Chapter 4

Alessandra's perspective

"Where the hell is she?"

I was startled awake like a thunderclap by Francesca's voice. I sat up, dazed and confused, my heart hammering in my chest. The curtains I had foolishly neglected to properly close the previous evening let in sunlight.

"Shit." I ran a hand through my tangled hair and spoke in a barely audible whisper.

With a loud bang, the door flew open. Francesca barged in, her furious face contorted.

"Help me, Goddess, with what I'm going to do to you, girl! How come you're still in bed? Do you consider this to be your little playground?

"No, ma'am," I said in a hurried, low voice.

"So why do you remain here when your friends have almost completed the pack chores?"

"I wasn't feeling well, and—"

"And what? You thought you were going to die because you had a slight fever? "Are you dead?" There was mockery in her voice.

"No, ma'am."

"I was aware of it. You believe you're unique now just because Beta Lorenzo carried you yesterday, don't you?

"No, I apologize, ma'am."

"Don't worry, kid. You're not going to eat today. Once more. Perhaps you'll learn the next time. Then she pivoted on her heel and strode away.

I bit back a curse as I clenched my fists. As I left my room, my stomach rumbled in protest. I had learned to live with hunger for a long time.

Normally, Carla would have woken me up, but not today. I scowled. Had she also slept in too late? No, she wasn't like that.

I went outside and headed for the pack house.

I was still in shock over what had happened with the warrior and the twins yesterday. Like a second shadow, the memory of their eyes and presence continued to cling to my skin. But I had to be normal. I had to act as though I wasn't scared.

I heard whispers as I arrived at the dining hall.

"Is the foolish girl still absent?" The voice of Francesca came from within.

After swallowing, I intervened. Carla was setting the table with a couple of other people. Francesca scowled at me and gestured toward a mop on the ground.

"You'll mop while the warriors eat because you woke up late." Some of the girls laughed.

I muttered, "Yes, ma'am," but I was screaming inside.

While they were eating, I detested mopping. They constantly watched me to make sure I understood how inferior I was. Some would intentionally drop food while I cleaned it up, laughing.

"Is the table set?"

From the stairs came Antonio's voice.

"Yes, sir," Francesca said promptly.

"All right. Everyone is free to depart.

After bowing our heads, we all began to file out. Some girls dragged Carla away, leaving me behind. I was frozen in place by Francesca's piercing gaze. With a sigh, I grabbed the mop.

I got down on my knees and began to clean.

"Why didn't you go with the others?" I heard Lorenzo's voice behind me.

I went cold. I turned to him slowly.

He had bruises on his face. Claw marks, still healing, covered his cheek. I instinctively stepped forward to put my hand on his face. To stop me, he held up a hand.

"Please don't." He hardly raised his voice above a whisper. His gaze flitted up the stairs as though he was terrified of being noticed.

"I didn't mean to. It was simply instinctive. I scowled.

"I'm all right. However, please keep your distance. Until I recuperate, I appreciate your understanding.

I nodded even though I couldn't figure out why he sounded so cautious.

One of the fighters yelled, "The fight was insane."

Others came in and sat down at the table. I ignored the looks and hurried back to my work.

"Is she still a virgin in your opinion?" A murmur echoed through the room.

"We'll soon learn. Next week is her birthday. She won't be able to resist once she gets hot.

I tightened my hold on the mop. Pigs are stupid and disgusting. They believed that I would be easy prey due to the heat. I would choose death over their touch.

Then there was silence in the room.

The air became heavy, thick, and charged with danger.

I didn't have to look it up. I knew who had come in.

"You rarely come downstairs for breakfast, Alphas." Antonio spoke in a polite manner.

My heartbeat accelerated. They didn't ever come down to eat. Never.

"Beat it." Quiet but firm was the deep voice.

The fighters clambered to their feet. I also found myself standing. It was impossible to oppose their command.

I started to walk out the door but was stopped in my tracks by a low growl.

I was barely breathing.

I caught the twins sitting with Antonio out of the corner of my eye. I felt a knot in my stomach.

"Come sit down, please." The voice of Antonio echoed.

I blinked.

Did he speak to me? An omega?

"Lift your head," I said.

I bit my lip.

He couldn't be referring to me. He wouldn't dare speak in front of the Alphas.

"Should I make you?"

"No." I hardly made a sound.

With my heart pounding, I walked toward the table and let my feet move on their own. My hands were clenching the fabric of my skirt as I sat at the farthest end.

"Select a food item."

Startled, I looked up. Two sets of eyes stared at me, one stormy green and the other piercing blue.

I shook my head and leaped to my feet.

"Sit down." The deeper voice gave the order.

I immediately obeyed. I no longer felt like I owned my body.

Antonio thrust a plate in my direction. The plate contained three slices of cake.

"Here."

I took a deep breath. I was unable to eat. I was unable to eat while they were around.

"Eat." The order was serious.

I paused. Was this a ruse? An examination?

My fingers were shaking as I reached for a slice.

I bit into it. My stomach roiled with uneasiness, but the sweetness melted on my tongue.

I tasted very little as I chewed slowly. As I prayed for this to end quickly, my heart raced.

Between us, there was a thick, oppressive silence.

The twins' unreadable faces watched me. Antonio appeared unusually tense.

What were they doing?

What was it they wanted from me?

After today, there was no doubt that my life would never be the same.