Sage

There’s a spring in my step as I stride toward the packhouse. It’s selection day for Chief Omega and I plan to slide my name onto the list before sign-ups close this morning. I know I can win! Cassius will see my worth, I’m sure of it!

I hustle into the kitchen, dropping my bag and strapping my apron on. The room is empty, but I peek over my shoulder, toward the door just to be sure no one’s watching. After scribbling my name on the list of contestants quickly, I’m just shoving the pen back in my pocket when Daphne’s shrill screech has me jumping out of my skin.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She demands.

“N-, nothing. Just getting ready for work.” I glance toward the clock to double check the time, verifying I’m still early.

“Well you’re not needed here. Find something to do out back where you won’t be in the way!”

I practically skip out of the kitchen on my way to the backyard. I like working in the garden. It’s beautiful and peaceful out there. But it doesn’t take long for me to realize I’ve been set up..Trouble is waiting for me right outside the back door.

“Where are you going, you filthy wolfless whore?” One of Daphne’s friends pokes me in the chest.while her gaggle of accomplices snigger behind her. I try to side step her but she mirrors me, blocking my path. “Did you actually think we’d let a waste of space like you participate in the Chief Omega contest? What a joke! As if a worthless piece of shit like you could be Chief of anything!”

She shoves my shoulder hard, making me stumble. Before I can catch my balance, she cocks her arm back and punches me in the nose. I hear a sickening crunch and my head spins from the impact, blood pouring from my nostrils and running down my chin.

I fall backward, losing my balance and smacking my head on the concrete. Before my vision clears, another blow lands in my gut, knocking the air from my lungs.

They take turns kicking me over and over again. One of their feet connects with my ribs and I hear it crack at the same moment a white-hot stabbing pain sears through me.

Dark spots dance before my eyes, consciousness quickly slipping away as I struggle to suck in enough oxygen. Their voices become muffled as my hearing tunnels out until there’s nothing but blissfully silent darkness.

“Don’t touch me!” I scream, coming to with a start and scooting away from the cool hands touching me.

“Shh! It’s okay, sweetling. It’s just me.” The deep tenor of my handsome stranger’s voice instantly soothes me. “Hold still so I can finish cleaning your wounds.”

As the fear-induced adrenaline dwindles away, the pain of my injuries comes roaring back. I suck in a sharp breath as my broken rib sends a fiery jolt up my side. It’s quickly followed by the sting of whatever he’s dabbing on the cut above my brow.

“How did I get here?” I look around, noticing I’m on the cot he’s claimed as his own all week.

“I was out for a walk when I saw a group of she-wolves tossing your unconscious body across the border. Don’t worry!” He holds up his hand to silence me when I open my mouth to scold him. “They didn’t see me. But lucky for you, I saw them.”

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