CLAIMED BY THE ROGUE ALPHA KING

~Aria~

The rain had washed the blood from my knees three times already.

By the time Luna Jenny finished punishing me, I could no longer feel my legs.

“She knows the Luna doesn’t like her, the least she can do is to stay out of trouble.” One of the maids whispered to another.

I dug my nails into my palm and knelt still, my head down. The rain poured down on me, while I served the punishment I don’t think I deserve.

“Have her serve the warriors tonight, that is her punishment.”

I bit down hard on my lower lip, refusing to make a single sound.

In moments like this, I detest the fact that I had no wolf more than anything, and even my rank as an Omega.

“Right away, Luna Jenny.” The head maid responded with a bow.

But when she made to move me, the thought of the greasy faces of those warriors, and the fact that some of them might try to touch me, sent a shiver through me.

I looked up. “Luna Jenny, please, you must reconsider. I have been nothing but faithful in my service to this pack.”

My voice came out strong, despite the trauma I was going through.

I caught the Luna’s Jaw clench. Even though she was sitting in a shed away from me, I still caught the change in the atmosphere.

“What defiance? How dare you speak to the Luna? Do you wish to die?” The Luna’s hand maid spoke instantly, her face red with rage.

The Luna raised her hand to stop her.

She leaned forward, her face fully coming into view.

If there was any truth in all this, it was the fact that she truly was beautiful, and for years she had basked in the knowledge that she was the most beautiful in the entire region.

“Do you accept what you did?” She asked, her voice gentle like the wind, yet hiding a different side to her.

My throat tightened. “I… I didn’t steal anything.”

Luna Jenny smiled coldly. “You didn’t… then he must have done it.”

I followed her eyes.

But the denial faded the moment I saw his little face.

Pierce.

He was nothing more than 10 years old. He was also an orphan like I was, and he was more than a brother to me.

I can’t let them punish him over taking meat from the kitchen counter.

He had been hungry after going without food for 2 nights.

I swallowed again, and shut my eyes.

“I… I was just hungry… that was why… I ate it.” I whispered, taking the blame.

I heard gasps around me, but I kept my head down, and my eyes shut.

Then, I heard Luna Jenny speak. “Prepare her, she will be serving the warriors as punishment.”

Then she paused, her eyes darkening a little. “Let me see if she survives this one.”

My blood ran cold.

But I didn’t speak.

The head maid helped me to my feet, and for the first time, she covered me with her umbrella.

Bowing lightly, she led me out of the rain and into the foyer, where others were gathered, watching me get punished.

“Go and prepare yourself, you have only 3 hours. The warriors would soon get here.”

Everything in me protested against the punishment… it pushed me to turn and beg them for another punishment, something bearable at least.

But I didn’t.

I kept moving forward.

I knew begging for a lighter sentence would only give them a chance to increase the punishment, or worse, try to get Pierce to bear it.

I could feel the judging glances of other servants and some pack members as I walked by, some already whispering among themselves.

I ignored them all and continued down… until I felt someone chasing after me.

“Aria…” my friend’s familiar voice came after me.

I clenched my fists hard, afraid that a look at her worried face would break the strong walls I’ve already built around myself.

“Not now, Maria.” I managed, hating how my voice trembled lightly.

“Aria, please—"

This time, my footsteps slowed, enough for her to catch up to me.

I still didn’t look at her face, but I could hear the fear in her voice.

“Aria, you cannot do this. Just tell them the truth, alright?”

I kept my face straight and kept walking.

“You know I can’t do that.” I replied shortly.

Maria grabbed my hand, stopping me from moving. This time, I finally looked at her face, only to see a tear already sliding down.

“Those men could hurt you out there, Aria. You know the last three girls that went to serve them, only one returned. We have been avoiding this all our lives… how can you just willingly…?” She trailed off, her voice trembling.

My eyes burned.

“I could survive it,” I began, my voice shaking. “I can come out there unharmed.”

She shook her head. “What are the chances, Aria…?”

“But he won’t, alright.” I cut her short, a tear finally sliding down. “They could throw him to fight in that brutal fighting contest. He is just 10, he just ate because he is hungry. It isn’t enough reason for him to die.”

Maria folded her lips, as though trying to stop herself from crying out.

Just then, I heard a low cry come from a corner. I looked over and saw Pierce standing there, tears rushing down his face.

“Pierce…”

“I’m sorry, Aria. I should never have taken that food. I should never have gone near the kitchen… I’m sorry, I…”

His words kept rushing into the next, his body shaking as he sobbed.

My heart shattered.

I rushed forward, bent to his level and hugged him tightly.

“This isn’t your fault, Pierce. You were just hungry after being starved for 2 nights. Don’t blame yourself.”

“I’m sorry.” He continued, as though he couldn’t even hear me.

My vision blurred. I forced a smile then I pushed him back slightly to have a clear look at his face.

“Pierce, I promise you this. I will be fine. I will be here tomorrow and we can play that hide and seek.”

He kept crying despite my words, but he still managed to nod.

After that, I hugged Maria briefly.

“Please, be safe.” She whispered, as though trying to be strong.

“I will.”

With that, I left them there.

I had only three hours till the warriors returned.

And everyone knew what happened to girls who were chosen to serve them.