Chapter Three

Anita' s Pov

The coronation was over, and the hall buzzed with a celebratory atmosphere. The newly crowned alphas were gathered in a private room, their voices loud and filled with jubilation. I had managed to avoid most of the event, keeping myself busy with tasks that kept me out of sight. However, my luck ran out when Madam Maggie found me.

“Anita,” Madam Maggie called, her voice stern as always. “You will serve the Alphas today.”

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Serving the Alphas meant facing Ethan, the source of my constant torment. “But, Madam Maggie,” I protested, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

Before she could respond, a servant interrupted, whispering urgently in her ear. Madam Maggie’s eyes narrowed as she listened, clearly irritated by the interruption. She gestured sharply for the servant to lead the way, but not before throwing a final command at me. “Do not think you can avoid this, Anita. When I return, you better be ready.”

As Madam Maggie followed the servant, I seized the opportunity to find a better hiding place. I slipped into the wine cellar, a dimly lit space lined with rows of dusty bottles. I crouched behind a large barrel, my heart racing. The cellar was cold and musty, but it offered a temporary refuge from the nightmare that awaited me.

Minutes felt like hours as I waited in the silence, hoping Madam Maggie would forget about me. But my hopes were dashed when I heard her footsteps echoing down the stone corridor. The door to the cellar creaked open, and light spilled into the dark room.

“Anita! Don’t think you can hide from me,” Madam Maggie’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. She moved through the cellar with purpose, her eyes scanning every corner.

I held my breath, pressing myself against the cold barrel, praying she wouldn’t find me. But her footsteps drew closer, and soon enough, she stood over me, her expression a mix of anger and disappointment.

“Did you really think you could escape your duties?” she hissed, grabbing my arm and pulling me up roughly. Her grip was ironclad, and the slap that followed sent a jolt of pain through my cheek. “You will serve the drinks immediately. No more tricks, or there will be severe consequences.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, Madam Maggie.”

She pushed me toward the door, and I stumbled forward, the weight of the tray in my hands feeling heavier with each step. As I approached the room, the sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses grew louder. They were celebrating, oblivious to the pain their future Alpha inflicted on me daily. I took a deep breath and entered the room, trying to make myself as invisible as possible.

The room fell silent as I walked in, the Alphas turning to look at me. Ethan’s eyes locked onto mine, a smirk playing on his lips. He looked triumphant, as if my presence was his personal victory.

“Ah, our favourite omega,” he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Come to join the celebration?”

I ignored his taunt, focusing on the tray of food in my hands. I moved to set it down on the table, but Ethan’s voice stopped me.

“Not so fast,” he said, standing up and walking over to me. “Let’s see what you’re really made of.”

I swallowed hard, my hands shaking. “What do you want, Alpha Ethan?”

He smiled, a cruel glint in his eyes. “Strip,” he commanded, his voice loud and clear. My eyes widened in shock as I raised my head, looking directly into his eyes. 

“W-what?” I asked.

His smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. 'You heard me,' he said, his voice dripping with malice.

“Don’t you want it? Who knows I might reconsider and make you my mistress if I’m happy with what I see”. He whispered against my ears, sending a shiver of irritation down my spine. 

“I-I….”

“Strip Anita”. He commanded, using his alpha tone on me, causing me to submit immediately.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood there, frozen with humiliation and fear. The room seemed to spin around me, the faces of the Alphas blurring together. I felt like I was drowning, unable to escape the cruelty that surrounded me.

Ethan stepped closer, his face inches from mine. “Do it, or I’ll make sure you regret it,” he threatened, his eyes glinting with cruelty.

With trembling hands, I reached for the apron tied around my waist. The shame was unbearable, but I knew I had no choice. The room fell silent as I began to untie it, my vision blurred by tears.

I could feel the eyes of every alpha in the room on me, their gazes heavy with anticipation and judgment.

"Look at her," one of the alphas jeered, his voice full of mockery. "The little omega thinks she can refuse an order from her alpha."

Another alpha laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "She probably never had to do anything like this before. Poor little thing, must be terrified."

"Serves her right," a third alpha chimed in, his tone cold and dismissive. "She needs to learn her place."

Their words cut through me like knives, each one adding to the humiliation and fear that threatened to overwhelm me. Just as I was about to remove the apron, Ethan's voice cut through the silence. "Keep going. Don't stop until I tell you to."

I hesitated, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The humiliation was unbearable, and I could feel my life crumbling. 

Just as I started to lift the fabric of my dress, the room fell silent, the Alphas watching intently, but a deep, authoritative voice interrupted.

"That's enough!" the voice commanded, sending a shiver down my spine.

The room turned towards the source of the voice, and I saw Alpha Orion standing in the doorway. His presence was imposing, and the power he exuded was cogently dominant. The other alphas, including Ethan, seemed to shrink in his presence.

"Leave her be," Alpha Orion said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ethan's face twisted in anger, but he didn't dare defy Alpha Orion. "But—"

"Do you dare question my authority?" Alpha Orion growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Ethan swallowed hard, shaking his head. "No, Alpha Orion."

"Good. Now leave," Alpha Orion ordered, his gaze fixed on me.

With a final, hateful glare, Ethan slumped back into his seat. The room remained tense, the alphas shifting uncomfortably under Alpha Orion's stern gaze.