**ARIELLE'S POV**
"Like I said, you're all free to make her feel the pain her family brought to this pack," he said with a smirk, and the crowd cheered again.
"I hope you enjoy this hell that's custom-made for you," he gritted out, his voice calm but terrifying as the words forced themselves through his clenched teeth.
"You were so worried about the pain I'd go through, forgetting that there are thousands of people here who'd love nothing more than to watch you scream." His voice was harsh, anger making his eyes hard and cold.
"I'm one of those people. No, I'm the Alpha of those people," he finished, and a shiver ran down my spine as he stood.
My throat tightened, my breath came in short bursts, and the large hall suddenly felt way too small.
"Now," Damien continued after a long silence, a wicked gleam in his eyes. Underneath it, I saw something else—something darkly eager.
"She's all yours. Do whatever you want with her," he said, and then walked out of the hall without a backward glance.
Panic hit me like never before, tightening in my chest as the room grew so cold I could see my breath.
Curses rained down on me from the crowd, and before I could blink, a steel cup smashed into my forehead, blood immediately trickling down.
"Your birth ruined this pack! We shouldn't have to deal with a curse like you!" someone shouted, and once again, they started throwing things at me.
"You're an abomination."
"The moon goddess should've killed you."
"You should've died with your worthless family."
"DIE, BITCH! DIE!" They roared in unison, their boots stomping into my body until my stomach gave in, and I threw up what little I had inside me—just blood and water.
"Dog!"
"No, even a dog is better than her!"
"Any animal is better than her!"
The only sound left was my heartbeat, slow and fading. Soon, I couldn't hear anything. All I saw was... total darkness.
---
I pressed a hand to my temple as I forced my eyes open. Everything was blurry at first, but slowly came into focus.
Wait. I didn't die last night?
Looking around, I realized I was in my dingy little basement room at the Alpha's manor. My body ached, my head throbbed, and my eyes still stung.
Sighing, I wiped the sweat off my forehead and turned to clean up the kitchen. Just when I thought I was done, I saw the floor I had mopped and the table I had wiped were somehow filthy again.
What? How is that—
"Did you think you were done?" Bailey spat, her voice dripping with malice. My fists clenched in anger, and I grit my teeth. Her cackling made my blood boil.
"Look at this mess. It's as filthy as you are," she sneered, pretending to gag. My chest heaved with fury as I glared at her.
I didn't bother hiding the rage in my eyes.
"Why are you glaring at me?!" she snarled, like some wild animal. But I stayed silent, still haunted by what happened last night.
"I'm not your enemy, Witch. You are mankind's enemy, so stop acting like the world is out to get you. Now get back to your chores!" she snapped. "Oh, and shut up, too. No one wants to hear your disgusting voice." With that, she spun around and left.
The fury inside me swirled like a storm, and I imagined smashing one of the dishes over her head.
---
By the time I finished all my chores, the pain in my body was unbearable. Still, part of me felt a tiny bit excited to eat something, even though I knew what awaited me in the kitchen.
Weakly, I dragged myself to the main kitchen, my stomach growling, but the pitiful plate they gave me did nothing to ease my hunger.
"Take it or leave it," Bailey barked, shoving the plate at me. "This is what traitors like you deserve."
I chose to leave it. Staggering back to my room, I collapsed on my creaky bed, waiting for night to fall.
---
Later, I did what I did best: I picked pockets from some of the pack members and when I had enough, I used my cloak to disguise myself and get food.
After eating, I thought I was free of my troubles—until I bumped into something.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING SNEAKING AROUND?!" A loud voice rang in my ears. I realized, too late, that I had bumped into someone, not something.
Of all people, it had to be Raymond.
"I— I was—" I stammered, unable to get the words out. Even in the dim light, I could see the hatred in Raymond's eyes.
"How pathetic can you be? You can't even form a sentence," Raymond sneered. "What's a worthless maid, a witch, and a disgraceful abomination doing sneaking around?"
"I'm sorry," I muttered. I'd gone the whole day without a fight—starting one with Raymond would end badly for me.
"You should be," he hissed, his voice filled with malice. He leaned in closer, his face inches from mine. "And you know what you should do with that apology? Shove it up your slutty ass and FUCKING DIE!"
My gaze shifted slightly to see Damien standing behind him, watching everything unfold without saying a word.
What kind of Alpha just stands by while someone in his pack is humiliated?
What kind of mate does nothing while his beta throws insults at his mate?
The kind that doesn't care. The kind that wants nothing more than his mate dead.
What was the moon goddess thinking when she mated me with Damien?