Chapter 5 Please Just Let Me Go

LENA

I shoved him away the instant the door flew open behind me, stumbling back in a rush of shame.

My skin burned hot, like fire under my uniform. My cheeks felt like they were glowing, and I couldn't bring myself to look up. I bowed my head low, as if the floor could swallow me whole and hide me from the mess I'd walked into.

I pressed a hand over my face, wishing I could vanish. Why had this happened? Why had I ended up like that, so close to him? Now they'd all see me as some cheap girl, throwing herself at the first man who looked her way.

They wouldn't care that I was terrified, that I hadn't meant any of it, that he'd pulled me in with his whispers and his presence. No, they'd just judge.

I stayed quiet, head down, my breaths coming short and shaky. The air in the room felt thick, pressing on me.

"I was just about done getting ready," the man I'd thought was the Alpha said, his voice deep and casual, like nothing had happened. "Why didn't you knock anyway?"

"That's not the point," another voice shot back, full of smug mockery. "Don't pretend like you've got something down there I haven't seen a hundred times."

I kept my eyes on the floor. The walls seemed to close in tighter, my heart pounding in my ears. Damn it, I thought to myself. Why did they have to walk in right then? Why did the Moon Goddess keep throwing this kind of hell at me?

The voice turned colder, sharper. "What I really want to know is why you were all over a worthless maid like her?"

My stomach dropped. Worthless. The word hit.

"If you're that desperate," the voice went on, dripping with disgust, "why not call one of those fine she-wolves from the Northern Pack? Or your fuck mate-she at least doesn't reek. Not like this... filthy omega."

I flinched hard, my hands balling into fists at my sides. I wanted to look up, to scream that he didn't know me, that I wasn't what he thought. But I didn't. I stayed bowed, the insults sinking in.

They always said things like this. Lowlife. Disgusting. Stinking omega. Did they have to rub it in my face every time?

Then, something surprised me. "How do you even know she's worthless?" the Alpha asked.

My breath caught. Was he... standing up for me?

"She's in a maid uniform, sure," he added, "but that doesn't make her trash."

For a second, I felt a tiny spark of gratitude. At least one person wasn't ready to kick me while I was down.

But the rude one just laughed, harsh and mean. "Please. I could smell her stink before I even opened the door. That rotten omega scent nearly made me puke."

Tears pricked at my eyes. I squeezed them shut, biting my cheek to hold it all in. No crying. Not here, not in front of them.

Then the Alpha laughed too-a low, cruel sound that shattered that spark in my chest.

"I knew you'd say that," he said. "I smelled her too. You know me, brother... I'd never touch garbage like her for real. I was just testing her. Seeing if she was different from the others."

He chuckled again, like it was all a joke.

"But nope," he went on, "she's the same. Cheap. Dirty. So desperate she moaned when I whispered in her ear. Didn't even push me away properly."

My body went cold. Tears slipped down my cheeks now, hot and silent. How could he say that? Twist it like I wanted it?

"She was begging for me to take her," he said without shame, laughing loud. "Probably planning to fake a pregnancy later. Trap me like some sneaky omega whore."

"And she moaned?" another voice chimed in, full of revulsion. "Goddess, that's nasty."

"How pathetic can you get?"

"Bet she'd spread for any Alpha in here and then play the victim."

"Should toss her in the pit with the other sluts. That's her level."

"Ugh, standing there like we can't see right through her."

"She's quiet now-probably hoping for round two."

I heard them all now. Not one or two, but a group. Their voices blended into a storm of mockery, laughter cutting through me like knives.

Still, I kept my head down. I didn't want to see their faces, to match voices to eyes. If I did, it'd haunt me forever.

"And why's her head still down?" a new voice snapped, laced with hate. "Ashamed of your true colors?"

Someone else laughed. "Or waiting for the next guy to step up. These omegas are all the same."

"Raise your head and look at us now."

I shook my head slow, tears dripping to the floor.

"Raise that ugly head!" one barked. "Or I'll rip it off and make you hold it."

My heart froze. I didn't want to, but fear won. My neck lifted before I could stop it.

There were four of them standing there, tall and powerful. They looked alike-brothers, maybe-but each had his own twist.

One had golden blond hair that caught the light like fire, one had fiery auburn locks swept back, one had raven black strands that fell sharp over his forehead, and the last had copper red waves that looked almost soft.

Was this real? Or some twisted dream I couldn't escape?

"So," one said with a nasty smirk, "sucking up to Alpha Harlan wasn't enough? Now you want the rest of us to line up?"

My heart broke more. I opened my mouth, but nothing came. What could I say? They'd twist it anyway.

Tears kept falling, soaking my collar, but I couldn't stop them.

The one with the golden blond hair stepped closer. "You deaf? Answer me."

I bowed my head quick. "I'm sorry," I whispered, voice shaking. "I didn't mean any of it. I didn't know this was the Alpha's room. I forgot to knock. Swear it wasn't on purpose."

"So you just tripped into his arms?" Golden Blond sneered. "What next? A magic spell made you moan like that?"

The others laughed low and mean, their words stabbing my chest.

I couldn't speak. Just stood shaking, head down again.

I felt so small, like a bug under their boots.

"I didn't mean to," I whispered, mostly to myself. "I'm new. Don't know the rules. Just trying to work."

"First day and already whoring for the Alpha," one muttered.

"No!" I said louder, desperate. "Please don't say that. I wasn't trying to... to do anything with Alpha Harlan. Swear. Wasn't thinking. Forgot to knock. Punish me different. Anything but this."

Quiet for a beat, then the voice I knew-Alpha Harlan. "By work, you mean barging in while I'm naked?"

Half naked if we are being honest but I wouldn't dare correct them.

My chest squeezed. I looked up slow. His eyes were cold, blank.

"I am apologizing to you again, My Alpha. Please forgive me. It is never going to repeat itself again." I apologized to him over again even though I had done that multiple times.

"Please just let me go, My Alpha. I have been through a lot already." I pleaded with them.

"Tired already?" Golden Blond laughed. "We haven't even started."

I backed up a step, fear rising.

The one with copper red hair leaned on the wall, smirking. "Know what we do to omegas who pull stunts like that?"

Please... stop, I thought, begging inside.

Shame and fear pressed on me. I felt like I'd break any second, their stares boring deep into me.

"Please..." I said again. My voice cracked. "Please just let me go. You can punish me another day. But not today. Not like this. I've been disgraced enough."

The golden blond one's smirk grew, eyes dark with cruelty. "Why should we let you go when we can all fuck you at once so you can get what you have been craving for?"