The Alphas Purest Innocent

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Lelia – POV

I woke up this morning with another thud of pain in my ribs as my mother kicked my side. I rolled onto my back to see her golden hair swish over her shoulder before my bedroom door was slammed hard enough to deepen the existing crack in the wood.

I threw on a t-shirt and jeans, my eyes never leaving the crack in the door. I used it to distract myself from the throbbing pain in my ribs and the endless bruises that never seemed to heal. Only a few more slams and that door will split in two... deep breath in. I prayed to the Moon Goddess I wouldn’t be here when that happened. I could almost guarantee my lovely parents wouldn’t replace it—unless, of course, someone outside the pack were visiting, which was unlikely... deep breath out.

Lost in thought, I somehow made it to my attached bathroom to brush my dark brown hair, now a tangled mess. I remembered how much shinier it was back in June, when I still resembled a happy person. I ran my fingers through the long waves that now brushed my hip bone, then braided it, rolled it into a bun, and brushed my teeth. Looking in the mirror, I couldn’t help but judge how pale and washed-out I looked. My green eyes seemed dull and tired, and my skin resembled an off-white stucco wall. I’d lost weight these last couple of months. With all the extra work and barely any food, it wasn’t surprising. It was my own fault—I should be sneaking more food when I get the chance.

I headed into the kitchen to start my normal day of chores, beginning with breakfast for my mother, stepfather, and little brother. I didn’t mind doing any of this for Aaron. He was the only thing keeping me sane these last three months without my friends. He’s thirteen years old, and unlike most thirteen-year-olds, he’s not annoying, selfish, or terrible at all. I like to think he’s still the same sweet baby brother from ten years ago, untouched by our mother and his father’s actions. Then again, boys are treated very differently in my household... pack.

I made eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns. I served my stepfather, Derek, then my mother, Rose, and finally Aaron, before making my own plate. Everyone ate in silence, except for Aaron’s occasional comments about school or how many people in his class had received their wolves. Derek would explain to him how, once he hit puberty, his wolf would come—not a moment before, not a moment after. He was always gentle with Aaron, completely opposite of how he was with me. Aaron is his firstborn and only son. I’m just his mate’s daughter from a previous true-mate relationship. I’d say he’s jealous, but my father was nothing—just human, no rank. It’s almost a shock I even managed to become an omega. For the longest time, they thought I was human.

“Did you hear that, Lelia? Not a moment before and not a moment after. You should feel blessed to have received me at ten.”

Lia, my wolf, stretched in my head, finally showing herself after a long nap.

“How nice it must be to sleep so late, my girl.” I smirked back at her.

“What else am I to do? They don’t allow you the time to let me roam. And when you do have an extra hour, you're so exhausted I can’t bother you for something as selfish as my existence,” she whined, placing her head between her paws and laying back down.

“I’m sorry, Lia. I do miss letting you take the reins. But we don’t have much longer.”

“I know. Tomorrow will be our day. We’ll figure it out together, Lelia. I can feel your nerves, and they’re putting me into protection mode!” Lia snapped.

“LELIA—ARE YOU NOT LISTENING?” I suddenly heard Derek roar.

“Yes, sorry, sir,” I immediately replied, eyes fixed on the table, never making direct eye contact.

“You’ll do your usual chores, but there’s an event at the pack house tonight. You’ll need to be in proper order for it. Your mother has kindly gotten you a dress. Have yourself and Aaron ready by five. No dinner—food will be served there.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, Mother,” I said softly, lowering my head and beginning to clear the dishes. As I scrubbed, my mind wandered to the last year—my last year as a minor, under their control.

Lelia Jenkins.

Seventeen years old—until 12:01 a.m. tonight.

An omega of the Dark Moon Pack.

Daughter to Rose Jeffrees and August Jenkins, deceased for sixteen years.

Big half-sister and caregiver to thirteen-year-old Aaron Jeffrees.

Raised in a “modern” pack that proudly claims not to abuse omegas or discriminate against homosexuality.

I actually laughed out loud thinking of the lies my pack lives behind.

I do have a couple of friends—also female omegas. We share the same past. And likely the same future. I haven’t seen them since graduation in June. It’s now October. I’ve been locked in the house ever since, with no safe zone and no rights, because being a minor in this pack means doing what your parents say. But as of tomorrow… I’m free. I don’t know where I’m going, but I know I’m leaving. I’ve spent weeks wanting to run. As of tomorrow, I can.

Flashback

It had been three weeks since graduation, and not once had I had a moment to breathe or let Lia out. I was frustrated, scrubbing the floors in my parents’ room when my mother, Rose, strutted in wearing heels. I watched, knowing how this would end. And it was worth it. She slipped, fell flat on her ass, and slid into the dresser, knocking a photo frame onto herself and giving herself a bloody nose. If I hadn’t been so angry, I might have used my brain—but instead, I laughed. Hard.

“DEREK! HELP! PLEASE!” Rose screamed, then smiled at me, already playing the hurt and helpless victim as Derek stormed in.

“Oh my goodness, you're bleeding! Are you okay? What happened?” he gasped, running toward her.

“She did it. She hit me. On purpose.”

I wanted to fight back. So did Lia. But I knew talking wouldn’t help. As Derek dragged me by the hair to the cellar, I kicked and screamed, trying to resist. It only made it worse. Once the wolfsbane cuffs were on—freshly added after I turned sixteen—Lia quieted. She stayed with me through it all.

First came the whip. It tore through my back. My shirt was shredded.

This wasn’t just beatings or insults. Not this time.

I woke up the next day to the sound of men laughing, drunk. I thought I was hallucinating—until one grabbed my breast. Lia wanted to fight, but the wolfsbane wouldn’t let her. For the next twelve hours, my stepfather sat and watched as his friends groped me, only stepping in to remind them I was to remain a virgin to secure the most profitable marriage. On day three, he told me I was an adult now. That nothing would change. That if I acted out again, he wouldn’t stop his friends—and I’d lose count of my days in the basement.

While I healed, I wasn’t allowed to be seen. Aaron was told I was on a trip with friends. But I was locked away in my bedroom, healing and doing whatever chores I could manage from there. From that moment, I made myself invisible. I never gave them a reason to send me back to that basement.

They always had a reason to hurt me. Mother didn’t like yelling—she preferred to slap, kick, and punch. She also had a way with words. Derek? He liked it all. And the basement? That was his sanctuary. Mother wasn’t allowed there. He could do what he wanted. I knew better than to resist anymore.

But tonight… tonight would be different.

At 12:01 a.m., I would officially denounce the pack—once I was far enough away that they couldn’t track or kill me. As I finished the kitchen, I began my other chores, thinking through every detail of my escape.

After lunch, my parents and Aaron left for town. Rose was getting her hair and makeup done, and the boys were getting fitted. They’d be back just before five. Rose handed me a dress and some old makeup with a smirk, reminding me not to embarrass her tonight.

“Yes, I will,” I replied, lowering my head.

As soon as they drove off, I ran inside and packed a large backpack: sweaters, jeans, hair ties, shoes, a water bottle. Lia reminded me that, in wolf form, we wouldn’t need food or water—then questioned whether I took her skills seriously.

“What skills, Lia? You’ve never hunted, never eaten raw kill,” I teased.

“Lelia, my doll, when do you give me the chance?” she replied with a dramatic eye roll.

“After midnight, you’ll be in control—maybe for weeks. So don’t mope. In fact, we need to stash this backpack near the pack house for easy pickup. Once we leave tonight, we’re not coming back. Not unless it’s for Aaron.”

We agreed. I ran into the woods, stripped, and let Lia take over. After the pain of shifting faded, she hid the backpack and took the long way home.

Back inside, I didn’t bother with clothes—just went straight to the shower. The hot water calmed me, though curiosity about tonight’s event lingered. Why would my mother buy me a dress and makeup? I figured she just needed me to look presentable for their reputation.

Out of the shower, I used a little lotion my friend Crystal gave me before graduation. It didn’t help much. I dried and smoothed my hair, pinned one side back, and spent time on some light makeup—just eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss. I looked in the mirror and smiled a little.

I looked… okay.

The dress was olive-toned silk, ankle-length, sleeveless, with a high neckline. It fit snugly, flaring slightly at my hips. The slit in the front allowed for movement. It covered all my bruises and scars. I stared in shock. My mother had actually picked something flattering. Expensive, even.

Which could only mean one thing:

She was planning something.