The Alpha's Regret

The Punishment

Chapter Five

Vitani's POV

Oh, Goddess... What did I do now?

The question echoed through my mind as I stood frozen in the entrance hall.

The mansion, usually alive with the quiet footsteps of servants, had fallen into an uneasy silence. Even the maids avoided looking at me, slipping into nearby corridors with lowered heads as though they already knew what was about to happen.

A chill crept down my spine.

Slowly, I lifted my eyes.

Mother stood at the top of the grand staircase, her emerald eyes fixed on me with unmistakable disappointment. Beside her stood Elena, her posture graceful and composed. Her expression was carefully crafted into one of quiet hurt, yet I caught the brief flicker of satisfaction in her eyes before she quickly looked away.

My stomach tightened.

She had already told her story.

And Mother had believed every word.

"Vitani."

Mother's voice was calm.

Too calm.

"Come here."

I tightened my grip on the strap of my schoolbag and climbed the staircase one slow step at a time. Every footstep felt heavier than the last.

When I finally stopped a few feet away, I lowered my gaze respectfully.

"You wished to see me, Mother?"

A cold laugh escaped her lips.

"So now you remember your manners."

I remained silent.

"I receive word that my eldest daughter has become the talk of Mooncrest Academy."

My heart skipped.

"I... I don't understand."

"Oh, don't insult my intelligence."

Her voice hardened.

"You embarrassed your sister in front of the entire academy."

My lips parted in surprise.

"Mother, that's not what happened. I never—"

"Enough!"

Her sharp voice echoed through the hall, making me flinch.

"I am speaking."

The familiar lump formed in my throat.

No matter what I said...

It would never matter.

Elena stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Mother's arm.

"Please don't be too angry," she said softly. "Maybe she didn't mean for everything to happen the way it did."

She looked at me with eyes that seemed filled with concern.

If I hadn't known her all my life...

I might have believed her.

"I only wanted to speak with her," Elena continued, lowering her head. "She ignored me, and then an Alpha's heir misunderstood the situation. He accused me in front of everyone."

She paused, taking a shaky breath.

"The whole academy was watching."

Her voice cracked just enough to sound convincing.

"I've never been so humiliated."

Mother's expression darkened even further.

"I cannot believe you would repay your sister's kindness with such disgrace."

I stared at the polished marble floor beneath my feet.

Kindness.

The word felt almost cruel.

"Mother..." I whispered. "Please, if you'll just let me explain—"

"I have heard enough."

Her words struck harder than any slap.

"You have always been difficult, Vitani. I had hoped attending the academy would teach you humility, yet instead you've brought shame upon this family."

A sharp ache settled in my chest.

I hadn't even been given the chance to tell the truth.

The silence that followed was broken by the heavy sound of approaching footsteps.

Every servant in the hall immediately lowered their heads.

Father.

Alpha Dante entered with the quiet authority that demanded respect. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, and his piercing gaze swept across the room before settling on us.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Mother turned toward him.

"Your eldest daughter has embarrassed Elena at the academy."

Father frowned.

"Explain."

Hope flickered inside me.

Just this once...

Maybe he would ask me first.

Maybe this time he would want to hear my side.

Mother spoke before I had the chance.

She calmly recounted Elena's version of the day's events, painting me as an ungrateful daughter who had caused unnecessary trouble and humiliated the Alpha's family before students from neighboring packs.

When she finished, Elena lowered her eyes.

"I never wanted Father to worry," she murmured. "I was only trying to help my sister."

Father's expression remained unreadable.

He looked at me.

For one fleeting moment, I thought he would ask what really happened.

Instead, his voice was cold.

"Whether the story is exactly as your mother tells it or not, one fact remains."

My heart sank.

"You attracted unwanted attention to this family."

I felt the last of my hope slip away.

"You will clean the entire training grounds before bedtime," he continued. "You will do it alone. You will not eat until the task is complete."

"Victor..." Mother said with quiet approval.

Father didn't look at me again.

"The matter is settled."

I lowered my head, forcing myself to swallow the tears burning behind my eyes.

"Yes, Father."

There was no point arguing.

There never had been.

Turning away, I quietly walked toward the back entrance of the mansion.

Outside, the evening sun was already beginning to sink behind the trees.

The training grounds waited in the distance.

And so did my punishment.

The evening air was cool against my skin as I made my way toward the training grounds.

The sky was painted in brilliant shades of orange and pink, the last rays of sunlight slowly disappearing beyond the towering pine trees that surrounded the pack house. Normally, I would have stopped to admire the view.

Today, I barely noticed it.

A wooden bucket rested against my leg as I walked, while a worn broom and several cleaning cloths were tucked beneath my arm.

The training grounds stretched before me, larger than I remembered.

The dirt-covered arena was littered with footprints from the day's training. Wooden practice swords lay scattered across the field, while broken targets and abandoned shields rested near the fence.

Father hadn't chosen this punishment by accident.

He knew it would take hours.

I placed the bucket on the ground and let out a quiet sigh.

"Well..."

"I should get started."

Just as I reached for the broom, a gentle voice called out behind me.

"Young Miss Vitani?"

I froze.

Very few people called me that anymore.

Turning slowly, I saw the head housekeeper approaching with a warm smile. Beside her walked a young woman about my age, carrying a neatly folded basket of freshly washed towels.

The moment she saw me, her smile faded into concern.

"Mrs. Margaret..." I whispered.

Mrs. Margaret had worked in the Alpha's household for as long as I could remember. Ever since I was a little girl, she had quietly looked after me whenever she could. Though she never overstepped her position, she had always treated me with kindness.

The young woman beside her smiled softly.

"It's been a while, Miss Vitani."

I recognized her immediately.

"Rose..."

She nodded.

"I've been helping Mother in the pack house since finishing school."

For the first time that day, something inside me felt a little lighter.

Mrs. Margaret looked at the cleaning supplies before turning back to me.

"So... they've asked you to clean the entire training grounds alone."

It wasn't a question.

I lowered my eyes.

"Yes."

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

"Some things never change."

Rose stepped forward.

"This is far too much work for one person."

Before I could answer, she reached for the broom in my hands.

"Let me help."

I quickly stepped back.

"No."

Both women looked at me in surprise.

"I appreciate it," I said gently, "but Father ordered me to do it alone."

Rose frowned.

"No one has to know."

I shook my head.

"If someone sees us, both of you will be punished."

"But—"

"I couldn't live with myself if that happened."

Mrs. Margaret watched me quietly before placing a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"She's right."

Rose lowered her gaze, disappointment filling her face.

"It's just... it isn't fair."

I smiled sadly.

"I know."

Mrs. Margaret stepped closer and brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face, just as she used to when I was a child.

"You've always had such a gentle heart, Young Miss."

Her eyes glistened.

"Don't let this world take that kindness away from you."

A lump formed in my throat.

"I'll try."

She smiled sadly.

"The Moon Goddess sees every tear that falls, even the ones no one else notices."

For a moment, none of us spoke.

Then Mrs. Margaret gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"We'll leave you to your work."

"If you need anything..." Rose began.

I smiled faintly.

"I'll be alright."

Although none of us truly believed those words.

They walked away together, disappearing back toward the mansion.

I watched until they were out of sight.

Only then did I pick up the broom.

The work was slow.

Every sweep stirred clouds of dust into the air.

As the minutes turned into hours, my arms began to ache.

Blisters formed on my palms.

My stomach growled painfully, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since lunchtime.

Several warriors passed by on their way home.

Some glanced at me with sympathy.

Others quickly looked away.

No one dared disobey the Alpha's orders.

At one point, I stopped sweeping and leaned against the broom, closing my tired eyes.

A familiar voice echoed in my mind.

"You shouldn't let people decide your worth."

Lucas.

I let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

"How can I believe that..."

"When even my own family doesn't?"

Silence answered me.

The wind rustled through the trees surrounding the arena.

Then another memory surfaced.

"The loudest voices aren't always the ones telling the truth."

I stared at the ground for a long moment.

What if...

Just what if...

He was right?

The thought felt strange.

Almost impossible.

Yet somehow...

It was enough.

I tightened my grip on the broom and began sweeping once more.

One step.

One breath.

One corner at a time.

By the time I finished, darkness had settled over the pack.

The stars shimmered above me like tiny silver lights scattered across the night sky.

Exhausted, I lifted my eyes toward them.

For the first time in years...

A small smile found its way onto my lips.

Not because the pain was gone.

Not because my family had changed.

But because somewhere deep inside my heart...

A tiny spark of hope had been born.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

The future held something more than loneliness.