The Alpha Sold Mate

"Arrrrgh!" That was me screaming out my soul, once again. It happened every day, but I could never get used to it. I woke up feeling tired and sore from the strenuous tasks the Luna of our pack, the Hyannis pack, made me do yesterday. But beyond the physical exhaustion, I felt trepidation. Trepidation for the beatings I knew I would receive that day. I didn't know why or how to avoid them. Jim, our alpha, and his Luna could decide to assault me for any reason, even if it was as trivial as breathing too loudly. You would think that after spending so long in the pack, I would be accustomed to the early morning trepidation. But that wasn't the case. Each day, the fear gripped me anew. And today, I had good reason to be afraid. My role in the pack was as a servant to Jim. In truth, I was a servant to everyone, as they used me at their whim. But it was Jim who particularly treated me as his personal servant, making others wait until he was finished with me. This morning, he gave me my ration of food, but it was unusually small. I stared at it pitifully after he left. I could have gulped it down in one mouthful, but I had learned that eating too quickly only left me more hungry. So, I devised my usual strategy - to eat the food slowly, tricking my stomach into feeling satisfied with the extended time it took to finish the meal. Unfortunately, Jim had an errand for me. When he came back and saw me still eating, he erupted in anger. "You're slow today," he sneered, kicking me in the stomach. "Argh!" I cried out, unable to muffle my pain any longer. He had warned me never to make a sound when he beats me. But how could I adhere to that? Perhaps, if my stomach was always full, I could have managed it. But that was not the case. "You're a useless slave," Jim spat, kicking me repeatedly. "Shut up!" he suddenly screamed. I gritted my teeth, trying to control myself, but another scream escaped before I could stop it. He ceased his assault and stood over me, breathing heavily. He stared at me, contemplating. I thought maybe it was over for now. He sighed. Perhaps it really was over. I began to feel hopeful, even though no beating had ever been so short. Then, in an instant, he drew back his leg and delivered an almighty kick. Another scream tore through my lips. He gave me that stare again. "I'm sorry," I whimpered, realising he was annoyed by my screaming. "You're not sorry," he retorted. "But don't cry, okay?" He attempted to sound sweet, but it only made me sick. I was too tired to feel sick, though. "Don't cry. I have more pain in store for you later. But for now, you have an errand to run." I rose slowly, using the table for support. He chuckled softly as I wobbled. I was too tired to be angry. In fact, I couldn't even recall the last time I had been angry with him. Perhaps, long ago, before I fully understood my position in the pack. Now, I was only angry at myself after each beating - angry at my weakness, angry at being a weak Omega, and angry at letting my parents die, even though I barely knew them before their death. I limped towards the half-opened door and glanced outside. The sky was cloudy, but not a drop of rain fell. The sun's rays glimmered behind the clouds, casting a silver lining. If only my life had a silver lining. But there was none. It was all gloom, with no sign of the sun. I had partially opened the door when Jim barked at me. "Where are you going, wimp?" "On your errand, sir," I mumbled, lowering my head. "My errand?" he asked menacingly. "Which errand?" It dawned on me - he hadn't even told me what the errand was all about. Before I could ask, he launched another attack, punching, kicking, and even biting me. I tried to shield myself with my arms, but most blows still landed. I cried out in pain, but he paid no heed. He was enjoying himself too much. When he finally ceased, I collapsed to the floor weeping. "You're such a disgrace to werewolves," he spat. "What makes you any better than humans?" I bowed my head in shame. "Do you know what? I like the weather today. It's nice. So, I'm not done with you yet. Go on the errand first. My beta will inform you of its nature." I got up from the floor, pain coursing through my body. He laughed again. The beta's hut was a distance away from the alpha's. To meet Jim's demands, I had to run. And I ran, despite every fibre of my being screaming for respite. I focused on each step, keeping my gaze straight ahead, ignoring the other pack members. I knew that if our eyes met, I would be subjected to more errands or, worse, torture. Finally, I arrived at the beta's dwelling. "You're late!" he growled, his gaze fixed on his shadow on the floor before glaring at me. "I'm sorry, sir. Pardon?" I stuttered, hoping to diffuse his anger. "What?" he growled out. "I asked what I said!" "I... I... I'm sorry, sir. I didn't hear that," I answered. It was a question I did not want to answer. He glared at me, then sent me off to deliver a package to a stranger near the pack's territory.