Chapter three : “put to work”

It's not like I could walk up to him and

question him, though. He's ordered me to neverlook him in the eye. You usually don't ever look an Alpha in the eye unless you're asked, but it's much more of a risk for me. I'm considered dirt, and Mike doesn't hesitate to put me in my place. He's beaten me for just even glancing his way before. If there is one thing that I've learned over these past six years, it's to pick my battles. I fought back against Mike and his treatment and punishment of me for the first

couple years, and after multiple beatings and no

one to help me aside from Gabby and Lynette, I've

backed off. I've learned to put on an act. I'm not

some weak girl by any means, but if I show any

signs that I am not following orders it's bound to

end up badly for me. I just hope that maybe one day I can be free of this and live the life I should be living.

I sigh and shove the food into my mouth, not really

tasting it, but hoping that it gets me through at

least the morning, I take a sip of water and look to

Gabby. "What are you guys up to today?" I always

like to hear about their days and plans, as it helps

me cope with my own situation. I'm happy that it's

only us three that live together in this smaller

house on the pack lands. That's one benefit of being the pack outcast; no one wants to be seen with me or live with me, so I have a place to escape to. Gabby and Lynette aren’t as shunned as me but they chose to be with me, so they aren't as liked by the pack either, but they don't care. They're the true definition of friends. They defend me, and don't hesitate to put others in their place if they need to.

I’m working with the pack healers today to get herbs .Lynette pours herself another glass of orange juice and takes a sip as she prepares to meet up with the pack leaders.

Gabby clears his throat. "I have to train some of the

new pups today. I'm not looking forward to it." I

chuckle lightly. Gabby doesn't like training new

pups, hates the entitled attitude of newly shifted

wolves. I should know, I used to be one of them.

"Any idea what you're doing today?" Gabby asks me and I stiffen. "Honestly, I don't know. Mike said

something about prepping the new visitor building,

so probably a lot of work for me today."

The table goes quiet for a mnoment and I know that they're trying to think of something to say that

would make my task seem less daunting, but they

know there isn't a single thing they can say to make

it better. Mike overworks me constantly, even

knowing I don't have my wolf stamina or strength

that I would if I wasn't bound by these fucking

silver cuffs.

"It's okay. I'll manage. I can only do so much. Just

hope he gives me a list and leaves me alone."

"If you need help, call us okay?" Gabby says and I

nod. "Always."

I return to my breakfast, anxiety fluttering in my

stomach in anticipation of what torture I might be

subjected to today.

After cleaning up from breakfast and saying

goodbye to Gabby and Lynette, I grabbed my

phone and a water bottle and headed out myself.

I step outside of my house and feel the sun beam

down on me, warming my skin. It's too bad that I

can't just spend the day outside. I wish I could. I

wish I had a different life, but this is my reality

now.

Placing my phone in the back pocket of my grey

acid washed jeans, and pulling down my black tank

top, I start to walk.

I look ahead of me and see the Alpha mansion off

in the distance to the far right. Gabby, Lynette,

and I might have our own house, but Mike gave us

the one that is the absolute farthest from any of the other buildings on the pack lands. Just to make it harder for me to get to where I need to go. Our little house is near the entrance to the pack lands

too, and just past that entrance is where my life as I

know it ended. I leave our house every day and my

gaze always drifts, and I have to pull myself back.

I pull my red waves up into a tight ponytail,

knowing that it's probably just going to get in the

way with whatever it is I'm doing today. With that

and a large sigh, I start my walk to the Alpha

mansion, where Mike will be waiting. My sneakers

crunch against the gravel as I approach the training grounds that are in the middle of our pack lands, and I see all Pure Moon's warriors in the field

practicing and a familiar pang of hurt hits my

heart.

I should be there. That's where I belong. Not some

Alpha's doormat.

I shake my head lightly and focus on my

destination. I can't keep thinking of what should

be. I continue and as I walk past the large garden

that is in-between the Alpha mansion and the

packhouse, I hear my name. I turn towards the

sound and immediately lower my eyes. Mike's Beta,

approaches me.

Alarik approaches me..

Alarik Esten is second in command here at Pure

Moon. He's mike's best friend and killed the

previous Beta for his position. He's ruthless, but

you wouldn't know that by looking at him. Before I

was forbidden to raise my eyes, I thought Alarik

was handsome. With his striking brown eyes,

chiseled body and his boyish face with silky blond

hair, he definitely was a catch .

Now? He's just another asshole that I can't stand to

be around.