs then back up.

Heat burned my cheeks.

I look at the floor, feeling shame crawl up my spine. How can someone who looks like that be forced to choose someone like me? My stomach twisted as the truth settled heavily in my chest.

I am not worthy of him.

Not in looks, not in strength, not in anything. I bowed my head.

My voice trembled

“Alpha.”

He said nothing.

Just stood there, his chest rising and falling slowly, his expression empty.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. For a heartbeat, I imagine he might speak.

A word, a question,or even a simple acknowledgment.

But he didn’t.

Without a single sound, Damon turned and walked away, leaving the room cold and silent behind him.

The door closes.

The omegas finally release their breath. My knees almost gave out.

“That…” one whispered shakily, “was the Alpha,”

“Thank goodness he’s not in one of his moods,” another muttered more to herself than to me.

An older omega looks at me,really looked and her expression softened with pity.

“Child,” she whispered “are you… the chosen mate?”

Her voice trembled like she was afraid of even asking the question.

My throat tightened.

I nodded slowly. “Yes.”

A heavy silence filled the room.

The three omegas gasped,one covered her mouth,another looked away sadly.

The oldest stepped toward me, placing a light hand on my arm.

“Listen carefully,” she whispered. “The Alpha… Damon… he is not normal.”

I swallowed hard. “I know.”

“No,” she says quickly. “You don’t understand. None of us do. He is feared in every corner of this pack. Even the elders step lightly around him.”

Another omega leaned close, whispering fast. “It’s better to remain unmated than to be tied to him. Some say it’s better to die a lone wolf than to be bonded to an Alpha like that.”

My heart sank.

“And you…” she continues, voice cracking slightly, “you must obey him. Always. Do not argue. Do not challenge him. Do not… attract his anger. Or you will not survive it.”

A chill ran down my spine. My wolf whimpered deep inside me.

I whispered. “I didn’t choose this.”

“We know,” the omega said softly. “But the Alpha did. And now… you belong to him.”

I gripped the edge of the dressing table to steady myself. My aunt caused all of this.

My fate felt sealed, locked in a future I couldn’t escape.

And the moment I thought it wouldn’t get worse, she said the final words that made my blood go cold.

“May the Moon goddess help you, child. Because your sorrows have only just begun.”

I stared at the closed door Damon disappeared through, and for the first time, the truth hit me like a stone.

I escaped my aunt’s house… only to be trapped in the Alpha’s shadow.

And Alpha Damon? He is far more terrifying up close.