A Heart's Desire

Maya’s pov 

I dared not peer out of the pantry door while the Alpha’s family dined. Making myself invisible was the best option for me. For reasons unknown, they loathed me. I mean, it would have been fine if they just hated me and left me alone. I didn’t mind not having a cosy home or having to do all the work around the pack house, but the torture they subjected me to was unbearable. 

With a deep sigh escaping my lips I lifted my shirt and traced my fingertips on the deep scar that ran across my abdomen. I winced. It was a bitter reminder of the time the alpha’s daughter stabbed me with a silver dagger. Thankfully, I survived because she rushed me to the hospital. Perhaps she was scared of being found guilty of murder. Anyway, I forgave her. I thought it would end the years-long hatred she harboured in her heart for me, but, oh, boy, was I wrong. 

The scar no longer hurt, but the emotional trauma I suffered was unforgettable. A shudder ran down my spine as the memories flooded back to me. I bit my lower lip. Crying was a waste of time and energy, and to be honest, my tears had dried up a long time ago. Yet the memories made me wince.

Among all the scars and bruises on my body, that one was the ugliest. At least it wasn’t on an exposed part. I liked to wear baggy clothes that covered most of my body, simply because it was easier to hide the unpleasant contusions on my pale skin. Not that anyone would care about it, but because I didn’t like to be reminded of my inability to protect myself against them. 

“Maya! Where the fuck are you? My daughter needs pickles!”

My heart raced when I heard Luna’s miffed voice. I quickly lowered my shirt and looked around the pantry. A frown quickly wrinkled my brows when I failed to spot them within the first few seconds. Being late would land me in immense trouble. Even a simple task like that had to be perfect if I didn’t want to be punished. After all, even the omegas in our pack were more privileged than I was.

“Maya? You better respond when your Luna calls you!”

The hair on the back of my neck rose when the Alpha’s voice thundered in the air. I gulped.

“Y…yes Alpha.”

My voice quivered. I was sure I was already in trouble. Relief washed over me when my eyes fell on the pickle jar. I quickly stood on my tiptoes and reached out for the jar of pickles on the top shelf, but I guess I had already pissed them off. The door swung open and I sucked a breath in when I heard her stomping towards me. I knew what was coming. Even after years of being subjected to their harsh blows and heart wrenching words, I never quite got used to it. A strong pair of hands grabbed my throat and snatched the jar from my hands. I froze when I saw her fiery eyes glaring at me. My Luna was furious.

“How dare you ignore me while you respond to my mate? I am the Luna of this pack. The most important female, and you better respect me, you leech,” she snarled into my face.

Her garlic breath almost made me gag, but I didn’t. I held it in with all the strength I could muster. 

“Y… yes, Luna,” I whispered.

Her eyes narrowed. “Louder. I want to hear it in your voice.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried my best to compose myself. It was hard to speak with her nails digging into my neck, but I knew I had to speak up if I wanted to live. “Yes, Luna.”

I was glad that she released me. I sucked in several breaths. It wasn’t the first time I found myself in a similar situation, and yet each time it reminded me I was a nobody. I guess I would never get used to the abuse. 

“Whatever,” she huffed. “My daughter needs this. Don’t you know that she is pregnant? Oh, and you better not make a mistake tomorrow night. I want all the dishes to be perfect. All the alphas and their families will be here by six, and I want you to be done by five at the latest. The omegas will serve the dishes. I want you gone. You being there will ruin the pack’s image.”

I nodded my head. “Yes, Luna. I will lock myself in the pantry.”

Her lips pulled into a grim line as she gave a subtle nod of her head. Relief washed over me when she walked away. At least this time I didn’t have to suffer one of her mean punches. As soon as the door closed behind her, I walked over to the folded sheets I had left on the side. I picked up the cold pillow and hugged it, burying my face. It offered me no warmth, but that was the most comfort I ever found in the pack house. 

Yeah, it was the pantry and I slept there. The alpha’s family thought I didn’t deserve a room in the omega’s quarters. It was funny how they made me do all their cooking since they despised me so much. Didn’t they know I could poison them if I wanted to? But that wasn’t something I would do. Perhaps they were right. I was too timid or just too weak. 

A sigh escaped my lips. I would have to cook for a mass crowd the following day. It was their son’s eighteenth birthday, and he probably would find his mate. That was why they were making such a fuss about it. My lips pressed together when I thought about my birthday. It was just a few months away. My hope was to escape this hell once I turned eighteen. I hoped that my mate would arrive and rescue me from this place. I couldn’t care less if he was an omega or an unranked wolf. Heck, I didn’t give a damn if fate mated me with a rogue. 

My heart's desire was to be free.