Chapter 3 Choices

Content Warning: This chapter contains themes of sexual violence, trauma, and emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.

I woke up with pain between my legs and let out a soft, broken groan. The morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Alpha's chamber.

I was disoriented, my mind swirling until his voice broke the stillness.

"You're awake," he said coldly.

My breath caught.

Memories came rushing back in flashes. Last night, he had gotten drunk before pouncing on me. I could still remember the smell of alcohol on his breath, the way he violently held me down.

He'd forced his way in.

A sharp ache throbbed between my legs, pulling me fully into the horror of reality.

Raylor stood at the foot of the bed, his expression unreadable but distant. He seemed almost irritated by me.

He tossed a half empty flask of ale onto the covers beside me.

"That should help with the pain," he muttered, not meeting my eyes. "The maids will come clean you up."

He shrugged on his coat without a backward glance and walked out, the door closing behind him with a click that echoed.

I stayed there, unmoving. The flask was untouched by my side yet my hands clutched the sheets.

My body trembled, and I could feel the hollow emptiness inside my chest deepening.

My breath hitched once, then again, before the sobs came. I cried like I never had in my life before, yet it wasn't enough.

The Luna had tricked me. The maids had pretended not to know what was happening. And the Alpha-

He was the worst. He treated me as though I was nothing more than a ragdoll to be used.

It hurt. It hurt so badly I could barely breathe.

I had no idea what was going to happen to me now, or what other evil plans they were concocting.

The only thing I knew was that I didn't have a choice. Right from the beginning. I was an omega, after all, so what options did I have?

But I thought if I was obedient enough. If I barked when they wanted me to, and sit when they commanded, nothing would happen to me.

It turned out that I was fucking wrong.

They didn't care how loyal you are or how hard you worked. To them, I was indispensable and last night proved it.

I didn't know when the maids entered. One of them gasped, halting in front of me with a horrified expression.

"Bloody heavens...did a massacre happen here?'

She reached forward, tapping my face gently but I didn't respond.

My eyes stared, unseeing, at the plain brown wall in front of me.

I didn't speak even as they lifted me from the bed. I barely registered the warmth of the water in the bath they placed me in.

I didn't feel anything except the hollow pain in my chest. It felt like my heartbeat was slowly dying and there was nothing I could do about it.

Sometime later, I wasn't sure how much time had gone but my mind had settled. I was in a different room and it wasn't the servants quarters.

The air smelt differently, almost like the room hadn't been in use for years. The decorations were sparse as well, the bed and the little table by the side were the only pieces of furniture in here.

The door opened suddenly, and Luna Vera stepped in, her eels clicking softly. I bristled at the satisfied smile on her face.

"Well," she purred, tilting her head, "How was your night?"

She crouched and grabbed my chin between two of her fingers, lifting it until our eyes met.

I glared at her, hatred burning behind unshed tears. But the Luna only chuckled.

"Don't look at me like that," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "This is for the best, you know."

She shoved my face away as if disgusted by the touch, and rose to her feet.

"You'll remain here," she said, smoothing her skirt. "Until you show signs of being with child."

She turned to leave.

"And if I don't?" My voice came out hoarse but steady.

Vera paused at the door, placing over her shoulder. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Then you'll die," she said simply.

She stepped through the door, but before it closed behind her, she offered one last parting gift,

"Enjoy the silence."

The lock clicked.

I leaned into the bed, the echo of her words echoing in the still air. A bitter scoff escaped my lips.

I was ruined. Either way.

........

I spent the rest of the day in the cold room as promised by the Luna and I could feel my toes turning into ice.

She hadn't even given me the luxury of having a blanket.

It was harsh and bitter and cold. I stared at the untouched tray of food at the foot of the bed with disdain, rubbing the sides of my arms for some form of heat.

The door suddenly creaked open and I stiffened. I squinted at the orange glow of light heading to me.

Instinctively, my knees drew to my chest. The silhouette in the doorway stepped forward, and I recognized her immediately.

"Oh, dear child," she whispered, hurrying closer but I didn't move. "Come on, let's go."

My breath caught in my throat. Again. They wanted me to go through hell again.

"No," I shook my head firmly, "I'm not going anywhere. You can't make me."

Ma'am Cory exhaled slowly, the harsh lines on her face had disappeared. "We're not taking you to him, Sara," she said gently.

"The Luna. She said you can return to work. No need to stay here anymore."

My brows furrowed in confusion. "Why?" I croaked. "Why the change of heart? Is she planning something else?"

"No," Ma'am Cory's eyes dropped to the ground. "I'm sorry," she murmured.

"What?"

"I said I'm sorry," she sniffled, her shoulders trembling. "I should never have recommended you. I didn't know..." Her voice cracked, and tears slipped silently down her cheeks.

"I didn't know what they were going to do. Please forgive me."

She was lying. I didn't know why but I could feel it. She knew exactly what was going to happen, but acted blind. And now, she couldn't deal with the shame of it.

I didn't feel anything from her apology. The damage was already done, my body was broken.

"If it's forgiveness you're looking for," I didn't realize I was crying until it slid between my cracked lips. "You won't find it here."

She looked appalled, but she nodded. "I understand," she said, brushing at her wet face. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."

With trembling legs, I stood. Each step felt like a mile and for a moment, I didn't want to leave the confines of the room.

At least, I felt safe here. How was I supposed to deal with the humiliation I had suffered?

But then I remembered. Humiliation was the least of what I should be feeling at the moment.

I had to either get pregnant with the Alpha's child or I would die.

Thinking about it now, I didn't know which fate was more cruel.

One thing was for certain, the moon god was definitely not on my side.