Chapter 5 - A night in prison

As Ashton ordered, Ralph locked me up in the darkest, most filthy room of the Omega quarters. It is a small room, slightly larger than a closet, with a small window that barely lets any light in. The room is damp and cold. There is only a small bed with a torn mattress on it and a small bulb dangling from the ceiling. The light is so dim that I can hardly see anything, though there isn’t much to see in this room apart from the filthy walls whose wallpaper is pleated.

What was I thinking about going to the ball, hoping that I would somehow find my true love and escape this hell hole? There was never a chance that anyone, whether they were a Beta or an Omega, would accept someone like me as their mate. I have landed myself in more trouble than I can handle. Who knows what they will do to me now?

Why did I talk back to the Alpha? He had only dismissed me with a firm no. Why did I go after him and beg and threaten him? What was I expecting that I could change his mind and that he would take pity on me even though he is famous for being cold and cruel? I remember the look in his eyes, which was pure disgust.

"You are so filthy that the mere sight of you is enough to disgust me,” I remember what he said, and I began to cry even harder than before. I have been crying for so long that the pillow beneath me is wet with tears. I feel so cold and hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast this morning, and the cuts and bruises on my arms, hands, face, and throat are all stinging with pain. My head hurts from all this crying, and I dread the thought of the coming morning when I will be sentenced to my punishment.

Well, there is one good thing about getting punished daily. Whatever they might do to me, it can’t be worse than what I have already been through, and even if it is, I’m sure I will get used to it.

I remember what my mom told me about how finding a mate changes you; you try to become better, be more responsible, and be strong to protect the one you love. She said it makes you feel like you have found a reason to live life to the fullest and be happy. It makes you feel inseparable, and the bond between you only grows with time.

I always dreamed that my mate would feel the same way about me, but as far as Ashton and Brandon are concerned, there is no way they feel anything like that towards me. If anything, I won’t be surprised if one of them tries to kill me the next time they see me, especially Ashton. I expect nothing from him.

I can’t believe I was stupid enough to compare myself to Cinderella. What did I think that I would have a happy ending after finding my prince? Just how naive can I be thinking back to it? I realize how idiotic it all sounds; it’s laughable.

The worst of all is that I dragged Lila into this too. What if she had gotten caught with me? I have to make sure they don’t find out about her helping me. I owe that to her. I never found out if she made it back safely. I guess she must have; otherwise, she would be here with me. I know it’s wrong to say this, but it would be nice to have her here with me.

“Tap tap." I hear a voice behind me. Where is it coming from? I turn around, and my eyes widen with shock. "Lila, what are you doing here?” I was surprised.

Lila has turned into her wolf form and is tapping on the window with her paw. She moans happily, her eyes glowing in the dark in a warm and reassuring way. She has a bag in her mouth. I open the small window, and she throws it in. She slowly gets inside herself like a cat. She transforms back into her human form.

“Sorry to keep you waiting; I heard what happened. Are you ok?” She asks as I hug her tightly. She hugs me back warmly, and I sob on her shoulder.

“I’m so glad you are here,” I say thankfully.

“I know now, if you don’t mind, I would like to get dressed. It’s really cold in here. My clothes are in the bag.” She informs me.

"Oh, here, take it,” I say, handing her the bag. She pulls out her clothes.

“I also brought some food and medicine,” she says, pulling out a lunch box and first aid kit with it.

"Thanks, I am starving,” I say, and I open the lunch box hungrily and begin to eat the sandwiches and fries she brought me.

“Eat slowly or you will check; here have this; it will warm you up," she says, handing me a warm cup of hot chocolate she brought in a thermos. I eat and drink gratefully.

After she is done changing into her clothes, she sits with me, applying medicine and my scars, as I finish my dinner. After I was done, I gave her a cup of hot chocolate, and she thanked me.

“So, I heard everything from the head Omega while he was talking to the Omega boys. I'm sorry it didn’t work out the way you wanted.” She said it apologetically, with a look of pity in her eyes. She seems to be hesitant about something, then she asks carefully.

“I wanted to ask, is it true? Are you really mated to both the Alpha brothers?”

“Yes, it seems like it,” I reply dryly, trying not to think about it.

"Honestly, that is quite unusual; I didn’t believe it when I heard it from Ralph. Are you sure?” She asks, still unsure whether to believe something so out of the ordinary.

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter; neither of them wants me,” I tell her.

“Maybe now, but who knows, they might change their mind.” She says it encouragingly.

"Lila, you didn’t hear what they said; there is no hope for me, so just drop it. I don’t want to get my hopes up again over a fantasy.” I tell her sternly, hoping she will stop encouraging my stupid fantasy.

"Why, what exactly did they say to you?" She asks sympathetically, holding my hand and trying to understand my anger. I tell her everything word for word as it happened, and as I do, tears start to swell up in my eyes again. Lila comforts me.

“Oh Emilia, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that on your own. I wish I could do something to help you.” She says it sympathetically.

“Don’t say that you have already done so much, and besides, the worst is over; after my punishment, I am sure things will go back to normal,” I say hopefully.

“About that, I don’t think it will be that easy,” Lila informs me dreadfully.

“What do you mean? I am confused.

"Well, for one, all the Omegas are jealous of you, which means they will do everything they can to make sure you don’t win the twin's affection, and as for the Betas I heard Kylie talking to the girls; they think that you crossed a line talking back to the Alpha, and they are offended; they take it as an insult that you got mated to both Ashton and Brandon, so they will be after you too.” She tells me with a painful expression.

"God, this can't get any worse. This is all my fault. I wanted to make things better for us, but instead, I made it a nightmare. What am I going to do now?” I say it in despair. God, this is turning into a nightmare. Why did I go to that stupid school?

“Don’t lose hope yet; the Elders haven’t found out yet; maybe if we tell them they can turn this around,” Lila tells me with a hopeful expression.

“They haven’t, but I thought that everybody knew about this." I was surprised.

"Ashton has threatened everyone not to tell them; they only know that you came to the ball and that you insulted the twins, but they don’t know about the Mate part. If we tell them, they can help you.” She informs me happily.

“No, what if they don't? Then we will be in worse trouble than we are now. This is a bad idea.” I refuse because I have already made enough stupid decisions today that I can’t afford to make any more.

"Emilia, this is our only chance at saving you, and like you said before, things can’t get worse than they already are. Please, we have to try.” She insists on me trying to change my mind.

“But how are we going to tell them? I am imprisoned here, and you are not allowed to see them.” I ask, wondering how she thinks this plan could work.

“You can tell them at your hearing." She says it joyfully, like it was obvious.

"My, what now?” I am confused.

“Your hearing. In order for them to punish you, they need to talk to you first and listen to your defense. Only then can they pass a punishment for a crime like insulting the Alpha. It’s a rule.” She explains it to me, giving me new hope.

“Are you sure what will happen if Ashton refuses to hold a hearing?” I ask to make sure this isn’t something we can pull off.

“He can't; he might be the Alpha, but he still has to listen to the Elders.” She says it matter-of-factly, and for the first time since the ball, I feel confident in having a bright future for both of us.

“If that’s true, then I guess there is still hope for us,” I say it enthusiastically.