Her Return As An Alpha

Chapter 4 : The Omega Who Thought She Could Be Luna

Taking a deep breath, Liana steeled herself and made her way back home. The path through the forest was dark and foreboding, the trees casting long shadows under the moonlight. Each step felt heavier than the last, the earlier excitement and determination fading into a sense of dread.

As she approached her small cottage, she could see the dim light from the kitchen window flickering. Her heart sank, knowing her parents would be waiting for her. She opened the door quietly, hoping to slip in unnoticed, but her mother was already standing in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression stern.

"Where have you been, Liana?" her mother demanded, her voice low but filled with anger. "You were supposed to be home hours ago."

Liana swallowed hard, trying to find the words to explain. "I... I went to the Alpha's mansion. I needed to talk to Drew."

Her mother's eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer, her presence imposing. "You disobeyed us and snuck out to the party? How dare you! We told you to stay home and do your chores."

"I did my chores," Liana protested, her voice trembling. "I just wanted to—"

"Enough!" her father’s voice boomed from behind her mother. He stepped into the light, his face etched with disappointment and anger. "We gave you clear instructions, Liana. You chose to ignore them. This is unacceptable."

Her younger sister, Lily, peeked out from behind her father's legs, her eyes wide with curiosity and judgment. Liana felt a pang of shame, knowing she had let her family down. Her older brother, Jason, stood off to the side, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable.

"I'm sorry," Liana whispered, her eyes downcast. "I just wanted to prove myself."

"Prove yourself?" Her mother scoffed. "You’ve only proven that you can’t follow orders. You’ve embarrassed us by showing up at the Alpha's mansion, making a spectacle of yourself. You speak like you're acquainted with the Alpha prince despite being so inconspicuous that he would never notice you."

Her father sighed deeply, shaking his head. "There are consequences for your actions, Liana. You will be punished for your disobedience."

Liana's heart sank further. She knew there would be repercussions, but the reality of it still stung. "Yes, Father," she murmured.

"You will go to bed without supper," her mother said firmly. "And tomorrow, you will take on extra chores. Maybe that will teach you the importance of following the rules."

Liana nodded silently, the weight of her family's disappointment heavy on her shoulders. She turned and trudged up the narrow staircase to her small room, her footsteps echoing in the quiet house. The hope and determination that had fueled her earlier now felt like distant memories.

She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath. The small room, usually her sanctuary, felt cold and unwelcoming. She crossed to the window and looked out at the moonlit forest, her mind racing with thoughts of Drew, the pack, and her uncertain future.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, she wiped away the tears that threatened to fall. The harsh words of her parents and the cruel taunts of her classmates echoed in her mind. She had been so close to grasping a glimmer of hope, only to have it torn away.

As she lay down, pulling the thin blanket over her, she felt the exhaustion of the day's events wash over her. Her muscles ached from the training, and her heart ached from the emotional turmoil. She stared at the ceiling, her mind unable to find peace.

Despite the punishment and the cruelty she had faced, a small part of her still clung to the hope that she could prove herself. She had a week until Drew returned, a week to show that she was more than just an omega. She would endure the extra chores, she would face her classmates' mockery, and she would find a way to become stronger.

With that resolve, she closed her eyes, willing herself to find rest. The road ahead was fraught with challenges, but she was determined to face them. For her own sake, and for the slim chance that Drew might see her differently, she would not give up.

The following morning, the first light of dawn crept into her room, waking her from a restless sleep. The events of the previous night still weighed heavily on her, but she pushed herself out of bed, knowing she had to face the day and its punishments.

To top off the list of miseries she'd have to endure, it was a Monday and she had school. But she had a chance, and she was going to make the most of it. She got dressed quickly, eager to start her day, and made her way to school with a renewed sense of purpose.

Downstairs, her parents were already up, their expressions stern as they handed her a list of chores. The tasks were grueling—cleaning the entire house, tending to the garden, and assisting with the livestock. Each task was a reminder of her disobedience, but also a step towards proving her determination.

As she walked through the school gates, she could feel the eyes of her classmates on her, but she held her head high. She would not let their stares or whispers deter her. She made her way to her locker, her mind focused on the tasks ahead.

Just as she was about to open her locker, she felt a cold, wet sensation all over her body. She gasped in shock as she realized she was covered in whipped cream. Laughter erupted around her, and she looked up to see Jenna, Tom, and Eric standing nearby, their faces alight with cruel amusement.

"Looks like the omega got a makeover," Jenna sneered, her voice dripping with mockery.

Liana's cheeks burned with humiliation as she tried to wipe the cream from her face and hair. She could hear the snickers and whispers of her classmates, and she felt a lump form in her throat.

"Smile for the camera, Liana," Tom said, holding up his phone and recording her every move. "This is going to go viral."

Eric laughed, joining in. "Yeah, everyone in the pack is going to see how pathetic you are."

Liana's heart sank as she realized the full extent of their cruelty. It wasn't just a prank; it was a calculated effort to destroy her reputation. She turned and ran to the bathroom, her vision blurred by tears. She scrubbed at the whipped cream, trying to erase the evidence of her humiliation, but she knew it was too late. The damage was done.

When she finally emerged from the bathroom, her clothes damp and her face still flushed, she could feel the stares of her classmates follow her. She tried to ignore them, focusing on her lessons, but it was impossible to concentrate. The whispers and giggles were a constant reminder of her humiliation.

By lunchtime, the gossip and videos had spread like wildfire. Everyone seemed to be talking about the omega who thought she could be Luna. Liana kept her head down, avoiding eye contact, but she couldn't escape the cruel comments and laughter.

"Did you see the video? She looked so ridiculous."

"I can't believe she thought she could be Luna."

"She's just a weak omega. What did she expect?"

Each word was like a dagger to her heart, and by the end of the day, she felt completely defeated. She made her way home, her shoulders slumped and her spirit shattered.

As she entered the cottage, her parents were waiting for her, their faces a mixture of anger and disappointment. "Liana," her mother began, her voice cold and harsh, "what have you done?"

Liana looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "I didn't do anything. It was Jenna and her friends. They—"

"Enough," her father interrupted, his voice booming. "You've humiliated us and our family. Your actions are affecting your siblings. Do you have any idea what this means for them?"

Her younger sister, Lily, looked up at her with wide, accusing eyes. "Everyone at school is talking about you. They're saying awful things."

Liana's heart broke at the sight of her sister's distress. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"Sorry isn't good enough," her mother snapped. "You need to understand the consequences of your actions. You're an embarrassment to this family."

Tears streamed down Liana's face as she nodded. "I'll make it right. I promise."

"You'll start by completing your chores," her father said sternly. "And you'll do them properly this time. No more slacking off."

Liana nodded again, her spirit crushed. She turned and made her way to the kitchen, where a long list of chores awaited her. She worked through her tears, scrubbing and cleaning with a single-minded determination. She couldn't let her family down again. She had to prove herself, even if it meant enduring more pain and humiliation.

By the time she finished, the sun had long since set, and her body ached from the effort. She trudged up the stairs to her room, her heart heavy with sorrow. She collapsed onto her bed, her tears soaking into the pillow. The hope she had felt the night before seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a deep sense of despair.

As she lay there, her mind racing with thoughts of Drew, the pack, and her uncertain future, she vowed to herself that she would not give up. She had come too far to let them break her. She would find a way to prove herself, no matter how difficult it might be.