3- I HATE YOUR KIND

ARIA

Aria entered her cramped room, seeking refuge from the day's trials that had left her clothes stained with dirt and her spirit burdened. She stood before the mirror, gazing at her own reflection. Her cheeks bore red marks from the numerous slaps she had endured, and the month was only half over.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she recalled how Xavier treated her a few minutes ago. She squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to erase the memory of his indifference, his face and everything else that had happened in her life. She sniffed and wiped her cheeks, wincing at the sting. She didn't know why he pretended like he did not know her. She turned her back to the mirror and unbuttoned her shirt, revealing the ligature marks and whip lines etched on her back. She blinked, reached inside the small cabinet in her room, and took out her painkiller meds, only to find out that the bottle was empty.

Sighing, she slumped onto her tiny bed, realising that she couldn't afford more medication until she received her wages. The painkillers had become a crutch, especially as her wolf's healing abilities weakened; they hardly even communicated. She thinks she might even be addicted to those meds now. She bent her head and sobbed quietly. When will the pain end? Because she could not do it again. Without sucking further, Aria stood, grabbed an old coat she picked from the dumpsite and wore it, resolving to find more painkillers to help her sleep. She couldn't sleep without them.

She tiptoed out of her room, shutting the door quietly to avoid suspicion. Madam Kate would accuse her of something else if she discovered her late-night mission. Fortunately, she managed to leave the pack mansion unnoticed. She knew a captured rogue at the pack pharmacy, who often helped her with the drugs when she lacked funds.

Despite the late hour, her only focus was numbing her pain. Aria knew what they did to Omegas. No one wanted to be with an Omega, but Omegas were the highest victims of rape and murder cases. She sprinted towards the pharmacy, hoping to reach it before closing time. When she got to the lonely road that led into the city, an eerie feeling of being followed gripped her, but every time she looked back, no one was there. She pushed on, her senses on high alert, and sighed with relief as the pharmacy came into view.

Imogen, the pharmacy worker, was just about to close. She looked at Aria, and she saw a fresh cut on her lower lip. Her orbs were glassy, and her face looked swollen.

"We are closing," Imogen mumbled, trying to shut the door, but Aria held it open.

Her master must have given her the beating of her life earlier. Aria quickly knelt on one knee while holding the door with one hand. Desperation in her eyes, she pleaded, "Please, I will die without painkillers tonight."

Imogen hesitated, then shook her head. "I am really sorry."

Aria persisted, struggling to keep the door open. "Imogen, please." But Imogen also did not desire more pain. "Imogen, Imogen, Imogen!"

But Imogen eventually closed the door on her, leaving Aria shocked. This had never happened before. Maybe her master found out about the drugs she gave Aria on credits. Aria ran her fingers through her hair and sobbed.

A door shut nearby, and moments later, Imogen reappeared, holding out a container. "Here."

Aria took it gratefully and stood. "Thank you so much. Thank you."

"Where is the money?"

"I will pay when I get my salary."

"My master punished me because of the last one I gave you. My colleagues reported me, and when I explained you would pay later, he wouldn't listen."

Aria empathised, saying, "Imogen, I am so sorry about that."

Tears welled in Imogen's eyes. "I just want to die," she sobbed.

Aria drew Imogen into her arms, offering comfort through her own tears. "Someday, things will get better."

Deep down, though, she questioned if things getting better was possible. As Omegas, they were the most oppressed in the werewolf hierarchy, and their numbers dwindled due to the constant mistreatment. So, she didn't know if it would ever get better.

"I have to go now. Thank you for this; I really appreciate it," Aria said, tucking the container into her pocket and rushing away.

As she returned to the lonely road, she felt the presence again, this time stronger. She turned sharply, catching a glimpse of a male figure retreating into the shadows. Fear gripped her.

"Who is there?" she called, receiving no response. She quickened her pace, wary of her surroundings. Soon, she heard a growl ahead but found nothing there. She hurried, sensing footsteps trailing her. The sky was a thick blanket, and her wolf vision was not even so accurate. She couldn't run much faster with her weak wolf and empty stomach. She kept glancing back, and when she turned front again, she saw a massive black wolf with bared fangs.

Rogues.

Free rogues were the worst, known for merciless killing and disappearing. Aria froze. She heard another growl behind her and turned to see another rogue behind. A cry escaped her throat, and she held her coat to herself. "Please, let me go," she pleaded.

The first rogue advanced slowly towards her, forcing her backwards, while another emerged behind her. She was trapped, and as a third rogue joined, her hope dwindled. Aria stood trembling as they closed in. The first one lunged at her, and she yelled, falling down on the floor, and started to fight the rogue off her. The claws of the rogues scratched her skin, and she kept crying.

Then, a sudden force pulled them away from her, or so she thought. A larger wolf, unmistakably an Alpha, tore the rogues apart. Once it was done, he turned and looked at her with blazing red eyes. She sat there hyperventilating, but he ran away into the woods and left Aria there, shaken but alive. She quickly gathered herself, knowing she had to escape, she took to her heels.

*

*

*

XAVIER

Xavier rushed into his room and the bathroom, shedding his robe while gasping for breath. With haste, he turned on the shower, allowing the chilly water to wash away the bloodstains that marred his hands and body. Regret gnawed at him. "What have I done?" he exclaimed, his frustration leading him to strike the wall with his fist.

Just then, the door to his room creaked open, and a concerned female voice inquired, "Alpha Xavier, are you alright?"

"I am," Xavier replied curtly. "Just leave."

"But there is blood on your robe," she persisted.

"I said leave me the fuck alone!" He roared and heard the door shut immediately.

~~~

ARIA

A sudden splash of water jarred Aria from her slumber. She jolted upright in bed, her eyes widening as she saw Celine holding a bucket of water.

"Celine, why on earth did you do that?" Aria asked, her gaze shifting to her drenched clothes and mattress.

"It's morning, you dimwit. Count yourself lucky it wasn't Madam Kate who woke you," Celine retorted, dropping the bucket and departing, slamming the door behind her.

Aria got up, glancing out the window and discovering it was already bright outside. She hurriedly removed her wet dress, pondering why Madam Kate hadn't woken her. Nonetheless, she was grateful for the reprieve and rushed to the kitchen to commence her chores.

In the kitchen, the girls were gathered, and Priscilla was sharing a story. "I am certain I saw him rushing in. He dashed into his room and turned on the shower. I went to check if he needed anything, but he yelled at me to leave."

The others grew curious, and Aria quietly went about her task, washing a mountain of dishes from the previous night. Hunger gnawed at her, and she eyed a pot of food that another girl was preparing.

"I think he must have been returning from a hunt. His coat was stained with blood," Priscilla continued; the other girls gasped.

"What if our Alpha is a savage beneath all that handsomeness?" Amy wondered.

"He would be a sexy savage, then," another girl chimed in, and some of them giggled.

"What if he's half wolf, half vampire?" Celine added.

"No, he's not," Emma interjected.

As they conversed and chuckled, Aria's thoughts drifted to the previous night's events. She realised that it had been Xavier who had saved her from the rogues. A faint smile touched her lips at the thought. He still cared for her safety. She resolved to thank him later. But where was Madam Kate? Why hadn't she seen her this morning?

As if on cue, Madam Kate entered the kitchen, and the girls dispersed to their assigned tasks, offering greetings. Madam Kate, however, remained silent, her gaze scanning their faces. Finally, her eyes settled on Aria, who quickly averted her gaze.

"We have a festival tonight," Madam Kate announced. "The Alpha's arrival and the merging festival. We will be merging with the Snowpack, ruled by Alpha Xavier, who has decided to reside here for a year to learn about our pack while his Beta runs the Snowpack for now. Some of you will be transferred to the Snowpack, and your duties will change. Alpha Xavier will handle the selection himself. Now, prepare for the feast. Higher-ranking werewolves from the Snowpack will join us tonight."

"Yes, Madam," the girls chorused.

"Everyone will be in the ballroom tonight except Aria," Madam Kate added, causing all eyes to turn toward Aria. "We don't want her scent there."

Some of the girls snickered and looked at Aria, who bit her lower lip, fighting back tears.

"Behave yourselves, girls. Some of you might find your mates tonight," Madam Kate continued before turning her attention to Aria. "Aria?"

"Yes, Madam."

"Alpha Xavier has requested that you make him coffee. Be there in five minutes."

Confusion gripped Aria, and the other girls glared at her. If only eyes could kill. She felt their hostile eyes, and she trembled. "Yes, Madam."

Aria knew why Xavier requested her coffee; he loved her coffee. This might be a good start for them. Maybe after yesterday, he recognised her and wanted them to talk. She quickly put the kettle on and began to do as she was instructed.

The coffee was ready in no time, and she rushed to Xavier's quarters, climbing the stairs two at a time to meet him. She knocked twice on the door. When there was no response, she turned the doorknob and entered. The tray of coffee dropped from her hands at the sight in front of her. Xavier was rutting a lady she had never seen before on the dresser table. Xavier and the woman jerked at the noise. Aria swiftly knelt to pick up the broken pieces of china, her heart racing. This would be the second time she had dropped a teacup due to shock. Xavier pulled out of her and grunted, walking into the bathroom. The lady jumped down from the table, grabbed his robe that was draped on the chair and approached her.

"Hey! Get up from there," she commanded.

Aria looked at her and recognised the unmistakable aura of Alpha blood, so she complied. Before she could utter a word, the woman slapped her hard across the cheek, making Aria yelp and stagger back as tears welled in her eyes.

"Who the heck are you, and why did you barge into this room like that?" the woman demanded angrily.

Tears streamed down Aria's face as she rubbed her stinging cheek. "I knocked, but there was no answer."

"And you barged into your Alpha's room?" the woman scolded. "Only an Omega could be so foolish. Xavier, remind me why we haven't banished Omegas yet. You despise them so much, yet you tolerate their presence."

Xavier emerged from the bathroom, now clad in a white towel wrapped around his waist. Aria averted her gaze from his chiselled body and swallowed the knot that had formed in her throat, her heart pounding. Aria didn't know if she was hurting from the sight she met a few seconds ago or from the slap Xavier's mistress gave her. The woman grabbed Aria's ear and twisted it.

"This should be the first and last time you will enter here without permission," she warned.

"That's enough, Sash," Xavier interjected. "You can go get ready for the day now."

Sasha released Aria's ear and glared at her before turning back to Xavier. "Baby, we should send this Omega away and continue."

"No, Sash, I want to handle this myself," Xavier stated, his gaze fixed on Aria.

"Very well."

With that, Sasha left the room, shutting the door behind her. Aria felt the room suddenly shrink as she was left alone with Xavier. She wiped away her tears and looked up at him, only to find his glare piercing through her.

"Still pathetic," he growled. "What brings you here, Omega?"

Aria could tolerate mistreatment from anyone else, but Xavier's hostility was shattering her. How did that woman say he hated Omegas? Was this really Xavier, or someone that looks like him? Or perhaps his twin? Xavier was not this ruthless.

Power changes people.

She swallowed hard. "Your coffee...you requested coffee."

"And you just walked in as if it's your room?" Xavier retorted, now sorting through shirts in his closet, barely acknowledging her.

"I...I... knocked, but there was no answer. Xavier—"

Xavier shot her a sharp glare. "Have you lost your mind? How dare you address me by my name?" he growled.

Aria blinked, her voice quivering. "I am sorry."

He approached her, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look into his eyes. "Listen carefully. I won't spare you next time. Consider yourself fortunate, I am in a good mood. What possessed you to use my name?"

"I am sorry, Alpha," Aria pleaded.

He pushed her face away, and she rubbed her chin.

"Now, clean up that mess and leave my sight."

Aria nodded and bent down to clean up the broken pieces. "Thank you for last night," she muttered softly, making sure he could hear.

Xavier chuckled. "For what?"

"Um...for saving me last—"

"You really think I would save an Omega?" He scoffed. "You are so pitiful. All I want is the extinction of your kind so you will stop hovering all over my face! Get out of my sight!" His eyes flashed with anger.

Aria quickly stood up, bewildered by his sudden hostility, and left the room. As she walked down the hallway, she encountered Madam Kate, whose expression hinted at trouble. Aria approached her and bowed.

"You broke another teacup," Madam Kate scolded.

"I am sorry," Aria replied, closing her eyes, expecting a slap. Instead, Madam Kate grabbed her ear and twisted it, dragging her along.

"You foolish girl. You keep misbehaving. I will teach you a lesson."

"I am sorry, ma," Aria pleaded, but Madam Kate continued to drag her until they reached her quarters.

"On your knees," Madam Kate commanded. Aria complied. "Hands up." Aria raised her hands, and Madam Kate placed a bucket filled with sand on them. "You will stay here until further notice. Next time, you will learn how to behave properly."

"Madam, please."

"Say another word, and I will extend your period of starvation."

Aria clamped her mouth shut at the mention of starvation. She didn't want that. She had not eaten anything since yesterday, and the other girls wouldn't share their food with her even if she begged them because her suffering brought them pleasure.