Chapter 3

ROSELLA

As I was about to step out of our room, I heard footsteps advancing, which sounded exactly like that of Alpha James. A wave of fear washed over me, I froze on the spot, trying to get my mind to think of something quick, but the fastest way was hiding under the duvet on the bed. He wasn’t supposed to be back this early, and I needed enough time to escape, or else or my plans were going to be futile. There was not enough time to undress or hide those clothes, so I did the only logical thing I thought would work for me.

Before he got to the door, I jumped onto the bed and wrapped the thick duvet over my body, revealing only a tiny fraction of my hair. I turned my face away from the door so that he wouldn’t notice anything. I started breathing a tad bit higher, trying to make it look like I was genuinely asleep before he came in. 

The door opened before he banged it against its hinge loudly; with the way he opens the door like a lunatic, the door would come undone one day. “Get up and get dressed right now; we’re going for the council meeting in Black Moon pack,” he ordered with a loud voice, and I took a sharp breath. I needed to develop a solution, or my plans were going down the drain, and He would beat me again. I wanted to act like I was asleep, but it would make him come close and remove the duvet from my body. That would be a disaster and only make things worse. If he finds me in this outfit, I would be dead faster than I imagined.

“I…I’m sorry, Alpha, I’m too weak… I can’t get up,” I managed to say with a shaky voice, scared to the bone. Saying that would probably go two ways, him leaving me or getting mad at me for admitting that I was weak; he reminds me countless times of how much he hated vulnerable people.  I hope he bought those theatrics. I smiled as I saw the way he looked at me as if he wanted to throw me across the wall and stab me to death, maybe. He sighed before leaving my side for the dressing mirror side. That means he bought my story. 

“What? How dare you remind me of how damn weak you are?!” he snarled ferociously, shoving everything on my dresser to the floor. He was clenching and unclenching his hands as if he was restraining himself from doing something tragic to me, but I prayed he didn’t. I can’t escape while I’m bruised.  He threw another dirty look at me before  

“Answer me!” He shouted, and I took another gulp in fear. I wasn’t expecting him to go off on me like this.  

“I’m sorry,” I whimpered with low sobs. 

“Is that all you can say? Sorry? I wanted to put your worthless life to good use today, to get the reward of my money, use you to take the Alpha King title by introducing you as my Luna to the Council of Elders, but you choose to be sick today of all days. Useless bitch!” he taunted me with his gut-wrenching words.

Still holding my breath, I tightened my grip on the sheets, letting the warm tears stream down my eyes. 

“I’ll be back by evening, don’t even think of using any drug. Stay that way till you get better; that’s what a real Luna would do. Bear all the pain like a pro.” he spat at me before taking out clothes from the wardrobe and walking out of our room. He banged the front door so hard again, and I sighed; I stayed put in case he forgot something. 

I stayed that way till I heard the sound of the Limo driving out of the garage. Everywhere became calm and quiet again. I wiped my eyes and got out of bed. Stepping out of the room quietly, I wore the hoodie over my head so the guards standing outside would not recognize me. Not that they do anything all day, they would probably not notice me leaving if I was honest. They would mistake me for one of their alpha’s concubines.

Coming out with the black hoodie and joggers was easier than I thought, and I successfully strolled out of the packhouse without anyone noticing. There wasn’t much money on me as I was never allowed to have any money, so I walked a long distance, constantly looking over my shoulders and filled with anxiety. I hoped he wasn’t turning back to pick me up like that or something.

I shivered from the evening wind, but sweat trickled down my brows due to my skyrocketing temperature. I could barely carry myself now, but I didn’t stop. I would rather die than go back there to continue being treated like shit. I feel like shit anyway, and death seems like a better solution.

Unable to walk further after an hour, I waited and fell on my knees. It appeared luck was in my favor because a taxi finally passed, and I waved down and hopped in. I was heading straight to my parent’s place in the outskirt of the Green Moon pack, where most omega wolves lived with few poor humans. I didn’t know why I was headed there, even when I knew they couldn’t save me from him. A girl has to try, though.

It was almost dark now; I hurried to the almost dilapidated house my parents currently lived. I banged on the door repeatedly when I got there, knowing they were inside, but my father and stepmother were always hiding from debtors. They might be thinking I was one of their debtors who came to harass them for their money. They’ve been living like this since I was growing and I hated it. I wonder why my father won’t find a job like a real man.