Chapter 2 A Mate's Cruelty

Mira's POV

When I wake up, I jump. My heart is racing, and my head hurts from last night. Even though the sun is shining now and the castle is booming, I can't stop thinking about that eerie growl from the forest. I push the blanket away and touch my forehead. My stomach feels twisted and heated. Even though I shouldn't, I keep my illness a secret from everyone. They'll just call me weak again.

My name is Mira, and I'm an Omega. That means I am the smallest person in the group and that no one thinks I am important. I live in a big castle with my Alpha husband, Dane. He should act as though he loves me, but he doesn't. I put on my patched dress and tie my silver hair back. My hands shake a little, but I take a deep breath. Today, I'll try my hardest to make Dane happy. Maybe he'll smile at me again.

I dash into the kitchen. The air is heavy with the smell of bread and soup. Lila, the cook, is already yelling. "Mira! Don't be lazy! The Alpha must eat lunch. Her cheeks are flushed and her bun is messy today. I nod and accept a basket of apples. I start to peel them, but my fingers move slowly, like they're stuck in mud. I cut my thumb when the knife slides. A small drop of blood lands on the apple. In the hopes that Lila won't notice, I hastily conceal it.

"Stupid girl!" Lila still gets angry. She's standing above me now, hands on her hips. "You're worthless, Mira. Take immediate action! I bite my lip and keep peeling. My thumb hurts, but I don't cry. I want to be respectable. I want the yelling to stop.

I take a tray into the spacious hall after I've finished the apples. My head feels foggy and my arms shake under the weight of the tray. In the cacophonous hall, a number of wolves are eating and chatting. Dane's dark hair shines in the sunlight at the big table. His grey eyes are as sharp as a storm. Selina's flaming red hair gleams next to him. She laughs and puts her hand on Dane's arm. My chest hurts when I see them. Why are they so close?

I set the tray down carefully. When the plates clink, I try not to make any noise. I want Dane to pay attention and say something nice. But he doesn't even look up. His voice is as cold as ice as he says, "Mira." "This soup is far too thin. Can't you do anything right?

My face gets hot. My throat feels tight, but I want to apologize. "I tried," I mumble. My voice sounds like that of a bird.

Selina laughs harshly and loudly. Dane, why do you keep her? An Alpha shouldn't have her. Her blue eyes sparkle, but not in a good way. The other wolves laugh at the table, too. Their voices were like needles in my ears.

I look at Dane, hoping he'll say something to stop them. But all he does is wave his hand. "Go, Mira. Don't bother me, please. His words were as hard as a stone. I turn and nod, my bare feet silent on the stone floor. I take my time so that no one can see that I'm crying, even though I want to run.

Back in the kitchen, I hide behind a big bag of flour. I pull my knees up to my chest and give them a tight hug. Why is Dane so ruthless? I love him, but he makes me feel so unimportant. My head hurts more now, and my stomach twists more. Heat, cold, and heat again. I'm scared to tell anyone that I have a problem. They'll just laugh.

Again, Lila finds me. "Mira! Come out of hiding! We need to get to work! She pulls at my arm and I stumble to my feet. I wiped away my tears and followed her to the stove. As I stir a pot of stew, I feel unsteady. My face begins to sweat from the steam, and I feel dizzy. I hold the counter to keep up.

I keep working throughout the day. I clean pots, sweep floors, and carry heavy buckets of water. My arms are tired, and my legs are like jelly. Every time I pass the large hall, I can hear Selina laughing. She seems to be stealing Dane from me everywhere she goes. I try to ignore the thought, but it sticks to me like dirt.

At night, there's a big feast. Drink service is my responsibility. I cleaned my apron, but it's still faded and old. I carry a big jug of water into the hall. The tables are packed, and the air is scented with pork and bread. Dane appears robust in his dark coat as he stands at the head table. Selina is standing next to him, dressed in a dazzling, scarlet ensemble. She's smiling like she owns the whole castle.

To keep from yelling, I quickly pour water into cups. But my hands are shaking and a little water drips on the table. A big wolf named Tor grabs my wrist. He growls, "Omega, watch it!" His eyes are cruel, and his grip hurts. I nod and pull away, my heart racing.

The last table I get to is Dane's. I pour water into his cup, being careful not to spill. Selina watches me, her lips curving like a cat's. "Mira," she adds in a polite but sharp voice. "You seem sick. Are you too weak to just pour water?

The group laughs again. My cheeks are burning and my eyes are getting wet. I wait for Dane to say something-anything at all. But as he leans back in his chair, his face is hard. "Mira, you're making me look foolish," he says. Proceed.

To me, the word feels like a slap. I drop the jug and run out of the doorway. As soon as my feet touch the cold floor, I begin to cry. I continue until I get to my tiny room. I slam the door and fall onto my bed. Even though my blanket is thin, I pull it over my head. I want to stay hidden forever.

My head feels like it's being squeezed right now. My stomach turns over and I feel like I might throw up. I stiffen, trying to inhale. Why does Dane despise me? I work very hard to be the best. He used to be kind to me, holding my hand and calling me his mate, I remember. It feels like a dream now.

I close my eyes and try to fall asleep, but I can't. The low, menacing growl from last night is echoing in my mind again. I remind myself that it was just a wolf, maybe one of the pack. But it didn't sound like them. It had an air of grandeur and antiquity. My skin tingles and my heart is pounding as I sit up.

There's a scratching noise outside my window, like claws on stone. I hold my breath as I listen. It comes closer again. I creep to the window, my legs shaking. The night is dark, but the moon is bright. I peek out and my eyes enlarge. A tall, swift shadow with eyes like fire is on the move. But this time, it's not in the forest. It's just outside the castle, looking up at me.

I stumble back, my heart thumping so loudly that I can't hear anything else. I see flashes of sharp fangs in the moonlight as the darkness closes in. It knows I'm here. It's watching me. Then it whispers, "Mira," and it makes me shiver.