Branka's POV
I ignored the pain that I was feeling in my back and leg and concentrated on the task in front of me, not minding the gossips that was going on around me.
But with the amount of ladies surrounding me and their high pitched voices, it was hard not to.
“He's hot.” One of them said.
“How do you know that? You've not even met him. I mean most people haven't.” Another one said.
“He hardly leaves his pack. Only to fight battles and some other things like fighting battles again.” The first one chipped in again.
“According to what I heard and I'm not sure it's correct, he's one of the few Lycans that are left. And he's powerful. I bet he looks as old as he has lived.”
“That's a lie. They say Lycans don't grow old. Maybe he's as old as our former alpha.” Another one entirely said. I shook my head as if to shake away all of their talks.
The father of the alpha was still alive and fine. He's a fairly good man and I wished he was still the alpha. When he still had power, he was able to stop some of the bullying that went on with me.
The one time that I tried to report to him about what was going on with me and how the rich kids of the pack was maltreating me few years back, I knew what I had to endure. Especially from his son, Dorian. I was tortured within an inch of my life. And the fact that I could not heal myself as wolfless being made it worse for me. Some of the scars on my body were from that night.
“Branka!” I jerked out of my thoughts suddenly and the plates in my hand fell and broke. My eyes went wide with horror and it started beating fast. The kitchen went silent and no one said anything.
I quickly looka round to see if Jessica was not around. Because if she was, then I was in a big problem. When my eyes clashes with her cold, hateful gaze, they widened the more.
“I…I'm sorry. I…it…” I could not bring myself to form words.
“Say it. Whatever nonsense you have in your head to justify what you just did, start spewing them now!” She screeched. She already stepped closer to me.
“I was startled. I did…” she did not allow me to finish what I wanted to say when I was slapped on the face. I was slapped so hard, I saw stars.
I was actually just recovering from yesterday's abuse, now this.
“Your sorry existence won't be able to pay for that plate you just broke. Do you even know what they are supposed to be used for?” Why does she sozund pained. Not like anyone would ask her for the number of plates or anything.
Then it dawned on me then. She just needed something to beat me up for. Knowing I had no one to back me up or any power of my own. She feeds on it. They all do.
I blinked my eyes back and made sure that no tears fell from my eyes. I'm not about to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I've done that a lot.
“You won't say anything?”
Was she kidding me right now. I opened my mouth to talk,
“Just shut up and concentrate on you job. At least, you should be able to do that if you can't do other things.” I knew what she was trying to insinuate. The other ladies in the kitchen muffled their laughs but I heard them anyways. It was hard not to.
We were all omegas. Except for Jessica. But I was the only one treated differently for obvious reasons.
Her attention shifted away from me to face everyone else and I really appreciated that.
“It's the turn of our pack to host the banquet of the year. I'm sure most of you would have heard the news. So,....” I zeroed out on her then. Too bad I'm not part of the most.
That must have being the reason the girls were gushing about receiving the Lycan king to the pack. It was not even sure that he was going to show up, according to what people say. He rarely goes out.
Every pack that it's their turn to do this only do preparations for his arrival as a customary thing but he never comes. There is no need to get all worked up about him being around.
“I would give anything to see him come for our pack's banquet.” One of the girl's voice pulled me out of my reverie.
I concentrated on my job and rolled my eyes internally. They could at least take their talk away from here and let me focus on prepping the ingredients for the food.
Yeah. I was the only one that did all of that too. And it started when they discovered that I could cook. That's the only good things that I have and then I can do chores. The alpha said not to allow anyone assist me as I make the food. The reason being that others helping with spoil the taste of how any food I made is.
Buh the actual reason was to torment me more. My palms were all bruised up and chapped constantly from the use of knife and all of that.
I felt someone slap the back of my head hard and I turned to where I felt the assault come from. It was Jessica.
“What have I done?” I held the urge to put this time there, pushing hair out of the way.
“If you can't be here, why don't you just end your miserable life and leave?” I almost snickered. You have no idea how much I have tried to end my own life.
“I was asking you questions about the food of the the banquet. It's happening tomorrow if you don't know. And for a fact, you are in charge of doing it all.” My eyes widened. I can't possibly do it alone.
“That's not possible, Jessica. I..I can't do it alone.” I said. My voice came out so small and weak. Even though I was raging inside of me, there was nothing to show for it. It happens like this every single time.
“Excuses, excuses, and more excuses. That's what I hear.” She says, rolling her eyes in the process. Why do I wish that her eyes lock in her head, if that is even a possible thing?
“If you know you won't do it, tell me now. I'll just go to the Alpha, who mandated for you to do it, and tell him you're disobeying his direct orders.” She said sneakily and started walking out.
Fear gripped me hard. If there's is anything I want to avoid with the condition I am in right now, is to not have the Alpha on my case.
“I'm…I'm sorry..y.. I'll do it.” My voice shook and I hated how much effect this had in me.
“Wasn't that easy? So you better get to it. And as you already know, everything must be perfect. Since we are expecting a very special presence tomorrow. You don't want the Alpha to f**k you up if there's any complain about the food.” She sauntered outside of the kitchen. Followed by every other omega in the kitchen except one.
I didn't bother looking at the person to know who it was. Anna had always looked at me with pity when I am being bullied. But given the situation, there's nothing she can do to help me so as not to get into trouble herself. She's an orphan like me. I didn't bother saying anything to her.
Using the back of my hand to wipe the tears that escaped my eyes, I got to work. Since, the main thing is tomorrow, I might as well prep the ingredients that will be useful now to reduce stress. And I'm not getting any help either.
“Erm…er…can I help?” Her small voice reached me from opposite the vanity. I gently looked up to hold her gaze.
I didn't reply her. Scared to talk myself.
“Do you need help?” She asked again, a little louder than before.
I scoffed at that. Is that even supposed to be a question? I caught myself before I did any other silly facial expressions. What if she told the others and the hit me again?
“You don't have to. Thanks for offering.” As much as I need all the help I can get, I don't want it if it's not allowed. I'll be the one in trouble.
She did not say anything about it again. After what seemed like a log time, which was actually a few seconds, she steeped out of the kitchen. I dropped the knife and sighed.
How did I find myself in this situation? I thought as tears sprang to my eyes again.