The Alpha I Chose

Chapter Five

Meadow

I run into my room and quickly lock the door behind me, not even trying to calm the tears that are streaming down my face.

I hate him. I hate him so much.

Going to my bed, I reach under my mattress and grab my only source of comfort and wrap it around myself protectively as I lay down and curl into a ball.

I’m sobbing harder now.

He hit me.

That cocky, self-centered, piece of garbage that I have to call my mate actually hit me.

All because I stopped to help an Omega.

Poor Libby was running around trying to get us all served at supper. Alpha was furious that she was taking so long and snapped at her for being incompetent.

When she tried to explain that the other girl that usually helps her, a sweet pregnant girl named Molly, wasn’t there because she was literally having her pup, Garbage Garrett screamed at her for making excuses and knocked a stack of dishes out of her hands.

I was so angry and embarrassed for Libby that without thinking I left the table and got down to help her clean up the broken plates. That was my first mistake.

I could tell Garrett was fuming. I kept waiting for steam to come curling out of his ears, but he said nothing.

As soon as we left the dining hall, however, he grabbed my upper arm and told me that me being down on the floor like a servant was an embarrassment to him. I couldn’t believe it!

I was so angry that I actually mouthed off and told him that the only embarrassing thing that I witnessed was him belittling a teenage girl because he wasn’t getting his precious potatoes fast enough.

That was my second mistake.

His eyes turned black. For a split second, I thought he was going to yell.

Instead, his fist connected with my face, the impact knocking me to the ground.

I laid there staring at him in shock as he glared at me. He then told me that I’d better start thinking “long and hard” about my behavior because if he has to correct me again, I wouldn’t like it. He stormed off to his office then, and I ran for the safety of my room.

I lay there for a while, crying silently as I press a hand to my throbbing cheek.

I keep waiting to wake up. To realize this is nothing more than a horrible nightmare.

But the sting in my face and my heart are real. The humiliation is real.

The isolation, the control… all of it is real.

For the first time since arriving at Blackwood Ridge, I can’t pretend otherwise. I’ve spent six months telling myself that I was overreacting, that Garrett was stressed. That he wasn’t used to sharing his space with another person.

I tried to tone myself down. To not talk as much. To not be as free-spirited and careless.

I ditched my fun, brightly colored clothing for the black and white business attire he chose.

I stopped braiding my hair and converted to the tight old-fashioned school-marm buns.

I stopped dancing.

I stopped singing.

I stopped laughing.

I stopped talking.

I stopped being me.

And somehow, it still wasn’t enough.

Get up. Clover barks in my head. We are not doing this pity party bullshit.

I sniffle and wipe my face with the quilt.

Clover, don’t. I don’t have a choice.

You do have a choice. She snaps at me. Clover never snaps. I refuse to let you lay here and feel bad for yourself. Get up. Wash your face. Let’s try to come up with a plan.

I sigh, but do as she commands and make my way into my restroom, grabbing a washcloth out of my linen closet and soaking it with cool water. I hold it to my face, before looking in the mirror.

An angry bruise is already forming under my left eye.

I drop my head, gripping the white marble countertop, and I pray.

“Mother Moon, it’s me. Meadow.” I say softly. “I’ve always prayed to you and trusted you, but this? I don’t understand.”

My voice cracks, but I continue.

“Look, I’m not one to judge you, but I think you screwed this one up. I need help. I promise I’ll never complain about chicken poop or Tilly pecking my hand ever again. Can you please get me out of here? If you do…”

Before I can continue, the sound of breaking glass comes from my bedroom. Groaning, I head back to my bedroom to see what could have possibly broken that I’ll end up blamed for.

I freeze in my tracks when I see five large men standing just inside my window, broken glass lying at their feet.

“Um… hi? I’m guessing you aren’t the new housekeepers…”

As one of them takes a step towards me I shriek and turn to run for my door. Before I can take even a step, a large arm wraps around my waist and a hand clamps over my mouth. I feel the sting of a needle in my neck and everything starts to go fuzzy.

“Let the Alpha know we have her. Let’s go.” I hear a gruff voice say as I try to fight the dizziness.

“Wait,” I say, my words starting to slur. “If you’re kidnapping me, please bring my quilt…” I reach my hand in the direction of my bed, wanting to wrap the soft patchwork fabric around me, but everything goes dark.