Little Witch

“On your knees!”

The Alpha’s growl reverberated harshly in my ears. I wondered what I had done this time. Wasting time no further, I crumpled to the ground on my knees. The Luna sneering in sheer hatred for me.

“Y-yes Alpha.”

My voice wobbled and my eyes shone with unshed tears. I was desperately trying not to cry.

“The Luna complained you do not respect her. Why is that?”

The Alpha queried harshly.

“I do respect the Luna.”

When will all these stop? What ever have I done to the Luna that she hated me so much?

“Are you saying that your Luna is lying?”

His eyes darkened in anger and I shook visibly under his intense stare. The Alpha of Moon River pack is an Alpha no one dared toyed with. He is as mean and as bad-tempered as they come.

“N-no, Alpha. I wouldn’t dare insinuate such.”

“Then did you disrespect her or not?”

I was in a quandary what to answer. Saying the truth would lead to punishment. Lying would also get me punished. My just swallowed and stared at them both with tears running down my eyes.

“Answer me!”

I jolted out of uncontrollable fear. Then slowly gave a small, cautious shake of my head — an indication that I hadn’t in any way disrespected the Alpha.

“Still saying that your Alpha is lying?”

“I’m not insinuating that all, Alpha. But please believe me when I say I did not in any way disrespect the Luna.”

“So you mean he should believe you over me?”

The Luna sneered. I gulped again, I didn’t know what else to do. If not that we needed the money, I wouldn’t be here. Mother is sick and she needs treatment. Father can’t handle the expenses all by himself.

“But please Luna, tell the Alpha the truth. I didn’t disrespect you. I bowed when others did and I didn’t mumble any insulting words, I swear it.”

“You mean to say I’m lying?”

Before I could respond to that, I fell backwards from the force of her hand coming in contact with my cheek. My eyes watered from the sheer sting of it. I could barely kneel properly, my head was spinning. What had she slapped me with? Or did her hand grow thrice in size when landing on my face? Pain wouldn’t let me breathe well. My breath hitched and tears welled as I cradled the side of my face that was red and warm. I was already suffering enough, this was too much but I had to take it. I couldn’t quit. Mother needs the money, we need the money.

“The other day you tried to poison my food. The time before that you spat in my newly laundered dress.”

The Luna yelled maliciously at me. All were lies but no one would ever believe me.

“Teach this riffraff a lesson, Caden. Don’t let her get away with this brazen attitude of hers?”

What brazen attitude was I exhibiting? I wish I understood where all these accusations were sprouting from?