I Left after The Alpha's Mate Tortured Me

That thought warmed my heart, just a flicker.

I was about to rest when Benedict Crowe, Alpha Edgar's Beta, showed up, looking torn. "Aurora, Alpha Edgar's not eating well. Skipped most of his dinner. Says. he's craving your mushroom soup."

I remembered those hostage days. Alpha Edgar couldn't stomach the enemy's food, and it left him with chronic stomach pain. I'd learned to make mushroom soup to soothe him, and over the years, he'd come to rely on it-only mine would do.

Weak as I was, I dragged myself to the small kitchen and carefully prepared the soup.

As I handed it to Benedict, he hesitated. "Aurora, take it to him yourself. All these years, you've been the one tending to his needs-food, clothes, everything. No one else measures up. Sure, he's caught up with Diana now, but it feels like an obsession. Give it time. He'll see who really matters. Don't lose heart."

I shook my head, unbothered.

I didn't care who mattered most. All I wanted was seven days from now, when my wish could come true.

Carrying the soup, I headed to Alpha Edgar's den and pushed open the door.

The sight inside stopped me cold.

Warm candlelight glowed. Alpha Edgar held Diana close, kissing her deeply, her clothes disheveled, cheeks flushed.

The door creaked, and Diana gasped, ducking into Alpha Edgar's arms. She pointed at me, her voice sharp with fake outrage. "Alpha Edgar! She just barges in without announcing herself? No respect for pack rules!"

My fingers trembled around the soup bowl. Back in the enemy lands, Alpha Edgar couldn't sleep through his nightmares unless I sat by his side, so he'd given me permission to enter freely.

But I couldn't say that now.

I dropped to my knees, head bowed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you, Alpha Edgar, Diana."

Diana wasn't satisfied. "Alpha Edgar, she did it on purpose! Thinks her years of service make her above the rules. An apology's not enough-you need to punish her!"

Alpha Edgar looked at me, his gaze unreadable, then said flatly, "You disturbed Diana. Slap yourself."

I looked up, meeting his eyes, but he turned away. Diana's smug look burned into me.

My heart sank.

I set the soup on a nearby table, knelt properly, and raised my hand. Slap! The sound echoed as my palm struck my cheek.

Diana scoffed. "What, you skip breakfast? Hit harder!"

I shut my eyes, lifted my hand, and struck again, harder. Slap! Slap! Over and over, no mercy, until my lip split, blood trickling, my face swollen and raw.

"Enough," Alpha Edgar said finally, his voice flat.

Diana pouted. "Feeling sorry for her, Alpha Edgar?"

He pulled her closer. "I'm thinking of you. Seeing her like this might ruin your appetite."

He glanced at me. "Bring the soup."

Swallowing the pain and humiliation, I stood and carried the bowl over.

Diana sniffed it, eyes glinting. "Alpha Edgar, this smells amazing. Can I try a sip?"

"Of course," he said, his tone soft.

She took a taste, her face lighting up. Then she clung to his arm, voice sugary. "Alpha Edgar, she's so talented! Why not give her to me? I could use a skilled servant."

Alpha Edgar paused, then shook his head. "No. She's the only one I trust with my needs. Pick anyone else."

Diana wheedled, batting her eyes. "Just one day, Alpha Edgar, please? Let Aurora serve me for a day."

He sighed, giving in. "Fine. One day."

Diana's smile turned triumphant. "What are you waiting for, Aurora? Come with me."

The moment we reached her den and the doors closed, her sweet facade vanished.

With a glance, a burly she-wolf servant stepped forward and kicked the back of my legs. I cried out, collapsing to my knees.

Diana sauntered over, her sharp nails digging into my chin as she forced my face up. Her eyes were cold, venomous. "You're quite the clever little she-wolf, aren't you? Even Alpha Edgar can't bear to let you go. But let me make this clear: if he truly loved you, he wouldn't let me humiliate you like this. Know your place."