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Mira

“What are you doing sitting over there? Karl’s room needs cleaning, his laundry has piled up, and his shoes need polishing!” Miss Parker, the head matron, charged into the kitchen, her nose scrunched in disgust when she found me resting on the counter.

Her gaze swept through the kitchen, bouncing from the polished kitchen counter to the kitchenware drying on the rack before they finally settled on me.

“I am not in charge of his room, ma’am,” I replied curtly, keeping my head down. It’s considered disrespectful for an Omega to make eye contact with a superior wolf, and the punishment was twenty strokes of the cane and going a day without food. Been there, done that, won’t recommend it.

“You happen to be the only one lazing around.”

“I came in early to finish my chores on time. It’s my parents’ death anniversary today, and I want to go spend some time with them. ”

“Best to get started with the room, then. I wouldn’t want to come between you and your date,” she replied, her tone flat and devoid of sympathy.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat as her footsteps receded from the room, willing myself to remain strong.

The only thing worse than being an Omega in a pack with caste systems as strong as mine was being an Omega without a family. You spent the entire day slaving for the pack and returned to a cold, empty house. On the days you got punished, there was no one to help with the pain.

My muscles ached in protest as I wheeled a trolley of cleaning supplies to Karl’s room.

What was supposed to be a routine clean-up turned into a full-blown deep clean when I walked into the room.

There were used condoms and empty party cups lying carelessly on the floor, innerwear hanging on the lamppost, and a wide map of vomit on the cream-colored rug in the center of the floor.

I started with the floor, scrunching my nose as the stench of vomit and acidic cleaning supplies assaulted my senses.

I didn’t bother wondering what heinous act led to someone emptying their entire bowel in a room.

As if conjured by my thoughts, the door swung open, revealing Karl in all his displeasing glory. His lips curled into a sickening smirk when his eyes found me on my knees, scrubbing his floor.

“Runt,” he said, leaning on the door with crossed arms, “has anyone told you how good you look on your knees?”

Since the stupid caste rules did not include engaging in conversations with the superiors, I ignored him and continued scrubbing, hoping he’d grow bored and find something else to mess with.

I was wrong. My silence only encouraged him to step closer. I could feel my wolf growing increasingly wary with every step he took in our direction. She knew we were no match for him and whatever he had in mind.

“Are you ignoring your future Alpha?” Karl hissed, his claws digging into my scalp and forcing my gaze to meet his.

The look in his eyes caused my blood to run cold. It wasn’t his signature cruel and lifeless gaze. This was different. This was dark, hungry, and angry. Panic lodged in my throat, and my eyes immediately darted to the door.

“Don’t worry. I locked the door. Wouldn’t want anyone walking in while you’re choking on my cock now, would we?”

Disgust welled up inside me as the threat behind his words registered, and I began to struggle against his hold, my claws digging into his arms in my hair.

“Let go of me, Karl!” I screamed, desperately praying someone would hear me through the door. Not that they would rescue me. But they might knock, and that would distract him a little.

My protest was met with a slap across the cheek, the force of his arm throwing me out of balance. I tried to hold the mopping bucket for support, but I ended up dragging it down with me and dumping the dirty water on myself.

Karl snickered.

“How fitting. Now you look like the dirty bitch you are.”

His hands went down to his pants, and I knew I had to act fast. “If you behave yourself, this could be pleasurable for both of us. And if you impress me, I might just consider making you my mistress for life. That is the best an Omega like you can ever get out of life.”

I could feel my wolf slowly giving in to his dominance, her whimpers growing increasingly lower and the fight in her dying away. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I racked my brains for the best line of action. This couldn’t be the end .

The moon goddess might have dealt me an unfair hand by making me a helpless Omega amid powerful counterparts, but I’ll be damned if I let myself be reduced to a glorified cum bag. I’d rather drag my bare back through hot coal.

My eyes caught the glint of a ceramic teapot on his bed stand. I began to move toward it, my heart pounding in my chest. Karl must’ve mistaken my movements for submission, his smirk growing as he followed me to the side of the bed.

Once I reached the stand, I quickly grabbed the teapot and hurled it at him. He shifted to dodge it, and I seized the opportunity to lunge at him, slashing my claws across his eyes.

His screams of anguish echoed through the room, its chilling sound spurring me into action. I rushed to the door, almost ripping the piece of wood off its hinges.

I practically flew down the stairs, pushing everyone out of my way and racing out of the pack house.

I didn’t stop running, not when I heard a thunderous voice screaming my name, not when my lungs burned, and not even when my feet got caught in a fallen branch that I almost tripped over.

I kept running. I had no idea where I was going, but I knew I needed to put a lot of distance between the pack house and me until everything cooled.

I was halfway across the woods when I heard heavy footsteps behind me.

The sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves grew louder, and I knew the guards were closing in.

My lungs burned, and my muscles ached as I tried to increase my speed.

But I was no match for them, and it was only a matter of seconds before I was tackled to the ground by two giant wolves.

I screamed and kicked in protest as the warriors dragged me back to the pack house, where I was roughly dumped on the floor .

I immediately got on my feet but fell to my knees when I met the Alpha’s domineering gaze. I scanned the crowd that had gathered in front of the packhouse. A feeling I’ve not experienced in years settled deep into my bones.

The faces in the crowd were familiar, but none of them were friends or family. I was alone; no one was coming to save me, no one would fight for me, and most importantly, no one would put me together when they were done with me.

“Alpha, I swear it’s not what it looks like. I can explain,” I pleaded, clasping my hands in front of me.

His eyes were filled with so much hate and disgust. If it were possible for one to melt beneath another’s gaze, I’d be a molten mess of flesh and bones.

Karl stood next to him, wearing a similar look, but his was laced with amusement. Save for the trail of dried blood on his face, there was no trace of the damage I had done.

“Mira Raven, you’ve been found guilty of dishonoring pack rules. You tried to force yourself on your future Alpha, and when he resisted, you resorted to violent measures.”

My eyes widened at the accusation. I looked at Karl, and he smiled in return. This couldn’t be real. There was no way they believed this nonsense. I tried to defend myself, but the Alpha continued.

“Since you’re desperate for male attention, you’ve been demoted to breeder status. You’ll serve the pack in the only way you are fit for.”

My heart dropped to my stomach. Being a breeder was a fate worse than death. I would be stripped of my freedom and reduced to nothing more than a vessel for producing offspring for any male wolf who was capable of breeding .

It was a punishment reserved for female wolves who were found guilty of “dishonoring” pack rules, a horrific fate enacted to keep the women in check.

I wasn’t guilty. I spent my whole life keeping my head down and avoiding male attention. I knew I had no one to speak for me, so I stayed out of trouble, even avoiding social gatherings and mating ceremonies.

“Alpha, I’ve done nothing to violate pack rules. You can ask around. I’m not a troublemaker. I mind my business and do my work," I pleaded, my voice trembling slightly.

“Are you calling my son a liar?” Alpha asked, and I looked at Karl, feeling my stomach churn at the smug look on his face.

“Yes,” I replied, not taking my eyes away from him.

His eyes narrowed to slits, and surprised gasps washed through the crowd. It wasn’t every day an Omega challenged an Alpha’s judgment and called his son a liar in front of the pack.

My kind was expected to keep their heads down, lips sealed, and tails tucked. We were expected to only eat after everyone had their fill and to take everything handed to us without complaint.

It worked if you didn’t mind being a foot mat for the rest of your life. While I wasn’t concerned with being a foot mat, and some days, I didn’t mind a few punishments here and there. I wasn't going to take this one. I would readily choose death.

“You stupid bitch,” Karl’s eyes blazed with fury as he charged at me, his fist ready to strike. I shut my eyes, bracing for impact, but his fist froze mid-air as a deep, velvety voice cut through the tension.

“Touch her and I'll tear you apart.”

My eyes sought out the intruder who dared to threaten the Alpha’s son, and I was met with the most gorgeous man I had ever seen.

He stood above six feet with strong, muscular shoulders that filled out his shirt and arms that looked strong enough to break me in half.

But what stood out to me were his eyes—icy blue orbs that seemed to cut right through you and held you enchanted while he peered deep into your soul.