A Secret Alpha Mate
Chapter 3

(Isla)

I felt completely hopeless, completely empty.

After what happened today I just wanted the comfort of my attic bed and now I'm being punished for Meghan's misplaced jealousy. I wish I wouldn't have stood up to her and just told her I fell or something. I feel hot tears well up in my eyes as I turn from Meghan so she doesn't see anything.

There is no use fighting her on this, her word is as good as law when it comes to the omegas. I don't want to be forced to face the Alpha again, I've already made myself known today which is something that I always tried to avoid. I've managed to go relatively unnoticed for the almost fourteen years I've been here, but of course a month before my 18th birthday it seems that everything is going to shit.

Meghan has been singling me out, I had a run-in with the Alpha in his office, and Seth tried to force himself on me. The only two I haven't managed to piss off yet for some reason were Hailey and the Luna. At the rate I'm going I'm sure I'll have a run-in with them before the week is over.

I followed Meghan out to the post behind the back kitchen entrance. It was a new punishment that the Alpha and her concocted. They've only used it on a few people, one girl burnt a batch of chili, the other stained the Alpha's expensive sheets, and me at the other end of Meghan's jealousy.

I'm lucky I'm not a rogue, I'm lucky I'm not a rogue, I keep repeating to myself.

I walk out back followed by a group of omegas I heard her telling to follow her, Meghan loves an audience.

"Kneel." She smiles down at me.

A bit melodramatic but she always has a flair for the theatrics. Apparently, I'm taking too long because she shoves me to the hard ground. I glare up at her.

"I wouldn't be looking at me with anything but respect, you dog. You think you're in trouble now, I'm going to replace out exactly what happened today, and you'll be lucky if you ever see the light of day again." She spits.

She pulls a heavy metal dog collar and fastens it around my neck. The collar is chained to a thick pole with only about ten feet of movement allowed from the pole. This could be more humiliating, but I count myself lucky that it's already dark and only some omegas are here to witness this.

"That's better then." She sneers at me pulling the chain too hard making me gasp for breath.

"Right back where you belong. They honestly shouldn't have taken you in ever, you're nothing but a stray. You'll never pass as a house dog no matter how pretty you think you are."

What was she talking about? I never said I was pretty?

"Alright, you lazy bastards. Off to bed, we have lots to prep which means an early wake-up call."

I hear everyone groan as they shuffle inside. Any time there is a party or event all the pack members are excited about it, and the omegas are forced to do double the work without any of the fun ourselves.

"If I catch any of you sneaking food to the mutt, I'll assume you want to join her. I'm sure an extra leash can be found around here." She cackles.

"Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Meghan." I hear the omegas mumble before she slams the door shut.

I take a deep breath in and check out my surroundings. Honestly, this doesn't seem so bad. Packhouse omegas rarely are allowed to go outside if we aren't assigned to outside chores. I've always loved this land and felt a deep connection to it, I'm sure it's the wolf in me talking.

I'm so at ease outside that I actually begin to see this as a positive thing. Finally, some alone time, something that I don't get sharing a small room with six others. I lay down on a bed of grass and take a deep breath that smells of warm earth about to drift off when I see a light turn on at the back of the packhouse, up on one of the ranked members floors.

Seth comes to the window and I swear he is staring right at me. He's had his wolf with him for years so his sight is better than mine. He gives a smirk that sends a chill down my spine, I know he sees me. He knows I'm alone out here.

I look back up to his room and see that he's gone from the window. The light flickers off.

I feel panic start to rise, he knows I'm out here alone, literally changed to a pole. I see if there is any way to get this leash off me but it is made of steel. I go to the pole and see that the chain is actually welded through the pole with a large ring, they really didn't want anyone getting out of this.

My breath starts to get fast and my palms are sweaty. There is no way I can fight him off again, nowhere to run, no one that would hear me.

I can't mindlink with anyone else in the pack because I'm not eighteen yet, I can't call for anyone as they are already probably all in bed and in the attic or basement.

I hear the back door open softly and I freeze in panic.

This can't be happening, Goddess help me.