Nobody & Somebody

Delana was up before the sun, as she was ordered to be, rushing around the kitchen to have breakfast in order before the pack awoke. She quietly grumbled to herself about feeding so many on her own. She threw her strawberry blonde locks into a messy bun and began to work on the dishes, knowing they'd need to be done beforehand as well. "Oh! Finally!" Luna Elizabeth gasped, her voice dripping with the smug tone Delana had grown so accustomed to. "You managed breakfast and dishes! Now we have a clean space to eat!" Delana bowed her head, keeping her eyes locked on a piece of broken tile beneath her feet. "I agree, Luna, I've been so careless with my time. My deepest apologies." She forced the words out, her hands trembling at her sides. She'd hoped her words and tone were accepted by the Luna, her torn back was finally starting to heal correctly from the last time she'd "improperly apologized". Luna Elizabeth grinned and stepped closer to the woman, enjoying how small she seemed. "I'm glad you finally figured it out, the pack was starting to almost pity you. Another lashing and I may have had a small problem on my hands. Good girl." She said, running her long ruby red nails down Delana's cheek. A few droplets of blood were shed, hidden on the Luna's nails but not on Delana's clothes. "My apologies again, Luna. I do not wish to cause you any stress." Delana whispered softly, eyeing the small baby bump the Luna had developed. Her heart burned. Luna Elizabeth chuckled sourly. "I'm sure." She took her seat at the dining table, right next to the Alpha's chair. Her plate already sitting in front of her, her name written across her pancakes with whipped cream, as she'd requested. Portions of different fruits laid in separate bowls around her plate, organized by color and size. Delana stepped over to the Luna's chair, kneeling down as to not stand taller than her. "I hope I laid the presentation to your liking." She was the only one in the pack house who had to behave this way in Luna Elizabeth's presence. Her status in the pack was made clear; she was hung by thread. "Yes. For once, you made sure to follow every instruction." Elizabeth bitterly praised. "Congratulations on completing such a difficult task." More members of the pack began filing in shortly after. Their plates made and ready for them before they had a chance to sit down. Alpha Sam had taken his seat next to his Luna and their unborn child, immediately showering her with unbridled love and affection. Delana hesitated as she walked to Elizabeth's chair once more, dropping to both knees. "Luna, might I ask for your permission to head to town today after my duties? I haven't been able to make the pack new clothes," She paused, swallowing the bile and stomach acid that threatened it's way up. "Due to my lack of diligence, I neglected to monitor how much thread and fabric I had. My apologies." The pack slowly went silent as she spoke; she wondered if they were waiting to see if Elizabeth would give her a tongue-lashing due to her ignorance. Instead, Elizabeth merely sighed. "I am not pleased you failed to keep track of such things but I'm not surprised. Go before. I'll make arrangements so your duties will be completed." She glared down at Delana, roughly gripping her chin to force eye contact. "However, if I allow this and I do not have a complete wardrobe for all trimesters, your quarters will be moved outside and you will be severely punished. You have today and tomorrow to finish everyone's clothes." Elizabeth hissed, her eyes narrowing. Delana knew she was shown some gentleness because Alpha Sam was near. His presence calmed Elizabeth. "Yes, Luna. Thank you. Your generosity does not go unappreciated." Delana smiled softly, giving Elizabeth what she wanted - her full submission. After Delana finished the dishes from breakfast, she hurried upstairs. She changed into the nicest outfit she had, a pair of old blue jeans that were a bit too large and an ill-fitting black men's tank top. Her sneakers were held together by super glue and stitches that hardly held but she was grateful; Luna used to only allow her bare feet. She showed her excitement for the permitted journey to town, allowing prying pack members to read her forced thoughts of how lovely the Luna was for letting her travel even just a few miles away. Elizabeth loved when she did that, it made her look good and like every cruel thing she did towards Delana had a purpose. No one truly knew the story between the three of them so no one knew it was pure ego that fueled Elizabeth to be hateful. She had the Alpha that Delana still craved after all.