The Omega They Tried Hard to Destroy.

Amelia’s POV “WHERE IS SHE?” The door burst open before I could even stand. I barely had time to run before Logan's hands cracked across my face. Pain exploded behind my eye. I didn't scream. I never did. Years in this pack had taught me one thing– silence hurts less. I straightened slowly, my fingers tightening around the rag in my hand, my head bowed. “Father is expecting Alpha Kaden any moment.” Logan snarled, grabbing my arm hard enough to bruise. “And you haven't cleaned the living room?” A tear slipped down my cheek but I said nothing. Speaking only made it worse. “Do you have any idea how important this is?” He continued, shoving me back. “Or is your brain as useless as the rest of you?” I bit the inside of my cheek. I had cleaned that room three times already, but that didn't matter. Nothing I ever did mattered. Logan's nails dug into my shoulder before he showed me towards the door. “Believe me, if you embarrass us,” he said coldly, “I'll skin you alive.” I believed him. I always did. + The living room was spotless, it had been spotless for hours. Still, I dropped to my knees and began scrubbing again, my vision blurred with tears. I used to think turning eighteen would save me, that I'd finally leave this place, instead, I lost my mate and whatever was left of my freedom. Now I was nothing more than a servant in my own home. A murderer. That word followed me everywhere, even though I barely remembered what happened that day. “Tears already? How unpleasant.” My entire body went still, I wasn't alone. Slowly, I lifted my head and saw a man who sat comfortably on the couch like he owned the roo– legs crossed, a glass of wine in his hand. I hadn't heard him, hadn't even smelled him either. That alone sent cold fear rushing through me. “G–good morning…” my voice came out small. “Sir.” His eyes snapped to mine. Sharp and burning, he looked at me like I was prey. “Sir?” He repeated, amusement flickering in his tone. “Is that how you address an alpha in this pack?” My breath caught. “I— I didn't know…” “Come closer.” Fear rooted me to the ground. Being near strange men was dangerous, but disobeying an alpha? Worse. Slowly, I stepped forward, stopping a safe distance away, or at least what I hoped was safe. He studied me like I was something unfamiliar and then, “you smell wrong,” he said bluntly. “Why?” My throat tightened. Of course, that question again. “Speak!” I swallowed hard. No one ever wanted to hear this part. They only ever cared about what came after. “My… my wolf was bound.” I whispered. Silence fell. Heavy and dangerous. He leaned forward slightly, interest sharpening in his gaze. “Bound?” he repeated. “Why would anyone do that to you?” My chest tightened. Because I'm a murderer, because I deserve it. Because— “It was punishment,” I said instead. His eyes darkened. I couldnt tell if it was anger… or something else. + The doors burst open. “Amelia!” My father's voice cracked through the room like thunder. Panic shot through me. *My apologies, Alpha Kaden.” He said quickly, stepping forward. “I didn't realize she was disturbing you.” Alpha Kaden? My blood ran cold. This was him? The ruthless alpha everyone feared? I barely had time to react before my father turned on me, his hand already raised. I squeeze my eyes shut— “I wouldn't.” The room went still. I opened my eyes slowly. Alpha Kaden stood now, gripping my father’s wrist mid-air. Effortlessly. Like it was nothing. “She was helping me.” He said calmly. “Since no one else was there to receive me.” My lips parted in shock. He was lying. For me. My father forced a tight smile, but I saw the anger burning underneath. “Of course.” He said stiffly. His gaze snapped to me. “Go get Logan.” I didn't wait. I ran. I ran as fast as I could. + I burst into Logan's office without thinking, “the guest is here— Father said—” His eyes lifted slowly. They were dark and dangerous. I froze. I had spoken without permission. How dare I! This was a terrible mistake, a fatal one I should have known better than to commit. He stepped closer, tapping my forehead. “Lucky,” he murmured. “Very lucky.” His fingers twisted into my hair suddenly, yanking my head back. I bit my lip to stop the sound that threatened to escape. “But just because you're lucky doesn't mean you should forget your place.” He said before he squinted his eyes hard at me. “Don't forget your place, Amelia" or else you'll regret it forever.” He let go like I was nothing. - By the time I returned to the living room, everything had changed. The air felt heavier and tense. I approached with caution, scared I could be subject to another threat. “Bring drinks.” Logan ordered. I obeyed immediately, my hands steady only from practice. As I poured, I felt it again— That gaze. Watching me. He was studying me but I had to be sure I wasn't imagining things. I turned to risk it. A glance in his direction. When I did, Alpha Kaden was still looking at me. Not with disgust or cruelty but with something else. Something I didn't understand. “Amelia is your daughter?” He asked suddenly. “Yes.” My father replied. “And your sister?” He asked Logan. Logan scoffed. “Barely.” Kaden’s gaze didn't leave me. “What do you mean by that?” “Unfortunately.” “If that is so, then why do you treat her like this?” Silence. Heavy and suffocating. My heart pounded. Don't say it. Please, I beg you, don't say it— “The bi*ch killed our mother,” Logan said flatly. There it was. Always. I closed my eyes. Even now, I wasn't sure how it happened. Only that— I was blamed. Kaden frowned slightly, his gaze shifting. “How?” My father answered this time. Cold but mostly certain. “She poisoned her.” He said. A pause and then— “With wolfsbane.”