C4 Chapter 4

ROSE'S P.O.V

Each step felt heavier by the second, my legs feeling like jelly; my eyes scouted around to see that the few omegas around barely even threw me a glance, each immersed in carrying out their respective duties.

I swallowed, my hands sweaty, which I laced through each other to keep from openly fidgeting.

"Good morning, Father. "It's good to see you." I nearly scoffed as the lies slipped from my lips; it was beyond horrible to see him.

He let out a grunt, casting me an unimpressed glance. "Sit."

Letting out a silent breath, I did as he ordered. I watched as he called for the omegas, who began serving quickly and meticulously to avoid incurring his ire. Soon enough we were left alone to eat, which we did silently, until he set his cutlery down, wiping the corners of his mouth, which had me freezing.

"So, what have you been up to in my absence?" Like he didn't know.

Wetting my lips, I fiddle nervously with my fingers underneath the table as I answer, "I've been busy embroidering and learning of my pack duties to be Luna." He let out a sound of what sounded to be a hum of approval. My heart thumped in anticipation.

"Good to see that you're doing something meaningful for once in your life. At least you're not totally useless." A lump formed in my throat, my gaze lowering as I willed myself not to cry. Whatever excitement I felt at the sound of his approval washed away. Of course, how stupid of me to assume he'd say something nice to me.

"Very well then, I guess it's only right to let you know that Alpha Roderick and I have decided that you marry his son. Form a stronger alliance." He revealed nonchalantly as he continued eating. While I, on the other hand, was horrified. Alpha Roderick was a terrible alpha, nearly worse than my father. I had heard the rumours. I couldn't imagine how bad his son would be; I wouldn't survive.

"W-w-hat? Father, you can't be serious. I can't—" I began to object, not realising the error. Wrong move.

"Did you just say you can't?" He enunciated slowly with a calmness that terrified me, his eyes burning with rage. I knew all hell was going to be let loose.

No sooner had I thought that when he slammed his palm harshly on the table, waving a finger at me, "Did you just fucking say you can't?" His chair screeched as he pushed it back, scraping against the floor, and got on his feet.

On instinct, I carefully pushed back my chair, doing the same as I took a step back, followed by another and another.

"Don't you fucking move, Rose…" He warned menacingly; my body acted according to his command. A few more steps and he was standing right in front of me. Geralt Altezer, my father and the one who was supposed to protect me, was the one who terrified me the most. His hand flew up, wrapping itself around my throat, nearly cutting off my air supply. Fear filled my every pore; I was unable to move, unable to beg, unable to do anything but stand still.

"You dare to defy me? Me? How fucking dare you? You seem to have forgotten your place. Perhaps you need another lesson, hmm, Rose?" His words brought me back into reality as I shook my head fervently, my palms flying up to his, which were wrapped around my neck. At this point I'd definitely pass out. Oh goddess, please...

"No, no, goddess, please no." I cried, shaking my head fervently.

"No?" A taunting smirk pulled across his lips, morphing into a sneer. "Then know your fucking place. Don't you dare question me, ever. Understood?"

I nodded in response. He kissed his teeth, releasing his grip on my neck. Almost instantly, I take in gulps of much-needed air to pacify my burning lungs. He turned away from me, saying,

"Although, I think a lesson is in order." Before I could fully grasp his words or even foresee his next moves, he backhanded me, sending me straight to the floor. Tears blurred my vision as I sobbed. I looked up to see a few of the omegas there, none coming to my rescue. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth from where I had bitten my lip when he struck her. I felt him lower himself next to me as he whispered.

"You're nothing but a pathetic little shit, Rose; I should have gotten rid of you the moment you were born." And then I let the tears flow; I sobbed and sobbed until I could no more. I just wanted it all to end; perhaps if I closed my eyes and prayed to her, I wouldn't have to live this nightmare.

I barely registered what was going on around me until I felt someone touch me. On instinct, I cowered away from their touch.

"Oh my goodness." Martha gasped, shock evident in her voice, "Rose, what happened?" I didn't respond; I couldn't.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." Tiredly, I let her lead me up to my room, where she led me to my bed and then left, returning shortly after. Feeling something cold pressed against my cheek, I hissed in pain.

"Sorry, darling. Here, to ease the pain." She handed me a pill and a glass of water, which I downed. Silence rested for a moment between us as she tended to my wound, my gaze averted from her.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked carefully; I shook my head. Martha nodded in understanding; she knew. They all knew but couldn't do anything. Martha was one of the kind ones who tried to be my friend. Or at least I thought she was trying to. Perhaps she only did it out of pity, the pathetic, weak daughter of the powerful Alpha Geralt.

"I brought you something to eat, here." She handed me a plate of bacon, pancakes and eggs. I sent her a thankful smile, which she returned. I had completely forgotten about breakfast, and I would rather starve than go down to meet him when there was a possibility that I'd run into him.

"Thank you, Martha."

"Of course, I'll be back later to pick up the plates." She said warmly before leaving. Once I was sure she was gone, I allowed the tears I had been holding back to stream down my face. His words rang fresh in my mind. He should have gotten rid of me the moment I was born; many times the thought crossed my mind to take my life, but I've always been too chickenshit to do it.

Martha tells me that I got my kindness from my mother, and she'd have loved me. I often find comfort in the thought. I wiped my tears, picked up my plate and began eating. I wasn't worthless; I wasn't pathetic. I would prove him wrong. I would prove the man I hated, the man I loathed with all my heart, wrong. One day, my father, Geralt Altezer, will regret everything he's ever done to me. And that was a promise.