ALPHA’S HEART, My Haven

Aria’s Point of View “Aria!” Luna Lilian called my name sharply in a cold voice. I turned, but before I could even react, her slap came unexpectedly, sharp against my cheek, which made me stagger sideways and my vision became blurry with tears that I refused to shed. “I told you to stay away from my things, Aria,” Lilian said with a sharp voice. I lowered my head, still feeling the sting of the slap on my cheek. I dared not look up to Lilian with the anger coming from her. “I… I didn’t mean to touch them, it was a mistake.” “A mistake? Do you think I will believe that? You think I’m stupid, Aria?” She said as she stepped closer. My throat tightened as I fought to steady my voice. “I’m sorry. I will clean up, I didn’t know they were yours.” Lilian’s cold eyes were fixed on me with a look that promised more pain. “Of course you didn’t, you are always apologizing and making excuses,” She said with a rising anger in her voice. “I’m sorry,” I repeated. “You never learn, do you? You’re nothing but a worthless omega.” Lilian spat the words out as they disgusted her. Her words cut deep, but I kept my head down and focused on the task at hand. I was truly an omega, a lowly orphan, with no rights, no family, and no future. Their preferences and opinions were useless as they were meant to follow orders all their lives, they were treated worse than trash. Omega was me, and I was Omega, weak and defenseless. At this point, I was beginning to wonder if I was cursed. Was my luck so bad? Lilian dug her finger into my chin. Her eyes were cold and the mockery look she gave made my heart pound. “Look at you, do you think you’re worth anything more than a servant?” “No,” I whispered. “Liar, you think you’re special here because my daughter likes you?” She hissed as her nails dug further into my skin. “I don’t…” Another slap cut off my words which made me stumble back. The force of it knocked me over a vase and its shattering sound filled up the room. “Look at this mess,” Lilian said, pointing towards the scattered pieces of vase. “I’m sorry, I’ll clean it up,” I said quickly, my voice trembling. “You have ruined my favorite vase, Aria. You think you can just make things right with a half-hearted apology?” “Please, I’m sorry. Just give me a chance to clean up.” I whispered as I tried to keep my voice steady despite the pain. “Remember this, Aria, you are nothing here. Don’t forget your place.” Lilian whispered harshly. “I understand,” I said quickly. “Good, now clean up this mess before Alpha returns. You wouldn’t want him to see how useless you are at your chores,” She said with a cold smile. I knelt by the scattered vases. My fingers shaked as I picked them up. Each piece cut into my skin, but I ignored the pain. I had to finish quickly before Lilian’s mood shifted again. When the last piece was picked up, I stood up slowly as my legs trembled. I was covered in dust and blood and my hands still stung from the cut. Lilian watched me with a satisfied smile as she walked out. I heaved a sigh, thinking I got off easily this time, but there was no such luck as she came back and flipped the pieces of the vase on the floor. I looked furiously at Lilian, but my fury only amused her. I imagined slapping her, but I could not dare, and I just bit my lip in frustration. “Now pick up the broom and sweep the whole room, and no food for you for the rest of the day.” She swung her waist as she left the room, leaving me to clear the mess she made. I started sweeping off the pieces of the vase that were now all over the corners of the room and when I was done, I packed them all and left. I never understood the logic of being punished or treated like trash for something I can’t control, but then, who am I to resist? I cursed my fate for being so unlucky. I can’t complain because I am the youngest maid, and I am not even from the Darkmoon pack. I was brought from the Seraphicmoon pack when Alpha Damian attacked and conquered my people. I can’t and will never forget how my parents were murdered, and the bloodshed during the war. The whole scene is still fresh in my memory. My pack members were gathered for the pack’s celebration two years ago, when we heard growls from afar. Before we could make sense of it, the Darkmoon pack emerged from the darkness at the edge of the clearing. The leader, Alpha Lupa, stood at the front as he signaled his men to attack. The battle was overwhelming, and I was separated from my parents, as the surrounding wolves pushed me. I tried to find my parents, but the scene was chaotic. I stumbled away from the center of the fight, and ran into the forest, to find a hiding place. I found a small nook between some rocks and hid there, as I breathed heavily. Just when I thought I was alone, I heard a familiar voice. “Aria?” I turned to see my father, his face was covered with relief. He had managed to fight the attackers and had come searching for me. “Dad!” I said as tears streamed down my face. “We have to leave now. It’s not safe here.” He said, holding my hands. I jerked my arm free, desperation filled my voice. “Where’s Mother? Is she alive?” "Aria... she’s gone." For a moment, the world froze. My mind refuses to process the words. "No!" I screamed. “Aria, we have to leave now. There is no time, they will find us.” He carefully led me out of the nook, but before we could move far, Alpha Lupa’s growl rang out through the forest. “Here you are Damon!” Lupa shouted from behind, his voice echoing through the forest. My father’s eyes hardened, as he looked at me. “Run, Aria! Find a safe place and hide. I’ll hold them off.” “No!” I cried, but he pushed me away. I watched in tears as my father stood face-to-face with Lupa. They circled each other, my heart pounded as I stood frozen at the edge of the battlefield, too weak to stop what was about to happen. “Lupa, this doesn’t have to end in blood,” my father growled. But Lupa was beyond reason. His eyes were full of cruelty I hadn’t seen before. “It already has, Damon,” Alpha Lupa hissed, moving forward with speed. My father fought with everything he had, but Alpha Lupa was relentless. Blow after blow, then suddenly his claws pierced through my father’s chest and his body collapsed to the ground. “Dad!!!” I ran to him from where I stood. My eyes widened as there was no movement from him, fear gripped my heart.