Chapter 2 You Deserve This

LENA

I ducked almost immediately, but I wasn't fast enough.

A heavy glass-maybe a mug-smashed into my forehead with a sickening crack.

"Agh!" I screamed, stumbling back. My hand flew to my head, but blood was already pouring.

The pain exploded as the blood was now dripping into my eyes. It hurt so bad.

My vision blurred, a mix of tears and blood. My forehead throbbed like someone had hacked it with a blade.

My hands shook as I tried to wipe the mess away, but more kept coming, soaking my fingers.

"Is this it?" I whispered, my voice breaking. "Is this how I die?"

A glass thrown at my head like I was nothing?

"Why do you hate me?" I sobbed, clutching my forehead. The blood wouldn't stop. "What did I do?"

Marta stood there, her eyes cold and vicious.

She didn't care.

I'm an omega. A weak.

Other wolves heal in minutes. A cut like this? Nothing to them. But me? This gash could take days to close, and every second of it would hurt like hell.

"I try so hard," I choked out, tears mixing with the blood. "I work fast. I don't complain. I would've finished those dishes if you'd given me a chance. But you wanted me to fail. You wanted to hurt me."

"Why???"

Her lips curled into a sneer. "Because you're an omega," she spat, stepping closer. "You're a pathetic, useless thing. Your kind shouldn't exist."

"Weaklings like you belong in the dirt," she hissed. "The Alpha's too soft to wipe you out, so I'll do it myself."

She leaned in and spat on my face, the wet glob landing on my cheek, mixing with the blood.

I froze. My heart pounded so hard I thought it'd burst.

Who had hurt her to make her this cruel?

Or was it just me?

"People like you are a waste of air," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "And that blood on the floor? Perfect. I'll tell the Beta you're trying to curse his birthday with your filthy omega blood."

"What?" My voice cracked. "I didn't do anything! You threw the glass! I'm bleeding because of you!"

She laughed. "Who's going to believe you, Lena? A disgusting omega? They'll burn you before you can open your mouth."

My chest tightened. She was right. No one would listen to me.

I was nothing to them.

"Five minutes," she said, heading for the door. "I'll be back with the guards. If you're still here, crying and bleeding, even better. They'll drag you out and be done with you."

She smirked. "Good riddance."

BANG.

The door slammed shut.

I sank to my knees, the world spinning. Blood dripped onto the floor, pooling with soap and broken glass.

"Mom... Dad..." I whispered, staring at nothing. "Why did you leave me in this hell?"

My sobs echoed in the empty kitchen as I broke down.

The blood was blocking my view making it unable for me to see.

"I can't see, somebody help!!!." I cried as I was trying to clean the blood off my face.

I stayed on the floor, eyes squeezed shut against the stinging blood.

........

Finally, I forced myself to move, fumbling for my torn bag in the corner.

My hands shook as I pulled out an old rag. I pressed it to my forehead, wiping away the blood. It stung, but the bleeding had slowed.

I could open my eyes, just barely.

The floor was a disaster-blood, glass shards, soap foam. It looked like a slaughterhouse.

I limped to the tap, wincing as pain shot through my foot. I'd stepped on a glass shard, and it burned like hell.

Gritting my teeth, I washed my face and hands, the water stinging my cuts.

I had to clean up. If Marta saw a single drop of blood, she'd make good on her threat.

"My life's a nightmare," I muttered, watching the red swirl down the drain.

I cleaned the floor fast, scrubbing every speck of blood and glass.

Then I tore a strip from my rag and wrapped it around my cut foot, biting back a groan.

......

I then went back to the dishes.

The soap burned my raw hands, but I didn't stop. I couldn't dare stop.

After what seems like the longest time, I finally finished, my legs gave out. I collapsed into a chair, dizzy and weak. Every inch of me hurt.

The door swung open again.

I shot to my feet, ignoring the pain.

Marta stood there, giving me a cold look. .

I bowed, forcing a shaky smile. "I'm done, ma'am," I said softly.

She didn't blink. "Good. Now get out."

I hesitated. "But... my uncle's payment. For the work."

Her lips twisted into a mocking grin. "Payment? After you broke that glass? You're lucky I don't make you pay for it."

My heart sank. "But I didn't-" I whispered, my voice shaking.

Marta suddenly cut me off as she burst into laughter. "Who's going to believe you, you filthy omega?"

Her eyes gleamed with hate. "I could say you tried to poison the Beta, and they'd burn you without a second thought."

My knees wobbled, but I forced myself to stand.

"I didn't break that glass," I said, my voice barely audible. "You threw it at me."

She stepped closer, her lip curling. "Keep talking. No one cares. You're nothing."

"Now get out before I drag you to the guards myself."

My heart sank.

No money. If I went home empty-handed, my uncle would kill me.

"Please," I begged, dropping to my knees. Tears mixed with the blood on my face. "Just a little. He'll beat me to death if I don't bring something. Please."

Marta's eyes were cold. Empty.

"Good," she sneered. "Let him. Saves me the trouble of dealing with your worthless kind."

I couldn't breathe, my chest tight with panic.

"Please..." I whispered, choking on sobs. "I'll do anything."

"Disgusting," she spat. "Get out of my sight. Other maids are waiting to replace you."

She turned and slammed the door so hard I flinched.

I grabbed my ragged bag, my hands shaking, and limped out the back door.

My foot burned with every step, my head pounding.

People stared as I dragged myself down the street. Their whispers were as mean as always.

"Filthy omega."

"Look at her, covered in blood. A curse."

"She shouldn't be here with normal wolves."

I kept my head down, used to it.

The words still hurt, but I had no fight left.

The sun scorched my skin as I limped home.

Home wasn't safe but I didn't have a choice because I have absolutely no where to go apart from home.

My heart raced as I reached the door, hands trembling.

I whispered a prayer to the Moon Goddess, knowing she'd never answered before.

"Just this once, please. No more pain tonight."

My uncle sat in his creaky chair, a half-empty bottle of whiskey on the table.

He reeked of sweat and booze, his shirt unbuttoned, eyes glassy.

I tried to tiptoe past, holding my breath, but his voice stopped me cold.

"Where do you think you're going, Lena?"

I froze. My stomach twisted. "I-I was just going to clean up," I stammered, forcing a weak smile.

He stood, swaying, a nasty grin spreading across his face.

"No hello for your uncle? Rude little brat."

He stepped closer, and I backed into the wall, heart pounding.

"Please," I whispered, eyes down. "I didn't mean to-"

"Where's my money?" His voice turned sharp, hungry.

He grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. "Give it to me."

My breath caught. "I... I wasn't paid," I said, barely audible.

His eyes darkened. "What?" he growled.

Before I could explain, his fist slammed into my face..

My nose broke, blood gushing down my chin. I gasped, collapsing to the floor, pain exploding in my skull.

"Where's my money, you useless thing?" he roared, kicking my side. Once. Twice. Again.

Each hit stole my breath. I curled up, choking on blood, unable to scream.

"Please," I whimpered, barely able to speak. "I tried... she wouldn't pay me... I swear..."

He didn't care. His fists kept coming, pounding my ribs, my back.

I was nothing but a punching bag, my body screaming for it to stop.

Then he paused, panting, and crouched beside me.

His grin was pure evil.

"You're done working for me," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. "I sold you. Pack your pathetic rags. Your new master's coming tonight."

My heart stopped.

"W-what?" I croaked, blood dripping from my lips.

"You heard me," he snarled, standing. "You're someone else's problem now.."