The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Episode 5: The Bruises

The third day as Damian's personal servant was the worst.

Ava had decided she hated me even more than before.

"Spill this," she said, dumping an entire tray of soup on the floor. Hot liquid splashed up my legs. It burned.

"Clean it. Now. With your bare hands."

I bit my lip. "Yes, Beta."

As I knelt to wipe the mess, I heard her whisper to the other maids. "That’s what happens to rejected Omegas. Nobody wants you. Not even your Alpha."

My wolf curled up inside me. I scrubbed faster.

That night, Damian called me to his room again.

"Did you finish the west wing?" he asked without looking at me.

"Yes, Alpha."

He finally turned. His eyes went straight to my arms. Red marks. A small burn on my wrist from the soup.

His jaw ticked. "What happened?"

"Nothing, Alpha. I was clumsy."

"Liar." The word cracked like a whip.

Damian grabbed my wrist. Not rough. Just firm. He lifted it to look at the burn.

For a second, something flashed in his eyes. Not anger. Something else.

Then it was gone.

"Don’t let it happen again," he said, dropping my hand. "I don’t want my servants looking damaged. It makes the pack look weak."

So that was it. Not care. Just image.

"Yes, Alpha."

As I left, I heard him mutter, "Pathetic."

I wasn’t sure if he meant me... or himself.