CHAPTER 5
Anna's POV
I'm still lost in thought when Beta Chris grabs my arm and yanks me up roughly. My heart skips. His grip is tight, bruising, and his voice drips venom as he snarls in my face.
"Now you listen to me, you little piece of shit. If you think I've got all day, then your brain must be even more useless than you are."
His words sting, but something inside me snaps.
"Kill me?" I blurt out before I can stop myself.
Oh no. Did I really just say that out loud? My heart pounds in my chest. That's the first time I've ever talked back to him—ever dared to challenge Beta Chris.
His face twists into pure rage. "Did you just talk back to me?" His voice shakes, his hand trembling on mine.
Without thinking, I slap his hand off me and shove him backward with all my strength. He stumbles, arms flailing, and lands hard on the floor with a thud. Right on his ass.
Caroline gasps. Beta Chris stares up at me, eyes wide, stunned like he can't believe what just happened.
But I don't care anymore. They've already decided they're going to kill me. So why should I keep showing them respect?
Beta Chris growls, rising to his feet. I swallow hard, forcing myself to keep my face calm, emotionless. I won't let them see how terrified I am.
He turns to Caroline, who's still staring at me like she wants to flay me alive with her eyes. Her fists are clenched at her sides.
"Caroline, please tell me I'm dreaming. Please tell me Anna—the slave girl—didn't just push me down," he says.
"That's exactly what she did," Caroline snarls, then charges at me with her fist raised. She's aiming for my face, fury written all over her.
But I move faster.
I catch her wrist just before it connects, and her eyes go wide in shock. She scoffs like she can't believe I actually stopped her.
Before she can wrench her hand free, I push her back too. She stumbles and crashes to the ground—just like her useless boyfriend.
Beta Chris laughs suddenly, a loud, insane bark that echoes through the room, but then he stops cold. His smile fades, replaced with a dangerous glare.
"You're really asking for a death wish," he says, stepping toward me.
"I'll tell you what Goddess Ivanka said," I say quickly.
He freezes mid-step. His eyes sharpen, his body goes still.
"Yes. Go on," he says slowly, nodding. "Tell me what she said, and I promise I'll forgive your… atrocious act."
Like hell I believe that.
"You're not serious, are you?" Caroline scoffs as she gets to her feet. "Let's just kill this bitch already."
"Shut that mouth or I'll shut it for—" Beta Chris starts, but I cut him off.
"Goddess Ivanka says there's a big secret Caroline is keeping from you. A dangerous one."
He blinks. "What?"
Caroline snarls. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Beta Chris turns to her. "Are you keeping any secrets from me?"
She lets out a disbelieving laugh. "Are you actually taking the word of a slave seriously?"
"I don't know. You tell me," he says. "This same 'slave' claims to have seen the Goddess and lived. If you were in my shoes, wouldn't you believe her too?"
"No, I wouldn't!" Caroline yells. "She's trying to turn us against each other, and you're falling for it!"
"Goddess Ivanka wants you to work for her," I interrupt again, keeping my voice even. "She said she'll make you the Alpha of all Alphas."
His head snaps toward me. "She said that?" His voice trembles slightly.
I nod.
To my absolute shock, tears begin sliding down his face.
Tears. From him.
I didn't think someone so heartless could even feel anything close to emotion.
Caroline screams in frustration. "You can't be serious! You're actually falling for this crap?"
"But," I say before she can go on, "she gave three conditions. If you do them with a smile, she'll visit you tonight."
"I can't believe this!" Caroline snaps.
But Beta Chris's expression shifts—he's listening now, actually considering it.
"What are the conditions?" he asks, like a child begging for candy.
"First," I say, "you must break up with Caroline. Immediately."
Caroline's jaw drops. "What?! I've had enough. You die now!" she shrieks.
Right before my eyes, she begins to shift. Her claws and fangs push through her skin as her face contorts in rage.
But then Beta Chris growls, deep and commanding.
"We're over, Caroline. Get your stuff and get the fuck out of my house."
She stops mid-shift, stunned.
"Excuse me?" she says, her voice shrill.
"You heard me. I said pack your things and leave before I throw you out myself."
Her mouth falls open. She's too stunned to move, her world unraveling.
Beta Chris turns back to me. "What's the second and third condition?"
"The second," I say softly, "is you must reject me as your mate. And the third is to set me free."
He scowls. "Set you free? As in, you're no longer my slave?"
"That's exactly what Goddess Ivanka said."
"You've got to be kidding me," Caroline mutters.
"Done," Beta Chris says with a nod. "You're free to go. You're no longer my slave."
I freeze. I wasn't expecting that so easily.
But then he adds, smiling darkly, "But if I find out you're lying to me, consider yourself and your whole family dead."
I nod slowly, trying to keep my breathing calm.
"And one more thing," he says. "I don't want to see you anywhere near Alpha Dylan. The second I see you with him, it's death. You hear me? Everything about the Goddess stays secret. From Dylan. From everyone. Understood?"
"Understood," I whisper.
"Now leave before I change my mind."
I don't wait to be told twice. I start for the door, heart pounding in my chest. My legs move fast, but then I stop halfway and turn back.
"What about the third one?" I ask. "You haven't rejected me yet."
He smirks. "I'd be the biggest fool on earth to do that now. I'll wait for tonight. If the Goddess doesn't come to me, then I'll come for you. And this time, I'll do it right—even if I have to stick a dead man talisman on your forehead, tie you to a tree, and watch you until dawn. Now run along, sucker, before I really change my mind."
I don't wait anymore.
I fling open the door and leave, my heart thundering in my chest. Is this real? Did I really just walk away free?
I hear Caroline screaming behind me as I walk away.
"You think I don't know you like that bitch? That's why you wouldn't reject her before and that's why I hate her!"
But I don't stop.
I keep going. And when I get far enough, I start running.
Running toward freedom.
Toward whatever comes next.
I don't know if Alpha Dylan's offer still stands.
But I swear to myself one thing—I will never let another man make me a slave again. Not even over my dead body.