Chapter 4- Serving The Alpha
"I'm so sorry, Mom," I whispered, my voice trembling as I tried to make her understand. But she didn't even look at me, didn't even acknowledge my apology. Instead, she grabbed my wrist in a tight grip and started dragging me back to the kitchen.
I couldn't fight her. I didn't even try. Her grip was too strong, and I didn't have any strength left in me to pull back.
As she pulled me along, I heard them. The whispers.
"The beta's wife must be so ashamed of her."
"I'm glad she didn't let that cursed omega serve us."
"I wouldn't blame her for dragging that girl away. I'd be disgusted too."
I shut my eyes tight, hoping that if I couldn't see them, I wouldn't hear them either. But it didn't work. Their words sank into me, filling me with shame and pain until it felt like I couldn't even breathe.
A single tear slipped down my cheek, but I couldn't wipe it away. My mother had one of my hands in her iron grip, and the other was still holding the tray with the cupcakes. So I let the tear fall.
When we finally got back to the kitchen, she shoved me inside and slammed the door shut behind us.
She turned on me with fury in her eyes. "Why did you come out looking so disgusting to serve my guests?" she spat, her voice cold and sharp.
I wanted to tell her that it wasn't my fault. That if she'd given me clothes for this anniversary party, maybe I wouldn't have looked so pitiful. But I knew better than to say that out loud.
"Answer me!" she shouted, slamming her hand down on the table so hard that I jumped. "Why didn't you wait for someone to come get the cake from you? Why did you come out there like that?"
I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath. My whole body was trembling. "Because… you told me to serve them once I was done with the dessert," I said softly, my voice breaking as another tear fell down my face.
"Shut up!" she screamed. "Shut your mouth this instant! I don't want to hear any more excuses from you!"
She glared at me. "Now take your disgusting self and leave my sight this instant. Go straight to your room and don't come out until this party is over."
I didn't dare argue. I nodded quickly and turned away, scurrying out of the kitchen before she could change her mind and decide to hit me again. I knew better than to walk through the front door, so I took the long way around.
When I finally reached my little room, I couldn't even call it a room. It was too small, too dark. More like a cell than anything else. The walls felt like they were pressing in on me, and the only light came from a tiny crack under the door.
I fell to the floor as soon as I stepped inside. I pressed my face into the cold, hard floor and let the sobs come. I couldn't stop them. My whole body shook with how hard I was crying.
Now everyone hates me. Everyone is disgusted by me. Even the people I'm supposed to call family.
I didn't know how long I lay there, crying and shaking and wishing for it all to end. Eventually, I must have fallen asleep, because when I opened my eyes again, it was darker.
The only thing that pulled me out of that deep, empty sleep was a loud, angry bang on the door.
I rushed to the door as soon as I heard the loud bang. My heart was pounding in my chest.
I didn't waste a single second because I knew if I hesitated for even a moment, she might decide to punish me for not coming for opening the door on time.
My stepmother didn't have any patience for me.
I pulled the door open, and there she was. Her cold eyes met mine, and I knew immediately that this wasn't going to be good.
"I need to see you in the sitting room. Now," she said, her voice sharp and commanding.
I nodded quickly, not daring to speak. My throat felt tight, and my legs were already shaking as I followed her down the narrow hallway. I didn't even have time to wipe my face. My eyes were still puffy from crying, and I probably looked like a mess, but I knew better than to stop.
If I even dared to take a second to clean up, she might decide to take one of my fingers as punishment. That's how it worked in this house—no delays, no mistakes, no excuses.
When we got to the sitting room, I felt like I'd walked into a storm. Everyone was there—my stepfather, my stepsister Melinda, and She. My stomach twisted into knots.
Why is everyone here? I thought. Is this some kind of family meeting? Did I do something wrong again?
My heart started racing. I could feel the sweat on the back of my neck, and I had to swallow hard to keep me from throwing up.
"The reason why I called this gathering is because of something important," my stepfather said, his eyes fixed on me. "Specifically about you, Naomi."
My whole body went cold. My heart stopped beating for a second, and I could barely breathe.
"M-me?" I stammered, my voice a shaky whisper. "Why me?"
"Yes, you, Naomi," he said, and his tone was so calm it made me even more afraid. "We need your help."
I blinked in confusion. My help? I'd expected punishment, maybe a beating or another chore, but not… help. Relief washed over me for a second, but it was quickly replaced by suspicion.
What could they possibly want from me? My hands were already shaking as I waited for him to explain. I didn't dare ask—somewhere deep down, I already knew it wasn't going to be something good.
"You see, Naomi," he continued, "your sister Melinda is in some sort of… danger. Only you can help her."
Danger? My heart twisted painfully at the thought. Even though she was cruel to me, even though she hated me, I still cared about her. She was my sister… sort of. I didn't want anything bad to happen to her.
"What kind of danger?" I asked, my voice small. "What can I do?"
My stepfather looked at my stepmother and then back at me. "Melinda needs to be at the pack tomorrow," he said slowly, "but she can't go because she's… busy."
"Busy?" I repeated, frowning. "Why can't she go? What's so important that she can't—"
"It's none of your business!" my stepmother snapped, cutting me off. Her voice was filled with anger. "Are you going to help her or not?"
I felt my shoulders hunch. I wanted to help her, but I was so scared. "I… I can't say yes or no if I don't know what I'm walking into," I said, my voice trembling. "Please, I just want to understand."
My stepmother's lips curled into a smile, but her eyes were full of cruelty.
"You don't need to know the reason," she said in a sweet, mocking tone. "All you need to know is that you're going to help your sister because she's your sister. You'll take her place at the pack tomorrow. That's it."
I swallowed hard.
"And," my stepmother added, her smile turning evil, "if you don't help her, we're going to make your life even more of a living hell than it already is. So… the choice is yours."
But it wasn't really a choice at all.
"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll help her."
"Good," she said, her smile growing wider. She reached behind her and pulled out a file. "Then sign here."
I looked at the file in confusion. "Why do I need to sign something?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"It doesn't matter," she said sharply, pushing the file closer to me. "Just write your name and sign."
My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold the pen. I looked at her one last time, hoping she'd change her mind. But her eyes were cold.
I signed my name.
As soon as I finished, she snatched the file from me. Her smile was back, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Perfect," she said, her voice sweet like poison. "Now you have taken Melinda's place. You will work as the pack's maid, serving the alpha… for the rest of your life."