Chapter 1

Scarlet's POV

I heard the door open and I knew that what I dreaded most was about to happen. I saw the shadow come nearer, walking slowly but still with calculated steps.

I knew I had gone too far today but what else was I supposed to do? The shadow disappeared as the figure of the person came to light. It was the alpha. That only meant one thing. 

He started coming closer to me and all I could do was to pray to the moon goddess.

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut but it was just too much for me to hold in.

Before I knew it he was beside me. He grabbed me from the collar of my clothe and held he up. 

"You keep defying me, why?" He asked. "Look at me when I speak to you." He shouted. I raised my head and looked at him.

We are supposed to be mates! I held back my words. Ever since the full moon two years ago, my life has become miserable.

Not that it was any better before but I would trade my present life to get the former back. 

Two years ago, while celebrating the full moon. I met my mate the Alpha. Trust me nothing could have prepared me for that day.

I had always wanted to be mated with someone who would love and care for me but I guess that was not my fate.

I was intoxicated by a smell while having a drink at one corner of the hall. I was very happy to find my mate, so I followed the fresh sandalwood scent.

I found him at the center of the hall. I guess he was looking for me too because he kept looking around.

His back was turned towards me. So I tapped him and then he turned.

I was shocked when I saw that my mate was the Alpha. I saw his face dropped when he looked at me.

I guess he didn't expect that the moon goddess could have chosen someone like me to be his mate. After all, I was an omega.

I felt sparks when I touched him and I knew he felt it too. 

I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt my body drop to the ground. I could feel the aura of his power heavy in the room.

I really pushed it too far this time. For some weeks now, I've been able to avoid getting into trouble. I should have kept my cool.

My body is already weak from the previous punishment I received last month. My wolf can't help me heal because she's weak too. So all I can do is to avoid getting into trouble. 

"I wonder what the moon goddess was thinking when she made us mates. I guess she loves to play games." He gritted. 

He bent to where I was hunched on the ground. He grabbed my hair and made me face him. "You can't even fight for yourself. Weak mutt." He spat with so much anger. 

"You can't do anything properly. I told you to prepare a meal for fifty-seven people." He shouted.

"How hard was that? I have never felt so embarrassed in my life." He kept ranting. 

"Those people were members of the royal council but you had to mess everything up for me."

"I am sorry" I muttered weakly as I remembered what had put me in this state. 

Earlier this morning, he asked me to prepare a meal for fifty-seven people.

It wasn't a big deal because I was always the only one cooking for the whole pack. I mean that was my punishment for being a mutt. 

Other omegas were given simpler work to do. Sometimes lily would help me out.

I always begged her not to because the one time she was caught helping me, she was punished..

I prepared the food as requested but I forgot to make the dessert. I was starting the evening meal for the pack when I remembered.

I already knew I was going to be punished so I continued cooking the evening meal.

My punishment would be worse if I didn't cook for the pack on time.

While cooking, I kept praying to the moon goddess to help me, but I guess she detest me too much to help me.

Of course, nobody would want anything to do with me. 

"You know I would have been nicer to you if you weren't my mate!" He grabbed my hair and I felt the strain on my scalp.

"And your mother also couldn't save you because it seems your family is cursed." He said. "She let you go easily because she knew you would bring more problems to her." He laughed. 

"Don't speak about my mother like that!" I managed to say.

"What did you just say?" He spat, his anger rising. 

I knew I shouldn't have talked but I hate when people talk about my mother in a bad way.

"You will stay here till I decide to let you leave. You have to learn to behave. The next time you talk like that, you will regret it. I'll let this slide."

For some weeks now, I've been feeling really weak.

Since my wolf is also weak and has decided to leave me because I refused to run away from the pack. I need to get some medications. 

That Alpha left the cell and I felt myself lose consciousness and everything went dark.

I woke up later and noticed he was gone. I tried standing up but I couldn't.

I had to wait for some minutes to gather strength and I tried again. I was able to stand up but I had to use the wall to balance myself.

 I left the basement and headed out of the pack house to go outside. Everywhere was dark and that meant I only had little time to rest well and take care of myself  before I started working again. 

I walked toward my room which was right beside the barn. I mean I should be grateful for having somewhere to sleep right? 

There wasn't much in my room. I only had a mattress and 2 dresses and a worn-out sandal.

I think I'll check the bin to see if I'll be able to get any shoes. Hopefully, I don't get caught when I try to check. 

I wish things were better for me or maybe I was cursed. 

The door to my room suddenly opened. I was scared and thought someone was here to punish me. But I was just lily.

"Oh my God scarlet you don't look good." She said and ran outside.

"Where is she going?" I thought. Again my door was flung open and Lily came in with some medications to help me. I was already weak unable to sit up.

She helped me use my drug and gave me some food. "Where did you get the food from Lily?" I whispered.

"Please Lily, I don't want you to be in trouble because of me." 

"Nonsense! Don't worry about it. I just need you to eat. You know you'll get worse if you don't eat something." 

I didn't have much choice. I needed strength for tomorrow's work and since my wolf was already weak, that meant my wounds would take longer to heal. 

"Thank you so much, Lily. I don't know how I will survive without you." I muttered.

"Yeah yeah you can't live without me I know." She dramatically flipped her hair and I laughed.

"Rest well Scarlet. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, she was gone.

I started feeling cold and that was when I noticed that the small window in my room was open.

I stood up to close the window but the pain I felt in my body made me lay back in my bed. 

I guess sleeping with a little cold won't hurt anybody or will it?

"Starr, are you there?" I called out to my wolf in my mind but I got no response. 

"Starr, I need you, please." I tried again.

No response.

I guess I'm on my own. Even my wolf doesn't want me. And with all these thoughts in my head, I was out like a light.