Chapter 3

My pulse pounded so loud it filled my ears. I could taste it in my mouth.

You heal fast,” Axel murmured again, close enough now that his breath brushed my temple.

My throat tightened. I wanted to stammer some excuse…I don’t, you’re wrong, please leave me alone…but the words caught.

His gaze lingered on my sleeve, on the arm that should have been swollen, mottled with bruises. Instead, smooth skin showed where my cuff slipped back. No trace of injury.

Axel’s eyes narrowed, and for a breath I swore he might call the others over, point me out, expose me for what I was.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he stepped closer, close enough that I caught the faint, clean scent of soap and leather clinging to him. His voice was low, pitched only for me.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell them.”

My stomach lurched. “Wh–what?”

He tilted his head, studying me like she was some rare, breakable thing. “What happened to you…it’s not normal. But it’s useful.”

My heart stuttered. Useful?

His gaze flicked to the crowd further down the hall, then back to me “You should keep your head down. People notice more than you think.”

I couldn’t tell if it was a warning or a threat.

“Why are you…” my whisper broke, shaky, but he cut me off with a glance sharp enough to slice.

“Because,” he said, a faint curl at his lips that wasn’t quite a smile, “I know what it’s like to hide.”

The words pressed against my chest like a weight, suffocating and confusing all at once.

Before I could ask him what he meant, he straightened, expression smoothing into that same unreadable mask. Then, without another word, he brushed past me and walked away, his shoulder grazing mine just slightly…deliberate, a reminder.

I stood frozen in the noise of the hallway, my sleeve tugged low, my heart still hammering.

My secret wasn’t safe. Not anymore.

And I couldn’t tell if Axel had just spared me…or marked me.

“Oh no… no.. what is this” I muttered out loud, finally able to breathe. I opened my sleeve again and saw smooth skin. Still.. i was hoping maybe it was my imagination of wanting something useful in my life.

I tugged it down in annoyance, why did this weird thing have to happen to me? Why me? As if being an Omega wasn’t enough.

I started making my way back to the kitchen when I heard hushed voices from the Alpha’s room. Something tugged at me to eavesdrop, I wasn’t supposed to. If I got caught, I could only imagine the punishment that’d be given to me. It gets worse

But something.. something with the way they spoke so low told me that whatever they were saying was important. It suddenly struck. Axel! Did he tell them about what he saw earlier? I started to quiver as I peeked left and right then tiptoed to their door.

“The full moon is going to be out on the day the kids would be clocking eighteen.. i”

“And so what? So what Malrick?” his Luna replied, cutting him.

“Are you scared? You’re scared she’d shift? Look, I’ve had eyes on her ever since and trust me, there’s no sign of her wolf. The prophecy and the bloodline… is all gone, we made sure of that, so please Mal.. let’s just forget all about it and think of our sons. Aren’t you excited that our sons would be getting their mates in a few days? Honey.. that should be our priority and not some sicko”

“Yes.. you’re right Grace, we have it all under control. Our sons.. they are important” he said, sighing heavily.

“That’s my boy” she replied and I could sense her smile from her words.

There was silence before I started to hear ruffling then wet noises

I knew what it was and I didn’t need to be told twice before I left them to it.

“Prophecy.. bloodline, who were they talking about?” I tilted my head

“Who were who talking about?” A voice said from behind.

I jumped up startled

“Aiden.. i…i didn’t see you there” i said nervously

“Let me guess, it’s because you were listening to my parents having sex” he smirked, inching close to me.

“What?.. are you that horny?” He said cornering me with his big frame

“What? No.. please” i stammered

“Mama.. Papa!.. Aria was listening to you both have sex” Aiden yelled at the top of his voice smirking at me.

Shit!

“What have you done! Oh God.. i’m in trouble!” I said my heart pounding.

Alpha Malrick came out first, half dressed and wide eyed.

“What? She what?” He looked at me in anger

“Go on, tell him” Aiden said

If i told them I wasn't listening to them, i’d be lying because Aiden saw me at their door, eavesdropping. But how was i going to them i was listening to them talk about some prophecy and lineage?

“Yes.. yes i was” i finally said. I was in for some trouble.

“Yes what!?” Alpha Malrick said, his voice thundering. Bringing in the three other boys and Grace who was out of the room by this time.

I couldn’t get enough of embarrassment

“Yes, i .. i was listening to you both..” i said scratching my fingers

“Listening to them what Aria.. don’t look all innocent now” Aiden said, half laughing now

“Listening to you both have sex” i finally said

“What?” Adrian said “Whoa!!” He laughed while Asher scoffed, smiling while Axel just stared at me.

“You little..!” Grace came at me yanking my head backwards and pushing me forward making me fall. I hadn’t gotten my balance yet when she slapped me across my face.

“You cheap whore! Go and fuck some beggar if you’re that cheap! We brought you here, fed you and clothe you for you to listen to me moan?! Haha, i seee! You want some dick shoved into you huh!” She said dragging me and stepping all over me.

I clutched her hand to shield my face but it wasn’t helping.With tears in my eyes, i looked up at Aiden, wishing for a knife to magically appear so i could thrust it deep into his heart.

His expression faltered.. like in a moment he pitied me but he looked away so i couldn’t see

He was pitying me now?

I felt my scalp on fire as she yanked my head backwards again, this time, targeting my face.

“By the time i’m done with you, you’d not have the time to think about sex” she gave me a slap and another and then another until..

“Stop!” Everyone stilled and all eyes went up to the voice that spoke.

I struggled to turn my head to look

Axel.

“Stop what?” Grace said, looking at her son in surprise.

“Yes Axel, stop what?” Aidran asked, daring him

“Uhm.. i mean..” he looked at me with an expression I couldn’t decipher

“Come on bro! Don’t tell me you’re getting all soft on that thing” Aiden said, pointing at me.

I looked at him, waiting for an answer, a confirmation that i had someone in this house that cared a bit for me.

“You’re wasting my time son” Grace said, losing patience, her grip on my hair getting lose

“Her face… i meant her face. It’s her birthday on the same day as ours, you wouldn’t want her face looking all battered up. What would people say about us? Why don’t you instead, beat her with a cane, on her back?” He said, looking at me and i couldn’t help but wonder if i saw care or malice

“A cane.. oh my goodness, you’re right! Why didn’t I think about this earlier” their mother said gleefully

“Adrian, get me the cane from my room” she said

“I’ve known my boy, you’ve always been the smartest” She said, blowing him a kiss while she finally left my hair. I winced

Did he do it because he knows i heal fast now or did he just want me get beaten?

I looked at him, he was still staring at me

What was he looking at? My busted lips and my disheveled hair or what i was thinking