Chapter Four

 Once dinner is over, there is a significant and dramatic change in the atmosphere, transitioning from a state of calmness to an intense and overpowering wave of anger. The once peaceful ambiance is shattered, replaced by an intense tension that hangs heavy in the air. The room, once filled with laughter and warmth, now feels suffocating and hostile.

 “Listen closely, you insignificant mongrel. We did not want you here, but the alpha begged us to take you in.” Denise's voice cuts through the silence like a sharp blade. Her words are laced with venom, dripping with disdain. The contemptuous smirk on her face only adds to the cruelty of her words. It is clear that her intention is to inflict pain, to belittle and degrade.

 Her words strike me like a blow, causing me to retreat within myself. I feel small and vulnerable, as if the ground beneath me has crumbled away, leaving me exposed and defenseless. The weight of her words presses down on me, suffocating any sense of self-worth or confidence I had left.

 In an instant, the room becomes a battlefield, with Denise as the merciless commander. Her words are like bullets, fired with precision and intent to wound. Each syllable is carefully chosen to cut through any semblance of dignity or pride I may have possessed.

 “Every day, there will be a set of tasks listed on the refrigerator, which must be completed, and this includes looking after the children,” Denise remarks with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

 With each passing moment of Denise's tirade, I discover myself seeking solace deeper within the recesses of my own mind. I seek solace in the recesses of my thoughts, desperately trying to shield myself from the onslaught of her verbal assault. But no matter how hard I try, her words find their way through the cracks, piercing my fragile defenses.

 At this moment, I am acutely aware of my vulnerability. I feel like a wounded animal, cornered and defenseless. The once familiar surroundings now feel foreign and hostile, as if I am an intruder in my own home. A chilling coldness that seeps into my bones has replaced the warmth and comfort that once enveloped.

 Denise's words linger in the air, poisoning the atmosphere long after they are spoken. The damage has been done, leaving behind scars that may never fully heal. The transformation from tranquility to fury has left an indelible mark on my psyche, forever altering the way I perceive myself and the world around me.

 “Go outside into the hut and shower because you stink, and when you come back in, get these dishes washed.” Denise says to me venomously.

 While I step outside, a chill runs down my spine and tears stream down my face, transforming what was once a happy life into a living nightmare. Determined to find solace, I make my way towards the hut she had mentioned. With each step, my body trembles in anticipation as I enter the small, rustic shelter. The cold air inside sends shivers down my spine, but I muster the courage to undress and turn on the water, bracing myself for the freezing cold. Despite the urge to scream, I manage to keep my composure and quickly wash myself using the limited supplies available.

 My teeth chatter uncontrollably as I step out of the icy water, reaching for the rough towel to dry myself off before making my way back to my new home. Once in my room, I change into fresh clothes, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. With my head held low, I return to the kitchen and begin the task of cleaning the table, meticulously clearing away the remnants and placing everything in the garbage or near the sink, ready for a thorough wash and cleanse.

 While I meticulously clean the table's surface, my thoughts race, contemplating the circumstances that have brought me to this point in time. The betrayal, the heartbreak, the loss — it all feels so overwhelming. But in this moment, as I meticulously clean each surface, I find a strange sense of solace. The repetitive motion of wiping away the dirt and grime becomes almost therapeutic, allowing me to momentarily forget the pain that still lingers within me.

 As I finish cleaning the table, I move on to the dishes piled up in the sink. The warm water soothes my icy hands, providing a small respite from the biting chill that still clings to my body. I scrub each plate and utensil with care, the sound of the water splashing against the sink drowning out the chaotic thoughts that threaten to consume me.

 With each dish I clean, I feel a sense of control returning to my life. The act of cleaning becomes a metaphor for my healing — a way to wash away the pain and start anew. As I rinse off the last dish and place it in the drying rack, I take a moment to breathe because my whole body is shaking from the terror of this new home, and I have just arrived.

 Despite feeling exhausted from the overwhelming events that have unfolded in such a brief period, I persistently persevere in my work. The weariness that engulfs me does not deter my determination to fulfill every task assigned to me by her, for I am resolute in my resolve to evade the repercussions that may arise from disregarding her instructions.

 The next task on my list is to organize the pantry. I carefully arrange the cans and boxes, creating a sense of order amidst the chaos. As I sort through the items, I can't help but reflect on the parallels between this physical act of organizing and the emotional journey I am currently on. Just as I am creating a sense of order in my surroundings, I am also working towards finding peace within myself.

 After putting in the effort to organize the pantry, I take a moment to step back and evaluate the results of my work. The kitchen, once cluttered and disheveled, now exudes a sense of cleanliness and tranquility. It may seem like a minor victory, but at this moment, it represents so much more. It symbolizes my resilience, my ability to find strength even in the darkest of times.

 With a renewed sense of purpose, I continue my cleaning spree throughout the house. Each room I tackle becomes a canvas for my healing, a space where I can transform the chaos into something beautiful. As I sweep away the dust and mop the floors, I can't help but feel a sense of empowerment. I am taking control of my life, one clean surface at a time.

Once I complete my cleaning tasks, the sun has already set, casting a serene darkness over the entire house. Just as I am about to make my way to my room through the kitchen, the father intercepts me with a question, “Have you finished all your chores?”

 “Certainly, sir,” I respond, my voice trembling slightly as an unsettling aura emanates from him.

 “Excellent. Join me as I guide you to the lower level, where there are additional tasks awaiting your attention,” Juan utters with a sinister grin that sends shivers down my spine.

 Despite my strong desire to escape, I find myself reluctantly following him. However, instead of feeling a sense of relief, an overwhelming fear engulfs me. Why is he leading me to the basement when the children are upstairs? As we descend the stairs, my heart pounds in my chest, and my mind races with terrifying possibilities.

 At the bottom, he unlocks another door and gestures for me to enter first. With every fiber of my being resisting, he forcefully pushes me inside before joining me. His presence behind me sends shivers down my spine as he leans in and whispers in my ear, his words dripping with menace. “I will trap you down here, at my mercy, when you succumb to your primal heat. And when that happens, I will be here, ready to exert my control over you in any way I desire.”

 “Hurry and make your way to your room swiftly, for your captivating fragrance has ignited a desire within me that I cannot resist. I may not wait for you to be fully prepared,” Juan whispers, adjusting his pants.

 His words startle me, causing me to stumble and rush upstairs, desperately seeking refuge in the safety of my room. As I shut the door behind me, I collapse onto my bed, overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty, seeking solace in prayer. 

When I hear his footsteps approaching the staircase, a wave of fear washes over me, causing me to seek refuge under my blankets. I hold my breath, hoping that he won't notice me as he passes by my room.

 “You are safe until your heat starts coming, little omega,” I hear him whisper as he walks by my room, causing me to shiver and tense up.

 The tension slowly eases as I hear him ascending the stairs, and I cautiously peek out from my hiding place. Gazing at the night sky through my window, I can't help but wonder why I am enduring this ordeal.