The Alpha's Mistake

Chapter 2

Em carefully limped to the bath area of the basement to wash the disgusting filth off of her. Standing on one foot at the dirty sink, she used the worn dish towel and a bit of soap she took to clean herself. Starting with her arms, she gently wiped her wrist, gritting her teeth at any pressure. Breathing heavily, she scrubbed her torso and the ribs that were still broken. She was able to get to her intimate parts, but her hands shook with pain.

Unable to bend to reach her legs, she stumbled to the other object down here. Falling to her knees on the smelly mattress, she then laid down on her back. Another day done, another coming too soon. She hoped her injuries would heal some by the morning, but she doubted it.

Waking early, she crawled to the cardboard box that held a clean set of clothes. Grateful that one of the females took pity on her yesterday, she got dressed as quickly as she could. At the bottom was a half used tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, and a hair brush with hair ties wrapped around the handle. Tears welled up in her eyes at the generosity of the unknown wolf who left the items for her.

Feeling lighter, she thought maybe today would be the day she could escape. She knew about rogues, but death was a better option sometimes rather than face a lifetime in her current situation. As soon as the idea of suicide entered her mind, it was gone. Something inside her made her stop. She hurried to get upstairs and make breakfast for everyone who lived in the packhouse.

Steam rose from the bowls of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, biscuits, and hashbrowns that she put on the buffet table. She tried hustling back to the messy kitchen to clean up before anyone saw her.

"Look, it's the mateless mutt." Lance said before he tripped her.

Wincing as she fell on her already broken wrist, another tormentor entered and stepped on the ankle that hadn't been injured before. "I didn't see you there." Bruce snickered. "Nothing to say?" That earned him chuckles from the others that gathered around them.

"Awe, the mute can't talk. What a shame." Candi joined in the ribbing. "Get up, I need more syrup." Sarcasm dripped from her words as she kicked Em in the side, luckily missing the bad ribs. "You're nothing but a mistake the Moon Goddess made."

Em knew better than to look at the full bottle on the counter or even nod in acknowledgment. She stood as fast as she could to do their bidding. Staying against the walls, she put the container on the table and reached the safety of the kitchen without another incident.

Once she had the kitchen spotless, she snuck out the back door and headed to the woods. She'd been watching the patrols for weeks to find an opening. The purpose of the sentries was to keep rogues out, not keep members in. The guard walked past while she hid behind a large tree a good distance from the actual border. Wasting no more time, she ran, ignoring the shooting pain from her ankle and ribs.

You can do it. Keep going. Get away from this horrible place. One more step. One more step. One more step. You can do it. One more step to freedom. One more step.

She chanted the words in her head, but her feet stopped inches from the invisible line. No matter what her brain wanted, her feet refused to obey.

"What do we have here?"

She closed her eyes, dreading what would be coming her way next from Beta Larry.

"Good Goddess!" His eyes started watering, and he covered his nose and mouth. "You!" He shouted to the guard who was jogging to them. "Get this thing cleaned up. Let me know when you're done." He shook his head and turned around, muttering, "filthy, disgusting animal."

"Yes, sir." Justin faced her and gestured for her to head towards the garage. "Stop right there."

Hey, babe, can you bring a big shirt over to the west side of the barn? He mind-linked his mate.

Sure, but why?

Beta wants me to clean up the mutt, and her clothes stink like shit. I can't give her back to him still reeking.

Ok, I'm on my way.

"Take off your clothes." He ordered. Her eyes got large with fear. "I'm not going to molest you, I'm going to burn them."

Willing back tears about losing the nicest clothes she had, she striped down to a bra and underwear. "The rest of it. There's no need to be modest. I'm sure most of the unmated males have already had their fill of you."

Standing naked in the yard for all to see, she closed her eyes to prepare for whatever he was going to do. Justin turned on the spigot and blasted her with cold water. Using the hand sprayer, he dosed her from head to foot. When the hard stream pressed on her ribs, she couldn't hold in the whimper. Fortunately, he didn't hear her over the sound of the rushing water.

"Hi, thanks for bringing this." Justin kissed his mate before throwing the shirt at Em. "Put that on. Quickly now, I'm late for lunch."

"It's alright, baby. I brought it with me." Cindy held up a basket.

"You're the best. Let me find out where Beta wants her."

I got the mutt washed off. Where should I take her? Beta? Beta?

"He's not answering." He shrugged. "Strange. Oh well, I suppose I can leave her tied up here." Frowning, he searched for some rope.

Justin tugged painfully on the bindings to be sure they were tight enough to keep her in place. Satisfied, he smiled at Cindy, wrapping his arm around her waist and picking up the basket in his other hand. "You stay there until Beta wants you, stupid mutt." For good measure, he slapped the side of her head.

She was almost asleep while leaning against the side of the garage, her hands bound together behind her. The sound of a car pulling in startled her, causing her heart to race. She's not supposed to be outside. The punishment for getting caught a second time terrified her. Frantically, she looked around for the guard, but he hadn't come back.

Closing her eyes, she hoped whoever it was would go the other way, leaving her concealed. Of course, the voices got louder, indicating that at least two wolves were headed her way. Right before she saw anyone, a sweet, delicious aroma engulfed her senses.

Snapping her eyes open, she watched the most frightening wolf walk around the corner. Dark hair, light eyes, tall with muscles on muscles, she imagined he could break her bones instantly. Locking gazes, she heard the word she never believed would be uttered about her.

"Mate." The surprised expression quickly turned dark, dangerous, and thunderous. "You're supposed to be dead, Heidi."