Sold to the Lycans

The slap came in the blink of an eye. It was hard and painful, snapping my head sideways. I got dizzy for a moment then swallowed the sting, determined not to let the tears fall. I couldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"Stupid girl." my mother hissed for the umpteenth time. "You're a curse on this family."

Her brown eyes that so much looked like mine, was filled with nothing but hatred. She always looked at me this way, as if I was a mistake she wished she could erase.

I bent my head trying to apologize. "I'm sorry, Mother."

"Sorry won't change what you are." she spat. "An omega. You're weak and useless. How can you be all the bad things at once?"

All the bad things. Her words were not new to me. I hear them everytime but today, they cut deeper.

Ever since I was young, I've always knew I was different. Omegas were rare in our pack and we were seen as burdens or curse rather than blessings. Though some have big body size and sometimes try to stand tall, I was like the few others. Little, petite and this made me easier to control.

"Mother, please." I tried begging. "I'll do better…."

"You won't." a voice sounded from behind me.

Zara.

I turned, my stomach twisting as I saw my older sister leaning against the door with her arms folded over her chest. Zara is my parent's first child. The pride of the family and unlike me, Zara is strong. She's a beta, favored by our parents. She was everything I wasn't. 

She smirked. "You should stop begging at this point, Elara. It's pathetic."

"Enough, Zara." Mother said, but there was satisfaction in her eyes almost like she was happy about what Zara said to me.

Zara walked closer, her eyes full of hatred. "Should I just tell her, Mother?

I held my breath. The look on her face told me she was up to no good. "Tell me what?"

Mother sighed as if she was fed up with me. "We've finally found a place for you."

I felt a chill ran down my spine. A place for me. This doesn't sound good.

"What do you mean?"

She smiled then held my hands. "You're leaving tomorrow."

I furrowed my brows in confusion. I still don't get it. I can only hope wherever I'm leaving to is better than this hell I'm in currently.

Zara laughed. "She doesn't get it yet. Let me break it down for you. You're moving to the Lycan's palace."

The lump in my throat grew into something worse.

"You're selling me?" My voice came out thin and shaky. I couldn't believe my own ears. I had to pinch myself to make sure I'm not having a bad dream but my mother's next words confirmed my fears.

Mother leaned her head towards me. "Selling is such a big word, Elara. Think of it as an exchange."

My heart begin to hammer in my chest. The Lycan's palace is the last place I want to be.

"No." I shook my head as the tears threatened to fall from the corner of my eyes. "You can't…"

"The Lycans need a new maid," Zara cut in. "And guess who they choose?" She said, grinning.

My lungs felt empty and I struggled to breathe.

The Lycan palace.

I have heard the stories. Everyone has. The Lycan princes, David and Bryan Moonshade were beasts. They are vicious, ruthless monsters.

I stared at them, fear crawling its way up to my throat.

"You're selling me to them?" I asked, shocked.

Mother shrugged her shoulders. "They made a pretty good offer."

A price. That's what I was to them. I summoned courage then stepped forward. "No. I won't go."

Mother exhaled, already feeling quite bored. "You have no choice."

Zara sneered, leaning her arm against the door. "Unless you think you can fight us?"

She was quick, but this time, so was I.

I ducked under her arm, took to my heels, and ran.

****

The cold night air filled my lungs as I ran through the trees, my bare feet hitting the damp earth.

I didn't stop.

Not when the branches cut my skin. Not when I kept falling down repeatedly. Not when I kept hearing the sound of wild animals around me.

I had to get away. That was the only thought on my mind.

The Lycans would kill me. I knew it. If they didn't, they would make my life worse than death. I could already hear the guards chasing me. My mother must have informed them of my escape.

Faster.

Faster. Just a bit more to cross the pack's boundary and I'll be free. I just have to make it to that particular spot.

I had almost made it to the boundary when a hard weight slammed on my back and sent me crashing to the ground.

I gasped, pain flaring through my ribs.

"Got her." a deep voice said above me.

Rough hands grabbed my arms, picked me up and I felt myself thrown on someone's shoulder. I fought for my life by kicking, thrashing but my attacker was way stronger than me.

Seconds later, a sharp blow landed on my head and I felt my vision darken.

****

When I woke up, I was moving and both my hands and feet were tied. I looked around and realized I was in a carriage of some sort. The ropes around my wrists cut into my skin and my body swayed with the motion of the carriage.

Panic rose in my throat. Where was I being taken to? Did I managed to escape? The last thing I remembered was the sharp pain I felt on my head before I passed out. 

Gradually, the smell of damp wood filled my nose, mixed with the heavy scent of horses and metal. I twisted my hands, trying to loosen the rope, but they were too tight.

"She's awake." one of the guards grunted.

"Good." another replied. "We are almost there."

Almost. They must be talking about the Lycan's Palace. My escape was futile. I forced myself to breathe. There has to be a way out. The moment they untie me, I would…

No sooner had I thought that, the carriage came to a sudden halt and my heart hammered against my ribcage.

No. Not yet.

The door to the carriage swung open and a hand grabbed my arm, pulling me out.

I barely had time to steady myself before I saw it.

The Lycan palace. It was huge, towering over me like some wild animal ready to swallow me whole.

Torches were around the stone walls and they cast shadows on the dark wood of the entrance doors. The air smelled of cedarwood and smoke and I felt a chill run down my spine.

I was afraid to move, so I stood rooted to the floor "No, please." I begged the guard in front of me.

The guard pushed me forward while opening the door with his other hand.

And standing there right at the entrance, was a woman.

Lady Lila. I've heard about her. She was soon to be married to one of the Lycan brothers and from what I've heard, she's as wicked as them.

She was beautiful with dark curls, deep red lips and piercing black eyes. But there was nothing warm about her.

Her gaze swept over me from head to toe before she finally turned to the guards. 

"This is the girl?" She asked, her tone full of disappointment.

The guard beside me nodded. "Yes, my lady. She is the new maid."

Lila sighed. "Pathetic."

Heat burned my cheeks and my hands tightened into fists but she merely scoffed.

"You won't last a week."

I raised my chin. "Watch me." I replied, surprised at my own response. But If I was going to survive here, I must not appear weak. I have to be strong.

Her smile stretched further and before I knew it, she raised her hands and her palm connected against my cheek with a slap.

I held my cheek in pain as I staggered backwards. 

She then bent towards me and whispered in my right ear. "Welcome to hell, omega."