Chapter 6

I wake up with a smile on my face. I did dream of Ashton. I stretch and wince from my broken ribs. The last time I had broken ribs, it took almost two weeks for them to fully heal. I pull my hair into a ponytail and slip into a soft t-shirt and shorts. I slip on my shoes and get to the kitchen. Hunter wanted cinnamon rolls yesterday, so I’m making them fresh.

A sweet wolf from one of the refuge packs is in the kitchen with me. Alyssa is in her late 70s. She comes in every once in a while, but I have never known why. She came to this pack shortly after my father left. She’s the stoic type. I know she observes everything, but she hardly ever talks.

Kneading the dough is really difficult, and I’m not having much success. “Let me do that. Crazy girl, you're gonna hurt yourself more than you already are.” I thank Alyssa and move on to cooking the eggs and sausage.

Once breakfast is served, Hunter bursts into the kitchen, barreling straight toward me. I cower back into a corner and cover my head and ribs. He gets a firm grip on my ponytail and yanks me to my feet. His hand connects with my face. “Is this a joke? Are you making fun of me?”

“N-n-no sir.” I squeak out. I don’t even know what he’s talking about.

He lands a punch to my gut. I crumble to the ground with the sudden need to vomit, even though my stomach is empty. I have no idea how, but I keep it in.

“Fucking cinnamon rolls? After you humiliated me yesterday, you have the nerve to do it again?” He lands a booted kick to my still sick stomach.

“Excuse me, Beta Hunter. I made the cinnamon rolls this morning. I saw how disappointed you were to not have them yesterday,” Alyssa speaks out from behind Hunter. He spins on her then spits on the floor in front of me. He growls then walks out of the kitchen.

Alyssa helps me to my feet. “It boggles my mind that you don’t turn rogue, sweetie. Anything would be better than this. He will always find a reason to hurt you. When he's Alpha, what will you do?”

She helps me to a chair and gets me some cool water. I take small sips. Her words sting as the truth settles in my mind. I will forever be his punching bag. “I don't know. I guess going rogue is in my future,” I barely mutter before taking another sip. Something cold touches my face, and I flinch. I hadn’t realized Alyssa made me an ice pack for me. I look up to her. “Thank you. You shouldn’t have lied to him. He could’ve hurt you too.”

She shakes her head. “I didn’t exactly lie. I told him a half truth. I did help knead the dough.” I let out a little chuckle but quickly stop because it hurts. Alyssa shakes her head. “I’ll help you with your duties today. I’m also going to bring up the fact that you’re injured to Alpha Greg, so he can get you some help. You should be resting.”

I almost drop the cup of water. “You can’t. Please, don’t. I don’t want you getting punished. He’ll say no anyway.”

She gives me a wink. “I have my ways. You go to your bed and get some rest. I’ll take care of your chores today.”

I slowly get to my feet. “I wish I could, but I’ll get in trouble.”

Her fists go to her waist. “Don’t you sass me, young lady. Who do you think took care of it yesterday? I was hoping that Peter boy would be your mate, and the two of you could run away together. But that’s just the romantic in me.”

Alyssa walks out of the kitchen and goes straight to Alpha Greg while he’s still eating with numerous people watching. The dining room goes silent as she addresses him. I can hear every word out of her mouth as she tells him about my condition.

Alpha Greg’s face shifts into a scowl, but he agrees that I need to rest. Alyssa and Peter are assigned to my duties, but I still have to give them directions. No bed rest for me. Alyssa gives him a sweet smile, but it kind of feels like more of a challenge as she turns back to the kitchen. “Well, that went better than I thought it would.”

I shake my head at her, but I am truly grateful. “Thank you, Alyssa. You’re a lifesaver.”

The day goes by quickly, and Alyssa takes charge, leaving me nothing to do but sit on my chair. I feel guilty watching them do all my work for me. “At least let me peel the potatoes.” Peter shrugs and sets everything out at the table in front of me. As soon as I’m finished, Alyssa excuses me for the night.

I’m walking with excitement as I get deeper and deeper into the tunnel. I can see the crack at the end, and I stop to take a shallow, but calming, breath. I slip through the crack into an empty cave. Damn. I thought he’d be here. I don’t dare step foot out of the cave since I know there are guards close by. The moonlight is bright enough to lighten the area. I find an outcropping in the stone and take a seat.

I don’t have to wait long before Ashton emerges from the trees holding an almost empty bottle of alcohol. He looks around carefully before stepping into the cave. I raise my brow at the bottle in his hand. He shakes his head. “Just in case we run into guards.”

I relax and gradually get to my feet. Ashton’s eyes squint, and his lips tighten into a look of fury. I step back and flinch against the wall as his hand moves up to my face. “Gypsy, I’m not going to hurt you. That fucker hit you again?” His hand cups my cheek, and he raises my face so he can see the damage. “Anywhere else?” I nod and lift my shirt so he can see my belly.

His eyes soften as he looks back up to my eyes. “Don’t pity me. I can handle ridicule and resentment, but I can’t handle pity."

Ashton shakes his head. “No. No pity. Anger, rage, fury at that piece of shit that would willingly hurt the person he’s supposed to protect the most. You’re supposed to be a Luna, and he treats you like a punching bag. It’s absurd.”

I snort a laugh at the idea of being a Luna. “Now that’s absurd. I’m not a Luna. I couldn’t even imagine.”

Ashton takes my waist and looks deeply in my eyes. “I can.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I am at a loss for words. I look down at his perfect full lips then back up to his eyes. I know better than to kid myself, but I really want him to kiss me. He clears his throat and takes a step back.