Rejected by the Pack, Claimed by the Alpha

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains depictions of physical abuse, domestic violence, coercion, s****l intimidation, threats of s****l assault, psychological abuse, captivity-like control, and emotional trauma. Reader discretion is advised. Veronica The harsh rays of sunlight beamed through my curtains, dragging me out of consciousness. I forced my eyes open, blinking against the blinding light. “Ugghh,” a groan spilled from my lips as I forced my tired body up. My door swung open and heavy footsteps thudded toward me. My spine stiffened instinctively, my mind waiting for contact and surely enough, just like every morning for the past two years, it came. Fred’s fist tangled in my hair, yanking me off the bed so hard my knees slammed against the floor. “Get up.” I stumbled as he dragged me across the room. The carpet burned against my skin. Tears pricked my eyes, but I swallowed them down. Crying only made things worse. He shoved me between the dresser and his large body. He grabbed my chin harshly, leaning into my ear. “Open your f*****g eyes.” I clenched my jaw tightly, tearing my eyes open. My reflection was like a ghost of who I used to be. My copper hair dulled by exhaustion, eyes darker, bruises sprawled across my pale skin. My stomach tightened at the sight. Fred’s hands began descending downward, from my chin, to my neck, his fingers flexing like he was deciding if he should just kill me and be done with it. I wished that too. But he didn’t. Instead his hands trailed lower, not with desire but disgust, only stopping when his fingers brushed around the hem of my nightgown, parting my exposed thighs. I inhaled a sharp breath, waiting for the pain. But it never came. He shoved me away harshly with a low growl. “You filthy omega.” He spat. “You’re not even worth a beta like me touching you. Even with a silver dagger to my heart.” His words rolled right off me. I’d heard them before. How I was just an orphan our pack’s beta and his family adopted. I was seven when my parents died… or abandoned me. No one really knows the real story. I’ve been in and out of pack homes, mostly shitty ones because of my lowly status. That’s until two years ago. I was so certain my life was going in the right direction, finally. But a few months after staying here, I realized the truth. They did it as a charity stunt. They couldn’t care less if I starved or fed. And what’s worse? Fred, the beta’s son and next in line, was convinced it was his moral duty to remind me of what I was. Fred released a harsh breath. “Pathetic.” He snarled. “You belong to me. Your mind. Your service. And your body.” I didn’t move. His voice lowered into a growl. “You let any other person touch you without my permission and you’ll regret the miserable day you were brought into this world.” Still, I didn’t move. Not when the room descended into a strained silence. Not when he finally cursed under his breath and slammed the door shut. Not when the rev of his engine echoed through the house. Not when the air finally settled. The beta and his wife wouldn’t be home until later. They never were. Which meant no witnesses. No lectures. No pretending to be a happy family. Just me. I didn’t know how long I stayed there but eventually, I dragged myself into the shower, got ready for school, pulled a black hoodie over my head and a pair of jeans. I tucked my hair into a bun, hiding my face under the hoodie. The walk to school was long and by the time I went through the gates, my legs burned. Still, I kept my head down, glancing briefly at the clock in the hallway. Second period. Lit. Thankfully, Nobody looked at me. Which was exactly how I liked it. Staying invisible came with certain perks. I turned the corner, walking to my class when Tiana’s voice echoed in the hall, her squealing piercing through the ringing in my ear. I hid my annoyance, brushing past them. “Did you hear?” One of her minions buzzed with too much excitement for this time of day. “Alpha Damien and his scouts are coming to our pack.” Another squealed. “I heard that he shifted at just fifteen years old and is the fastest rising Alpha in training.” “My father says Alpha Damien already commands wolves twice his age.” Tiana said with excitement. “And he’s searching for a mate.” She sighed dreamily. “We’re basically made for each other.” I rolled my eyes, pushing the class doors open and the moment my body sank into the seat, my mind drifted. Away from Shakespeare. Or evil foster brothers. Or the broken system. It was the shrill ring of the bell that snapped me sharply back into reality. Lunch. Students were already filing out, their light chatter flowing smoothly. I sighed low, shoving my books into my bag when my wolf caught a strange scent. Pine. Grass after a rainy day. And something that made my wolf uneasy. My head snapped to the door, my gaze narrowing. Students flooded out and with it, the scent.