[ CrimsonMoon Pack Territories - Fast forwarding to one week later ]
"Move your ass, mutt! You think we got all damn day?"
A sharp kick slammed into Amara's ribs, knocking the breath out of her lungs. She stumbled forward, the heavy tray of food in her hands wobbling dangerously. Hot stew sloshed over the edges, scalding her fingers, but she bit back a whimper.
"Fucking useless," A Gamma sneered, his boot connecting with the back of her knee. She crashed to the floor as the tray clattered beside her. Chunks of meat and broth splattered across the dirt.
Amara scrambled to her hands and knees, ignoring the sting in her palms. "I…I am so sorry," she whispered, already reaching for the mess.
"Sorry?" A hand fisted in her hair, yanking her head back. Lila's (Dante's Beta's sister) snarling face filled Amara's vision. "You ruined dinner, bitch. You think 'sorry' fixes that?"
Tears pricked Amara's eyes, but she blinked them away. Crying only made it worse.
"Clean it up," The Gamma growled, grinding his boot into her fingers."With your tongue."
A choked sob escaped her before she could stop it. Around her, the pack members laughed…the mocking sounds twisted like knives in her gut.
"Aw, look at the mighty Luna of SilverHale reduced to nothing but a little omega now," someone cooed. "Gonna cry like a pup?"
Amara swallowed hard, her throat burning.
"That's what happens when you betray your mate and let another man fuck you, slut. How dare someone like you reject Alpha Dante's love! That too for money?! For more power and fame?! Oh that's low even for a whore! "
"That's not what happened…" Was her feeble attempt at protest. But it was terminated before term with another loud, audible slap across her face!
"How dare you talk back, slave? Just because Alpha Dante lets you warm his bed, doesn't mean you have any status in this pack." Lila turned around looking at the gathered audience. "Our Alpha doesn't even let her carry his bastards." Lila looked back at her, still holding Amara's cheek, her eyes wide in shock and humiliation. "What?! " Lila snapped. " You didn't know that?! It's common knowledge, bitch. Everyone in this pack knows about it! "
Lila slithered one finger over Amara's forehead, bending a little so she could whisper directly into her ears. " That tonic the maids force you to have everyday, is actually an abortion potion. You didn't know that?" She stood up but not before hitting Amara hard on her forehead.
Lila pretended to dust her hands as if she had just touched dirt, before continuing, "She is just a hole for Alpha Dante's rage. Nothing else! "
The words stabbed Amara deeper than the slaps or the kicks.
Amara's lips trembled…her fingers shook violently."Please…I will just clean it up and get going…"
"You will clean it up, aye." Another one shoved her hard as she fell on the other side, knocking off a decorative vase.
The shards of glass cut into her palms. Blood streaked across the floor as she tried to gather the pieces with shaking hands.
The rest of the pack circled. Their laughter echoed cruelly from all around.
"Look at her crawling on her knees in filth."
"Better get used to it. That's the only place she belongs."
Another kick, this time to her back.She stumbled forward.
"Pathetic!"
Her eyes burned. She wouldn't cry. She violently shook her head, trying desperately to fight those tears.
A bucket of cold water came out of nowhere, drenching her head to toe. She gasped, shivering, her hair plastered to her face.
"There. A wash fit for a dirty traitor bitch. Oh my, her blood was already staining the mud! "
They cackled, one reaching down to smear the wet strands across her face. "Should drown her, really. Do Alpha Dante a favor. Who wants damaged goods? He is just keeping her alive because of their old relationship…"
"Not even Rowan kept her long," another said with a snort. "Bet he tossed her aside when he realized she was already half a slut…or whole! Wanna bet?!"
More laughter, more giggles!
Amara froze. That name. That wound. Her nails dug into her palms, blood dripping over the shards she still clutched.
"Oi, careful…she's still got a bit of fire in her eyes.Maybe she does miss her husband after all…What do you say?!" One of them crouched, gripping her chin roughly, forcing her to look up. His breath stank of ale. "That's too bad. Alpha Dante will beat it out of you. He always does, doesn't he, slave?"
Her lips trembled. "…Yes."
"Yes what?"
"…Yes, he does."
The men howled with laughter this time, satisfied with her broken voice.
"Good little slave.See there! We did knock some sense into her…" The warrior patted her cheek mockingly before shoving her face back towards the floor. "Now lick it. Lick up what you spilled like the dog that you are."
Amara lowered her head.Her trembling fingers scraped at the spilled food.
"Not your fingers," Lila snapped, delivering another sharp slap to her face. " Didn't you hear what he said? Use your fucking tongue, bitch.Show us how it works!"
The room fell silent, waiting.
Amara's stomach churned, but she knew better than to refuse. Slowly, she bent forward, her lips barely grazing the dirtied stew…
"Disgusting!" A voice roared as the crowd parted.
Alpha Dante slowly walked in. " Look at you,Amara! You disgust me,woman!" He spat, kicking her shoulder. She sprawled onto her back, gasping as he continued."Even the dirt's too good for you."
Lila crouched beside her, smirking ear to ear, her voice a venomous whisper. "See! Now you pissed Alpha off! You are nothing. Worthless. The only reason you are still breathing is because Alpha allows it. Yet you are so ungrateful…still mourning your husband…"
"ENOUGH! " Dante raised his hand making Lila flinch.She took several steps back!
Amara closed her eyes, her body aching, her soul frayed… she was ready for the slap, the kick…But the worst part?
She wasn't ready for what came next.
Dante scooped Amara up, threw her over his shoulder and stormed out of there!