chapter one

Pain

It was something that I was familiar with. It came with each day breaking, an endless cycle for me here in Blood Moon Park.

The source? Well, my life went to shit a long time ago, but if I was to pin my troubles on someone, that would be my step-father, Alpha Eric. Being the head alpha meant that his every word was law, and my life was a mere plaything in his hands, something he could manipulate and ruin. I loathed him with all being, but I also feared him; he was the one who controlled my life ultimately, not me. He allowed me to stay in the basement of the house where my family used to live; sometimes, I can’t help but think about the happy times I spent living in the main house when my father was still alive. But I made do with the basement; it was better than being homeless, so I am grateful for whatever I have.

I could not complain, because complaining meant being beaten even more than ever. As the omega ‘runt’ of the pack, I invited more trouble than anyone else, but for things beyond my control, it ended with being punished by alpha Eric. There were several things that I could not control, one of them being the group of sassy girls who had made it their life mission to make my life a living hell. They have made it their life mission to ostracize me, to make me feel worthless. And it has worked. They tease me for being omega and being weak. When their parents or other adults find out about our fights, which are more like one-sided attacks from bullies, who is the scapegoat? Me. Of cos am the scapegoat.

There was a time when I tried arguing back. Told the alpha that I wasn’t the one in the wrong, that it had all been a misunderstanding. But my words fell on deaf ears, and the beating that came with it. I’ve learned my place in the pack, the bottom of the barrel. I’ve learned to keep my head down, to be submissive, and not to talk back.

I was not in school despite being seventeen. I had to drop out because Alpha Eric had said he didn’t want to buy school supplies or required textbooks. I must do whatever he told me, and I couldn't disobey him. I was not allowed to be like other kids.

I heard other kids complain about school stuff and I'm envious of them; they get to complain about the life I was dreaming about, they get to run around the school halls, complain about classes, and even how they hate and skip out of P.E. classes. They have parents who listen to their rambling, provide food for them, and love them unconditionally. Alpha Eric never feeds me, I had to steal scraps to eat because he would kill me if he noticed any food missing from the freezer. He is all I have, my legal guardian, to be exact, now that my parents are gone. He is the closest thing to a father figure I have, but our relationship is nothing like that of a father and daughter relationship. He beats me more than he ever loved me; I could not even say that he loves me; I think he just tolerates me.

Today, I was alone in the house cleaning as usual. I could barely keep my eyes open, so tired after not being able to sleep all night cause of the nightmares; I could scarcely catch any sleep because of my night terrors; they are so horrible that I wake up from each nightmare jerking awake, gasping for breath. In times like this, I just long for someone to be here, to hold me as I cry. But my parents are long gone and there was no one now.

I eye the nice, big, comfortable bed that Alpha Eric sleeps in greedily; I fantasize about how comfortable it would be to lay down on it, sink into the soft mattress, and nap. As I tried to concentrate on cleaning, the temptation to lay on the bed grew. It lasted a few minutes before my eyes fluttered closed, and I almost fell asleep while standing. All right, just a quick nap, I decided, letting fatigue wash over me. Usually, I would dread the thought of sleeping, but right now, my body is demanding it. I plop down on the bed, my small frame not taking up to 1/5 of the bed.

I felt hunger, but exhaustion overpowers the hunger and I was out like a baby. I didn't know how long I slept, but I was soon roughly awakened. My eyes opened as I was thrown off the bed by my hair. You stupid bitch, do you think I let you stay in my house to sleep on my bed? Roared Alpha Eric as he glared down at me. I try to stammer out an apology. “I-I’m sorry, alpha I say while trying to keep my tears away. You be sorry to be the time am done with you, he snarled pulling the belt. The sight fills me with dread. I try to run, but he pulls me by my hair, throwing me on the floor.

He gives me a cold glare as he raises the belt, and I scream as it touches my body, running on adrenaline. I try to fight back, my first mistake; this action fills him with rage as he holds me by my neck. I am going to kill you, he roared; as I look into his eyes, it is filled with murderous intent, and I know he means it. I tried to crawl away from him; I fought back, looking for anything to fight back with. In one last attempt to get away, I touch a vase of some sort. With all my might, I brough it down on his head smashing it with all my strength. He lets out an ear-shattering howl, the blow isn’t enough to deter him. I scrambled on my feet, fleeing the room, I run into the wood, feeling the cool air on my skin. I shift into my wolf, and my paws meet the dirt. My head is throbbing like crazy, but I need to get away because if I am caught, Alpha Eric will finish what he started.