Chapter II

Ellean curled up in a ball. It was her 5th birthday today. Yet, no one had wished her a happy birthday. Instead, all she had gotten was some kicks from the Alpha Ben Smith son; Chase had hit her on the head with a stick as well, making her head bleed. So now she was curled up, trying to make the bleeding stop.

Ellean couldn't understand why they treated her like she was some scum. It didn't make any sense. She tried hard to be kind to everyone. But often, she got abused instead of praise.

Ellean didn't even look like she was 5; her body was so petite and skinny that others often mistook her for being 2 or 3.

Finally getting the bleeding to stop, Ellean slowly stood up. Then, shaking and hungry, she stumbled out to the kitchen. If only she could get a bite to eat, she would be ok for a while. But as soon as the cook saw her, he threw a bone at her head, hitting it again.

"Get out of here, you fifthly mutt. No one wants to see the likes of you skulking around here."

Ellean crouched in the corner, small whimpers escaping her lips. She had no idea what the cook had said, but Ellean was pretty sure it wasn't anything nice. All she wanted was some food and a nap.

Poking her head out, seeing the cook had his back turned, Ellean small hand flashed, grabbing a slice of bread before hurrying back to her room. Curling up once again takes small nibbles of the bread. It wasn't much, but at least it was something to put into her hurting stomach. Just as she was putting the last bite into her mouth, the door slammed open, causing her to choke on the bread. Looking up, she sees Sophia Smith the Luna standing there with her hands on her hips a sneer on her lips.

"I've caught you, thief. Don't think you can get away with this!"

Sophia reaches out, yanking Ellean by her hair, dragging her out to the central part of the room. Throwing her at the feet of Alpha, Ben glares down at the small ball.

"See who I found stealing. How shall we deal with this?"

Ben glances down at the petite shivering body, then glances back up at his wife.

"Do what you see fit, darling; I won't stop you."

Sophia smirks before waving her hand at some guards standing around.

"Take this mutt to the whipping post and give her five lashes. It'll teach her not to steal again."

Ellean opens her mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. She has no idea what they are planning for her, but Ellean knows it's nothing good. When they drag her out to the whipping post, Ellean struggles harder to get away, but she's too weak. Tears fall as Ellean is tied to the base of the whipping post. She is shivering as the guards rip the back of her dress. People gather around to watch, not one coming forward to offer to help her.

Tensing up, she feels the first lash fall on her frail back. Even before the second lash hits, darkness takes over.

She was slowly waking up—Ellean groans. Ellean's back feels like it's been peeled. She is biting her lower lip, Ellean grunts in pain. Jumping when she feels a hand gently pat her head. Ellean looks up to see a much older wolf slave smiling at her. Wanda was so old she only was used to washing dishes and such. But Wanda had always been kind to Ellean. Putting her finger to her lips, Wanda motioned Ellean to be quiet. Then opening her hand, Wanda shows Ellean the salve she is hiding. Ellean nods her head before laying back down, letting Wanda gently slather the medicine on her back.

Ellean sucks in a breath when the salve first hits her back. Tears rolled down her face as she wished that her mommy was here. All she wanted was a hug and some comfort. But, Ellean wouldn't ask for much. She knew who her parents were. But Alfred and Sonja never came to see Ellean was hurt. And when they did see their daughter in passing, they pretended they didn't know Ellean was.