Rejected Runt, Alpha King’s Luna

Chapter 2

Mira's POV

I jolted awake when water hit my body. I was still trying to work out where it had come from when stinging pain spread across my cheeks. I opened my eyes and saw Silas, Garrett's best friend, standing over me with a bucket in his hand. He must have emptied it over my head.

"Get up, b***h!" he barked, and I scrambled to my feet so fast I nearly tripped over them. I remembered stripping off all my clothes the night before and hurried to cover myself, which earned me another slap across the cheek. I fell, hitting my head on my stone bed. I felt something sticky trickle down my forehead and hissed quietly in pain.

"You think being Gar's mate means you'll be treated differently? You're just a stupid nobody who'll never be recognized. Tessa is our Luna. You're a wretched b***h who'll die alone," he mocked, kicking me again and again.

I was sure my body had fresh bruises, while the old ones were still slowly healing. I have to get Juni and me out of here. At this rate, I'll die if I don't do something.

"You've got a lot to do today. We're crowning our new Alpha and Luna, and everything has to be fully ready for it," he barked.

I nodded meekly, keeping my eyes on the floor. He grabbed my chin roughly and forced me to look him in the eye. "You should be grateful it was me who came to get you and not Garrett. Were you trying to seduce whoever came for you? Nobody will want you. Your body isn't even attractive. You'd be good for relieving stress, though, pathetic little b***h," he said as he groped me.

Disgust filled me, and I wanted to crawl out of my skin as he touched me. Tears poured down my face, but I didn't dare talk back or refuse, or I'd be in even more trouble.

"Be out in 5 minutes, b***h, or there'll be consequences," he barked, slapping me one more time before he left.

The torture and pain never end. We all used to be friends, and then they suddenly turned against me. I wish it would stop. I haven't done anything wrong.

I knew I had to get up before the punishment got worse. I always wake early; I must have been completely drained by what happened yesterday. I got up, went to the basin in the corner of my room, washed my face, and put on my dirty gown just as it was. I tied up my hair, once platinum blonde and now a dirty brown from all the grime built up in it. I haven't had basic amenities since I became an omega: no new clothes, a bath only once a week, and barely enough water to wash my hair or look even remotely decent. I eat only the pack's leftovers, and sometimes I'm not allowed to eat at all. It's not a life I'd wish on anyone. Even the poorest in the pack don't live like this.

I limped to the kitchen, doing my best to avoid pack members so I wouldn't face any extra punishment or insults that morning. As luck would have it, I found the current Luna, Garrett's mother, in the pack kitchen with Tessa, discussing clothes and fashion. The moment I walked in, Luna Marianne pounced on me and started barking orders. Tessa looked like she was enjoying my pain as the Luna listed everything I had to do before her son's coronation tonight. I nodded, and she left the kitchen with Tessa trailing behind her, but not before she "accidentally" spilled the drink she'd been having before I arrived and broke the glass, leaving it for me to clean up.

I sighed with relief as they both left without touching me. They must be in a good mood today.

I hurried to wash the plates the pack members had used that morning. My stomach growled at the thought of food. I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon, and I probably wouldn't get anything until evening. I sighed and kept working.

The pack's ballroom came next. I had to get it spotless or take a beating from Luna Marianne. I set to work cleaning it and finished by noon. Then I had to clean the entire pack house too, and by the time I was done, I could barely stand. I hate my life.

I hadn't heard from Juniper all day. She was probably still recovering from last night. A wolf feels it most when their partner sleeps with another she-wolf. I felt so sad for her, and that only strengthened my resolve to break free from this cruel pack that had decided I was worthless.

Voices pulled me out of my thoughts, and on instinct I tried to make myself small. It was probably lunchtime. My stomach growled again, even though I knew I wouldn't get any food until night.

I felt him before I saw him and froze as he moved closer. I didn't dare look up at him if I wanted to avoid more trouble. He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes, smirking wickedly, and my ears were ringing before I could even make sense of what was happening. He had slapped me. I hadn't done anything wrong, and he slapped me. Around me, people laughed mockingly.

"You dare to be in the same room as me and look me in the eye, s**t? What have I told you about disrespect and what comes with it?" he growled furiously, gripping my chin until it began to hurt.

Tears streamed down my face, and Juniper whimpered softly in my head. Her mate was hurting her, and she couldn't even reach his wolf, because she had to stay hidden for our safety. She retreated to the back of my mind, leaving me to face this monster alone. I guess I'm on my own now.

"I need to teach you a lesson that'll put you in your place for good, a lesson I should have taught you long ago. You'll be ready for me tonight. I'll take you however I please, and you'll take it like the w***e you are. Make sure you clean yourself up nicely after my coronation tonight. I'll deal with you, and then the others can have their turn," he said, and loud cheers broke out in the room.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He was going to r**e me. He was going to r**e me. They're horrible people, but no one had ever dared to take my innocence. I've lost everything; I can't lose the only dignity I have left. Disgust swept over me, and I wanted to throw up everything inside me. How can anyone be so vile and cruel? He said he was going to r**e me, and everyone cheered him on? Tessa was in the room when he said it, and she had no problem with it? Just great.

He said right after their coronation. I need to get as far from here as I can. I can't keep living like this. This pack is f****d up, and I refuse to live this way any longer. I'd rather go rogue than stay in a pack that has no mercy for someone who was once one of them.

They left soon after, and I sank to the ground, still in shock at what I had seen and heard. He was going to break me completely and then hand me over to his friends to humiliate. I won't wait for that to happen.

I'll protect you, Juni. I'll protect us. I won't let anyone taint you. I'd rather die running, I thought as I finally found the strength to get up off the floor and headed to the basement.

Tonight. I have to leave tonight!