Chapter 3 Useless

• Jadiel made it to the main compound with two minutes to spare. She took that moment to catch her breath. No one was around and she sighed in relief. She had to be careful. The head cook was best friends with Luna Alison and never hesitated to abuse Jadiel whenever the opportunity presented itself.
• She pushed open the door and entered. She’d taken about two steps in when Head Cook Bella’s shrill voice rang out.
• “Jadiel! Where have you been?”
• “I overslept,” she mumbled.
• Bella walked up to her and growled.
• Jadiel kept her head lowered in submission. She prayed that the head cook would leave her alone.
• “Overslept? So, you think you’re a princess and can do whatever you want?”
• “No, ma’am.”
• Bella shoved her, sending Jadiel falling backward onto her butt. She glanced up in surprise and was rewarded with a hard slap that rocked her head. She tasted blood but didn’t touch her face, her frightened eyes on the older she-wolf.
• “Do not sass me, you ungrateful brat! You are fortunate to have a family and a roof over your head. I don’t understand why our Alpha doesn’t get rid of you. You contribute nothing to this pack.”
• The words stabbed her heart. None of it was true. She worked hard to help her pack. None of her efforts were rewarded. No, all she received were insults and pain. She dreamed of running away. The one and only time she tried hadn’t ended well for her.
• “Get up and start preparing breakfast.” With a huff, Bella walked away.
• Jadiel shakily got to her feet. She touched her cheek and felt how swollen it and her lip were. She stifled her tears and started on breakfast.
• An hour later she finally finished making breakfast. Twenty minutes into cooking breakfast she was joined by the Omegas who delivered the food to the dining hall. She tried to ignore her growling stomach. It had been four days since she had truly eaten a meal and the apple she found at home earlier didn’t count.
• She also ignored the whispers and glares of the Omegas. Ever since she was a teenager and was sent to the kitchen to work, they had despised her. They often accused her of looking down on them which was untrue. How could she look down on them when she was in the same boat? No power, no respect, only hatred by those around you.
• Her back ached and she was sweating from all the heat from the oven. She really wanted to rest, if only for a moment.
• “Jadiel! You lazy girl! Why haven’t you finished the dishes?”
• She turned and bowed to Bella.
• “I was just getting to them.”
• “Liar!”
• Jadiel flinched. Great, just great. Now the Omegas were trying to get her into trouble.
• “Jezebel, what did you see?” demanded Bella.
• “I saw her standing around doing nothing while we did all the work,” came the smug reply.
• Jadiel wanted to curse the fate that made her part of this pack. Why did people have to be so cruel?
• “So, you had the audacity to lie to me?”
• “No, Head Cook. I am not lying,” Jadiel replied in a calm voice.
• “Hmmph, I don’t believe you. I shall let the Alpha know that you are slacking.”
• Jadiel’s head jerked up. “No, please, don’t!”
• “Be quiet!” Bella slapped her hard.
• Jadiel gasped and dropped her head. If Bella told her father.... No, she couldn’t think about it.
• “Get out of my sight, useless girl.”
• Jadiel clenched her fists and ran from the kitchen.
• ~***~
• Alpha Cassius Baldwin sat at his desk diligently working on the latest revenue reports. His pack was flourishing and on its way to becoming one of the most powerful of the southern packs. He had made sure that his pack wasn’t weak. His second Luna, Alison had been a miracle and with her help, had increased the pack’s prestige and wealth. She had gifted him two sons and a stepdaughter that he was proud to call his own.
• ::Alpha, may I speak with you?::
• ::Yes, Bella. What is it?::
• ::It’s about your daughter.::
• ::Is Laura alright?::
• ::Alpha, not her but Jadiel.::
• Cassius growled. ::What is it this time?::
• ::She has been lying and not working properly in the kitchen.::
• ::Where is she?::
• ::I scolded her and she ran out without finishing her work.::
• ::Thank you, Bella, for the update. I will take care of this matter.::
• ::Yes, Alpha.::
• Cassius stood, walked to the window, and focused on his bond with Jadiel. He located her and snarled. She was in the area behind the house.
• He reached out to his Beta, Blake Wilson, and informed him that he would be out to take care of a problem.
• He set off at a brisk jog. Jadiel wasn’t moving and that was fine. It would make it easier to catch her.
• ::You shouldn’t be so angry with our pup,:: complained his wolf, Maximus.
• ::You always defend her. She needs to learn obedience. Her attitude is atrocious.::
• ::I don’t agree. You don’t treat her well.::
• Cassius ignored his wolf. They were Alpha and any member who couldn’t behave needed to be punished. His daughter was not an exception. He arrived at home and went inside. Time to speak to his errant child.
• ::Jadiel!::
• He felt a brief flash of fear from her and it pleased him. Good, she at least had enough sense to understand that she was in trouble.
• ::Yes, Alpha?::
• ::Come home right now.::
• ::Yes, Alpha.::
• He went to the kitchen, sat down, and waited for her to arrive.
• ~***~
• When Jadiel had left the main compound, she headed for the forest behind the house. It was the only place where she felt safe and no one bothered her. She sank down to the ground by her favorite tree, pulled her knees to her chest, and sobbed her hurt and frustration. She hated it here! She wanted to escape but she didn’t want to become a rogue. She’d never survive that.
• ::We could survive. You have me. We could do it,:: encouraged Sayrah.
• ::You could do it but I can’t.::
• ::You don’t give yourself enough credit.::
• Maybe Sayrah was right. She didn’t know anymore. Living was exhausting. She missed her mom. She missed the person her dad used to be before he married Luna Alison.
• She wished....
• ::Jadiel!::
• She stiffened at her father’s call. She was in so much trouble! Damn Bella and the kitchen Omegas!
• Fear filled her. If her father was involved things would go very badly for her.
• ::Yes, Alpha?::
• ::Come home right now.::
• ::Yes, Alpha.::
• Jadiel stood and hurried home. She followed her father’s scent to the kitchen. She entered, baring her neck, and nervously fidgeting in place.
• The heat of his glare scorched her. She could feel his cold anger through their bond. This was going to be bad, really bad.
• “Tell me, Jadiel, why is it so hard for you to follow simple instructions?”
• “Alpha, I did follow orders. I cooked breakfast and was getting ready to do the dishes when the Omegas lied and said I had not done any work. Bella didn’t believe me when I tried to explain the truth. She ordered me to leave.”
• She risked a glance in his direction. His expression...he didn’t believe her either! She wanted to weep at the injustice of it all.
• “How many times this month have I heard a report from Bella about this type of behavior?”
• “Father, please, I’m not lying!”
• “What did you call me?”
• Jadiel gasped, flinched, and cowered. Oh no, she’d called him father!
• “I’m sorry, Alpha! Mercy, please,” she begged.
• “Useless. So, useless.”
• She didn’t have time to run. He was suddenly there, grabbing her by her throat. He squeezed, cutting off her air.
• She struggled, frantically clawing at his hand, trying to loosen his grip.
• A whimper escaped her mouth when his eyes glowed with his Alpha power. He dragged her to the table and slammed her belly first down on it. Shifting his grip, he pinned her there.
• Jadiel panted, her fear rapidly rising.
• “I see that I need to make your body remember who is Alpha here.”
• The sound of him removing his belt made her cry. Not another beating. Anything but that! This wasn’t fair!
• “Alpha, I’m sorry, please, please don’t. I’ll be good, I promise.”
• “Again, lies. You do it so well.”
• The whistling of the belt made her tense and then the exploding pain of it connecting with her lower back pulled a scream from her. She still wasn’t healed fully from last night’s beating and now another layer of pain was being added.
• Despite her tears and pleading, her father continued to beat her. Eventually he stopped.
• He stepped back and she lay on the table not moving, pain overwhelming her senses.
• “If I have to deal with your defiance again, you will take a trip to the cells. Maybe a heavier hand than mine can teach you obedience.”
• Jadiel heard the receding sound of his footfalls and then silence. It took two attempts before she could stand, her body screaming in protest. She staggered upstairs and to her room, collapsing on the bed as unconsciousness dragged her under.