SHADOW
Goddess, these people hated me to the core. Thankfully, this was the last day of my punishment, and I was already dreaming of a long nap in my bed. On the other hand, a three-day punishment in solitary was probably the best choice after all.
“Here, rogue.” A buzz-cut teenager smirked and just gave me the plate. Before I could take it, he poured what was left of his food on the floor. So I had to mop the kitchen floor, adding to an hour of my time.
I sighed and hid my anger and disappointment.
“Serves you right. Next time, learn to respect who’s a higher rank than you.” That was just the first bully.
Three bullies had done the same thing every meal since three days ago, but this one and the other were worse.
Apparently, they admired Zack, hence the bullying and giving me a hard time. The cooks, not so much. They even helped me by cleaning utensils before they left, but these kids, Goddess, I wanted to ring their necks and squeeze them until their throats cracked around my fingers.
“Let me help,” another bully, the college playboy, offered. I saw him making out with another college girl in the parking lot. He was carrying a large stack of plates. That would be the first time, but I knew exactly what game he was playing here. I prepared myself for what was the worst to come.
In an attempt to not waste my time, I said, “It’s fine. I can do it.”
He didn’t listen. He just dropped the plates into the sink filled with soap suds and hot water. It splashed in return, throwing all the suds into my apron and face.
I gasped. I felt my face just had a first-degree burn. Good thing I was not human. The asshole just laughed at my utterly poor situation.
“Do you really think I will help you after what you did? You’re a rogue, bitch. You don’t belong here. You better pack up and leave because this won’t end well for you. And this is just the beginning.”
I wiped off the soapy water on my face and took a deep breath. I could feel my wolf triggering anger, and he just called me bitch. I continued washing because I was not doing what I was doing for myself. This was for Kent. I needed that protection Alpha Califf’s promised me. And I would never cry over some bullies. I was better than them.
“What? Now you’re mute? You might also wanna offer something to us if you wanna stay here longer.” He snorted. “Wait. What else could you offer than your stinky, rotten smell? No one will want you out of pity even if you spread your legs for us.”
“That’s enough!” A strong male voice roared from the kitchen door, startling me.
“I was just teaching her some lessons not to mess with Night Stalker boys,” bully number two said, trying to defend himself.
“Night Stalker boys?” Zack sauntered in. I heard his hard footsteps closing in. “You’re barely a boy, Homer. Night Stalker boys don’t act like that. We respect our own.”
“But she’s not one of us.”
“She will be, and she’s here, isn’t she? She’s doing the chores assigned to her. Leave her alone.”
“Why are you defending her after what she did to you?”
“Because it was my fault. She’s done nothing wrong, and I provoked her.”
I wished the Alpha shared the same opinion, but that was not the case. He barely talked two sentences while I worked in his office for three days, polishing his desk and shelves, cleaning his windows, accepting calls, and filtering emails. A simple thank you would suffice, but that would not happen to a slave like me.
“That should serve everyone a lesson. All refugees seeking our Alpha’s protection, we should give them a chance, and that applies to her as well.”
“I don’t know, man. Everyone hates her. I don’t like the stinky smell in the air. It makes me gag.”
“Leave! Now!” Zack pointed at the door.
The bully rushed out of the kitchen, but Zack stayed. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Tempting, but I can defend my honor. Thank you very much.” I did not even look at him. Honestly, I was not mad. I was upset, yes, because this was not the life I wanted from the start. Yet, here I was, washing dishes just to earn a place in the pack that took me forcefully.
“What they did wasn’t right. I’m an enforcer of this pack. It’s my duty to keep everyone’s well-being safe.”
“I wish you thought about that before bullying me.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” He sounded sincere enough, but what he was doing here was still unclear.
I stopped my chores and looked at him. “You’re apologizing to a rogue. Why?”
“Because you’re still a part of this community. Respect starts with ourselves. I want to show everybody that I wasn’t that enforcer who tackled a defenseless woman. I wanna be a good example to them.”
“Well, you’re doing a pretty bang-up job.”
“I know.” He put on a glove. “That’s why I paid the price.”
I stared at him, confused and shocked. “What are you doing?”
“It’s late, and it looks like you still have a lot of things to finish.” He wore another glove as he stood beside me in front of the sink. He grabbed the pot and a scrub.
“I’m fine. I can do this. You should be on your way to your duty.” I picked a plate and started washing. The less talk, the better, the faster I could finish my work.
“I just finished my twelve-hour duty and am still an enforcer, so I outrank you.”
“I’m not gonna apologize for defending myself.”
“Sounds like you.”
I looked at him, who seemed more amused than pissed off. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re an unapologetic Shadow. You’re also strong for a rogue despite those kids bullying you. You never fought back or complained.”
“I’m not apologetic to someone who doesn’t deserve my apology. I apologize when I know it’s my fault.”
“Do you have someone to help you warm up before the challenge?”
“Everyone hates me. Who would volunteer to help a rogue who kneed a good enforcer, Zack?”
The blond chuckled. “They will let it go once you’ve earned your place, but I will help you first thing tomorrow.”
I dropped what I was doing and looked at him intently. “Why? After what I did to you.”