SAVED BY THE RUTHLESS ALPHA; Audrey’s Second Chance

Audrey’s POV “What are you standing there for?” I heard my mother’s voice ask with an icy tone as I stood stirring the pot of soup absentmindedly. “The sink is full of dishes that need to be washed, and you stand there like an imbecile, still stirring dinner that should have been served years ago,” she added, obviously exaggerating. “Oh, I am sorry, Mom. I was just… Just lost in thoughts, I tried to defend myself. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Oh please… lost in thoughts?” She asked. “I… I…” I stuttered. “What could you possibly think of when I clothe you, I feed you, and I shelter you, ungrateful piece of trash? You are lucky I even let you still stay in my house, stupid orphan." Her harsh words cut through me like a knife, piercing my heart. She never failed to remind me that she was not my mother at every chance she got. “I didn't mean to get carried away, Mom,” my voice trembled slightly. “Shut up and serve dinner, and don’t you dare eat without doing the dishes.” She told me, and I nodded. As I proceeded to set the table, I heard my tummy growl in protest. I had not eaten anything since morning; it had been from one chore to another. I began setting the table when Ava, my adopted sister, walked up to me with a venomous look, and she sat at the table. “Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” she spat. “What did I do now, Ava?” I asked. “Oh, nothing… Just breathing the same air as the rest of us is enough to ruin my day, she said again, but I swallowed my hurt knowing it was pointless to engage in banter as I would be the one to get punished, and I ignored Ava as I went to bring in the meal. I served everyone at the table, and they all settled down to eat. I turned to go back to the kitchen when my father spoke. “Where are you going to Audrey, and why didn’t you serve yourself?”. My father asked, and I turned to see my mother giving me a look that I understood clearly. “Uhhmm… Dad, I just want to do the dishes I had eaten earlier so I am not hungry”. I lied as I forced a smile on my hungry face. “That’s right, honey, I saw Audrey having cereal earlier; she eats more than anyone in this house, yet she is so skinny,” my mother added. “Well, if that is the case, then go ahead,” my father said in a dismissive tone as he continued with his meal while I turned to leave. “Hey Audrey, could you please bring me an apple?” Ava asked in a very polite tone; the only time she used that tone was when Father was around. “Audrey is not your maid; she is your elder sister.” Father objected. “It's fine, Dad, I will go get it,” I said, knowing I would face their wrath once Father was gone. I went back to the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. I was tempted to bite it, but Mother had definitely counted it, and I knew what I went through the last time I ate when I wasn’t supposed to. I gave Ava her apple, and I headed back to the sink. As I washed the plates, Beta Kevin, my mate, came in, and he looked at me with disdain. “Move!” I quickly moved to the side as he washed his hands; I took a deep breath and mustered the courage to speak to him as my wolf smelt him, and she leapt for joy. “Hey Kevin,” I began, hoping to start a conversation. My gaze shifted from his hot body to his face, and he looked at me with irritation. “Why are you even talking to me? Didn’t I warn you never to open your filthy mouth to speak to me again, you stupid b***h?” My heart shattered at his words; I was used to Ava and Mother's cruelty, but I could never get used to this. Kevin and I used to be very close, and he used to save me from Ava and Mother. We used to share secrets and dreams, but ever since Kevin and I realized we were mates, his attitude towards me changed drastically. Confusion etched on my face as my eyes began to get teary. “Kevin, I don’t understand. We were close before. I don’t understand what happened, especially now that the moon goddess has fated us together.” Kevin scoffed, his face contorted with anger as he turned towards me. “Hate? No, Audrey, I despise you; you disgust me; I can't stand you. My eyes filled up with tears, hurt and rejection coursing through my veins. “But Kevin, we are mates, and being mates should mean something special. We are meant to love and support each other”. I said to him with our faces a few inches apart, and I struggled with the urge to kiss him. My wolf craved and wanted him badly, and I couldn’t help it anymore as I crashed my lips into his; he tasted like strawberry with a touch of mint. My excitement was cut short when I felt a push, and I landed on the floor, and as I tried to get up, a slap landed on my face, causing me to fall back. I whimpered in pain as Kevin looked at me with fury in his eyes. “How dare you?” He spat, his voice laced with venom. “I… I… did not mean…” I stuttered trying to find the right words to explain, but before I could finish, he grabbed my neck, his fingers tightening around my neck. I struggled to breathe, panic rising within me as I clawed at his hand desperate for release. “Please… I am sorry… I didn't mean to…” He ignored my pleas, his grip only growing tighter by the second. The world around me began to blur, darkness creeping in. “Stop… Please…” I gasped, my voice barely audible as I fought against the suffocating pressure on my throat, but he didn’t stop, his rage consuming him, and with one final plea, I slipped into unconsciousness; the last thing I remembered was the sound of my own voice begging for mercy from the one I loved most.