2

《 Aurora's pov 》

The sun beats down my back brutally as I place the now dry clothes in the basin. I had not eaten from morning and the hunger was slowly eating me alive. 

I was sweaty and icky and in need of a shower. But I knew better, until I was done with my chores I couldn't relax under the sprinkle of water. I sighed, placing the last of Alpha Raphael's clothes in the basin.

"Hey Aurora!" 

I whip around and smile at Cassandra. She was the only wolf who didn't look at me in disgust and was my only friend. She was the daughter of an omega and was classified as one also. An omega was the bottom of the ranking chain in the wolf community but seeing as no one knew what I was, I suppose I was the very bottom in this pack.

"Need any help today?" Her pretty dirty blonde hair whips over her shoulder as she bounds over to me. Even though they treated her badly, Cas never showed how truly hurt she felt by their words. They taunted her for being the weakest wolf and treated her like dirt. Just like they treat me.

I giggled, the sun warming my face. "And have them punish you again like the last time? How many times will they punish you because of me?" 

She shrugs, her glassy blue eyes dancing with mirth when she's beside me. " I may be a little slower in healing than most wolves but I can handle a few lashes. Besides, Gomery is busy dozing off in the living room. She won't know a thing." 

I smiled wiping off the sweat that coated my forehead thinly. "It's still a no. I can do the chores on my own Cas. No need to suffer along with me."

Cassandra huffs and in a swift move, tugs the basin out of my hand and into hers. She whirls around quickly before I could protest. "What friend would I be if I let you suffer on your own?" She grunts as she lifts the basin onto the side of her waist and walks towards the packhouse.

My mouth wanted to protest but my body felt relieved from the weight of the basin no longer on my waist. There weren't many clothes left from that last trip but the previous ones really worked me up.

"Cas at least wait up!" I whispered, knowing she'd hear because of the enhanced hearing the wolves were blessed with. 

Her glassy blue eyes twinkle as she turns around to poke her tongue at me childishly. " So you could take back the basin? Not a chance." 

I sighed and followed her into the house. It was more so as a mansion with plenty of rooms to house more than a hundred wolves. The Crystal River pack was a large pack. I would always have to cook for more than four hundred wolves, sometimes there were plates left so I still couldn't pinpoint the exact number of wolves here. 

When we entered the kitchen, we were surprised to see Alice, Becka and Livia lounging on the stools surrounding the endless kitchen island. The kitchen was one of the largest rooms in the house. And considering how many mouths they had to feed, it was a good thing too.

Cassandra slowed down, her footsteps almost hesitant to continue. My throat dries up as Alice's light brown eyes fell on my figure. I quickly drop my head. "Hey look, the freak of nature is here." Her sickly sweet voice taunted.

"Hey elf girl, my little brother wanted a toy for Christmas last year. He was very disappointed when your sugar daddy Santa didn't show up." Livia giggled.

Livia was convinced that I was an elf because of my pointy ears and rather short height of 4'9. I couldn't possibly be. Because elves don't exist. At least not in this world.

"Always wondered why she constantly looks so tired, now I know. Aurora likes humping on an old man's cock for hours. Next time at least give him a break to drop those gifts for the kids." Becka's nasal laugh gritted my bones.

Their taunting was always the same. Every day and the same exact words. I thought at least this time around, they'd be a little more creative. 

I knew I couldn't say that out loud or look at them with any emotion other than fear. So I twisted my hands together in front of me and turn my head away from them. 

"Gosh Aurora, ever heard of a shower? You stink like a dog's ass." Alice snarled and her friends roared with laughter. 

I blinked, the power of their words getting to me like they usually did. I fisted my hands and gripped some of my dirty torn dress. It used to be white before, but that was years ago. Now it is stained with grime and blood. It was filthy and hadn't been washed in a day or so. 

"Don't mind them Aurora. They're just sad little bitches." Cas murmurs before me. Her voice was soft and reassuring. 

"What did you call us you fucking bitch!?" The voice of Alice nearly shook the walls as she growls. 

Both Cas and I froze. Cassandra turns to face me and sends me a panic look. I swallowed the lump in my throat and snap my head to face Alice and her friends. Alice's eyes were golden, the sign of her wolf currently present.

She snarls, teeth jutting out in warning as she glares at Cassandra heatedly. "Come on you stupid omega, repeat what you just said." She urged Cas to fall into her trap.

Livia twirls her jet black hair between her finger as she giggles at Cassandra and I's horror-stricken faces. "You're going to make them shit themselves Alice. "

Alice was the daughter of gamma Michael, which meant she was of higher ranking. Cassandra and I couldn't possibly match her strength. Not even if we fought together.

"Aurora's good at cleaning up crap, so I'm sure she wouldn't have a problem." Becka snorted. 

"What's going on here?" Gomery loud pitched voice booms through the walls of the kitchen, instantly silencing everyone.

 The gold in Alice's eyes disappears as Gomery enters the kitchen. Gomery was one of the elders in the pack which meant she was well respected. She was also Alpha Raphael's aunt, so her presence demanded respect.

Gomery's nasty glare falls on Cassandra and I and her features tightened in anger. My heart pounds. "You, girl!" She spat, her feet pad across the kitchen floors as she struts towards us. "Have I not warned you to  not stick your nose where it doesn't belong?"

Cassandra's shoulders sag as she showed her neck in submission. " I just wanted to help my friend." She mumbles lowly, fingers gripping the basin tightly.

"I just wanted to help my friend." Livia mocked lowly. Becka and Alice giggled.

Gomery's glare turned lethal as she pinned Cassandra with the weight of her gaze. "You want to help omega? Fine. Fold all the clothes that have been washed today and have the Alpha's clothes in his drawer before twelve-thirty."

Cassandra sighs dejectedly but still nods. "As you wish."

"Wait before you leave, have all the bathrooms spotless before dinner tonight," Gomery added with a sour voice that warned of punishment if Cassandra whined.

Cas sends me an apologetic smile and nods at Gomery's words before leaving the kitchen.

Gomery's fuming stare fixes on me and I held my breath. "And you. You'll be cooking the pack's dinner tonight. Alone." Her warning was clear. If I protested I would surely get punished severely.