The Unshift Wolf

2. Pathetic and Miserable Life

Aspen’s POV

I turned to find Samantha, the head Omega, fixating her gaze on me, and I instantly knew trouble was brewing.

"Where is Beta Layla's food?" she demanded, her anger evident in her voice.

I glanced at the tray I had carelessly left on the ground earlier, amidst a storm of emotions.

"You overslept and now you've placed Beta Layla's food on the floor. I will report this to Alpha Asher," she threatened.

"No, please! I'm deeply sorry, and I promise it won't happen again," I pleaded, fully aware of the consequences the alpha would impose.

"I won't entertain your worthless pleas today, Aspen. Come here," she said, grabbing me by the collar and pulling me along.

"Please, it won't repeat itself," I pleaded as she dragged me back inside.

"What's all the commotion about?" someone inquired with annoyance evident in their tone. It was Stella.

"It's Aspen. She's lazy, never does any work, and she's been stealing food from the kitchen," she explained.

Some of what she said was untrue, but I kept my mouth shut.

"How dare you steal the packs of food, you wretch," Stella said, glaring at me.

"I'm so sorry, Mother," I replied, slightly cowering in fear.

"Don't you dare call me 'mother'; I am not your mother," she said, digging one of her claws into my skin, causing my chin to throb with pain. "And I never will be. You're a miserable and useless wolf."

With a forceful throw, she sent me crashing down, causing a sharp pain in my buttocks.

"Guards!" She called for the pack warriors. "Take her and throw her into the dungeon," she ordered. I shuddered at her words, remembering the last time I was thrown into that dark place when Layla slapped me, and I retaliated. I had spent two days there without food.

"I'm so sorry," I pleaded, hoping for her forgiveness.

"Now!" she growled at the warriors, who picked me up like a sack of potatoes and headed towards the dreaded place.

As we approached the darkness, my heart raced faster. I wished my father would come and rescue me from this nightmare, but that was nothing more than a dream. He didn't even remember having a daughter named Aspen.

They threw me in, jolting me back to reality.

I stared into the darkness that engulfed me, wondering if it was better than being chased and bullied by pack members.

Soon, I heard footsteps nearing. I pressed myself against the wall. The clicking sound ceased.

"When will I ever find the peace I long for?" I pondered silently.

"Open the door," the voice commanded. I instantly recognized it as Layla's. Why did they have to torment me? I wondered.

"You disgrace! You wench! How dare you barge into my room and invade my privacy? You let Blake leave my room earlier," she shouted, her face contorted in anger.

"What now?" I thought to myself.

"You fool! I'm talking to you," she barked, approaching me. "How dare you?" Extending her claws, she deeply scratched my neck.

I flinched in pain and slowly staggered backward.

"Who do you think you are, the daughter of a miserable wolf?" she added, further fueling my anger.

"Don't you dare speak that way about my mother. Your mother is not even half the wolf she was," I retorted.

"What the hell did you just say about my mother?" she demanded, her eyes shifting to a light yellow hue, indicating her wolf was surfacing.

"Now what?" I seethe with rage, fully aware that I would come to regret my words later.

"How dare you say that about her!" she yelled, lifting me off the ground and tightening her grip around my throat. I bit my lip, refusing to let her see how much it hurt. "You're a wolfless wolf who doesn't know its place."

"Bring me silver cuffs and wolfsbane. That should teach her a lesson she'll never forget," she ordered.

"Silver cuffs and wolfsbane," I whispered to myself, well aware of the deadly nature of those substances. I'm doomed if she uses them on me. I need to act quickly, find a way out of this.

"So you rely on those things instead of your own powers," I taunted her.

"Shut the hell up!" she screamed.

"Should I?" I pushed further.

"These are what you requested, Beta Layla," a guard informed.

"Drop them there, you worthless imbecile," she barked at him.

She tossed me to the ground and reached for the silver cuffs, but then she dropped them and let out a scream.

"Hey, you idiots!" She called back the guards.

"Yes, Beta Layla," they replied, bowing their heads submissively.

"You're absolutely deranged! Why didn't you give me gloves?" she angrily demanded as her skin turned red.

"We sincerely apologize, Beta Layla," one of them said, approaching me with a silver cuff and securing it around my wrists. I gritted my teeth against the pain.

"I'll tie you down and relish in rubbing the bane on your skin," she said with a wicked smirk.

She advanced toward me, holding the vial in her hands, and roughly grabbed a fistful of my hair, striking my cheek. "First, this is for barging into my room."

"And second," she continued, striking me again, "this is for talking back to me."

She hit me repeatedly before adding, "And thirdly, this is for speaking ill of my mother."

Once more, she reached for the bottle, but I knew Layla's weakness, and I decided to exploit it.

"You're just like your mother, taking what rightfully belongs to others. She didn't even wait a year after my mom's death before seducing my father. You're nothing more than a bastard your mother brought into our home," I voiced my resentment.

"Shut your mouth! Do you think our dad loved your mom? He and my mom were lovers long before your mother claimed they were mates. Don't blame my mother for your pathetic mother's demise," she shouted, her voice dripping with jealousy and anger. I clenched my fists.

"I'm sure Blake wouldn't want to see you like this. Right now, you look utterly pitiful," I taunted her.

"I think I'll put an end to your pathetic and miserable life," she said, her claws growing longer and sharper with each passing second.

She approached me, her predatory instincts taking over, reaching out to harm me. I manipulated the silver cuffs with my hands, loosening their grip.

"You wretched b***h!" she screamed, allowing her brown wolf form to take control, freeing me momentarily.

Damn it, I need to think quickly. As she lunged toward me, I exerted all my strength, pushing her back with force. She crashed to the ground, the impact resounding.

I approached her, my body tensing. At that moment, I knew I was in deep trouble.