Chapter 1

Hazel's POV

“Get your stupid ass in there and go put on some makeup. The client should be here soon,” Miss Penelope snapped, yanking my arm.

I froze, staring at her, my stomach twisting. I didn’t want to go in there. I didn’t want to smear colours on my face just so some random man could touch me. I didn’t want to be sold. I didn’t want this life. All I wanted was a home, somewhere in this pack I could finally belong. I wanted to find my father. I wanted to be happy. I wanted to make medicine, help people, not this.

It's been months of scrubbing floors, carrying heavy boxes, obeying every command like a ghost. That was bad enough. But now… now she wanted me to sell my body. I could never do that.

“Ma’am… please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I don’t want to do it.”

Miss Penelope’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Is it about what you want?” she sneered. “You want me to lose money just because you want to keep some stupid virginity? I don’t fucking care about that, okay? Go in there and put on some makeup.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. My hands shook, my legs heavy.

Miss Penelope grabbed my arm harshly and shoved me into the dressing room.

“Fine! If you don’t want to put the makeup on yourself, then I will,” she snapped. She moved around, and the next thing I knew, a harsh pat of powder hit my face. I sneezed, startled, but she didn’t stop.

She moved on to my lips, smearing lipstick like she was defiling me rather than beautifying. My stomach twisted.

Running wasn’t an option. The place was heavily guarded, and even if I somehow made it past them, where would I go? The streets? The thought made me shiver. Maybe the streets would be better than this hell.

“Let’s go,” Miss Penelope said, grabbing my hand.

“No,” I croaked. “I don’t want to do this. Please. I’ll work. I’ll clean. I’ll cook. You can even starve me more than you already do, but please… don’t make me do this.”

Her gaze was cold. “Listen, you’re not the first girl to do this. Over thirty girls have already been sold off in the past 3 months. You will not be an exception.”

She circled me like a predator, sneering, and even grabbed my butt. “You don’t even have a big ass. You’re so skinny. You’re filthy. And that client saw you and still wanted you. You should be grateful, on your knees, licking my shoes that you finally get a good life.”

“A… good life,” I whispered, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. “Do you know what they want from me? I’d rather—”

“I don’t care what you’d rather do,” she cut me off, dragging me toward the door. My heart pounded. No. Not this.

Just before she could reach the client’s room, panic took over. I yanked my hand free, twisting and trying to run in another direction. My foot slammed into something hard, and I stumbled.

An imperial vase toppled. It shattered into a thousand pieces around me. My breath hitched. One shard pierced the bottom of my foot. Blood rolled down as I gasped, my body trembling.

My wound was slow to heal, because I was a malnourished omega. I felt weak, barely able to move, but I forced myself forward. Pain stabbed my foot with every step, but I had to keep going.

Then Miss Penelope’s grip reached around my wrist. She glanced at the shards scattered across the floor and smirked bitterly.

“You just broke one of the Alpha’s most expensive vases,” she hissed.

Her smirk twisted into something cold. “You don’t want to get sold off, do you?” She yanked my wrist, making me wince.

“Now we’d take you to the Alpha and have him execute you for your little stunt. We'll tell him you’re stubborn and careless.”

I swallowed, my stomach dropping. From what I knew, the Alpha had no idea what happened in this part of the estate.

Everyone thought we were just slaves for chores, maybe sold off for work. Nobody knew that we were beaten down, starved, and lately…forced into sex work.

Miss Penelope dragged me along, my bleeding foot scraping against the floor as we finally reached the pack house.

“Please,” I begged, voice trembling. “I’m just a slave. An omega… a nobody. Don’t punish me just because I’m insignificant. Please reconsider…”

“Oh, now you can plead?” she spat. “I’m not taking it. I’m not listening to you.” She yanked me harder.

We reached a certain floor, and she pushed me roughly toward the Alpha.

“Now bow, you idiot.”

I trembled, about to lower my head, but then I noticed the room. The Alpha was seated, but he didn’t look calm. His jaw was tight, his eyes tense. Around him, there were others, one dressed like a doctor, another like a healer… and then I saw a child.

A girl, maybe four years old, pale and nearly unconscious in the center of the room. My chest tightened. The Alpha’s hands hovered tensely, as the doctor barked, “Quickly, give me that bottle!”

Someone scrambled, mixing something for the child. My eyes widened as I recognized the herbs and powders. Experienced as I was as an apothecary, I could see instantly that the medicine could make things worse.

“Her temperature keeps increasing!”

“She’s developing rashes, too!”

My stomach twists as I watch the child wriggling slightly in the healer’s arms.

The doctor stepped closer with the medicine in his hand, preparing to give it to her. My fingers fumbled, trembling. That medicine wasn't fit for a child. The herbs could make things worse. Much worse.

It shouldn’t be my concern. I was nobody here. Just an omega, a slave. If I spoke up, I’d probably be punished. I should stay quiet. I should do nothing.

But I couldn't. I couldn't watch the little girl suffer, just because I’m scared.

I froze for a heartbeat and then my feet moved without me thinking.

“Please. Don't give her that!” I moved, slapping the bottle from the doctor’s hands.