Chapter 2 Cruelty by a Mate

Mira's POV

I leap when I wake up. My head hurts from last night, and my heart is pounding. The castle is booming, and the sun is shining now, but I can't get that spooky growl out of the forest out of my head. I touch my forehead and push the blanket away. In addition to being heated, my stomach feels twisted. I don't tell anyone that I'm feeling ill, even though I shouldn't. They'll simply label me weak once more.

I'm an Omega, and my name is Mira. That indicates that no one considers me significant and that I am the tiniest member of the group. My Alpha husband, Dane, and I reside in a large castle. He doesn't act like he loves me, even though he should. I tie my silver hair back and put on my patched dress. My hands tremble a bit, but I inhale deeply. I'll do my best to make Dane happy today. Perhaps he will give me another smile.

I run to the kitchen. The smell of soup and bread fills the air. The cook, Lila, is already shouting. "Mira! Avoid being lazy! The Alpha needs to have lunch. Her bun is untidy today, and her cheeks are flushed. I take a basket of apples and nod. My fingers feel slow, as if they're stuck in mud, as I begin to peel them. When the knife slides, I cut my thumb. The apple gets a tiny drop of blood on it. I quickly hide it in the hopes that Lila won't notice.

"Stupid girl!" Still, Lila loses her temper. With her hands on her hips, she is now standing above me. "Mira, you're useless. Act quickly! I continue to peel while biting my lip. I don't cry even though my thumb hurts. I wish to be decent. I want the shouting to cease.

Upon finishing the apples, I carry a tray into the large hall. The weight of the tray makes my arms tremble, and my head feels hazy. There are several wolves eating and conversing in the noisy hall. At the large table, Dane's dark hair gleams in the sunlight. His storm-like gray eyes are razor-sharp. Beside him, Selina's fiery red hair shines. Her hand is on Dane's arm as she laughs. When I see them, my chest aches. What makes her and him so close?

I carefully put the tray down. I try not to make noise when the plates clink. I'd like Dane to take notice and say something kind. However, he doesn't even raise his head. "Mira," he says in a tone as icy as ice. "This soup is excessively thin. Is there nothing you can do correctly?

My face becomes hot. I want to apologize, but my throat feels constricted. I mumble, "I tried." I have a bird-like voice.

Selina lets out a loud, cruel laugh. Why do you retain her, Dane? She is not suitable for an Alpha. Her blue eyes gleam, but not in a pleasant manner. At the table, the other wolves also chuckle. Their voices hurt my ears like needles.

I turn to face Dane in the hopes that he will say something to stop them. He simply waves his hand, though. "Mira, leave. Please don't disturb me. His remarks were as harsh as a rock. With my bare feet silent on the stone floor, I turn and nod. I want to run, but I take my time so no one can notice that I'm crying.

I duck behind a large flour bag back in the kitchen. I give them a tight hug as my knees pull up to my chest. What makes Dane so cruel? Even though I adore him, he makes me feel so insignificant. My stomach twists more and my head hurts more now. I experience heat, cold, and heat again. I have a problem, but I'm afraid to tell anyone. They will merely chuckle.

Lila finds me once more. "Mira! Get out of hiding! We have work to do! I stagger to my feet as she tugs at my arm. I followed her to the stove after wiping my tears. I feel unsteady while I stir a pot of stew. I feel lightheaded and my face starts to perspire from the steam. To keep up, I hold the counter.

As the day progresses, I continue working. I carry bulky buckets of water, sweep floors, and clean pots. My legs feel like jelly, and my arms are exhausted. I can hear Selina laughing every time I walk by the vast hall. She seems to be everywhere, stealing Dane from me. The thought clings to me like dirt despite my best efforts to ignore it.

There is a large feast at night. I'm in charge of serving drinks. My apron is still old and faded even after I cleaned it. I go to the hall with a large jug of water. The air smells of bread and pork, and the tables are crowded. Dane is standing at the head table, looking strong in his dark coat. Beside him, Selina is wearing a scarlet and sparkling outfit. She is grinning as though she is the owner of the entire castle.

I pour water into cups quickly to avoid shouting. However, a small amount of water drips on the table as my hands shake. Tor, a large wolf, snatches my wrist. "Omega, watch it!" he growls. His grip hurts, and his gaze are cruel. With my heart pounding, I nod and pull away.

Dane's table is the last one I reach. Making sure not to spill, I fill his cup with water. With her lips curved like a cat, Selina observes me. "Mira," she adds in a kind yet acerbic tone. "You appear ill. Do you lack the strength to simply pour water?

Once more, the group chuckles. I feel my eyes getting wet and my cheeks burning. I wait for Dane to say something, anything at all. But his face is hard as he reclines in his chair. He says, "Mira, you're making me look foolish." Go.

The word is like a slap to me. I drop the jug and bolt from the hallway. I start crying as my feet hit the chilly floor. I keep going until I reach my small room. I collapse onto my bed after slamming the door. I pull my blanket over my head despite its thinness. I wish to remain hidden forever.

It feels like someone is squeezing my head right now. I feel as though I might puke up as my stomach turns over. I tense up, attempting to take a breath. Dane hates me, but why? I make a lot of effort to be excellent. I recall the times he was nice to me, holding my hand and referring to me as his mate. Now it seems like a dream.

I try to sleep by closing my eyes, but I can't. I can hear the low, ominous growl from last night in my thoughts once more. It was only a wolf, perhaps a member of the pack, I remind myself. It didn't sound like them, though. There was something enormous and ancient about it. I sit up, my heart racing, and my skin tingles.

Outside my window, there's a scratching sound, like claws on stone. I listen while holding my breath. Once more, it approaches. My legs tremble as I creep to the window. The moon is bright, yet the night is black. My eyes widen as I peep out. A shadow with fire-like eyes is moving quickly and tall. It's not in the forest this time, though. It's staring up at me from just outside the castle.

My heart is pounding so loudly that I can't hear anything else, I stagger back. As the darkness draws nearer, I catch glints of sharp fangs in the moonlight. It is aware of my presence. It is observing me. Then it says, "Mira," in a whisper that chills me to the bone.