Chapter 5: Mercy For My Daughter

~Aria's POV~

Going to another pack would be too risky.

We would be strangers and outsiders there; at best, we would have been unwanted. At worst, they would have killed us, believing us to be spies. Mother had already sacrificed enough. She had hidden away all the money we saved up so not to arouse any suspicion. I doubt she would wish to risk her life again.

Not that I could blame her.

So, we would have gone to the human city. I would have finished off my studies and found a job somewhere else. I would have started anew and forgotten all about our old lives.

I pushed the thoughts from my mind and focused on the present matter.

There were still four more days, after all.

By the time I had finished washing the last dress, the sun had already begun to rise. Light beams poured through the leaves overhead, sending shadowy shapes dancing across the forest. My fingers were numb, and my back ached, but every single dress was clean.

I stacked them on top of each other and threw them, along with the other clothes in the laundry basket, before heading back to the Alpha House. Thick trees loomed over my head, casting long, wiggling shadows on the trail. The scent of the woods filled my lungs.

I had traveled this trail numerous times before halfway through my walk home,

I heard rustling. I stopped dead in my tracks

Heart hammering wildly in my ears, I slowly turned around, my stomach twisting at the sight that met my gaze.

Adrian.

He stumbled forward from behind the tree, his limbs lanky and uncoordinated. His eyes were unfocused, and the scent of alcohol nearly knocked me off my feet.

"So," He drawled, flashing me a toothy grin. "Look who I found."

I tightened my grip around the laundry basket.

"Excuse me, I need to be getting back."

"Ah, so much in such a hurry?" He teased, closing the distance between us. "We should talk."

"There's nothing to talk about." I snapped, jerking away. "We already told you we're done."

"I think there is," He said, edging closer. Unsettled, I took a step back, but so did he, blocking my way. "Please move, I'm quite busy."

"Busy can wait," He said suddenly, lunging at me. My laundry basket flew from my hands, the clean, freshly washed dresses spilling out.

Before I could do anything, he had shoved me against the tree, my back flat against the rough bark. He loomed over me, his face close to mine. The scent of whiskey surrounded him.

"Beautiful Omega," He murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my cheek. "So soft... so delicate."

I hated him. I hated that I was beautiful. I hated that I was delicate. I hated that Omegas were weak and tiny and fragile compared to Alphas and that we shattered so easily. If only I were strong and powerful, if only I were not an Omega, if only I was a warrior instead.

"I told you to get off of me," I snapped, shoving his chest.

He barely budged.

"I already told you, I'm waiting for my mate. We're done"

Adrian chuckled darkly.

"Done? We never even began." His hand slowly trailed down my side.

"Let me go!!"

His grin faltered as he frowned at me. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing at me. "It was you, wasn't it?"

"What?"

"Outside the classroom," he continued. "That day."

His lips twitched into a smile. "I recognized your mop."

Horror gripped my heart. "So... you saw me?"

His smile widened.

"Good, that means I don't have to keep pretending anymore." He inched closer to me, until there was almost no space in between. "I've waited long enough."

Something inside snapped. I struggled, but he was too strong.

"He's going to hurt me." I realized, panic swelling in my chest.

Then, I stopped. I went limp in his grip Adrian loosened his hold over me.

"That's more like it"

I drove my knee into his crotch, all my strength going into the attack.. He let out a startled grunt, his hands flying to his groin. I took advantage of his distraction, dropping to my knees before driving the laundry basket over his head.

He gave a startled curse as I kicked the scattered, wet dresses out of my way. I took off running down the trail, which, I realized, was much more slippery than I had first thought. It was covered in sloppy mud with patches of pine needled littering the ground.

Behind me, I heard Adrian stumble. Then it dawned on me. I turned around. Using the momentum, I swung the laundry basket above my head, bringing it down hard on Adrian's head. It hit the side of his skull, sending damp clothes spilling over him. He stumbled back, landing on his butt with the laundry basket over his head and the wet dresses draped over his legs.

"You can't run forever!" He growled, struggling to his feet. "Tonight... you're mine!"

I didn't stay around to hear the rest of his rant. I ran until I saw the Alpha house. The trail was sloping upwards, growing steeper by the minute.

More than once, I slipped but managed to pull myself up each time. Behind me, I heard Adrian yelling but paid him no mind. I didn't stop until I saw the Alpha house in front of me.

My hands trembled as I pushed open the door, nearly missing the threshold. I stumbled down the hallway, my legs taking me to our small room. Mother wasn't there yet. She still had an hour or so before her morning duties.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed on the floor in a tight ball. He knew. He knew I had heard everything, and he was going to come find me tonight.

I pressed my palms against my face, trying to steady my breath.

Only four more days. Just four...

I could make it four days... but could I make it through tonight? The door suddenly opened. I shot up, eyes wide.

"Mother."

She came over to me immediately, taking my face in her hands.

"Aria, what happened? Are you hurt? Did someone do something to you?"

"I'm fine," I murmured, my voice small. "I... I just made a mistake."

Her brows furrowed. "What happened?"

I didn't want to tell her that Adrian nearly attacked me in the woods that he was going to be here tonight. She would try to protect me, and she would get hurt in the process. "I dropped the laundry," I said instead. "The dresses... they fell. They might be ruined."

It wasn't exactly a lie.

She gave a small sigh. "Oh sweetheart. Is that all? Clothes can be replaced."

"They were designer dresses," I said, voice rising. "They're worth thousands! Luna Serena is going to kill me..."

A loud knock echoed through the house. We both stiffened. Another knock followed shortly after.

"Open this door, you trash!" shouted a familiar voice. "You ungrateful little brat!"

Mother gave my hand a squeeze before standing up.

"What is it, Nora?"

The door opened before she could finish her sentence. Nora stormed inside, shoving past Mother.

Her eyes landed on me. "You." She pointed at me "Come with me."

Mother stepped in front of me. "What has my daughter done?"

Nora's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Your daughter destroyed clothing worth over one hundred thousand belonging to the young ladies of this pack. She is going to be punished."

"Wait..." I started.

Mother silenced me with a look.

"You haven't even asked what happened," I said, narrowing my eyes at Nora. "You're just assuming I did it."

"I don't need you to explain to me. Evidence is all over the trail. The muddy dresses. The wet clothes."

She grabbed my arm "Move."

"This isn't fair!" I protested, struggling against her hold. "You haven't even listened to me!"

"I'm far too busy for your nonsense," Nora snapped. "You can explain yourself after you've tasted the silver whip." She grabbed me by the arm, yanking me toward the door. Mother followed right behind her.

"Please...at least let me come." I begged.

Nora turned around. "Stay where you are," her eyes narrowed at me. "Unless you'd like to be punished beside her."

"I believe in mercy for my daughter," Mother nearly broke down with relief. 

She turned. "Ten lashes. Begin."

The silver whip cut through the air with a sharp, terrifying crack.