02

DAPHNE

Splash!

“Wake up, you lazy ass.”

I jumped up from the patio chair at the balcony where I had passed the night as a bucket of cold water was thrown all over my body. My messy hair dripped of water. My stepmother had poured water on me just to wake me up.

“Good morning, mom.” I managed to speak with a shaky voice.

Glaring hard at me, she spat at me and said. “Do you think you’re on a vacation? Don’t you know that it’s morning, huh? You’d better get into the kitchen and prepare something for us to eat.”

“Okay, mom.” I replied, but she walked away with a glance. I struggled up from the chair where I had passed the night. Likewise, I was feeling cold especially for the fact that I was drenched in the rain the previous night.

Of course, I know there was no time to waste, so I proceeded into the kitchen. My stomach kept grumbling… I was very famished.

Well, I cook the food, but I don’t even eat it. The times I ate in the house, I ate on the bare ground while they eat at the dinning table. I guess, it is a taboo for me… a wolfless omega to eat on the same table with them.

A few moments later, I was already done with breakfast. So, I started serving at the dining table. I was about to get into the kitchen when I heard my stepmother’s voice, whispering. So, I moved closer to the door, eavesdropping.

“Mom, when are we kicking that asshole out of this house? I can’t stand her anymore.” Chloe sounded rather angry.

“Chloe, sweetie… in a few days, she won’t be a problem anymore.” The subtle smugness in my stepmother’s voice made me aware that they were talking about me.

What does she mean?

My heart started pounding, I was panicking because I don’t know what next they want to do to me. I know I shouldn’t be eavesdropping… if they find me doing that, I’ll surely get heavily punished. But her words got me even more curious, I was keen to know more.

“They’ll take her, and we’ll get the money.”

My eyes grew in panic. I was literally shaking uncontrollably.

What was she talking about? Who are the people going to take me and give them money?

“Is this the breakfast you were supposed to make?” A voice said behind me, and I jerked up, startled.

It was Andy. I knew I was done for because he was getting to make matters worse for me. I noticed that the voices in the room had gone silent. They must have heard what Andy said.

“Daphne!” I heard my father’s terrifying voice from the room.

He was there all along, huh?

I’m finished. I thought of fleeing, but I knew that was impossible because Andy was standing right in front of me.

Andy walked towards the door, twisting the doorknob, the door threw open.

Taking a deep breath, and mustering courage, I walked into the room, not daring to look at anyone’s face.

“Father…” my voice was trembling.

“I’ve already known that she’s nothing but trouble. She was eavesdropping like a mouse at the door.” My stepmother smirked.

“You were eavesdropping on us?” My father gave me a death stare.

I could perceive the scent of alcohol, and I know how horrible it is when my father drinks. I redirect his attention immediately. “Father, breakfast is ready.”

“How ridiculous of you to think that you're preparing breakfast would make us forget the crimes you’ve committed, you punk.” My stepmother scoffed.

Before I could say another word. Slap!

My father landed a resounding slap on my cheek, making me to stagger backwards. I tried to open my eyes, but my vision went blank. My father raised his hand again to slap me, but surprisingly, my stepmother stopped him.

“You’ll kill her.” My stepmother held his arm, and continued. “Edward, honey, have you forgotten that pretty face and voice of hers are her biggest assets. You would rather not ruin it, do you?”

“She’s not earning enough money, and she’s also bad mannered. Why would the moon goddess give me such a useless wolfless child?” My father roared angrily.

I was sitting on the ground with my palms cupping my left cheek that was already red from the slap I received.

“Well, honey…” Alice, my stepmother, patted my father’s back, and continued. “There’s no doubt that she’s more of a disappointment than we expected. However, you have already spoken with Theodore. You know what the plan is for her. In a few days, we’ll have all our financial problems solved, and she’ll be less of a burden to us.”

My father’s frowned face beamed with smiles on hearing what she had said.

“You seem confused, daughter.” My stepmother mocked at me. “Honey, why don’t you tell your bastard daughter the good news? I bet she’ll be so pleased to hear that.”

Alice’s smiles got me agitated. If she was so happy about something, then it must be bad news for me.

Squatting down to my level, my father raised his hand and patted my hair.

Then, he said. “You’re going to do a massive job for me. One that will change our lives for good.”

My heart raced faster as I waited impatiently for the sentence.

“You will serve the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack. It looks like he’s in need of a plaything, and he’s willing to pay a lot of money just to obtain you.”

My jaw dropped in shock.

My eyes frantically went back and forth between my father and Alice, his wife. The look on Alice’s face showed nothing but amusement.

My father, I call him father, but he sold me off like I was a commodity. How could he? How could he sell off his child?

I was terrified, speechless and shocked. The Alpha of the Red Moon Pack? The dreaded Alpha? The Alpha who was rumored that he killed his mate, and tore her into pieces?

How could they? How could my family do this to me?