Chapter 2 Attacked By The Twins

• “Don’t take too long,” Helena warned, not looking up from the pot she was stirring as her twin daughters loaded up the meal trays.
• Helena was the wife of Damien, the pack’s formidable warrior commander. She was the only one trusted to prepare food for the Alpha. Once she entered the kitchen, even the palace maids were banned from stepping foot inside. No one questioned her authority.
• Her daughters, Whitney and Lightney, were the opposite. They were fresh-faced, radiant, and ethereal, the pack’s treasured dolls. Identical to the strand, they moved like mirrors. Their skin shimmered faintly, like polished marble kissed by moonlight.
• People said it was a blessing from the Moon Goddess, and they believed it too. They liked that no one could tell them apart because confusion was power.
• Everyone, from lowly kitchen boys to noble heirs, wanted them as mates. At twenty, they had yet to be claimed. Rumours whispered that the Moon Goddess was saving them for royalty. No way such beauty would be wasted on a beta, much less a lowborn omega.
• Whitney wrinkled her nose, eyeing the trays. “Mother, this food is too generous for those omega pests.”
• “I already reduced the portions, as you insisted,” Helena replied, voice clipped. She didn’t need to look to know what her daughter’s expression was.
• “Ugh, whatever,” Lightney drawled, smoothing a strand of shining hair behind her ear. “Let’s go. I want to see them grovel.”
• They glided out of the kitchen. Two guards followed them like shadows, carrying the food.
• **
• The omegas were wilting beneath the unforgiving sun, skin flushed and burnt, muscles trembling from overuse.
• Passing out was common but useless. A boot to the ribs or a pail of ice water usually followed.
• “Food’s here.”
• “Oh, thank the moon.”
• “I thought I’d pass out.”
• The murmurs rolled like a sigh through the exhausted crowd.
• Whitney and Lightney approached on horseback, gleaming. Their skin glowed in the sunlight, their dresses untouched by sweat or dirt.
• “Get over here, slaves!” barked a guard.
• Tamara reached for Adella’s sleeve. “Let’s go eat before the food runs out.”
• “I’m not hungry,” Adella muttered.
• "Ella", from nearby, Selena’s voice rose, raspy and worried.
• “Go with Mother, Mara,” Adella said gently. “I’ll rest under the tree.”
• Tamara hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod.
• Adella slumped beneath the tree’s meagre shade, knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around them. She watched the feeding frenzy unfold. Omegas clawing at small loaves of bread and scraps of dried meat like dogs.
• Why aren’t you eating?
• Marietta’s voice stirred in her head.
• “So hungry I looped back to full,” Adella answered.
• Marietta went quiet. She knew when to leave her alone.
• “Hey, you.”
• Adella looked up.
• Whitney and Lightney stood above her. Their smiles were too white, too sharp.
• “Why aren’t you eating?” Whitney asked again, tone lilting.
• “I’m... not hungry,” Adella replied, forcing her voice steady.
• The twins exchanged a glance. A mind-link.
• Isn’t she the one with the glowing skin?
• She thinks she’s like us.
• Let’s remind her what she really is.
• Whitney’s smile turned cruel. “Show us to your restroom.”
• Adella blinked. “O-of course. This way.”
• She led them toward the outhouse behind the fields, her heart pounding. Something felt off.
• Before she could speak, Whitney shoved her forward.
• The wooden door creaked open as Adella stumbled inside and hit the floor hard.
• “What are you—?”
• Lightney followed, shutting the door.
• “Where did you get skin like that?” Whitney snarled.
• “I... I don’t know what you mean,” Adella whispered.
• Lightney grabbed her jaw, turning her face roughly side to side. “Divine skin on an omega? Disgusting.”
• Whitney unsheathed a small silver knife.
• “No! Please. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
• “Your existence, that’s what’s wrong,” Lightney hissed. “Time to fix it.”
• Adella screamed as the knife sliced across her arm. It was searing, silver fire tearing through her skin and soul. She could hear Marietta howl in pain from within.
• They’re trying to ruin us, Adella thought wildly. They’re going to disfigure me.
• “Marie, do something!”
• They’re both stronger. I can’t overpower two wolves, Marietta said, frantic.
• “Just try!”
• Then the blade was raised again, this time toward her face.
• “Nooooo!”
• The shift happened mid-scream. Her bones cracked. Her muscles twisted. In a blink, Adella was gone.
• A small, bleeding silver-furred wolf now stood in the outhouse, eyes burning with fury. Marietta growled. Despite the pain, she stood her ground.
• The door burst open. Guards and Omegas, everyone had heard the commotion.
• “What’s happening?!”
• “She tried to attack us!” Lightney shrieked, pointing at the wounded wolf.
• Tamara and Selena were the last to get to the scene, panic on their faces.
• “Shift back now!” a guard bellowed. Marietta snarled and bared her teeth at the crowd formed around them, not backing down. She may be injured and overpowered, but she wasn't about to give up without a fight.
• “Adella!” Selena screamed. She tried to run forward but couldn’t push her way past the guards. One shoved her, hard, and she fell to the ground. Tamara barely caught her.
• "Marietta, you have to shift back," Tamara whispered in her mind. "I know you're scared and angry, but you're no match for them. Please, shift back."
• Let me go, Adella whispered finally. Marietta hesitated, then shifted back.
• Adella collapsed to the ground, bloodied and trembling.
• Tamara rushed forward. “Adella!”
• “I’m okay,” she whispered, barely audible.
• “Capture her!” Whitney shouted, spittle flying. A guard lunged, but Tamara jumped in front of him.
• “She’s the one bleeding! Why are you ignoring that?!”
• A whip cracked, and Tamara cried out, falling to her knees, the whip leaving a welt on her back.
• “HOW DARE YOU SPEAK?!”
• Tamara, on the ground, growled. “You’re protecting the abusers?!”
• The guard raised his sword, and the omegas held their breath.
• Selena ran forward, only to meet the tip of another blade. “Move and die,” a guard said calmly.
• Adella’s voice broke, and she lied. “Mother, please. I’ll be okay.”
• Selena's eyes filled with tears, but she knew that there was nothing she could do.
• The omegas all watched as Adella was taken away; they were sure she would never return, not even as a dead body.
• Adella thought the same.