My Alpha Abused Me Until the Lycan Prince Claimed Me

The silk sheets felt cold against my bare skin as I stirred awake, my body aching from last night's rough handling. Dawn hadn't broken yet, but I could feel Maxwell's presence beside me, his warmth radiating reluctantly through the space between us. I kept my breathing steady, hoping he'd think I was still asleep. If I could just slip away before he fully woke...

"Hannah." His voice cut through the darkness, low and commanding. "You're awake."

I opened my eyes to find him sitting up, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the dim light filtering through the curtains. Even in the darkness, I could see the cold indifference in his steel-gray eyes.

"Yes, Alpha," I whispered, immediately sliding to the edge of the bed. My muscles protested as I moved, reminding me of how he'd pinned me down last night, how his hands had left bruises on my wrists.

"You need to leave before the sun rises." Maxwell's tone was clipped, businesslike. "No one can see you coming from my quarters."

"Of course," I murmured, reaching for my crumpled dress on the floor. It was the same one I'd worn yesterday—plain, serviceable, nothing like the fine clothes he kept in his closet.

"That won't do." Maxwell tossed something at me. A pale blue dress landed in my lap, silky and expensive. "Wear this today."

I stared at the fabric, confusion mingling with the familiar ache in my chest. "But... this isn't mine."

"It is now." He stood, towering over me as he pulled on his own clothes. "Zendaya mentioned she likes this style. I want you to wear it."

My fingers trembled slightly as I traced the delicate stitching. Of course. Another reminder of who he really wanted. Who he would always want.

"You didn't wear the perfume I bought you last night," he said suddenly, his nostrils flaring as he scented the air. "Why not?"

"I... I forgot," I lied, knowing full well he could smell the deception on me.

His hand shot out, gripping my chin painfully. "Don't lie to me, Hannah. You know better than that."

"I'm sorry, Alpha," I whispered, tears threatening to spill. "I'll wear it today."

He released me with a dismissive gesture. "See that you do. And be gone in ten minutes."

* * *

The floor was cold beneath my knees as I scrubbed at a stubborn stain in the corridor outside Maxwell's office. The pack house was quiet at this hour, most wolves still sleeping after the previous night's hunt. But I knew Maxwell and Marcus would be meeting soon—they always did after a full moon.

I heard voices approaching and quickly dipped my rag into the soapy water, pretending to be focused on my task as they rounded the corner.

"The Wheeler delegation arrives tomorrow," Marcus was saying, his deep voice carrying in the empty hallway. "Zendaya's people are already setting up her quarters."

"Good," Maxwell replied. "Everything must be perfect for her arrival."

I kept my head down, hoping they wouldn't notice me, but my heightened hearing picked up every word as they paused nearby.

"And what about the pet Omega?" Marcus asked, his voice dropping lower. "Zendaya can't know about her."

A cold laugh escaped Maxwell's lips. "She won't. Hannah's been useful, but she's nothing compared to what I'll have once I mark Zendaya."

My heart stuttered painfully in my chest. Four years. Four years I'd been his secret, his shame.

"She's been loyal to you," Marcus observed cautiously.

"Loyal?" Maxwell scoffed. "She's been convenient. Do you know why I kept her?"

I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

"Her scent," Maxwell continued, his voice casual, as if discussing the weather. "There's a floral note in it—identical to Zendaya's. It was... practice."

"Practice?" Marcus sounded confused.

"A placeholder," Maxwell clarified with a cruel chuckle. "I needed somewhere to... practice my knots until the real Luna arrived."

Something inside me shattered. My wolf—dormant for so long I'd almost forgotten her existence—whimpered in agony. All those nights, all those promises he'd whispered in the darkness... lies. Every touch, every moment we'd shared had been nothing but preparation for another woman.

I pressed my hand against my mouth to stifle the sob threatening to escape. The rag slipped from my fingers, landing with a soft splash in the water.

"Someone's there," Marcus growled.

I scrambled to my feet, clutching the bucket of dirty water like a shield. "I'm sorry, Alpha," I stammered, backing away. "I didn't mean to—"

But Maxwell's eyes were cold, calculating. He'd known I was there all along. He'd wanted me to hear.

And as I fled down the corridor, my wolf howling in anguish inside me, I realized the truth: I was nothing but a shadow of the woman he truly desired.