The Bite Beneath the Roses

The first thing Elena felt was warmth.

A warmth that was completely different from the stolen rays of sunlight that filtered into the cramped attic she used to sleep in at her father's house. She turned slowly, and yet another surprise awaited her… an actual bed covered with sheets.

She looked up at the high ceiling… beautiful, and unfamiliar. So were the walls also, neat and spotless, unlike the mold and rust infested walls of her father's house.

She wasn't home.

She tried to sit up, then gasped as pain shot through her body from her shoulder. She touched the place and felt a small bump, and as she turned to see the bold mark visibly, everything immediately started rushing back in a wave of terror.

She remembered the meeting, remembered her being dragged into the meeting. She had fought with them, challenged Kane and his bloody guest… Damon!

The fearsome personality hidden behind that calm voice, the way everyone froze in the presence of his dominance. She remembered the moment she challenged him, and how he'd bitten her.

“No… no, no, no…” she muttered, scrambling out of the bed.

Elena headed for the door like someone possessed, but as she opened it to run out, she walked straight into two women. They were both beautiful, but the blonde one's beauty was clearly exceptional, and carried an aura of danger. The dark haired one had a look of mischief dancing in her eyes, a snake in expensive clothes. Elena stumbled back into the room… they followed her inside and locked the door.

“So you're finally awake?” The blonde asked sweetly. “That's really good.”

“After seeing the bruises on her body, I was worried that he had already broken her.” The second woman said in a cold and bored voice.

Elena's eyes moved between the two ladies, and she instinctively began to search for a means to escape their clutches.

The blonde offered her hand with that smile that was now beginning to look like a lie.

“I'm Nyla, first mate and senior Luna of Nightshade. This is Lucia, second mate and co Luna. And you…”

She looked at Elena from head to toe in disdain, and muttered in a cold tone.

“…must be the new toy.”

Elena frowned at being called a toy yet again. “Get out of my way.”

“Cute,” Lucia replied laughing.

Nyla gave a look of mock admiration. “I like her fire, Lucia. Damon never disappoints in finding the things that fight back.”

Before Elena could react or respond, Nyla suddenly had her pinned to the bed with a strength that didn't match the beautiful face. Elena struggled to break free, but Nyla was stronger, and she pressed down just enough on Elena's throat not to choke her, but to make it clear that she had no say.

Lucia came forward, confidently like the world belonged to her and Nyla. She pulled a small and deadly looking knife from her clothes, toying with it on her fingers like a toy.

“I know you must be confused,” Lucia said in a sweet voice. “But don't make the mistake to think we're here to welcome you with open arms… you're not one of us.”

“Now listen carefully,” Nyla continued. “If you think you're special just because Damon brought you here, better start thinking again. You're an Omega, and do you know what that means for you?”

Elena didn't answer. She was still trying to break free from the chokehold of the impossibly strong beauty.

“It means you're a worthless piece of dirt,” Nyla hissed hatefully.

Lucia threw the blade and caught it again. Then pointed it towards Elena. “If the Alpha touches you, it's only because he needs a distraction.”

“Like a chew toy,” Nyla agreed wickedly.

Lucia pressed the blade to Elena’s cheek, just a little below her eye.

Elena's pulse quickened, and fear came over her as Lucia hesitated and toyed with the blade on her cheek. Her mind flashed back to multiple beatings from her father, her brothers, and even pack members. The belt whips, the cuts, and the bruises. The pain was not new, she was used to it… it was the humiliation she couldn't stand.

“Don’t be scared little one,” Lucia said, patting her head gently. “It will do you well to remember everything we've told you, okay?”

And then… without waiting for an answer, Lucia dragged the blade down.

It was a shallow cut, but it hurt badly all the same. Elena struggled underneath Nyla's powerful hold, but she refused to cry out as blood gathered at the wound and slid down her cheek.

“Oh look,” Lucia cooed sweetly, while wiping the blade on the sheets. “She bleeds so easily.”

“Maybe it's because she's not even a shifty yet.” Nyla replied, sniffing at Elena. “She has no scent or strength. I could feel it the moment I stepped in. Her wolf is either dormant or handicapped.”

Luca grinned darkly. “What a waste. Born an Omega and without a wolf… Absolutely disgraceful.”

Elena said nothing. Not because it didn't hurt her, because it actually did. Her whole body burned from the pain of the cut and then anger boiling inside her. Yet she didn't say a word… not when a decision had taken root inside her mind. She had spent her entire life being bullied and oppressed, and she had learned to swallow it all in silence.

This place was no different from her pack. Let them continue to play the role of queens with her, let them laugh and mock her for being weak. She would take her time to know where she really was, and what plan Damon had for forcefully marking her and kidnapping her. And when the moment was finally right… She would return every injustice against her with interest.

Nyla finally stood up and began to adjust her clothes, while Elena breathed well again.

“Consider this your orientation,” she said with a bright, fake smile. “If you stay in your corner, and obey like the little mutt you are, maybe we may actually allow you keep your other cheek.”

Lucia blew her a kiss. “Pleasure meeting you, Omega.”

And then they were gone.

Elena lay quietly on the bed for a long time, staring at the door with no particular thought in her mind. After a while she sat up again, wiped the blood from her face and stared out of the window.

This place was just like home… determined to break and frustrate her.

She would not cry. Not anymore.

…

Meanwhile…Damon was standing shirtless on his balcony, staring into the distance with a perplexed mind.

Elena.

Why had his wolf stirred like it had never done before? Why had his fangs sunk into her flesh so impulsively and without restraint?

Why did he feel it still… her blood, and her defiance in his head?

“She’s nothing,” he muttered to himself. “probably just another ordinary girl with anger issues.”

He would leave her to Nyla and Lucia. Let them have their fun. If she broke, so be it. If she didn’t…so be it.

But for now, his body was stirring again and his wolf needed satisfaction… but not from Nyla and Lucia.

“Something about Elena still lingered in his blood, calling to the beast. Maybe it was time to feed it.”