~~~
Two days later…
“Iris, have you caught on to the buzz?" a rotund Omega maid murmured to her fellow worker, both holding trays of food.
“About what, Freya?” the latter queried with knitted brows.
Freya eagerly answered, “I’ve heard it from the lips of several others that the Alpha has found his mate.”
“Oh, that’s a good thing then. Is she from our pack? I reckon she's quite beautiful and classy," Iris commented with a smile, her eyes twinkling like crescent moons.
Freya scoffed, “No, Iris. It’s that lowly slave Bellatrix,”
“What?” Iris stopped in her tracks, “That ugly thing?”
Freya shrugged, “I bet she and her mom are very happy now. But personally, I’m not sure I can bring myself to bow to a Luna from a background much worse than mine.”
“Me too. Let’s hurry up before our masters get us whipped,” With that, the two girls picked up the pace.
They didn’t realize that Bellatrix was some distance behind them and had heard the conversation. She covered her mouth, her eyes dilated with traces of fear evident in them.
“No, this is not good,” she shook her head as a tear made its way down her cheek, “Why is this happening?”
Making a swift pivot on her heels, she sprinted back in the direction she had come from, moving as fast as she possibly could towards the slave quarters.
Reaching there, she found the door to the tiny room that she and her mom dwelled in had been torn down and even the bed had been wrecked.
“Mom…” her knees grew weak with several fearful thoughts running different trails in her mind.
Had the Alpha already caught wind of the rumors?
Suddenly, a fellow female slave ran over, only stopping an inch away from Bellatrix to catch her breath.
“Bellatrix… thank goodness… you’re here!” she said with fragmented breaths.
Bellatrix immediately asked the urgent thing in her mind, “ Emelia, where is my mum?”
“S-She was… taken away by the guards. She was accused of stealing the Beta’s late wife’s missing jade bracelet.”
Bellatrix’s eyes broadened in disbelief, “What? My mom would never steal! Where is she now?”
“The Alpha has ordered her execution. She will be flogged to death. You’d better run.” Emelia advised. “As for me, I never saw you,” she added.
“I can’t escape this pack with all the tight security put in place. We’re both aware of that.”
“You can at least hide anywhere you can,” Emelia urged while sneaking quick glances at the entrance of the slave quarters. But much to her dismay, the latter disagreed.
“No, I can’t. I need to see my mom,”
“Bellatrix, listen to me. You can’t go to her. You could get killed!”
“I’m good as dead anyway. If anything, we’ll both die together,” With a resolute look, Bellatrix made her way out of the slave quarters, ignoring the panicked calls of her fellow slave.
“The Alpha will kill me anyway. But I want to see mum one last time before I meet my end, or I’ll really regret it,” she muttered tearfully as she summoned the will to increase her running pace, even with her vision becoming hazy.
…
On finally getting to the pack’s square, she found many had gathered. Shrill feminine screams were accompanied by boos and mocking remarks from the crowd.
This made Bellatrix’s heart skip several beats and her fear increased as her mind spun with worst-case scenarios.
But she couldn’t stop now; hiding wouldn’t solve anything.
“Please, let me through,” she pleaded while trying to force her way through the crowd. However, a burly man gave her a death death stare before slapping her with the back of his hand, the impact sending her weak self to the ground in a pathetic manner.
Still undeterred, Bellatrix got on all fours and endured being stepped on by many, until she ultimately got to the front. Only for her to meet an appalling, and heartbreaking sight!
Her poor mother, who was lying on her tummy on a wooden bench, was half clothed with her hands and feet tied to two separate poles. Her bare but horrendously bloodied back was being repeatedly kissed by a long cane that was covered in nails and held by a tall, brawny and mean-looking guard.
“Mom…” she muttered in disbelief and heartbreak.
As the cane descended once more on her mom’s bare flesh, mother and daughter screamed in pain.
“No, don’t hit her anymore. She would never do such a thing,” Bellatrix ignored the prospect of being hit by the cane and rushed forward, successfully taking the next hit.
“Don’t hit my mum,” she covered her mom’s bloodied back with her body.
“Don’t hit her,” she cried in a throaty voice.
“You rotten slave, get the blazes out of here this instant or I’ll kill you too.” The stern-faced guard warned but she shook her head adamantly.
“I won’t leave. You can hit me. Don’t hit my mum anymore,” she pleaded tearfully.
“Very well then. Two of you can go to hell,” the guard resumed flogging and the cane tore Bellatrix’s flesh, drawing blood.
“Bellatrix… g-get off me,” her mom weakly pleaded with blood flowing down her mouth.
“No. We’ll die together and meet dad in the afterlife.” Bellatrix muttered amidst the mockery of the crowd all around them who were reveling at the sight of the duo’s misery.
“L-Listen to me. I-I’m… your mom...” her mom reasoned but her daughter cut her short.
“And... I’m your daughter. It’s duty to protect family. And you’re my only family, mom,” Bellatrix cried.
Her mother began to struggle, wanting to push her daughter away and receive all the hits meant for her rightfully. But she found herself too weak to achieve her aim and her daughter was rather bent on being stubborn.
“Get… off, please...” Vivian pleaded weakly but her daughter’s heart-rending screams as the cane relentlessly thrashed her back was the only answer she got.
“Stop! The Alpha’s here,” A red-haired man, lofty and muscle-bound, suddenly said after the crowd had made way voluntarily.
At that, the guard stopped midway of hitting Bellatrix. Then he turned towards the man who just spoke and bowed, “Greetings, Beta Lorencio,”
Subsequently ,upon seeing the other much-dreaded figure behind the pack's Beta, the guard and all the others present went on one knee, placing their right hand across their chests. “Greetings, Alpha King!”
The Alpha made his way over to the mother and daughter duo.Bellatrix got off her mom and fell to her knees, pressing her palms together, ignoring the pains that came with this very act.Her cheeks were stained with tears, her whole being was trembling as she sniffled, staring at his feet, too frightened to see how he looked at the moment.“Alpha… Alpha, my mom wouldn’t steal.” She appealed.“The jewelry was found in her bag.” The Alpha coldly said.“I…” She didn’t know what else to say. She wasn’t there when her mom was taken away but she believed her mom was innocent. However, rather unfortunately, she didn’t have any proof to back up her claims.“Raise your head, Bellatrix,” he ordered.“Y-Yes, Alpha,” She quickly obeyed his demand but his death stare made her wish to be swallowed by the earth beneath her. Unfortunately, hanging her head low was no longer an option, unless he commanded it.“I believe I gave you a warning?”This question jolted memories of the dreadful day they disc
It had been three days since the unfortunate incident at the pack’s square. Seated on the clammy, frigid floor of the filthy and malodorous cell was Bellatrix. Her throat was parched and her tummy had long given up on grumbling, probably having resigned to the belief that food and water weren’t coming.The assigned guards on standby never even looked her way and they deliberately ate appetizing food that made her salivate each time. But now, she’d learned to just stare at the walls of the dimly lit cell, way too exhausted to keep staring at the damp cell’s roof.‘When can I put an end to my misery?’ was the only thing on her mind. She envied her late mum; at least the latter wasn’t suffering like she was now.She’d barely had any sleep, and whenever she closed her eyes, she only saw her mom screaming in agony, a bitter reminder of what her cruel mate did.“I’m so sorry, Mum,” she muttered inaudibly, a stray tear that she couldn’t hold back slid down her face and she didn’t even bother
"Mistress,"A tall, slim, brown-eyed lady apparently in her twenties and dressed in an elegant maid's uniform, called out as she entered the tastefully-furnished and spacious room.Bellatrix, who had been seated on the comfy, queen-sized bed, staring blankly at the floor and seemingly lost in thought, turned her head to take a look at the owner of the euphonious voice.Upon noticing the maid, she got up almost immediately from the bed."Y-You are...?" She questioned the stranger with a look of incredulity.With her head slightly bowed, the coffee-haired woman answered with a small smile, "Replying to mistress, I'm your personal maid, Victoria. The Alpha has assigned me to you. Now, you will be my responsibility; I will groom you into a more responsible and charming lady fit to be the Alpha's royal breeder,"Bellatrix looked more of a servant than a mistress, from her demeanour to her dressing. It could somehow be seen that this maid had spoken with a hint of arrogance as if Bellatrix
The Beta of the Diamonds Claw Pack walked briskly through the winding halls of the pack house. His steps were confident and purposeful as they marched to fulfil the instruction given to him by the Alpha.As the beta, it was his duty to ensure that the alpha's orders were executed smoothly and without delay, even though it might involve pissing off the most important and most powerful woman in the pack. The Luna.Today, the Alpha had instructed him to summon his wife, Luna Katelyn to see him.The Beta approached the Luna's door and braced himself for the drama he knew was waiting for him behind the door.He knocked firmly, and as expected, the door was opened by an auburn-haired maid with a stern expression."Alpha has summoned the Luna to his rooms." He announced to the Luna's maid."The Luna is unavailable," she said and her voice carried a note of finality in it.Thankfully, the Beta was already prepared for when this happened. The Beta crossed his arms, unfazed."I am under strict
Luna Katelyn's Chamber. ~~'~~ Luna Katelyn lay in her chamber, half-reclined on the plush bed. The soft material of her silk nightgown gently brushed against her skin causing her to let out a soft sigh. Her room was beautifully lit up by the flickering light of the scented candles scattered across the luxurious room. They cast a warm glow against her silver hair, the dark wood furniture and rich, velvet drapes. This was the picture of perfect luxury. Katelyn sighed again, as she replayed the sweet memories of her husband’s intimate touch. The memories of nights with Alpha Killian were something no woman could easily forget. They always hovered like a stubborn shadow, constantly teasing her mind until she was craving for more. Her fingers absentmindedly traced over her skin, as she replayed the way Killian's hands had explored her body. He was eager and passionate so each touch had provoked a raging flame of desire inside her. She closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in the m
The sun was beginning to set over the beautiful garden in the Alpha's compound. The vanishing light cast a warm golden glow over the beautiful, expensive flowers that were mostly imported from the most expensive parts of the world. The scent of blooming roses mingled with the earthy aroma of freshly watered soil, mixed with the gentle rustling of leaves to create a soothing symphony for many people who came here to seek privacy. The Royal Garden was a sanctuary of lovers to many or a hideout where people's secrets and crimes could be whispered without fear of being overheard. Tina, Luna Katelyn's maid, made her way to this very garden just as it was getting dark. Her footsteps were silent on the gravel as she moved with purpose. She was cautious and her eyes scanned every visible area for any signs of prying eyes. This meeting was very important, and the utmost discretion was needed. As she approached a secluded corner of the garden, she spotted Victoria, Bellatrix's maid, waiting
A week had elapsed, and Bellatrix had begun to look even better than she was at the auction. On the surface, she seemed to have become closer to her assigned personal maid, Victoria, who appeared to be sweet, deferential and subservient.However, Bellatrix kept her resolve in mind- To trust nobody but herself. She was in a place where she knew nobody and she had no family member left in this world to guide her or to reassure her.In a place like this, schemes were the order of the day and she was no fool to believe that the Luna would be genuinely happy with her presence and role as the royal breeder. She guessed the latter wasn't yet aware that she and the Alpha of this pack were bound by the mate bond.Although the Alpha hadn't yet accepted her as his mate yet; he definitely was disgusted by her appearance at the auction. Sigh, she couldn't blame anyone other than her ex-mate for her bad fate, at least this one didn't treat her badly.One morning, she asked Victoria if it was possib
It was evening.Today marked three months of Bellatrix's stay in the pack, never for once leaving her assigned residence nor did she see the Alpha who brought her here.The Luna had not paid a visit either and she was long sick of seeing the same faces every day. Kardita had stopped coming over two weeks back. Victoria had informed her that Kardita refused to spill the beans on why she refused to come.Bellatrix guessed it was probably the Alpha or the Luna behind it. She was more willing to believe that the latter was the case, after all, Victoria's secret actions were living proof that the Luna despised her and wanted her dead.The Alpha had promised her freedom if she could birth him a child. Not just a child- A healthy, robust, male child- A heir!He didn't want anything to do with a female child who would end up without his surname and legacy- she would belong to another man, to another household.Bellatrix sighed in despair whenever she remembered this. If she gave birth to a cu