Iris's POV
Letting them see my weakness was never going to happen.
Without saying a word, I walked out on them as I headed out. My cheek still stung from Liora's slap as my wolf, growling low in my head in fury, angered that I didn't return the slap to Liora. I am still clutching the cleaning items in my hands as I make my way through the corridors of the packhouse.
I reached my maid's room. I entered and shut the door as I dropped the cleaning supplies in the corner, the broom clattering against the ground. My body is consumed with fury, not knowing how to calm my anger, I headed into the bathroom, letting the water run on me as it soaks my hair and drips down my face. My nerves started to calm. Today was my birthday, a fact no one in this pack seemed to remember, and I refused to let it be ruined by Liora's cruelty or the triplets' indifference.
Soon, I was done and I changed into something better and sat at the wooden table. My stomach growling in hunger. Then my eyes landed on a slice of stale bread and a small bowl of vegetable broth I found on my table. It's half eaten andI wondered how it got there. Trying not to stress my head, I pushed down the worries and grabbed the meal even though it didn't look like a fresh meal. It wasn't much, but after hours of cleaning without food, it felt like a feast. I was about to take my first bite when the door to my room slammed open, the force of it rattling the walls. Liora stormed in, her eyes blazing with fury at me. Two male guards flanked beside her, their broad shoulders filling the doorway, their faces cold and emotionless.
Before I could react, she yanked me from the chair, her nails digging into my arm as she pulled me over, the wooden chair tipped over, crashing to the floor with a hollow thud. "How dare you walk out on me, your future Luna?" Then she grabbed the cup of water on my table and emptied it on me.
Catching myself against the table, my wet hair clinging to my face. Lyra roared in my head again, urging me to fight back, to grab the remaining cup of water on the table and fling it in Liora's smug face but I swallowed hard, forcing the impulse down. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a scene, not today, not on my birthday. I stayed silent, my eyes locked coldly on hers.
"No apologies for breaking my vase?" she taunted, stepping closer. "You think you can just walk away?"
Lyra's never stopped growling through me, urging me to show Liora the strength she didn't know I had. But I waved the voice again. I wouldn't ruin this day. "I have nothing to say," I muttered.
Liora's eyes narrowed, her face filling with more rage now. "Nothing to say?" she shrieked. "Take her away!" She snapped her fingers, and the guards moved forward. One grabbed my arm, his grip bruising, while the other flanked me, ensuring I had no escape. They dragged me out of the room, my bare feet slipping on the cold stone as I struggled to keep up.
The guards led me to the courtroom and shoved me inside, and I stumbled in, my wet clothes clinging to my skin.
At the far end, Alpha Darius sat on the Alpha's throne, my father's throne, his massive body dwarfing the ornate chair. Two more guards stood at his side, their eyes cold. Liora approached and stood beside him, her arms crossed, her eyes filled with crocodile tears as she broke the silence. By her words, it seems she already reported me to Darius before bringing me here.
"She broke it out of spite, Alpha!" Liora sobbed. "That jade vase, your precious gift to me, is broken because of her jealousy!" She dabbed at her eyes, but I caught I could see through her.
I stood in the center of the room, my hands clasped tightly in front of me, my wet hair dripping onto the floor. The triplets were there too, standing off to the side. Cade's arms were crossed, his fiery gaze boring into me. Kael's face was unreadable, his piercing eyes watching me with intensity. Zane leaned against a pillar as he watched too. I could feel their expectation that I should kneel and beg the king because he was very cruel and doesn't forgive easily. But Lyra stirred within me, her presence, burning away my fear. I didn't look scared, my chin lifting as I met their gazes one by one. I wasn't that omega anymore. The weak Iris had died in my past life, and I wouldn't let them trample on me again.
Then Darius's voice rumbled through the room. "Is what Liora says true?" His voice was husky, very thick and sounded dangerous as usual.
I said no words.
He got up from his throne, approaching powerfully like the king he was, his eyes bloodlust as he stopped right in front of me, his eyes piercing to mine.
I didn't flinch as I met Darius's gaze, staring at him with bitterness as I recalled my parents death and my death. "Yes," I said, my voice firm. "I broke the vase on purpose."
Liora's mouth fell open at my response. The triplets stiffened, their expressions turning in disbelief. Cade's and Zane's brows shot up, Kael's eyes narrowed. They'd expected me to grovel, to fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness. But I stood courageous, my gaze still locked on Darius, daring him to react.
Liora recovered quickly, storming toward me with a snarl. Immediately, her hand lashed out and landed me a slap but I didn't move or glance at her way. My eyes stayed on Darius, as if staring deep into him, ignoring the burning in my cheek.
Darius let out a cold smile, his eyes darkening as he took a step forward and then grabbed my jaw with a bruising grip, forcing my face up more to meet his. His fingers dug into my skin, the pain was sharp and unbearable as he pressed harder, but I still didn't tear my gaze off him. I'd felt this grip before in my past life so I had gotten use to it. Time stilled as our gazes locked, his eyes now turned even colder and burning with rage, mine steady with a fire I hadn't known I possessed. Where was Lyra getting this audacity? I didn't know, but I welcomed it.
"How dare you," Darius growled, his husky voice cold and emotionless. "That vase was a priceless gift to Liora, and you destroyed it. You'll be punished, unless you apologize to her. Now."
The guards stepped closer, their hands on my shoulders, forcing me to my knees. My wolf, Lyra's voice roared in my mind, urging me to stand my ground. "I won't apologize," I said boldly. "If you want to punish me, go ahead. I deserve a reward for breaking that ugly thing."
The room went deathly silent. Liora's face flushing with fury. Cade took a step forward, his fists clenched. "Have you gone insane?" he snapped. "Apologize to Liora, Iris. Now."
Lyra's sneer surged again, and I felt her strength flood my veins. "No," I said, my eyes never leaving Darius. The weak omega he knew is dead. Mess with me, and they will see.
Darius's grip tightened on my jaw, his eyes blazing, but I didn't flinch to show any pain. Finally, he released me, shoving me back. "Very well," he said. "You'll do all the laundry for the high-ranking pack members and clean their rooms for a week. Your meals will be raw corn and water, nothing more. Maybe that will teach you respect."
My human body is shaking with fear but my wolf ignores it. "Is that all?" I asked, my tone bold. The shock on their faces, Liora's, the triplets', even Darius's was worth every second of the punishment to come. He should do his worst. It is better I die and rest from suffering or I stay alive and teach them a lesson.
"That's your punishment." Darius added.
"I accept," I replied as I turned, walking out of the courtyard. I pushed through the two gigantic doors and walked out.
I was almost to the next hallway when a masculine hand grabbed my arm, yanking me into a shadowed corner. Another hand clamped over my mouth, stifling me from saying a word. My heart raced as I struggled from the grip. Then the hand freed me as I turned and saw Cade.
"What the hell have come over you, Iris?" He snapped.