THE ALPHA'S DEBT

LORI

My eyes snap open as the door to my room crashes against the wall, and there she is—my nemesis and, unfortunately, my sister, Celine, staring with scorn all over her face. Today's my birthday and she knows that, but she doesn't give a damn.

“Get your dumb ass up.” She screams. “Worthless tramp.” 

I rise slowly from my small bed on the ground, with one hand under my protruding stomach as I try to muster up strength in my aching body. Still groggy, I lift my head, and Celine’s hand strikes my face with a force that makes my ears ring sharply. 

“Don’t you dare look into my eyes, bitch.” She snaps. 

My hair falls over my face as I lower my head, concealing the tear running down my left cheek. I blink, pushing back any more, desperate to shield myself from more of Celine’s mockery. 

“Do I have to remind you of your chores every morning?” Celine yells.

I shake my head, choosing silence, as it had been my only shelter in this hellhole. As I hobble out of the room, I lean on the walls of the hallway to avoid falling as I shiver uncontrollably. 

Cold nights without a blanket have become regular for me, but the malnutrition and hard labor worsen it. I enter the living room with a bucket of water, and my eyes widen as they meet Barrett’s. Dread washes over my face, and I quickly lower my eyes.

“Good morning, Alpha,” I say hurriedly, hoping he’s too distracted by his phone conversation to continue from where Celine stopped.

Barrett, alpha of the Malrock pack and once my mate, but now he’s my worst nightmare. One lie was all it took for Celine to turn him against me, but his rejection was nothing compared to the relentless torments that followed. 

Barrett sizes me up, then walks towards the door. I move, but I’m too slow as his shoulder hits me and I trip hard to my right. The bucket drops from my hand, spilling water as I quickly hold a chair to stop my stomach from hitting it.

“The room must be spotless in twenty minutes,” Barrett orders from behind the door.

I recover quickly and clean the room while timing myself with the clock. Luckily, I finish in eighteen minutes with sweat streaming down my body, and I rush upstairs. The faster I’m done, the earlier I can hopefully have my first meal.

Just as I enter Barrett’s room, the bathroom door swings open, and he walks out with a towel draped around his waist. I turn away with my head lowered.

“Have you forgotten how to knock?” His voice is low, but menacing as he strides slowly toward me.

I shake my head furiously, my chest growing heavy as I hold my breath. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

Barrett steps closer, his massive body towering over mine. His hand grabs my chin as he tilts my head back, and I gasp hard.

“Are you trying to seduce me like you did with that bastard Karl?” A mock smile fills his face, but it swiftly turns into a tight frown., 

I try to shake my head again, but his hand holds it in place, and tears flow down my cheeks as I close my eyes.

“Look at me, whore.” Barrett growls. 

My eyes snap open, and I gaze into his dark, menacing eyes.

“Well, maybe I’ll give you a little birthday present when I finish the meeting.” 

Barrett chuckles softly and pushes my face away. Then he walks to his bed to pick up his clothes. I turn quickly to leave, but Barrett’s voice makes me halt. “Don’t you dare walk out on me.” He orders.

I freeze in place and whisper. “I’m sorry.” 

After dressing up, Barrett opens the door to leave, and my heartbeat slows. My eyes widen as I see Celine standing with furrowed brows and one hand on her waist. She looks at Barrett and then at me.

“What is this?” She says as she walks toward me, and my heart sinks.

Thankfully, Barrett holds her back. “She just came in now to clean the room.” He says.

Celine gazes up at Barrett, and her face relaxes. She straightens her dress as Barrett gestures toward the stairs, and they stroll off. Before Barrett shuts the door, he eyes me like a snack, and a knot tightens in my chest.

I clean the room with unsteady hands as fear envelops me, and only one thought floods my mind.

‘I can't take this anymore.’

Barrett will definitely keep to his word as he has done before, but from today, I choose to decide my fate. I take my time to clean, giving it proper thought, then I head downstairs. I observe carefully, especially the living room, where Barrett and Celine are in a meeting.

My heart hammers as I tiptoe to the back door, unlocking it slowly. The door creaks and I squint, glancing back in fear. I scan the wide backyard and it's strangely quiet and empty, so I step out gently, looking sideways. I glance back once more then dash off. 

As I approach the first line of tall trees, I glance back again to check the backyard, and my heart dances as it's still empty. Suddenly, my body hits hard against what seems like a tree, and blood drains from my face as I gaze into Bar

rett’s dark eyes.

“You think you can run, bitch?” He growls low.