Chapter One

****Warning: book contains scenes of abuse, sexual content, violence, adult content, and foul language. Some scenes may be triggers to some and are not appropriate for all ages. Readers discretion is advised Thank you for reading- S.E Dymek****

Abused:

The loud smack echoed across the kitchen. Alice didn't even look up as the pain raidated up her cheek and into her ear. She continued to look down at the counter she had been cleaning. Her step mother was standing across the counter holding her hand as if smacking Alice across the face caused her pain.

“You over cooked the fucking eggs.” Her step mother screamed as she shook out the pain from her hand.

“I’m sorry Step-

Another blow landed across Alice’s face as the taste of blood flooded her mouth. She knew her lip was bleeding and her teeth had sunk into the side of her cheek as she tasted iron.

“I told you to never call me that. I want nothing to do with you.” Her step mother hissed at her. 

“I’m sorry Mistress.” Alice said, keeping her head bow and not bothering to look up at her.

I wish her hand would fucking break. Lenore growlened inside of Alice, begging to be let out. 

We are stronger than her! Let me out and I can rip her throat out. Lenore said, pushing the shift.

And then what? Become a Rogue? Runaway? You know that means death. Alice shot back at her. 

We need to stay here to survive. Alice said sharply.

The sound of glass hitting the floor almost made her jump, she glanced over to the breakfast table to see James had pushed his plate off the table and it landed on the floor. A cruel smile on his face as he was adding fuel to the fire. 

“Your eggs too?” Her Step Mother snapped to James.

“Yeah the bastard bitch doesn't know how to cook. I don't know why we keep her around. She is useless.” James said his voice disgusted. 

“You're not eating today. Pick up this mess before your father comes down stairs and sees more of your failure.” Her stepmother hissed as she turned away from her.

Alice nodded and put the rag she was using to clean the counter down and made her way over to the breakfast table. James was still there with a shit eating grin on his face. She hated him. She tried so hard in the beginning to win him and her step mother Sarah over but nothing she did was ever enough. They eventually poisoned her father against her. Her father Karl was in such grief losing her mother to cancer that Sarah weasled her way into their life. She was in their house before her mothers body was cold in the ground. Sarah was her mothers nurse. Everyone thought it was so great that her father had someone to step up and take care of him and his hopeless lost daughter. If they only knew. Alice began picking up pieces of the broken plate and placing them inside the pocket of her apron. James wasn't done having his fun. He moved his foot and kicked her in the face with his boot. Alice landed backwards on the ground. She clutched her nose in her hand feeling blood starting to drip from it. 

“You little clumsy brat. Don't you get any of your nasty blood on the floor.” Sarah sneered at her. 

Noise from the stairs announced that her father was coming down. Old her would be excited and hopeful that maybe he would save her. Maybe he would look at her and see how she has become a shell of a person. That her cheeks are no longer flushed with color. That you could see the bones in her chest a little too much. That she starved, beaten, and dirty. She didn't even look up as he reached the bottom of the steps. She knew there was no hope anymore. She might as well be dead. 

“What happened?” Karl asked not even noticing his daughter.  He fixed himself a plate of the breakfast Alcie had cooked.

“You know…she's just worthless but let's not talk about it. I have more news.” Sarah smiled and patted the table next to her.

Alice shut her eyes as she got up and started picking up the rest of the broken plate. She was waiting for more comments and maybe another broken plate. She knew the food wasn't over cooked. They looked for anything they could use to hurt her. She was waiting for the day her father finally did something instead of ignoring her. Karl began eating like it was just another day. Sarah looked a little upset as if she wanted him to say the food was gross or wrong. This just told Alice she was right. There was nothing she could do about it though.

“What’s the exciting news?” Karl asked, taking a bite out of his sunny side up egg. 

“We are going to throw a banquet!” Sarah smiled brightly and almost clapped.

“For?” Karl said, swallowing the last bit of egg.

Alice got up and walked over to the trash placing the pieces of the broken place inside. She grabbed the broom and began sweeping the rest of the pieces up. She wanted to leave. She wanted to just disappear. 

We should just go, take our chances with the rogues. We don't even know if the stories are true. It's better than being here. Lenore said to her as she finished cleaning the broken plate.

You might be right. Alice answered her back.

She went to the sink and began washing the frying pan she used for breakfast trying to tune out the conversation going on at the breakfast table. 

“James, he’s found his mate.”  Sarah smiled brightly.

Oh thank god Alice thought hearing the news. He will leave to go with his mate and hopefully only be around on speical occainsons. Maybe she’s in a whole nother pack all together. Alice smiled thinking about it as she ran water over the pan.

“Mmm good for you James. Who is she?” Karl asked not really interested but was asking to be please Sarah.

“Lizzy.” James smiled proudly.

“As in the Alpha’s daughter?” Karl asked, now extremely interested.

Alice’s heart sank. Lizzy. Did he just say Lizzy.  The Alpha’s daughter. Alice dropped the frying in the sink by accident. The loud noise echoed around the kitchen. 

“Alice! You fucking cluts!” Sarah yelled as she threw her napkin on the table.

Alice expected her to come over and slap her again but she didn't. Karl caught her hand and Sarah turned her attention back to him. Did he just save her? Alice wondered seeing the action.

“We need to invite powerful families. We need to start building his reputation. He’s going to be Alpha. My son is going to be Alpha.” Karl said proudly.

He didnt save me, he is just seeing his own advantages coming together. Alice thought as she turned off the water. The kitchen was cleaned, dishes were done, maybe she could vanish for a little bit.

“I’m already on it. I've invited everyone who has power and money. We will be moving up in the world.” Sarah smiled brightly. 

Alice began moving towards the exit of the kitchen. She was almost out when something hit her in the back of the head. Luckily it was just the napkin and not something like a cup. Alice stopped and turned slowly not knowing what to expect.

“You will not be seen. I do not want some poor excuse of a step - ...person like you to show their face. I do not want you to be linked to James.” Sarah said in her voice, spiteful and disgusted. 

“Yes ma’am.” Alice nodded and went to step out.

“No, I am not finished talking to you.” Sarah said standing up.

“You will spend Saturday all day in the kitchen. You're going to be cooking and that's it. If we shut you away and keep you busy maybe you won't fuck this up; like you do everything else.” Sarah said with a sick cruel smile on her face.

“Yes ma’am.” Alice said and stood there waiting for Sarah to tell her she could go. 

“Get out of my sight. When we are done here you can come back and finish cleaning.” Sarah said, sitting back down.

They went back to discussing who she had already invited and how she already had food and drinks planned. How Lizzy's mother and her are becoming close friends and she needs Karl to do the same with the current Alpha. Alice left her stomach dropping. The only hope she had was just crushed. She was hoping that on her eighteenth birthday which was saturday she would be able to leave this home and find a new  pack. If James was going to be the Alpha of the pack there was no place for her here anymore. 

She was going Rogue and as soon as they were all busy at the banquet she was taking off.