Chapter 5

Liz POV

I rush out of Nico’s office with a newfound sense of purpose.  I have done what was asked of me, and now my family will be safe.

I head down the hall with a bounce in my step until Tracy turns the corner and glares at me.  

 "There you are, finally," she says with a sneer on her lips.  "You don’t start working late like today ever again, understand?"  

Tracy thrusts a worn Omega’s uniform into my hands.  “You will need this.”  

I open my mouth, but she is clearly not waiting for an answer. She looks me up and down with an air of disgust, and I fidget uncomfortably in the too-small uniform.  She shoves a bucket and rag into my hands. 

"Start with the windows," she says before she begins to walk away. 

"Wait!" I call after her, having an awkward panic attack.

Tracy turns and gives me an annoyed look.  "What?" 

"I am not an Omega," I say quickly, “I think there has been some sort of misunderstanding...”

"You are the new Luna of this pack," Tracy snaps back at me.  

I let out a sigh of relief and set the bucket and rag on the floor.  Maybe she will listen to what I have to say.  

“...and the love of our Alpha, the apple of his eye, huh?”

Her unnecessary sour tone freezes me, and I stare at her blunt attack in shock, not sure how to respond. No one has ever talked to me like that in my life! Anger and humiliation turn my ears red.

Tracy lets out a sarcastic snort. "Until there is a mark on your neck, you are nothing more than another servant in this house.  Just because you sleep in the Alpha's bed does not make you his mate." 

Embarrassment washes over me.  "I am not sleeping in his bed," I whisper. 

"Keep telling yourself that," Tracy laughs.  "He will toss you to the side just like all the others.  Until then, you will earn your keep.  Alpha’s orders."

I understand the uniform now. It’s not just his humiliation, but his attitude – he is declaring that I don’t belong here. He wants me gone. I would have left if I had any other choice!

Looking at Tracy, I see what a dark life awaits me. I can’t give in. I am backed against the wall, and I am unable to move. 

“I am not an Omega,” I hiss through my teeth.  

Tracy grabs a handful of my hair and pulls me in close to her face.  “You are what Alpha Deimos says you are.  You were given an Omega uniform for a reason.” 

Tracy lets go of my hair and pushes me up against the wall.  The back of my head hits the wall, and a headache pulsates through my skull.  But I refuse to show this bitch any sort of weakness.  

“As you said, he hasn’t tossed me aside, so until then, I’m still his lawfully married wife.” I try to give a gust to my voice, but it sounds less intimidating than I planned.

“You dare disobey me again, Omega?!” Tracy hisses at me. Now HER voice sounds intimidating, like how I wanted mine to be.

"I am the daughter of Osiris Wilks," I snap at her.  "I am not an Omega, and I won’t be treated like one–" 

Tracy raises her hand and lands a slap on my face with her claw! Her move is so fast I didn’t even have time to dodge. It’s the first time anyone ever slapped me. The humiliation burns more than the pain, and I lost it!

I push her as hard as I can before I wipe my face, only to realize it wasn’t tears dripping down but blood! Then, before I can make another move, she swipes her claws across my chest.  I look down at the Omega uniform that is still in my hand, and blood is soaking onto it as I hold it to my chest.  

"Are you ready to do as you are told?" Tracy hisses at me as I cover my head and squat to dodge any more attacks.

Tracy grabs me around the neck and pushes me up against the wall.  She is much stronger than I expected her to be.  Her claws dig into the skin of my throat, and I whimper in pain. 

An evil smile spreads across her face as she relishes in my pain.  "You are useless without a wolf," she snarls at me.  "Alpha Deimos will never mark you." 

I try to turn my neck out of her hold, but Tracy only digs her claws tighter.  I claw at her hand, trying to break free, but she refuses to let me go.

"Are you going to listen?" She asks me again. 

The thought of submission burns me, but I can’t do anything else.  She is right.  Without a wolf, I am useless.  It is no wonder my parents never trained me to fight.  

I strain to nod my head. Tracy releases me from her grip, and I crumple to the ground.  I expect her to leave me alone, but I am sorely mistaken.  She kicks me in the ribs, and I feel them crack.  I curl up into a ball on the ground, trying to protect myself from her oncoming attacks.  Tracy kicks me several more times.  The last blow hits me on my cheek, and I cry out in pain. 

Grabbing me by the hair, she pulls me to my feet and shoves the bucket and rag in my direction.  "Start with the windows downstairs," she hisses at me. 

I gingerly reach down and try to pick up the bucket, but the pain in my ribs is too much.  The bucket drops to the ground, and the water splashes all over the floor.  Tracy growls loudly and slaps me across the face. 

"You stupid girl," she growls.  "Clean this up!" 

Tears well up in my eyes as I drop to my knees and try to mop up the water with the small rag.  I don't dare to look up at Tracy, who is looming over me.  I am defeated.

I look at the mess of water still on the floor and begin to cry. I sit back on the floor and draw my knees to my chest. Only this morning, an indifferent husband was my biggest problem, but I don’t even know how I can get through this day without taking another beating.

I am sobbing so loudly I do not hear the footsteps approaching me, but I see a pair of shiny black boots standing in front of me.

“Get off the ground,” Deimos’s cold voice commands me.  

I look up at him, and his dark eyes are glaring down at me.  I attempt to get to my feet, but when I do, I sway from side to side.  The pain in my ribs is excruciating, and dark spots fill my vision.  Bracing myself against the wall, I try to stop myself from falling to the ground.  

As I sink to the ground, Deimos wraps his arms around me just before I hit the ground.  I peer into his eyes before I am consumed by darkness.