HER ALPHA, HER BETA, HER MATES.

The Beginning of Hell

Lexi's POV

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

That damn alarm. Every morning it screeches at 4 a.m., dragging me out of the only peace I ever get—sleep. If I don’t move fast, I’ll lose my one chance at a hot shower.

I shoved the thin blanket off and climbed out of bed, already bracing for the cold air and colder stares I’d face later. I was the pack slave. Cooking, cleaning, obeying. Whatever the Alpha and Luna demanded, I did. And if I didn’t do it fast enough or well enough—or if I just looked the wrong way—I was punished.

Everyone in the pack hated me.

Everyone except Sharon.

She was an Omega, same rank at the bottom as me. But she got paid, treated like she mattered. She didn’t get bruises for mistakes or punishment for speaking. I did.

I stripped down and stepped into the shower. The hot water bit into my skin, but I welcomed it. I scrubbed my hair quickly, letting the conditioner sit while I washed my body. I never took long—lingering was dangerous. Anyone could come in.

Out of the shower, I dried off, dressed, and caught my reflection in the mirror. My lip was still split—thanks to Meghan, the Alpha’s son. Just seeing the wound made my stomach knot.

He never needed a reason to hurt me. His presence alone was a threat. Add Isabel, his Beta’s daughter and girlfriend, and it became a nightmare. Her lies always added fuel to the fire.

I forced myself down to the kitchen and nearly collided with Nicholas, the Beta’s son.

“Hey, Lexi,” He said casually. “You’re eighteen now, right?”

I didn’t look up. Eye contact always made things worse. “Yes,” I mumbled.

He stepped closer, too close, and inhaled deeply near my neck. My stomach turned.

Why is he smelling me?

My wolf—she came on my sixteenth birthday, and disappeared the next day. No one ever explained why. Mates recognize each other through scent, but I had stopped hoping a long time ago.

Suddenly, his hand slipped under my shirt.

I froze.

He cupped my breast, his fingers pinching hard. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

“You know, I’ll be eighteen soon,” He whispered. “And the way you smell… I wonder if you’re my mate. Either way, I plan to do things to you. Things I’ve been imagining for years. You make me hard just walking by.”

Tears streamed silently down my cheeks. His hand still gripped me, and I knew there’d be a bruise.

Please, no. Not him. Anyone but him.

He’s hurt me. Lied about me. Told people I tried to seduce him to gain status.

Footsteps echoed down the hall.

“What are you doing touching the pack w***e?” Screeched Isabel, Nicholas's twin. Just as cruel.

She sneered. “Don’t touch her—you’ll catch something.”

Nicholas dropped his hand and stepped back, just in time for Meghan to appear. Before I could run, he grabbed me by the throat.

“Think you can use your slutty tricks to move up in rank?” He hissed. “You’re filth. I’ll kill you the second I’m Alpha.”

His grip tightened, stars burst in my vision, and then he dropped me. I hit the floor, gasping for air.

His knee cracked against my face, splitting my lip open again. Isabel's foot slammed into my ribs for good measure.

No time to cry. I scrambled to the kitchen to prepare breakfast before the others arrived.

Sharon came in, saw the blood on my shirt, and simply said, “Go change. Wash your face.”

She didn’t ask questions. But she never hurt me. That made her a friend in my world.

I changed quickly, returned to the kitchen, and helped serve. While handing the Alpha his coffee, a drop spilled on the table.

“Are you blind, slave?” Alpha Nikolaus barked.

“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll clean it up right away.”

He glared at me. “Clean it and then meet me. You know where. You’ll be punished.”

The pack laughed. They knew what that meant. They always laughed.

My parents would’ve been horrified.

My father, the pack doctor. My mother, the lead warrior. Respected. Loved. They believed in justice and kindness, no matter the rank. My father treated everyone like family.

Since they died, everything fell apart.

There’s no real doctor now. Just overworked nurses. No proper training. The borders are weak. The Alpha doesn’t care.

“Slave! Move your ass or I’ll make it worse!” He bellowed.

I jumped, realizing I’d lingered too long thinking about my parents.

I cleaned the table and headed upstairs, my body already trembling. I knew what was waiting. The punishments varied—but they always hurt.

Sometimes he made me wait for hours, thinking about it. Once, he left me for seven hours and punished me again for missing chores.

The worst day was when Isabel lied about me eating a cake. He let his Beta join in. I couldn’t move for two days after. I thought I’d die there on the floor.

I reached the room. The door creaked open. I stepped inside, walked to the center, and sat. Waiting.

I couldn’t let myself think about what he’d do. If I did, I’d panic. I tried to think of my parents instead. Of my father’s voice. My mother’s laughter.

Then I heard footsteps. He was coming.

I stood fast, eyes down, heart racing.

Waiting.