002

Chapter 2 – My Life

I opened my eyes and saw the sterile room I was in. I was at the pack clinic, but how did I get here? I tried to lift my head, but it felt so heavy.

“Lucy, you’re awake.” I heard Dr. Baker say.

I tried to sit up, my head was spinning, and I felt nauseous. My side was aching, and I was sure I had broken ribs. Werewolves tend to heal pretty quickly, but I haven’t gotten my wolf yet so the healing will take a while, though certainly not as long as humans.

“Easy there, you’ve got a concussion and two broken ribs,” Dr. Baker confirmed. She’s been treating me my whole life. She was in her late fifties, had her brown and gray hair pulled back in a braid and had warm brown eyes.

“Lucy do you remember what happened?” She asked.

I closed my eyes and remember the beating, “Miranda and her friends.” I sighed; my voice hoarse. My throat felt dry and my eyes found the pitcher sitting by the bed. Dr. Baker poured me a glass of water and handed it to me.

“You’ve been asleep since yesterday, you need to rest up and eat something Lucy. I’ll have Jane bring you something to eat.”

I’ve been here since yesterday? Who brought me here? I was about to ask Dr. Baker, when I remembered my punishment. If Alpha Ranger finds out they gave me food, I would surely end up in the hole this time. Oh Goddess, what about my chores, Ursa would see to it I was punished again.

My anxiety was bubbling inside. “I need to get out of here.” I cried as I hobbled for the door. I was still wearing the clinic gown when I spotted my shabby clothes sitting on the chair by the door. I moved into the bathroom to change into my clothes.

I looked down at my body, I was covered in bruises complements of Miranda and her minions. I couldn’t bring myself to look in the mirror right now. I’m sure I looked as bad as I felt. I just needed to get my clothes on and get back to my chores as quickly as possible. I struggled to get my legs in my pants and pull them up.

Dr. Baker urged me to lay down and rest, but it was no use, I knew I would have piles of laundry and angry pack members. I didn’t need them hating me even more. Life was hard enough as it was, I was just trying to survive.

“Please, at least eat something Lucy.” The sympathy was clear on her face.

“I’ll eat at the pack house.” I lied. “Thanks for everything Dr. Baker.” I called rushing out the door.

When I got outside the sun was setting, I was squinting, my eyes felt sensitive to the light. I’ve been here since yesterday morning, shit! Alpha Ranger was going to be pissed, it was my job to deliver fresh towels, linen and laundry to all the rooms at the pack house. I also cleaned the rooms and made the beds. My absence would have been noticed.

I approached the pack house from the back, there was a pool party in full swing. I was never allowed to attend, so I had forgotten all about it. This was the last pool party for the year as we entered fall.

The pups were running around chasing each other with water guns, having the time of their lives. Families were gathered around eating and enjoying each other’s company. The music was blaring, the drinks were flowing, and the barbecue grills were grilling. The burgers smelled absolutely delicious and my stomach growled at me again reminding me it’s been days since I’ve had anything. I felt so weak.

I put my head down and tried to walk towards the door as quickly as possible without being noticed. There was a wild game of chicken fights going on in the pool and I hoped everyone was distracted enough not to see me. Times like this I wish I was invisible.

Beta Max was standing at one of the grills closest to the door and saw me. “Hey Lucy, how are you feeling?”

I looked up at him, frozen for a moment, did he just speak to me? He asked me how I was feeling? This was Miranda’s older brother and he seemed genuinely concerned when he asked me. This must be a cruel joke, there’s no way anyone in this pack cares about how I’m feeling. I wasn’t sure what to say, before I could speak, I heard Miranda yelling. “Hey look, the little thief is back.”

The music was cut, and everyone turned to stare at me. “Give it a rest Miranda!” Beta Max nearly growled at her. She was perched on top of Ranger’s shoulders in the pool, they had paused their chicken fight game with several others. She was wearing a skimpy red bikini leaving nothing to the imagination.

I started walking for the door when Ranger called out, “Lucy.” I turned to look at him and saw a look of disgusted in his eyes as he looked me over. “We need fresh towels.” He growled and went back to the game.

“Yes Alpha.” I turned to leave and get those towels. Before I could take another step, our Gamma and Delta, Blake and Cole, grabbed my arms and dragged me to the pool. “No! No! Please don’t.” I cried, but it was useless. I was tossed right into the deep end and I couldn’t swim.

I struggled to the surface for some air and heard everyone laughing. I was going to die, and they were laughing. I was bobbing up and down choking on chlorinated water. My ribs were hurting, and I just didn’t have the energy. I sunk below the surface and didn’t have much air left in my lungs.

I felt a familiar strong set of arms reach around me and pull me up to the surface. As he lifted me out of the pool, I noticed the laughter had stopped. Beta Max was carrying me towards a pool lounge chair. He set me down and handed me a towel.

I looked down to find my wet shirt was now see through and clinging to my body. I pulled the towel close to my chest and uttered “Thank you.” To

Beta Max.

My head was spinning, it was Max who had saved me in the woods and carried me to the clinic. Should I say something to him, but what? Before I could even muster the courage to say something, I caught a glimpse of Ranger making his way to us. I quickly stood up to leave.

Ranger stepped in front of me, staring at me with those beautiful blue eyes. I could feel the heat and power radiating from his body. His jet black hair was dripping water down his amazing chest and I felt my heart start to race. The left side of his chest and left arm was tattooed with tribal type of designs. His wash board abs on full display before me. Blush creeped up my cheeks and heat throughout my body just looking at him. Why does he affect me so much? Maybe it’s an Alpha thing?

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. After a moment he opened his eyes with a smirk on his face, he looked down at me and quickly yanked my towel back. His eyes gazed at my breasts as they darkened with lust. I felt my breath catch in my throat. My nipples became rock hard. My breasts were a humble C cup and I had curves in all the right places, but I never felt attractive because I’m too skinny.

He began drying himself off with my towel. “I’ll go get some more fresh towels.” I squeaked as I crossed my arms over my chest. I’m pretty sure I heard a low chuckle as I walked away. I must have looked like such a fool.

When I reached the back door, I saw Beth, Miranda’s minion who helped beat me up standing at one of the barbecue grills turning over burgers. She was in training to be a warrior and she’s been mean since she was a pup. She had shoulder length red hair and was very muscular. She locked eyes with me and gave me a wicked smile which promised pain in the near future. I hated her and felt my anger flare. I looked down at the coals burning in the grill, suddenly sparks and flames jumped out burning her arm.

Beth screamed in pain and immediately ran for the pool to cool off her arm. She already had her wolf so her arm would be healed by tomorrow. I smiled, it felt good to see her in pain, even if it was for a short while.

I made my way through the kitchen and down the hall to the basement door. I carefully went down the stairs with my head still throbbing. The front half of the basement was used for storage and shelfs full of cleaning supplies. The back half was a laundry room.

I went to the laundry room and grabbed a basket of clean towels. “Look what the cat dragged in.” Ursa sneered from behind me.

“Hello stepmother.” I responded.

I felt a sting across my face as she slapped me hard, reopening my split lip. “Don’t call me that, your father is dead and I’m no longer his wife.” She spit at me with venom in her voice.

“I’ve had to arrange for a few omegas to come in and clean the rooms for the last two days since you disappeared, you ungrateful child.”

“I’m sorry, Ursa.” I looked down at the floor, “Alpha wants me to bring fresh towels out, please excuse me.”

“I’ll take them. You will stay here and not leave until the laundry is caught up and complete.” She yanked the basket of towels from me and left. Moments later, I heard the basement door slam shut and the lock tumbling from the other side. She locked me in the basement.

I’m a pack slave, this is what my life has become and now I’m trapped down here for who knows how long.