The Crippled Luna and Her Alpha Landlord

Bloomsminster Valley.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here, Faye. Little crippled Jasmine, up here all alone in the dusty old attic. You're supposed to be working, so why are you lounging around here doing nothing?” Oliver Swafford spoke, his voice dripping with disdain.

Jasmine Goddard turned around, her heart was racing as she searched for the source of the sound. It didn't take long for her to spot her twenty-two years old cousin, Oliver, lurking in the shadows, a wicked grin on his face.

As Oliver stepped forward with his eyes glinting with malice, two more figures emerged from the shadows behind him. Jasmine's cousins, Zelda and Faye Swafford, appeared like sinister specters, their faces twisted into sneers of contempt and amusement.

"What could she be up to, I wonder? Maybe trying to find a way to escape from us?" The eighteen-years-old Faye chimed in, her words laced with malice.

The twenty-years-old Zelda laughed in a cruel and mocking sound that made Jasmine's skin crawl. "Don't be silly, Faye. Jasmine knows better than to try to escape. She knows that we'll always find her, no matter where she goes."

Jasmine felt a cold chill run down her spine as she realized the truth in her words. She knew that there was no escape from the Swafford family, at least not without a fight.

However, she would fight with everything she had, no matter how hopeless the odds seemed. She would fight for her own dignity and self-respect, and for the hope of a better future that lay just beyond the reach of her current misery.

Jasmine was only 16 years old, yet she had already gone through more hardship and pain than most people do in a lifetime. Her crooked foot was the result of a childhood accident that had left her with a permanent disability. It was a constant reminder of her physical limitations, a source of shame and humiliation that she tried to hide from the world as much as possible.

But today, she couldn't hide. She was tasked with cleaning out the attic, a job that no one else in the Swafford family wanted to do. So she had to face her fears and push through the pain, determined to show her relatives that she was capable of more than they gave her credit for.

As she made her way up the creaky stairs to the attic, her crooked foot dragging slightly behind her with each step. She felt a sense of trepidation rising inside her as the old stairs was groaning beneath her weight. She didn't like being up in the attic. It was dark and musty, filled with old memories that seemed to haunt her at every turn.

The dusty, dimly-lit space was filled with old belongings, some of which had been left untouched for years. But she was determined to make the best of the situation, rolling up her sleeves and setting to work on the task at hand.

Despite the pain of her crooked foot aching with every movement, she refused to give up. She would not let her physical limitations define her. She would show her family that she was strong and capable, no matter what they said or did to try to tear her down.

She picked up a nearby box and began to sort through its contents, tossing out the things that were no longer needed and carefully setting aside the ones that held sentimental value. As she worked, she heard a faint noise that made her pause.

She had made every effort to keep away from her cousins, but they had a knack for finding her no matter where she went. Despite her best attempts to avoid them, they always seemed to be lurking around every corner, ready to pounce on her and subject her to their cruel bullying.

This situation made Jasmine feel constantly on edge and vulnerable, never knew when she would have to face her cousins and endure their torment once again.

"I'm cleaning the attic as you see, Zelda. Please, leave me alone," Jasmine said.

"Leave you alone? Why would I do that? You're so much fun to torment. Come on, girls, let's give her a taste of what she deserves."

Zelda and Faye giggled as they closed in on Jasmine, taunting and jeering at her. Jasmine tried to back away, but her crippled foot wouldn't let her move as fast as she needed to.

"Please, stop! This isn't fair."

"Fair? Who said anything about fair? Life isn't fair, Jasmine. You should know that by now. And as for you being family, well, that doesn't mean anything. In fact, it just makes it easier for us to treat you like dirt."

"Why do you do this, Oliver? What have I ever done to you?"

"Done to me? Nothing. It's just fun to see you squirm. You're weak and pathetic, and we like to remind you of that every chance we get."

"I know you don't like me, Oliver, but please, just leave me alone."

"Oh, I'll leave you alone, all right. But not before I show you who's boss around here."

His voice was laced with malice as he glared down at Jasmine, a wicked grin spreading across his face. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to back away from him, but he was too quick for her.

Before she knew it, Oliver had grabbed her by the arm and Jasmine winced in pain as he pulled her towards the corner of the room. She tried to fight him off, but he was too strong for her, too determined to assert his dominance over her.

Once they reached the corner, he pushed her roughly against the wall, causing her to stumble and almost fall.

Zelda and Faye stood by and laughed as Oliver continued to bully and torment her. They egged him on, calling Jasmine names and making cruel jokes at her expense. Faye, while not as vocal, didn't do anything to stop Oliver's behavior either. She just stood there, smirking and watching the whole thing play out.

It was clear to Jasmine that her own family had no love or care for her, and it made her feel even more alone and helpless.

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" he sneered, pushing her up against the wall. He spat, his face twisted with malice. "Well, let me tell you something, Jasmine. You're nothing but a worthless, ugly cripple, a burden on this family. And you'd better remember that if you know what's good for you."

Jasmine felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She straightened her back and glared at him defiantly.

"You're wrong, Oliver," she said, her voice shaking with anger. "I won't let you or anyone else define my worth. I know that I have value, and someday, someone will see that in me."

Oliver just laughed at her, his eyes gleaming with contempt. "Keep dreaming, Jasmine. No one will ever want a freak like you. You might as well just give up and accept your fate as a lonely spinster."

With a final sneer, he turned and walked away, leaving Jasmine standing alone in the corner, feeling small and defeated.

Jasmine could feel hot tears streaming down her face as he continued to taunt and bully her. She knew that she was no match for him, physically or emotionally, and that there was nothing she could do to make him stop.

His cruel words and actions were like a never-ending barrage, each one more hurtful than the last. He would mock her limp, imitate her speech, and make lewd comments about her appearance. Jasmine felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells around him, never knowing when he would strike next.

Despite her attempts to ignore him or stand up for herself, he always seemed to find a way to tear her down. His presence was suffocating, and she longed for a way to escape his torment.

And so she simply stood there, helpless and vulnerable, as Oliver reveled in his power over her, relishing in the pain and suffering he was causing. For Jasmine, it was just another day in the life of a poor girl who had never known anything but hardship and cruelty.

Tears streamed down her face, her shoulders shaking with sobs that she couldn't hold back any longer. She felt trapped, alone, and completely helpless. Her cousins, Zelda, Faye, and Oliver had just left after yet another round of cruel taunts and mocking laughter.

They never tired of reminding her that she was ugly, crooked, and crippled. It made her feel like she was nothing more than a burden to them, a stain on their family's reputation.

She knew she didn't belong with them, but she had nowhere else to go. Her parents had died when she was just a baby, and she had been left in the care of her aunt and cousins. They had taken her in out of duty, but they never let her forget how much of an inconvenience she was to them.

She was stuck in this ruthless family, with no one to turn to and no way to escape the constant bullying and abuse. Her heart ached with a deep sense of despair, and she wondered if things would ever get better.

Feeling dejected, she wiped her tears and tried to pull herself together. She knew she couldn't let them get the best of her. With a deep breath, she stood up and limped over to the small window.

She looked out over the breathtaking view of the Bloomsminster Valley, where she had spent most of her life tending to the flocks pastured down below.

The rolling hills and lush green pastures stretched out before her, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The sky was a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, the colors blending together in a breathtaking display of natural beauty.

She watched as a flock of sheep grazed lazily in the fields below, their woolly coats gleaming in the golden light. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the sweet scent of wildflowers and fresh grass.

In the distance, Jasmine could see the outline of the mountains, their jagged peaks towering into the sky like giant sentinels. She knew that beyond those mountains lay a world of adventure and possibility, a world that she longed to explore.

A few moments later, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the attic. She turned around to see her evil Aunt Emily, standing in the doorway.

Aunt Emily's face was twisted with anger as she advanced towards Jasmine. "What are you doing up here?" she demanded. "You should be working to tend the flocks, not wasting your time up here in the attic."

Jasmine knew that her aunt was looking for any excuse to berate her, to make her feel deprived and miserable. But she refused to let her aunt's words get to her. She stood her ground, her crooked foot planted firmly on the ground.

"I'm sorting through some old belongings, Aunt Emily," she said calmly. "Trying to make some order out of the chaos up here."

Aunt Emily's face twisted with contempt as she let out an exasperated snort. "What a waste of time," she spat. "Sorting through old things like some kind of packrat. You're not here to play around. There are far more pressing matters that need your attention. Let’s go downstairs!"

She felt a knot of fear in her stomach as her aunt spoke. She had a sinking feeling that she knew what was coming next, but she couldn't help but hope that somehow, Aunt Emily had changed her mind.

Reluctantly, Jasmine followed her aunt down the creaky stairs, her crooked foot dragging behind her. As they descended, she could feel Aunt Emily's displeasure radiating off of her in waves, making her even more anxious about what was to come.

Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Aunt Emily turned to face Jasmine, her expression one of cold determination. "Well, you need to work harder. I've noticed you've been slowing down recently."

"I'm doing the best I can, Aunt Emily. My foot makes it difficult to move quickly."

"Excuses, always excuses. That foot of yours is just an inconvenience to everyone around here. If it weren't for us, you'd be out on the streets with nowhere to go."

"I know, Aunt Emily. I'm grateful for all that you and the family have done for me."

"Grateful? You should be kissing our feet for taking care of you all these years. And now, we expect you to repay us for it."

Jasmine furrowed her brows. “How can I repay you, Aunt Emily?”

"Your cousin Oliver has asked for your hand in marriage," she declared, her voice firm and unwavering. “We have decided that it is time for you to settle down respectably among your own people and start a family of your own."

Jasmine felt a knot in her stomach at her aunt's words. She had been dreading this conversation for months, ever since the rumors of betrothal had started to circulate among the family.

"Marry Oliver? But I don't love him, Aunt Emily," Jasmine raised a feeble voice to protest, but it was just a whisper.

"Love? What does love have to do with anything? You need security and stability, and Oliver can provide that for you. If you refuse, there will be consequences."

"I can't just marry someone I don't love. I want to find my own way in life, and maybe even leave this valley behind one day."

"You're being foolish, Jasmine. You'll never make it on your own, especially with that foot of yours. You need to think about what's best for you, not just your silly fantasies."

"They're not silly fantasies, Aunt Emily. They're dreams, and I won't let you or anyone else crush them."

"Dreams? You need to wake up and face the reality, Jasmine. You're a cripple, and no one will ever want you. You need to accept your place in this world and do what's expected of you."

"I won't do it," she said firmly, her voice shaking slightly. "I won't marry Oliver. I don't love him, and I never will."

Aunt Emily's face contorted with rage at her defiance. "How dare you speak to me like that," she spat. "You’ll do as you're told, or there will be consequences."

Jasmine felt her heart drop as her worst fears were confirmed. She had heard whispers about a potential betrothal to her cousin, but had never imagined that the Swafford family would actually go through with it.

“No. I won’t do it!” she exclaimed with resolve.

Aunt Emily's eyes narrowed at Jasmine's defiance as she continued, "You're going to marry him. It's been decided and we've arranged everything," she said firmly, her voice cold and hard.

Jasmine knew that her aunt wasn't bluffing. She had seen the look of malice in her eyes before, the way she would use any means necessary to get what she wanted.

But despite her fear, Jasmine refused to back down. She knew that she couldn't let her family dictate the course of her life. She was determined to find a way out of this betrothal, no matter what it took.

Jasmine's heart raced as she watched her aunt storm out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She knew that this was just the beginning of a long and painful battle, one that she wasn't sure she was strong enough to win.

Despite the pain and suffering that she had endured at the hands of her cruel relatives, Jasmine couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope as she looked out over the valley.

She knew that there was more to life than the small, narrow world that the Swafford family had confined her to. And with that thought in mind, she made a silent vow to herself: she would find a way to break free from their grasp and discover the beauty and wonder that lay beyond the Bloomsminster Valley.

The discussion went horribly, so Aunt Emily kept her for a long time; by the time she left her, it was nearly dark. Jasmine felt a wave of comfort as she recalled that the flocks needed to be led back to their usual drinking location, which was located on the outskirts of the village next to a beautiful cascade and pool.

As the sun set over the Bloomsminster Valley, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the fact that such a beautiful place all belonged to one man: Lord Randolph Aethelwulf. The Alpha billionaire landlord was a mysterious figure, someone whom Jasmine had never met but had heard many rumors about.

In her imagination, Jasmine pictured him as an old man with a long, gray beard and piercing blue eyes. She imagined that he was a stern and unapproachable figure, someone who demanded respect and obedience from all those who worked for him. In her mind, he was a distant and mysterious figure, shrouded in a cloak of power and wealth.

Sh