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Mia's POV:

 I woke up to the sound of that annoying alarm clock, piercing through the silence of our loveless bedroom. 

I had to set up an alarm the previous night to wake up on time today.

The last time I woke up very late, I had to face the wrath of Hudson's mother. 

She had made it very clear to me that I was never allowed to sleep past 7 am and currently, it was 6 am.

I just couldn't bring myself to sleep any longer, considering the nightmares that had been haunting me for the past two years.

It wasn't a nightmare of a sin I committed, but a nightmare of barrenness.

This was the third year of my marriage to my mate, Beta Hudson of the Silverpack.

It was like the most shameful thing for a she-wolf from the silver pack, to be unable to bear children for her mate.

Three years?

It felt like thirty years to me.

Each day I had to endure mistreatment, both from my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law.

It felt like my sufferings stretched for a thousand miles.

I was turned into a maid in my own house.

A lowly maid. I endured insults, mockery and so much more.

Now today was another bitter day.

Another day filled with the same old pain and mistreatment that awaited me.

As I sat up in bed, my heart still weighed heavy with the knowledge that I hadn't been able to give my husband the one thing he desired most—a child. 

The room felt cold and lifeless, just like my dreams of becoming a mother. I glanced at the family photos on the wall, each one mocking me with their blissful smiles. I wondered if I was somehow defective and if my body was betraying me in some way. The doubt gnawed at my spirit, chipping away at my self-worth.

With a heavy sigh, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my feet meeting the chilly hardwood floor. 

The house was eerily quiet because no one except Hudson had woken up.

As the Beta of the Silverback, he had to wake up early to head to the pack office as Alpha Jeremy couldn't come early like he used to.

His mate had just given birth to their second baby and Jeremy had to be with her.

It pained me that my mother couldn't also get his child and stay home as well.

I sighed in defeat as I got ready for the day.

I knew what awaited me—a day filled with endless chores and demands as if I were nothing more than a maid in my own home.

I dragged myself to the bathroom, catching a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at me was a far cry from the hopeful, vibrant person I used to be three years ago. 

The lines on my face seemed deeper, etched with the weight of unfulfilled dreams and the pain of constant mistreatment.

As I splashed cold water on my face, I couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. Trapped in a loveless marriage, where my worth was solely defined by my ability to bear children. 

Every day, I walked on eggshells, afraid to say or do anything that might disappoint my husband further. 

The emotional abuse had become a suffocating presence in our home, eroding my sense of self and leaving me feeling like a mere shadow of the woman I once was.

A few minutes later, I walked into the kitchen to see the maids already tidying up the entire place.

The ingredients for making the morning dishes had already been set out and all I had to do was cook.

Today I felt extremely exhausted for some odd reason, one I couldn't pinpoint about.

And now that I thought about it, I haven't heard from Cassey, my wolf, today.

She seemed rather quiet when I knew her for being a loud one.

She was never this quiet and I got slightly confused by her sudden mute.

Nevertheless, I ignored her and proceeded to make breakfast in the kitchen.

I was just about to start cooking in the kitchen, when suddenly, Chloe, my sister-in-law, walked in with an air of superiority. 

She didn't even bother to greet me, which always put me on edge.

Chloe then walked up to me and suddenly said, "About time you noticed me. I want you to cook me that fancy dish I had at the restaurant last week."

Her entitlement was palpable, and it grated on my nerves. I couldn't understand why she always felt the need to barge in and dictate what I should be cooking.

Well, I already knew this was a plot to deal with me again this morning.

I slowly cleared my throat and tried to coax her as usual. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, Chloe, but I already have something planned for today's meal. It doesn't align with what you're asking for."

I said softly, but she snapped in anger immediately.

"Are you deaf or something? I asked you to make that dish. Don't act like you have a mind of your own!"

I was getting pissed but I still tried to sound calm.

"Chloe, I understand your request, but I have my plans for the meal. I can't accommodate your specific dish today."

"Unbelievable! You're supposed to be the family cook, yet you can't even fulfill a simple request. You're so selfish!"

I turned to look into her eyes, she was shorter and I was looking down on her. She hated it so much when I did that.

"I'm not being selfish, Chloe. I have my responsibilities and preferences too"

"Mia, whether you like it or not, you're a maid in this house. A barren woman isn't considered a woman!" She spat out and I felt my face heat up in anger. 

The next moment, I saw my hand subconsciously raise and I struck her fair cheek so hard that she yelped.

She grabbed her burning cheek and glared at me.

"How dare you?!"

She yelled in anger.

I realized my actions immediately and glanced down at my hand that had struck her.

How did I do that just now?!

Oh no.

'I did it, your sister-in-law is such a bitch' I heard Cassey's voice in my mind.

Oh goodness, she would get me in trouble.

And just as I thought, the door was pushed open and my mother-in-law walked in.

Chloe hurriedly went to sulk at my actions.

I saw my mother-in-law's face flare up in anger and the next second she stepped forward.

"You dare hit my daughter?" She asked and I suddenly couldn't find my voice.

'Mia, I think this is the part where you have to run away' Cassey said and I breathed.

"I swear I didn't know when I_"

Pak!

She struck me hard and I felt my world spin at once.