The Broken Alpha's Second Mate

Aria’s PoV

I placed the last dish in the sink, my hands trembling with exhaustion. Today was just like every other day endless chores and silent suffering.

“Aria, hurry up! Your sister needs her makeup set,” one of the maids shouted harshly from the hallway.

I nodded weakly, my feet dragging as I walked away from the sink. My body ached from the constant work, no rest in sight. Ever since my wolf emerged and my parents found out I was an omega, life had never been the same.

My sister, a proud beta and only a year older than me, was treated like a princess. Meanwhile, I was nothing more than a servant in my own home. It wasn’t like we didn’t have maids to do the chores—but my mother couldn’t stand having a weak omega daughter. I was banished to the maid’s quarters, treated no better than the lowest servant.

Sometimes, late at night when silence was my only company, I wondered if I was truly their child or if the Moon Goddess had made a mistake, placing me in this family by accident.

Omegas in our pack were always treated like servants, and I was no exception. Maybe that’s why I haven’t found a mate yet. I’m nineteen, mate-less, and I fear the day my destined mate will reject me for being weak.

“No, he won’t,” Nova whispered softly inside my mind, reading my thoughts again.

“Nova, please stop that,” I sighed as I climbed the stairs, clutching my sister’s makeup kit tightly.

“You have to be strong, Aria. Believe in yourself. Once our mate comes, you’ll be free,” she said gently.

I wanted to believe her, but Nova’s voice trembled with doubt. Her strength was fragile, weakened by the trauma and exhaustion we both carried. She was weaker than most omegas—just like me.

At the top of the stairs, I pushed open my sister’s door. Inside, she sat with Alpha Beta Jacob, who always came to visit her.

I bowed, showing respect.

“And who told you to enter without knocking?” Lara snapped angrily.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, placing the makeup kit on a chair. I tried to leave, but she stopped me.

“Did I tell you to leave?” she hissed.

I slowly turned, meeting her cold eyes.

“Can’t you see I have guests? Do your job,

Lara,” Jacob said, stepping forward.“No need to stress her,” he added, waving me off as he left.

I stayed, trembling, afraid of Lara’s anger. Sometimes, I questioned if she was really my sister—she caused me so much pain and widened the rift between me and our parents. I wished I could run away, but there was nowhere to go.

Her loud voice shattered my thoughts.

“Come closer and help me pick an outfit! The palace event is coming soon. I hope I find my true mate,”she said, her face glowing with excitement.

I was surprised to see this joy in her—she rarely showed her feelings. I wondered if she liked Beta Jacob, since he wasn’t part of the event. Why was she so interested?

“Don’t you want to ask me? I know you’re curious,” Lara teased, pulling out more clothes.

“Why?” I asked softly.

“Because Alpha Ethan will be there. God knows how much I want to meet him—he’s my dream mate. I’m even glad his last mate died. Maybe the Moon Goddess answered my prayers!”

Lara laughed, dancing around the room. It was the first time in years I’d seen her this happy and open.

I didn’t understand why she cared so much about a mate who had clearly loved his Luna Irene before she died. Ten years had passed, and he rejected every woman presented to him since—some said he was cursed.

I asked cautiously, “If I may… Beta Jacob seems interested in you. He visits often.”

“Can you just shut up and act normal for once? Sometimes I think you’re the dumbest person in the Nightshade Pack,” she snapped. “Why would I go for a beta when there’s an alpha like Ethan? Don’t tell me you wish me bad luck. Beta Jacob already sees me as his future Luna—it’s not serious. Don’t make me think you like my alpha.”

“No!” I quickly said, shaking my head. I didn’t want to make her angry today.

I pointed to a dress I thought would be perfect for the event.

She smiled, gifting me a silver bracelet before telling me to leave.

As I walked back to the maid’s quarters, I stared at the bracelet—it was beautiful.

Looking closer, I saw my name engraved on it. It was the missing bracelet I had been searching for.

I couldn’t believe it was Lara who took it.

I sighed, exhausted and lost in thought.

The cold bell from the maid’s quarters woke me at 4 a.m.,dragging me from restless sleep.

Today, like every day, I had no choice but to join the other maids for the endless chores ahead.

When it was finally my turn to have my bath, the clock already read 5 a.m. I hurriedly dressed, my hands trembling as I rushed downstairs.

The kitchen buzzed with activity—people bustling, food being prepared for the day.

A sudden panic struck me—I’d forgotten to clean the dishes I was responsible for.

I darted to the sink, but to my shock, the dishes were already done. Someone had saved me this time.

I could have been punished for such negligence.

Then, the head maid entered. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted me.

Before I could even greet her, a sharp slap landed across my cheek, sending me crashing to the cold floor.Pain exploded across my face, and inside me, Nova—the weak, trembling wolf—whimpered in agony.

She was barely strong enough to shield me from the world’s cruelty, and it broke my heart to feel her falter like this.

I tried to rise, but the slap came again, knocking me back down, harder this time.

“How dare you leave your dishes dirty?” the maid spat with venom.“What did we tell you? No dish can be left unwashed. You think you’re better than us? You’re worse than any omega here!”

Tears pricked my eyes, but I swallowed them down and stammered, “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Before I could say more, another maid burst in, shouting, “Hurry up! Breakfast must be served early today. Beta Jerick is going to the palace to prepare for tomorrow’s event.”That was my father’s name one of the elder closest to the Alpha.

The head maid dismissed me sharply and hurried away to set the table.

I rose slowly, carrying the dishes outside to the dining hall.

Inside, everyone sat without sparing me a single glance.

I stood alone, invisible.

Sometimes, I wonder if I’m truly my father’s daughter.The way they treat me tells a different story.

I wasn’t even allowed to join them at the table; labeled weak and unworthy.

At twelve years old, I was pushed out of my own family’s light and hidden among the maids.

No one outside the old servants knew I was Elder Jerick’s daughter.

I endured it all.

But what crushed me most was when they stopped my education.They said I belonged with the maids—that I didn’t need to learn.

And yet, my sister was free to chase her dreams and do as she pleased.

That injustice cut deeper than any slap ever could.

I bent my head low as I stepped back after serving breakfast.

I hated them—all of them.

Nova interrupted my thoughts, her voice low and fierce inside my mind.

“I hate them.”

I couldn’t disagree. How could I love people who treated me like this?

I wanted to run, to escape… but where would I go?

My only hope was finding my mate.

Someone to finally pull me out of this place.

But at nineteen, I still hadn’t found him.It wasn’t my fault—I wasn’t allowed out on the full moon day.

Not even once.

I doubted I’d be allowed to go tomorrow, to the palace event.

My sister, Lara—only a year older—had rejected her mate at eighteen because he was a servant.

My parents agreed with her.

They pushed Beta Jacob to her, since he didn’t have a mate yet.

But now Lara didn’t want him.She wanted the Alpha King.

My thoughts broke when my mother’s cold voice cut through the room.

“Could you leave already? You disgu