Chapter 4: He threatens

I hurriedly entered the elevator before my shift alarm went off. Luckily, it didn't happen until the door closed automatically.

I took a deep breath and looked at the metal walls around me trying to calm my nerves. I was worried about the possible punishment I might receive from Alpha tomorrow.

It's my birthday and I hope my shift goes smoothly so that I can recover quickly if he physically punishes me.

As I opened the door and rushed out I felt relieved that the shift process didn't cause any trouble, especially in a public place like this.

Just as I was about to leave the Hildart building, I remembered a text message on my phone. I felt a bit disheartened when I read that it was from my aunt, asking me to come home early and wash her daughters' uniforms.

Thinking about all the tasks I have to do, I realized I'm really busy. I'll only have a few hours left to sleep.

After dinner, I'll have to wash the dishes, clean the kitchen, and then do my laundry, but I'll do theirs first since it's a priority.

Why is life so difficult and dull for someone like me, an omega?

Walking on the side of the road, waiting for a taxi to arrive so I could get home faster, I let out a yelp as my back cracked.

I silently prayed it wouldn't happen in public. I tightened my grip on the strap of my shoulder bag, pretending everything was okay so that humans wouldn't notice.

It was just a minor crack, and it quickly settled. I continued walking, glancing at the buildings, big cars, and streetlights, feeling as if many eyes were watching me.

I'm overthinking...

Looking up at the night sky, my eyes fixated on the moon, I silently pleaded with the moon goddess to spare me from this situation. I've always wanted to have a wolf but not like this.

I can't bring danger to the Dark Moon pack, especially with the rumors spreading about Alpha's strange behavior towards his former secretary.

I reached the shed, noticing a flickering bulb on one side that seemed to be malfunctioning. The other side appeared broken too. This place worked in my favor, hidden in darkness, where even if the shift process attacked me, no one would notice.

I held onto hope that a taxi would come by, indicated by the light.

Just as I was about to sit down, my hip bone suddenly cracked, followed by a painful break in my knee. The agony shot through my entire body, causing me to fall to my knees instead of sitting on the shed's seat.

I gripped the rough pavement, unable to hold back my tears.

I fought the urge to scream especially now that the situation seemed worse. Humans couldn't hear me because if they did, they would think I'm sick and suggest taking me to a hospital. That couldn't happen. They would witness my shifting, and I couldn't bear the consequences.

Clutching my stomach, I tried to support my knee, but then my back bone cracked again, as if something was growing and rising.

I groaned, tears streaming down my cheeks, trying to survey my surroundings.

Out of all the shift processes, mine is the most complicated. Through my groans, I pleaded, "Not now!" and it receded.

In the midst of battling the pain and crying, I heard a man's voice that startled me. "Sophia? What the—"

He rushed towards me. Mentally panicking, I had no choice but to tightly shut my eyes, hoping he wouldn't notice its color.

I recognized him. He's Ethan, Bella's and my best friend. I had assumed he had already gone home, especially since I had worked overtime.

Feeling his warm palm on my arm, the pain in my belly gradually spread to my hip. I groaned, trying to endure it as my abdomen tightened. I lay on the floor while Ethan started to panic.

"What the hell is happening to you? Fúck!" He lifted my arm, and I could feel his hair against my skin. "I'll take you to the hospital."

Instinctively, I protested, "No!" Groaning, I felt a searing pain shoot through my leg, but fortunately, my bones didn't crack this time. If they had, it would have surely startled him.

"Damn it, Sophia, you're not okay. Come on!"

I tried to open my eyes, but they wouldn't cooperate. I could feel Ethan's arm on my back, his hand tightly gripping my waist, attempting to pull me upright. Still, I resisted. "You don't understand, Ethan. Just let me go!"

This couldn't go on. If my bones cracked, he would hear it. I didn't know what to do.

How could I escape his grasp?

He couldn't find out what I truly was. "Oh my goodness! Are you worried about the hospital bill? I'll take care of it."

I had to be strong. I refused to go with him. But how could I escape if he insisted on carrying me like this? He struggled, but he showed no signs of giving up. He shouted in frustration, "Come on, Sophia!"

I screamed as the sharp pain surged through my back. "Put me down!" I continued to fight against his grip.

Confusion washed over him as he questioned, "What the heck is happening? Why don't you want to go—oh my god!" That's when my back bone cracked. "W-What is that?"

Whimpering, I tried to push him away. "Leave!"

But he pulled my arm closer to him and muttered, breathless, "It's strange, but I can't leave you here. Come on!"

"No! Ethan, please, go!" I had no other choice. I pushed him forcefully, and my knees landed on the rough concrete.

"I'm sorry, Sophia, but I can't!" As expected, he crouched in front of me, determined to make me stand again.

"Stop!"

"No! I don't know why, but something's not right with you, Sophia! Don't be stubborn, come on!"

"Let her go." My heart raced dangerously. It was Alpha Eros's voice, and he was standing right behind me.

"S-Sir." Ethan tried to chuckle, masking his fear. "S-She's in trouble—"

"I'll handle her." Alpha's voice was icy and demanding, tinged with a hint of threat. I felt my body tense in his presence, as if warning me to prepare for his punishment later.

It seemed that my punishment would be even harsher due to the current situation. I also worried because Ethan had heard my bone crack. I tried to endure the sharp pain, but my stomach reacted again.

I whimpered, listening to the Alpha's command to my human friend. "Now, leave."

Ethan didn't want to go, driven by concern. I understood. He was a true friend. He finally said, "B-But—"

But the Alpha cut him off, "I said, leave." His voice carried a mix of authority and a faint growl, enough to overpower Ethan's hesitation.

Ethan forced himself to stand up, backing away from me. He added, "O-Okay, sir. Thank you. And, uh... hey, Sophia..." I could sense his gaze on me. "Call me when you're okay. It's hard to worry, you know?"

I nodded silently as his footsteps faded away. Opening my eyes, I let out a relieved breath. Watching Ethan run off, my fist tightened on the concrete as the Alpha stepped in front of me. "Get up."

I didn't want to make any excuses that would further anger him. Despite the pain and the weakness consuming my body, I struggled to rise to my feet.

My hand still pressed against my belly, but I feigned composure in front of him, masking the pain. I tried to meet his gaze, his square jaw clenched, a slight glare in his eyes. He approached me, causing my heart to skip a beat.

I gasped as he yanked my arm and suddenly scooped me up, heading towards what was likely his car. Automatically, my arms wrapped around his neck, my mind questioning why he was doing this. The difference in our ranks is far, he's a respected Alpha while I'm a lowly omega.

He set me down right in front of the car door and even opened it for me. My astonishment lingered, despite the alarm bells ringing in my bones, which he could undoubtedly hear too. The pain was bearable, not as intense as before.

"Get in."

To ease the tension and prevent his anger from escalating, I complied without showing any hesitation. The scent of the car's air freshener filled my nostrils as I got in. I expected him to go to the other side and take the driver's seat, but instead, he bent down and suddenly grabbed me by the neck.

I whimpered as fear surged through my entire body, praying he wouldn't sink his claws into my flesh. Locking eyes with him, I saw the fiery hue of his gaze flicker. Gnashing his teeth, he hissed right in my face, "When you shift, stay away from humans. If the pack is endangered because of you, I'll rip that rat heart out of your chest. Do you understand?"

My throat was dry, and terror gripped me. With a promise I wasn't sure I could keep, I nodded repeatedly and spoke louder than a whisper, "Y-Yes, Alpha."

"Good." He released his grip on my neck abruptly and moved away, slamming the door shut, startling me as my heart pounded in my chest.