The Alpha's Little Witch

"On your knees!"

The Alpha's growl reverberated harshly in my ears. I wondered what I had done this time. Wasting time no further, I crumpled to the ground on my knees. The Luna sneering in sheer hatred for me.

"Y-yes Alpha."

My voice wobbled and my eyes shone with unshed tears. I was desperately trying not to cry.

"The Luna complained you do not respect her. Why is that?"

The Alpha queried harshly.

"I do respect the Luna."

When will all these stop? What ever have I done to the Luna that she hated me so much?

"Are you saying that your Luna is lying?"

His eyes darkened in anger and I shook visibly under his intense stare. The Alpha of Moon River pack is an Alpha no one dared toyed with. He is as mean and as bad-tempered as they come.

"N-no, Alpha. I wouldn't dare insinuate such."

"Then did you disrespect her or not?"

I was in a quandary what to answer. Saying the truth would lead to punishment. Lying would also get me punished. My just swallowed and stared at them both with tears running down my eyes.

"Answer me!"

I jolted out of uncontrollable fear. Then slowly gave a small, cautious shake of my head - an indication that I hadn't in any way disrespected the Alpha.

"Still saying that your Alpha is lying?"

"I'm not insinuating that all, Alpha. But please believe me when I say I did not in any way disrespect the Luna."

"So you mean he should believe you over me?"

The Luna sneered. I gulped again, I didn't know what else to do. If not that we needed the money, I wouldn't be here. Mother is sick and she needs treatment. Father can't handle the expenses all by himself.

"But please Luna, tell the Alpha the truth. I didn't disrespect you. I bowed when others did and I didn't mumble any insulting words, I swear it."

"You mean to say I'm lying?"

Before I could respond to that, I fell backwards from the force of her hand coming in contact with my cheek. My eyes watered from the sheer sting of it. I could barely kneel properly, my head was spinning. What had she slapped me with? Or did her hand grow thrice in size when landing on my face? Pain wouldn't let me breathe well. My breath hitched and tears welled as I cradled the side of my face that was red and warm. I was already suffering enough, this was too much but I had to take it. I couldn't quit. Mother needs the money, we need the money.

"The other day you tried to poison my food. The time before that you spat in my newly laundered dress."

The Luna yelled maliciously at me. All were lies but no one would ever believe me.

"Teach this riffraff a lesson, Caden. Don't let her get away with this brazen attitude of hers?"

What brazen attitude was I exhibiting? I wish I understood where all these accusations were sprouting from?

"What do you want us to do with her?"

From my peripheral vision, I saw the Luna give a wicked grin. This was what she wanted and the Alpha was no different. He was always mean and ruthless to everyone except the Luna but mine was worse. It was as if he kept his hatred for me separate from other and on a very high level. Higher than the rest. He had on a mean smirk too.

"You, go call two of the guards for me."

The Luna ordered a maid that was waiting on them. She felt pity for me but there was nothing she could do. She hurried out and came back few minutes later with two hefty looking men.

"I want you both to punish her."

My heart pounded against my chest.

"Please Luna, I did not do anything. I didn't disrespect you. Please, Alpha. I didn't show any form of disrespect, this is the honest truth. I greeted her like the others did. I did not mumble anything."

I was begging desperately. Tears were gushing in torrents now. The men were trying to hold me steady but I was wriggling. Everyone understood what receiving the punishment meant. One would be whipped and after then thrown in cell for as long as the Alpha wanted it. I cried and begged but no one came to my aid. The Alpha and the Luna sat watching me being tied up, smiles on their face like I was putting on a show for them - an amusing one at that.

"Please, I beg of you. I didn't do anything. This punishment is uncalled for please."

"Hm. She still has the strength to talk."

The Luna sneered and stood, coming close to where I was, she used her heel to pierce my back. My scream was loud but useless because no one still came to save me from this pain.

"Please Luna."

I begged amidst cries.

"Give me the whip."

I heard her tell one of the men.

"Hold her tight, make sure she's held down firm."

The grip on my arms and legs became tighter. I couldn't move them properly.

"Please Luna. I didn't do anything. Aloha please. Okay, I'm sorry forgive me. I won't disrespect you again."

Pain weakened my bones when the whip slashed across my back. I thought I was going to die. Pain was blinding.

"See, Caden. The truth is finally out. She now agrees to disrespecting me. But it is a bit too late for that."

"Whip her harder, Phena. Next time she'll learn not to disrespect royalty."

And the Luna did whip me harder. I couldn't count how many times the whip came in contact with my skin but by the time the Luna was satisfied with her whippings, my throat was too sore to cry. My body trembled and my head hurt so bad I was unable to see anything properly.

"Get up, stupid servant!"

The Luna yelled. I tried getting up but I ended up landing on my butt which hurt me so much. My butt had not been spared from the whip.

"Drag her up and take her to the cell. Leave her there for two days."

I was too weak to cry or protest. I only prayed I didn't die from this humiliation and pain.

"Here, take."

The guard gave me some food.

"Thank you."

I forced my aching body to edge forward to drag the plate he had slid towards me. I hurt all over and I was bleeding in some places. I haven't been able to see the state of my back but I knew without a doubt that I was going to find ugly, jagged marks if I dared look. Then I remembered my parents, especially my ailing mother, I was supposed to go home today to see then and return tomorrow but I couldn't because the Luna decided, for no just cause, she wanted to make my life a living hell, and her Alpha had no problem jumping in the idea with her, so long as it was me receiving the pain.

"You're in pain, I presume?"

The prison guard I'd come to know as Luthan asked, his voice filled with sympathy.

"You can't begin to guess how much."

I chuckled, trying to make light of the situation but I was not just suffering physically, I was in emotional pains too. What had I done? It was always me. Of all the staff, it was always me.

"You don't have to pretend you're fine, Amyra. I know how much pain you're in."

"Thank you for your kindness to me, Luthan."

"It's nothing."

"It's not nothing, Luthan. You're sticking out your neck for me. I know the Alpha had forbade anyone from giving me food nor water but you're still doing it. Going against his order."

Luthan shrugged and insisted it was nothing.

"Don't worry about it, Amyra. Just eat quickly before someone sees you."

I made a quick work of finishing up the food he had brought me. This was the second time he was feeding me since yesterday afternoon I was brought here, and it is just morning. I gulped most of the water and used the remaining to wash my hands.

"I am done, Luthan. Thank you so much."

He nodded and left with the empty plate and cup. Then he returned to his position from where he was supposed to keep watch over me.

"I wonder why they insisted that I stay here with you. It's not like you can escape from this dark place."

"I don't know why they would think so too."

"It was the Luna that brought about the idea. She made it look like you possibly have some power to escape this place."

I tried to laugh then wince as sharp, piercing pain stabbed the whole of my back and even my temples.

"Sorry. You need anything."

"Nothing. You have done enough already."

But I did need something. I needed something to drink, a kind of medicine to kill this pain taking over my whole being and tormenting every slight move I made.

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

I couldn't be selfish enough to put him in trouble. He could get caught trying to help me again.

"It's funny that the Luna would think that way. I am just a servant. A commoner in the pack. I have no powers."

I didn't even have the power to transform yet. And it was a fact that shamed me every single day. Every werewolf begins to transmute from the age of five, if the child is a late bloomer, it is six to nine but not later than ten. By ten, every werewolf has fully transmuted. But I am nineteen and yet to see a slightest sign. My wolf is yet to even talk to me or let me know of her presence somewhere in my head. My parents would always comfort me and tell me not to worry. I know they are being parents but it's not as easy as they think. And this is a shame I could not tell anyone. No one except my parents knew.

"It is beginning to get obvious that the Luna and the Alpha picks on you a lot. I think the Luna is the one pushing the Alpha to hate you too."

"I don't think so, Luthan. The Alpha's not a child. If anyone can manipulate him or control him, then he is not worthy of being of an Alpha."

Luthan quickly darted around for fear of anyone who might be listening.

"The walls have ears, Amyra. Be careful what you spill from your mouth. You're in one trouble already, don't worsen it by invoking more wrath from the Alpha and his Luna."

"I didn't do anything and they threw me in here. I miss my parents. My mother's sick and I can't even go to visit her. Yesterday was supposed to be my half day but it was ruined by the Alpha and his Luna."

"It's okay, Amyra."

My voice broke, partly because I hated how calm and understanding his voice was and the other part was because I didn't deserve to be treated this way.

"No, it's not okay. It is far from being okay. Just look at me. I am bleeding and hurt with no treatment. The peeled, exposed tender part of my back might be infected."

"I wish I could help tend your back."

"No. Don't bother. You'll just end up in trouble and I don't want that. You're doing more than enough for me as it is."

"It's okay. But what exactly went wrong with you and the Luna yesterday?"

He was genuinely curious and concerned.

"She reported to the Alpha that I disrespected her."

"Did you?"

"No, I didn't. I swear I didn't. She was passing by the hallway, me and three other servants were running some errands when we saw her. We bowed in greeting and continued on our journey when she called me back. Surprised, I went and she asked me what was it I had mumbled to the rest of the girls about. I was so dumbfounded that I just stared at her. I didn't understand how I had disrespected her and was at loss for words. Then she asked me to follow her, we ended up in the meeting room where the Alpha was sitting and she lied against me."

"Are you sure you hadn't said anything at all? Something to might have made her believe you were talking against her?"

"No, I didn't. Not even a word."

"Do you have any form of issue with the Luna. It might be an issue you're not aware of?"

"What issue do I probably want to have with the Luna? There's no issue. There have never been and there isn't any one existing even at the moment."

"Your body is saying a different thing."

"I guess. But this is an issue she brought up and is making me suffer."

"We all know how the Luna is. The Alpha too. But yours is becoming obvious."

"I don't know what you want me to say Luthan. But wait, how do you know she and the Alpha picks on me?"

"I hear things, Amyra. I work here too."

"I know. I just think how you know because I've never really seen you before."

"I haven't seen you before either." Then he paused. "Maybe once or twice, but not enough to know you. I just hear the servants talk about it."

"The servants talk about it?"

"Yes. As they talk about a lot of things too."

"Oh. I guess it is very normal. Gossip amongst domestic staff."

"Yes, I know but some..." Then he looked around again to ensure no one was within earshot. Then he reduced his voice considerably. "But some rumors have gone on that the Luna is a very strange werewolf."

"She's strange alright. Because no one should be that mean and wicked."

The cell was not that well ventilated so I had to sit close to the bars because my back was itching from the slight heat that the cell was producing.

"That's not what I meant?"

His expression, from what I could make out of it, was quite serious. That caused my curiosity to be quite piqued.

"That's not?"

He shook his head.

"Then tell me what you mean?"

"I don't really know if what they say is true but some say she doesn't behave like a werewolf. That she exhibits a very strange character sometimes."

I wasn't understanding a thing he was saying and personally I don't think it was true.

"Well it is what it is. A rumor. The Luna is a werewolf, many have seen her in her beast form."

"That's true. And that's why people are kind of confused."

"She is mean. Extremely mean. I wouldn't even be surprised if she's compared to some of these dark witches."

"I agree with you. Witches. Hm."

He concluded thoughtfully.

"What is it? What are you thinking?"

"Nothing really. It's just I've come to realize no one understands where she is from."

"It does not mean. She's a werewolf. I just compared her to dark witches because of how dark her heart is."

"Yes, I get your point. And I believe you're right."

The Luna was a werewolf but she was a wicked one. Her heart was as black as a dark witch's own but that didn't mean she was a witch. See what she was putting me through. I was supposed to be home by now, spending time with my parents before I resumed this late afternoon. Eating my father's hot delicious meals while mother told me tales for as long as her health would allow her speak.

"Are you crying, Amyra?"

Luthan's gentle voice carried through and penetrated my thoughts. My hand went to my face, I didn't even know I had been crying.

"What's wrong Amyra?"

My voice broke and a sob escaped.

"My back hurts, the ground is uncomfortable, I am sore everywhere and I miss my parents."

"You're going to be fine, Amyra. Tomorrow is your last day in this hellhole."

"Hellhole."

I managed a light laugh while sniffling and swiping at my eyes.

"Funny, huh?"

"Yes, it sounded perfectly funny. Thank you."

"It's nothing."

"You always say that but I insist it's not nothing."

"Okay, if you're going to keep insisting, I accept your gratitude."

I tried a wobbly smile. Given my current situation and my emotions running all over the place, it was the best I could do.

"How long have you been working here?"

He asked. I guess he was trying to start up a normal conversation.

"A year ago."

"You're still new."

"Relatively."

I argued.

"Fresh new. A year is not relatively new."

"I strongly oppose your perspective but in the mean time, I'll let it slide."

He laughed.

"Are you trying to say you agree to losing?"

"Please." I eye rolled playfully, steadily getting in the mood he was drawing me into. "I did not lose. I just don't want to argue."

"Sounds like someone is trying hard to save face."

"What face am I saving?"

"Your losing face."

I pretended to gasp in offense but he took laughed in response.

"What about you? When did you start working here?"

"Eight years."

I was surprised.

"Eight years?"

"Yes. Ten complete years."

He looked so young.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty eight."

I stared at him in surprise. Wow!

"What's the look on your face?"

He questioned, though I had a feeling he could guess why I was wearing that surprised mask.

"Has anyone ever told you how young you look?"

His smile seemed somewhat shy.

"I get that a lot."

"No one would believe you're in your late twenties. Ever."

And I wasn't lying. He looked so not his age and he was good looking too. I mean he had attractive features. Very attractive ones. He had enchanting brown eyes that a woman could drown in and not be bothered about the depth. His smile was nice and sweet. And from how he'd treated me ever since I was thrown in here, I could say his heart was beautiful too.

"I guess the Moon Goddess was being benevolent when she was creating me."

I couldn't detect any pride in his voice when he said that. It was more inclined towards being a joke.

"You don't see yourself the way others do, do you?"

"I just think we're all the same."

"No we're not. At least I'm not as mean as the Luna and you're definitely not as wicked as the Alpha."

A small chuckle.

"You know what I mean. I'm just saying I'm not special. My looks doesn't mean I'll be treated differently or preferentially."

His sweet, kind soul was getting to me all of a sudden and I could only stare like a simpleton at his beautiful face.