6

Scarlett

“Get off me,” he growled, kicking me away with a force that sent me sprawling.

I couldn’t stop the tears. I didn’t cry from the pain of the fall—I had long since become numb to that—but from the unbearable weight of it all. “Please, just kill me,” I whispered, choking on the words. “I don’t belong here. None of you need me.”

Nina’s voice interrupted my despair, sounding deceptively sweet. “What are you saying?” She approached me with a concerned expression on her face. “Why would Dad want to harm you?” Her words seemed insincere, the kindness in her tone concealing a hidden malice. She extended her hand as if to offer me assistance.

I hesitated, glancing at her hand.

“Let me help you, sister.”

“Ah!” I cried as I lost my balance, falling back hard against the cold floor.

Nina looked down at me, her face now twisted in annoyance. “What are you doing, sis?” she demanded. “Did you intentionally fall to spill your blood on my new dress?” Her gaze swept over the stained fabric as she wiped at it, disgusted. “Dad gifted me this dress.”

I smiled weakly through my tears. Would he be angry? Would this be the moment he ended it all for me? My wish to be with my mother again, to finally escape this torment, surged in my chest.

“I don’t know,” my dad said with a sigh. “Why did I father a child like you? A shameless and evil thing.”

“Dad, you don’t have to say that,” Nina chimed in sweetly. “She’s still my sister.”

He looked at her, his eyes softening as he stroked her hair. “You’re too innocent, Nina. I wish that bitch was more like you.”

“Ha,” I breathed. Take after me! What a cruel joke.

He turned to face me, his eyes cold again. “Why can’t you be like her? Why are you so heartless, so cruel?” His voice rose with fury. “Instead of appreciating her kindness, you pull this pathetic stunt to stain her dress.”

“I didn’t—she made me fall, Dad!”

“Shut up!” he roared. “It’s Alpha.”

My body trembled as I corrected myself. “Alpha.”

His glare deepened. “Why would Nina make you fall when all she wanted was to help you? You’re a manipulative beast, always framing her. And now, instead of apologizing, you beg for death and try to blame her again?”

I bit my lip, swallowing the words that fought to break free. What good would it do? They were monsters, both of them.

He stepped closer, towering over me. “You will apologize.”

“Please kill me,” I insisted.

“Dad, don’t,” Nina interjected, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “She’s my sister. You can’t kill her.”

I smirked as I watched her beg on my behalf, knowing full well it was just another performance.

“I won’t, Angel,” my father promised, his tone soft for her.

She gave a small, satisfied smile before turning to me. “You don’t need to apologize, sister. I’m fine, Dad.”

My father’s face softened again as he turned to her. “Good girl.” He faced me one last time, his eyes filled with contempt. “You should learn from her.”

He walked away after saying that.

Nina, her voice low and dangerous, approached me. “Sister,” she hissed, her tone now dripping with hate. She stepped on my fingers, twisting her heel into them.

Pain shot through my hand, but I swallowed my scream. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction she want.

She bent down, her breath hot against my ear. “Don’t think I asked Dad to spare you because I care. The only reason I did it was because…” Her lips curled into a sneer. “Who else would wash my lingerie when you’re gone?”

I clenched my teeth. “You—”

“Swallow your words,” she snapped, slapping me across the face. “You know you’re the only one who washes it perfectly. I won’t let you die…not yet. Not until I’ve taken the Alpha’s title. Not until I’ve had the pleasure of gifting you to the pack members as their plaything.”

My eyes widened in horror.

She grin widened. “Oops,” she whispered, her voice sentimental. “I guess I let a little secret slip. But don’t worry, that’s only the beginning. When I become Alpha, I’ll make sure you experience true hell.”

“What did I come here to do?” she whispered to herself, but I could hear her clearly. “Ah, yes. I’m here just to torment you. Nothing else.”

“Bitch,” I cursed.

She laughed, straightening up. “You’re my entertainment. I was bored, and tormenting you seemed like the perfect way to pass the time.” She smiled, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Who knew Dad would join in the fun?”

“Nina,” a familiar voice called.

Her expression brightened as Amira, her best friend, entered the room. “Amira,” Nina purred, her gaze flicking to the door. “Where’s your brother?”

Amira shrugged. “Asher’s out with his friends. Why?”

“Just curious,” Nina muttered, her eyes lighting up. “Shall we go find them?”

Amira chuckled. “Sure. But don’t you need to change your dress first?” She shot a disgusted glance at me. “It’s covered in…filth.”

Nina sneered down at me one last time. “Make sure you clean the floor,” she ordered. “I want every drop of your disgusting blood gone.”

The two of them laughed as they left, leaving me alone. Alone to tend to my own wounds.

I struggled to stand, my body shaking with pain. Just as I was about to collapse, a hand caught me.

“Who—?”

“Shh!” She covered my mouth with her hand before whispering, “It’s me, Scarlett.”

My eyes glowed with happiness as I saw the only friend I had. “What are you doing here, Amber?”

“Let me help you,” she announced.

“No, please don’t,” I begged. “If they see you with me, you’ll get into trouble.”

“It’s okay,” Amber reassured me. “The Alpha and Luna are out, and Nina’s gone too.”

“But Nina is still home.”

“I just saw her with her friend. They seemed to be going out.”

I sighed in relief as she helped me to my bed. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” Amber whispered as she began tending to my wounds. “I see everything. The way your father hits you…”

I winced as the pain flared again.

“Amber, you need to leave now. It’s too dangerous for you to be seen with me," I urged. Amber, a childhood friend and my father’s servant, had been a constant presence in my life since I was young. Her mother, who had been my mother’s closest friend and personal maid, had also perished in the rogue attack.

She shook her head. “Let me take care of you, just for a moment.” I knew the risks if she was caught with me.

“Amber.”

“Shh. Let me do this.”

“Thank you.”

Amber cleaned my wounds, her hands gentle, her eyes filled with pity. When she was done, she quietly left the room to clean the bloodstains on the floor. “You’ll be okay,” she promised. “I’ll come back to check on you later.”

“Thank you.”

—

I didn’t know when I fell asleep, but by the time I woke up, it was evening. I touched my neck, and my body was burning. My stomach growled, a sign of hunger. I rose and managed to walk out. My nose caught the scent of an aroma.

“You’re awake,” my father said. What business did he have if I was awake or not? “Come eat.” I was stunned, words failing me as I stared at the man who had cursed me earlier, now acting all nice. Was there poison in the food? I wondered. Even if there was, I would gladly eat it and end it all.

“Thank you,” I whispered, walking toward the kitchen to get my food.

I was about to walk away after collecting my food when he called me back.

“Come here,” he said, his tone soft. “Come and eat at the table.”

“What!” I was shocked beyond belief. Eat with them? I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten at the table. I eyed him suspiciously. I knew it. I knew something was wrong with the food. Was he trying to make me forgive him before he ended my life?