Daughter-in-law

Daphne's POV

“What the fuck are you still doing here?” The sharp growl penetrated into my dream and I jerked up in shock. I blinked my eyes wondering where I was and why I was here. I knew it was obviously Alpha Kian's room but I have never slept off here before.

“Alpha Kian, I'm—”

“Get out!” he roared and I jumped off the bed in fright, my pulse racing. I was completely naked and scrambled for my clothes, my only thought being to escape. But just as I passed him, his grip yanked my hair back sharply.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he snarled, his breath hot against my ear. “Running out like this? What will they think when they see you?” His fingers tightened painfully before shoving me forward. His words were harsh, but there was something in his voice, anger, yes, but was there something else? Frustration?

“I'm… I'm sorry” I cried. My heart hung in my chest, my throat tightened as I wondered if today I would receive lashes for being so reckless as to sleep in the Alpha's bed.

“Get those clothes on immediately and get out. You have 12 seconds” he pushed my head forward leaving my hair before slapping my naked ass.

“Yes, yes sir”

Without wasting time, I began to dress up as fast as I could not caring if I was wearing the clothes right or wrong. The moment I saw done, I rushed out of the room not even daring to look at his face but I knew very well that his eyes were on me.

Alpha Kian was a ruthless Alpha and if he wasn't careful, he might cause Alpha Merlin's hard work to be in vain. He wasn't as good as his Father and it made me wonder why he had left for the Alpha's training school if he didn't learn anything there.

Alpha Merlin was a better example for him to follow than going to some school. Alpha Merlin led his people selflessly and with patience. Alpha Kian, he kills at every chance he gets and we now have more slaves than freeborn in this pack.

“Daphne!”

My eyes widened and I slowly turned to come face to face with Mrs. Rein. My heart sank as I watched her walk towards me angrily. I tried to brace myself but it was useless because the slap landed on my right cheek anyway.

“You think I am stupid? Huh?” She asked, slapping me over and over again as she asked, “Where have you been since yesterday? Where did you go to? How dare you leave the work I asked you to do for something else?”

The slap continued even after I fell on the floor until I heard someone say,

“That's enough, Rein” I didn't know if I should bless the goddess for sparing me or continue the prayer of help because the voice I heard was the voice of the queen Luna, Alpha Kian's mother.

Mrs. Rein bowed in respect, “Queen Luna”

I didn't bother to get up or look at the Queen Luna's face, I prostrated on the floor with my face to the ground.

“Let her be for today. We have a lot we are preparing for and we need her and her strength. Do not beat her any further.” Her voice was gentle but I knew better than to believe that gentle voice.

“My future daughter-in-law and the next Luna of Ironstone Pack is coming soon,” Queen Luna continued, her voice laced with unspoken authority, “We have a lot of work to do. We cannot make Alpha Kian’s mate uncomfortable. Do you understand?”

Her words struck like a blade causing my chest to tightened, and breath shallow. Mate? The word echoed in my mind like a cruel joke.

No... but I am his mate. The realization sent a wave of nausea through me.

I dared not speak. My nails dug into my palm as I clenched my fists, forcing myself to swallow the pain. Did she know? Did Kian tell her? Or was she simply erasing me, as if I had never mattered?

“Rise, omega,” the Queen Luna ordered.

She took her time, her gaze sweeping over me like she was inspecting damaged goods as I scrambled to my feet, my legs trembling beneath me.

“You look tired,” she mused, her voice deceptively soft. “It must be exhausting, you know, always working, always trying.” Her lips curled into a smile that did not reach her eyes. “But I’m sure you’ll manage. After all, a future Luna deserves only the best from her people.”

The words were gentle, but the meaning behind them was razor-sharp. Stay in your place.

“Do I make myself clear?” She asked again, ever so gently as if she was as gentle.

“Yes, yes Queen Luna” I bowed my head. Then came the sharp order from her,

“Get out!”

It was the same with her son's, same audacity, same aura, same hatred in their eyes. I wonder what I ever did to upset them.

I rushed out of the passage and made my way to the servant's quarters to search for Roxanne. When I saw her amongst the other servants, I pulled her away from them.

“Daphne, are you okay?” She asked, her brows gathered in a frown. I sniffed, without looking at her, I answered,

“Alpha Kian is bringing home a wife”

Roxanne fell silent and I wasn't expecting anything more than that. We were walking to the laundry room quietly in thoughts when I heard the voice of someone I just didn't want to come across now,

“If it's not the omega and her unknown friend” It was Anita. I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breathing.

“How is my wolfless omega doing?”

“What do you want, Anita?” Roxanne asked quietly. The news I had just dropped, made her weak as it made me.

“I wasn't speaking to you. The wolfless omega has a mouth to respond. Or has she lost her speaking ability? Ah, you are really unfortunate”

“I can speak and I am not wolfless” I replied. I had a lot I need to do and speaking to Anita and her minors isn't one of them.

Anita smirked, her voice dripping with mock concern. “Oh, you poor thing, I almost feel sorry for you.” She turned to her friends, laughing. “Almost.”

I kept walking, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. But then, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path. Her eyes gleamed with cruel amusement.

“You claim you’re not wolfless,” she said, her voice turning cold. “Then prove it. Shift.”

The hallway grew quiet. Servants who had been working nearby paused, their eyes flickering toward us. I felt Roxanne tense beside me.

I swallowed hard, keeping my face blank. “I don’t need to prove anything to you, Anita.”

“Oh, but you do.” She took a step closer, close enough that I could see the malice dancing in her eyes. “Unless, of course… you’re lying.”

“Go on, girl. Shift.”

The girls behind me sneered, their taunts biting deeper than I cared to admit. I shouldn't have spoken up, I didn’t want trouble today, especially with so much work to do before the new Luna arrived.

“I don’t have your time,” I muttered, turning away.

“You don’t?” Anita scoffed. “Or you can’t shift?”

“Let her be, Anita. Go find something else to do instead of flaunting your stupidity,” Roxanne shot back.

“Says the servant’s servant girl,” one of Anita’s friends snickered. Roxanne’s fingers formed a fist before she scoff

“As if she’s any better,” Roxanne clicked her tongue but I could see the pain in her eyes. The insult landed, making Anita’s group bristle with anger. They looked ready to start a fight, so I tried to defuse the situation.

“Mrs. Reins gave me work to do. If you’ll excuse me—”

“Admit it,” Anita challenged, stepping closer. “Say you’re a wolf-less wolf, and we’ll let you go.”

I glanced at Roxanne. She shook her head as if telling me ‘don’t say it.’

I knew the truth. I had never met my wolf. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I willed it, nothing ever happened. But as always, I still tried.

Closing my eyes, I reached deep inside, hoping—just once—to prove them wrong.

Silence stretched.

Anita and her minions watched with wide, expectant eyes.

“You never give up, do you?” she mocked before shoving me roughly. I stumbled, barely keeping my balance.

“What’s taking you so long? Is your wolf as slow as a centipede?”

Laughter rang in my ears. I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them see the hurt, but my silence only fueled their cruelty.

“Weak and lazy ass,” Anita sneered before turning away with her friends.

I watched them go, my fists tightening at my sides. Roxanne sighed and reached for my hand, helping me up.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“It’s alright. But you know Anita’s going to spread this all over the pack, right?”

“Let her. I don’t care.”

“I’ll never understand how some people find joy in tormenting others,” Roxanne huffed.

I let out a dry chuckle. “It’s a wonder.”

****

A loud bang on the door jolted me awake.

“I’m coming!” I shot up from my mattress, heart pounding. Roxanne was still asleep, meaning it was early—too early. It couldn’t be Mrs. Reins. She never knocked.

I had my answer the moment I opened the door.

“The Alpha wants you. Now,” the guard ordered.

I nodded quickly. “Sure. I—”

Before I could say more, he grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. I barely had time to process it as we walked in silence toward Alpha Kian’s quarters. My stomach churned with nerves.

I was still in my faded blue night gown, my hair a tangled mess. But freshening up wasn’t an option. If I delayed, I’d be beaten or worse, thrown into the dungeon.

At his door, one of the guards shoved me forward. “Go in.”

I hesitated before knocking lightly and stepping inside.

Alpha Kian sat on the edge of his bed, shirtless, his piercing gaze landing on me the moment I entered. I dropped my eyes to the floor.

“Good morning, Alpha,” I murmured. “You sent for me.”

“Word reached me that you fought with some of the servant girls.”

My breath caught. My body tensed. How did he already know?

I pressed my lips together, staring at my feet. My fingers twisted nervously. His shadow loomed over me as he rose from the bed, slow and deliberate.

“You’re so useless that you have time to start fights now?” His voice was ice.

“No, I didn’t start the—”

The slap came fast, sharp, and cruel. Pain exploded across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. I swallowed it down, refusing to cry.

Tears welled in my eyes despite myself. My nose ran, my face burned, but I forced my body still.

“Do you know what you are?” he hissed.

I could feel his gaze cutting into me like a blade, even without looking up. He yanked my hair, dragging my head back as he whispered, voice dripping with venom,

“You’re a worthless wolf that I use whenever I like. You are lower than a slave. You have no right to fight back. You have no right to speak. You are a wolfless, barren omega.”

His words sliced deeper than his hands ever could. My chest tightened. Rage simmered beneath my skin, burning me alive. He finally released my hair, shoving me backward.

I lifted my head, my teeth clenched. My fists trembled at my sides as I whispered, “Reject me then.”

His eyes darkened.

“If I’m so useless, so worthless, so barren, reject me,” I spat. “Let me go.”

Another slap. Then another.

“You do not tell me what to do,” he growled. “I own you. I decide whether to reject you or kill you. Your life belongs to me.”

I tried to shield my face, but he always found a way to land his blows. The pain blurred into one agonizing haze. I couldn’t hold back the sob that tore from my throat.

He grabbed me then, yanking me toward the bed.

Terror rooted me in place.

No. No. Not again.

He tore at my clothes, his grip bruising.

“I don’t need to reject anything,” he sneered. “You are not my mate, and you never will be.”

Tears streamed down my face.

“My Luna is coming soon,” he continued, his voice mocking. “And you—you pathetic bitch—will attend to her like the lowly servant you are.”

A sob wracked my chest.

He didn’t care.

Not as he took what he wanted, as he always did.

Not as I lay there, unmoving, tears soaking into the sheets.

When he finally finished, he shoved me off the bed like discarded trash.

I scrambled to my feet, clutching what remained of my torn dress as I rushed from the room.

It happened again.

It would happen again.

And no one would save me.

Because no one cared.

As I hurried out to start my chores, his final words echoed in my head, sealing my fate like a death sentence.

"Get ready. My wife arrives tonight."