Shattered Alpha's Hidden Rose

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I dedicate this book to Sheridan Hartin. A wonderful Spirit, whose Soul Chamber brightened the darkness within mine. I hope the world opens up for you, my dear.

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-BEA-

Bea held the bundle of roses up to the light, focusing on the red petals. It was early morning, meaning she would have plenty of time to change out the discarded flowers before having to show up for duty in the kitchens.

She brought the bundle to her nose and inhaled. The blend of leaves and petals invigorated her. Any joy she could find made her meager life as a slave that much brighter. So, she looked for joy in everything.

However, she chided herself with a heavy sigh, “Standing around too long will only catch the attention of the house staff”. She’d receive another lashing if they saw her being inactive. Quickly, she pulled the beautiful bundle away from her face and placed it into the empty vase on the piano. The red and crystal in the bright morning sun were vibrant and full of life.

She loved this section of the library. It was quiet and ordinarily empty, affording her a moment of reprieve. Normally, she was forced into constant motion. Always required to wash this or move that. She was barely given time to eat and even then, it was from the pig’s trough. She couldn’t complain too much, though, the pigs were given the best scraps from yesterday’s menu. And yesterday the family had molasses and scones for breakfast, and the family never finishes them. This meant that tonight, she’d have all the molasses and scones she could eat. She just had to fight off the massive boars before she could collect her bounty.

As she grabbed the old, discarded roses from the chair, a thorn sliced into her thumb, causing her to drop the bundle. As it landed on the tiled floor, petals and leaves exploded out and scattered away from her feet.

With her thumb in her mouth, she knelt and began collecting the debris. Thinking to herself, “Oh no! If they find any of these later, they’ll take my shoes again!”

As she was collecting the bits, she heard the door to the library open and watched as her Masters entered.

Visca, the old ex-Beta, and his wife were pulling their daughter into the quiet library. He closed the door roughly before turning towards his daughter.

“Savonnuh, I’ll hear no argument on this matter!”

Bea stiffened. If she were caught, they would lash her for sure. Maybe even take away her meals for a week.

“I don’t CARE!” Savonnuh shrieked. “I’m supposed to be Luna! I’m supposed to be pampered and loved by everyone. I’m NOT supposed to be a wet nurse for a broken Wolf!”

“Broken Wolf.” Bea had heard that term many times over the years. Being born from a human mother and a purebred father, she’d never heard from her Wolf. Truly, she didn’t believe she had one. She’d been considered a “Broken Wolf” since birth.

Curiosity was fuel for her stiffened muscles. She slowly crept around the piano legs to peek around the sofa that was blocking her from their view.

Bea watched as Visca’s skin moved and fur touched his face and arms. It rippled out as he visibly fought emotions.

Gruffly and with a metered tone, he stepped closer to his daughter. “You WILL marry Dax! You WILL do whatever it takes to bring our family out of this disgrace. I do not care if that means you’re to be thrown into a pit and forgotten, daughter.” The word daughter seemed to hang in the air. Like poison on the wind.

Instead, Savonnuh continued, “Father, please! No! I can’t marry him. They say that his body doesn’t move and instead, it wilts away like bad broccoli. You want that type of man to be my husband?!”

Once again, fur rippled down the ex-Beta’s arms. This time, Bea saw his eyes shift to his Wolf’s before he turned and stalked towards the window. She slipped back under the piano, hiding behind the seat and praying to the Goddess that she stay hidden.

“Darling. We’re not saying that we wish for you to be taken away from us. We want the best for you, and although Dax is not what he used to be, you loved each other once, didn’t you?”

“Loved? Of course, I loved him. He was to inherit the throne. He was to BE Alpha. He was everything I wanted in a mate. What is he now? And what am I to do with Billiahs?” Bea had heard of Savonnuh’s skill on the piano. She was world-famous. “I have dreams, Mama. I was FINALLY accepted into Billiahs. I’m set to leave next spring. Even Dax knew, before the accident, and he was fine with it. Even if his brain is mush, NOW doesn’t mean he wouldn’t understand. They can’t force me to marry him now.”

Visca turned from the window, but Jules spoke first. “I know, sweetheart. I know you have dreams, and you’re right; he was to be the next Alpha, but…” Silence fell, and Bea could hear Visca’s heavy breathing.

“But what? But now he can’t even wipe the drool from his own face.”

Too fearful to peek back around the chair, Bea couldn’t see what Visca did, but she heard the slap of skin to skin and could only assume that the ex-Beta had slapped his daughter.

“You will not disappoint our name. You would not have been accepted into Billiah’s if not for me!” Visca’s tone was low and deadly. “Do you wish us all to die? After everything that we’ve given up to keep you happy, you WILL do this for our family. You will stop being a petulant, spoiled child and go prepare to leave. For your wedding.”

Bea heard receding footsteps along with the opening and slamming of the library door. Shortly after, Savonnuh fell to the floor in a heap as she cried. Through wails, Bea could hear the mother trying to console her daughter, but nothing seemed to help.

Her legs were beginning to cramp, and she could feel her sweat as it trailed down her back. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could stay hiding under the piano.

Savonnuh was no longer crying, but neither woman had left the room. She couldn’t see over the sofa, so she wasn’t sure what they were doing.

Jules’ voice broke the silence first as she spoke gently to Savonnuh. “My sweet, sweet daughter. I’m sorry this is happening. If I could take this from you, I would, but there’s nothing I can do to change the Alpha’s mind. I know it seems like your dreams are ending, but we can’t know our fate. Can we? Think of what you will be taking over.”

Jules stood, and Bea could see her looking down at her daughter for a short moment before turning towards the piano and walking over.

“You shall have a whole household under your rule. If you want to continue playing the piano, then do so. If you want to travel, then use the Prince's money and travel.” She stopped at the piano. Bea could smell the perfume from her bath this morning. Bea’s heart was pounding inside her chest and roaring in her ears.

It seemed like an eternity before Jules turned and walked back over to her daughter. “You will be a Princess, my dear. Right now, it seems bleak, but that’s so far from the truth.”

Bea heard ruffling clothes and slow but light footsteps before the library door opened and shut. Then silence fell across the library.

Bea collapsed to the floor in a heap and spread her limbs out as far as they could go. Her heart was still beating like a drum, going to war.

That was so close! Bea thought to herself before closing her eyes and allowing the fear and stress to abate from her body.

That was until she felt a hand and nails dig into her forearm and pull her roughly from beneath the piano.

“You disgusting little Beast!” Her eyes flew open and were filled with the furious face of the mother, Jules.