One

I stood there paralyzed with fear and confusion. I did not understand what I was seeing. My brother Aaron was squeezing our mothers neck, tightly. Tears fell down my face as I cried and screamed for him to stop, hurting our mother.

"No! Please don't do this! Aaron please! Mom!" I cried out as I watched my 14 year old brother, in half shift, snap my mother's neck.

I stared in his direction, tears still streaming down my cheeks.

"W-why?" I whispered, with fear. "You hurt mom."

He chuckled bitterly, sending even more fear through me.

"You're next," he warned. I took that as my queue and sprinted as fast as my five year old legs could carry me.

"You better run faster than that," he snarled from behind me.

Tears brimmed my eyes as I tried to run faster. I couldn't believe what was happening. I heard the stories of how some kids have tantrums during their first shift, or how their wolf is a blood-thirsty monster, but I never thought that Aaron would be like that.

All of a sudden I heard his cackling and his footsteps stop with an oomph. I stopped dead in my tracks, turned around, and came face-to-face with my brother. How'd he get over here so quickly?

I stepped back and tripped over a fallen tree branch, making me land on my bottom.

"P-please stop," I whimpered.

He gave me an evil smirk, diving right at me.

I shot straight up from my makeshift bed drenched in sweat and tears. It's always the same dream, or should I say nightmare. I don't know if it was a memory or just a figment of my imagination, but I would really like to know which one it is. I hadn't seen Aaron in over a decade, and if I ever did I hoped he had changed for the good.

Forcefully, I got off the ground and hobbled to my little bathroom, still hurt from last nights beating and yesterday's training.

There's not much to it except for an old grimy sink, a dated shower, and the oldest toilet I think I've ever laid eyes on, but it works and was my own.

I started the shower, wishing it could be warm, but settling for the cold water I'm accustomed to. I quickly brushed my teeth and stripped down, quickly admiring my unique birthmark on the side of my torso. It's a large shield with a wolf head in the center, and there were the words 'Per Proteggere la Nostra Razza' I didn't know what it meant, but I hoped one day I would understand what it meant, find out more on where I was from.

When I stepped into the shower the chilly water made my aching body ache worse. I read in a book at the library, that warm showers help relieve soreness. I've always wanted to try one, but that would never happen while I was here.

I continued my normal routine of washing my hair and my body, then wrapped a towel around my chest. I made my way back into my stone room and looked through my little pile of hand-me-downs, choosing a pair of leggings, an over-sized shirt, and a pair of white, worn out converse.

Its almost 7, my wolf, Aura, told me as stared into the broken mirror. You must hurry if, we're to get breakfast started on time.

I nodded to myself and braided my long wet black hair and ran up the stairs to the restaurant style kitchen. It was my safe space during the time that I cooked for the pack, but after cooking was done, it was hell.

I limped over to the fridge and pulled out several dozen eggs and other things to make omelets. There are 80 members that live in the pack house; the rest live in their own homes just outside the human town nearby. 80 is still a lot to cook for though, especially because Werewolves eat so much as is.

-

Once I finished setting everything out in the buffet, I mind-linked everyone that breakfast was ready, then quickly put up my barrier so I didn't get any mean comments back. Before people could get here, I grabbed an omelet for myself and tried to make it out of there as fast as possible. But, because I have such great luck, Jamie, the pack's slut, aka the Alpha's daughter, strolled in with her poorly caked-on makeup.

As soon as she spotted me she sneered and started closer. I backed up with every step she came at me with.

"You little bitch. Thinking it's okay to mind link me, interrupting my business! What have I told you about that? You ruined my morning!" She shouted right in my face.

I tried getting back a little farther, but I ended up hitting the wall.

"You are nothing but a disgrace to this pack! I don't know why my father couldn't have just left you in the woods! He should of let the rogues eat you!" Jamie growled, and me being me, didn't bother to even fake a submission to her because she knows that her dominance doesn't affect me.

"You know, I'm given orders every morning to mind link everyone at 8:30 for breakfast. Those are MY orders from YOUR father. I'm sorry that I ruined your sex fest trying to do my role in this pack. I may be the omega, but I deserve some respect!" I shouted back, immediately regretting it.

Her eyes darkened and she had me off my feet, her hand around my neck in seconds. I know I have the strength to beat her and Aura knows it too, but I don't want to give it up. If they know I can fight, they'll up my beatings and I'll be treated like rogues. I'll be locked in silver instead of iron.

"You will not disrespect me! You're lucky I don't just kill you now." She growled

Dark dots stared clouding my vision and I could hear other pack members coming in to see the commotion. Right before I blacked out, Jamie was yanked off of me and I fell to the ground. I gasped for air and held my neck in my hands.

We could've saved ourself, Ōra grumbled.

I mentally rolled my eyes and looked up, meeting the eyes of my very angry alpha. That's strange. Why would he care if I'm hurt? He injured me all the time as it is.

"Jamie! You know we are having visitors tonight! We need her to be in good condition so no one suspects anything!" Alpha Greg roared at his daughter.

I looked to Jamie and she had her head down and was whimpering. I would've laughed but I had no more energy to do so. I tried to get up, but I fell right back down.

"Someone get this disgrace to the infirmary! We can't have Alpha Christian and his son suspicious of our doings," Alpha yelled, with so much anger that for a second I thought he cared, but then he looked at me with cold eyes.

"Don't think you aren't getting a beating for this. You're lucky Christian is on the council because if he wasn't you'd be receiving your punishment now," he growled at me.

I bowed my head and nodded. Yep, definitely doesn't care. If I wasn't so scared of him, I would have killed him.

If Alpha Christian is on the Werewolf Council then maybe I can speak to him about my beatings. I know they don't put up with that kinds of stuff. I'm sure he'd listen if I could just show him my bruises. I can't help but wonder though, why is he coming?

My thoughts were interrupted when I was yanked off the ground and dragged to the doctor's wing. I noticed the person dragging me to be one of my childhood friends, Nathan, from when I first joined the pack. When I was younger I wasn't treated quite as bad. I still had to sleep in the basement and do all my chores, but never did I get beat.

I've always had a little crush on Nathan. I mean who wouldn't? He's strong, extremely handsome with dark hair and blue eyes. I know I can never have him though because he's not my mate.

"You know, you should stop getting into so much trouble Chan," he said.

I smiled a bit at the nickname.

"We both know that it wasn't my fault. Don't even act like you don't know the truth," I spat, suddenly feeling angry.

He stopped in his tracks and spun around.

"I tried to tell you years ago not to instigate with them, but you never listened! Now here we are at 20 and you still have that smart mouth of yours. I honestly am not surprised by all the treatment you get. You deserve it," he said bitterly.

I could feel tears well up in my eyes at his words. Yes, we haven't spoken for awhile, but he's never been cruel to me like that.

His face seemed to soften for a split second at the sight of my tears but went back to its cold stare.

He turned back around and grabbed me with him once again.

When we arrived at the infirmary the doctor examined me and Nathan stepped out. He gave me an anti-bruising cream for my neck and sent me off.

-

"Alpha Christian will be here any moment! Channing hurry up on dinner!" Luna Rachael yelled.

I gave her a simple "yes ma'am," and finished plating the potatoes.

Then I took the food to the buffet just like this morning.

After I went to the doctor, everything went pretty smoothly. Except for the part where Jamie had to lend me a dress because I didn't have a decent one. That was quite the show.

The dress is beautiful though. It's a pale blue dress that goes to about mid-thigh, with a sweetheart neckline. It's not too extravagant, with only a few diamonds on the bodice. My shoes were just some white wedges that were about 3 inches high.

My hair is done in loose curls and I'm wearing makeup to hide the scars on my face. After all my years, I've never looked this beautiful. I've also never had the kind of treatment I got today. When other alpha's would come, they didn't care how I looked. This must be extremely important.

As everyone was chatting about the table, I was stationed next to the door ready to open it whenever I heard the doorbell. All of a sudden everyone became quiet and the doorbell rang.

I took a deep breath and opened the door. Keeping my head low, I stepped aside to let our guests in. Out of no where, this amazing masculine smell infected my senses and I found myself sniffing the air. The smell became stronger and stronger until I felt my chin being lifted up. Sparks ignited in that spot, giving me confusion.

But, I still flinched, afraid that I was about to be beaten. I knew something was off about tonight. I'm sure they're all going to get there share of punches on me.

"Open your eyes," A deep male voice commanded.

I hadn't even realized they were closed. Slowly I opened them and  nearly gasped at the sight before me. A chest. A very strong looking chest.

Then I looked up to see the face of the owner of the chest.

The most handsome man I've ever seen in my life stood frowning at me, why he was frowning I didn't understand. I couldn't help but let my eyes fall to his chiseled jawline, with just the right amount of stubble. I'm sure he's an alpha, but right then and there he reminded me of a lumberjack. A very sexy one. Even though I don't feel the dominance, I can tell by his structure, that he was an Alpha or the son of one.

I almost couldn't make myself look into his eyes. I almost felt scared in a way, but somehow he made me feel safe. It's hard to explain; being scared and safe at the same.

Finally, I brought my gaze to his intense one and only then did I let out that gasp I was holding.

"Mate," He growled, with a tone I didn't quite understand, but I wanted to.