Warning: the following chapter contains domestic violence

Alfred's POV

I look in the mirror and really I don't see the same person anymore. Carefully I touch my bruised cheek as a shiver runs down my spine. Didn't I promise myself I would never let this happen? And why do I? My mate is half my size, I should be able to push him off of me but then again it's not that cut and dry.

A knock at the bathroom door causes me to nearly jump out of my skin, "Yeah?" I say weakly hoping that it's just him asking for breakfast.

"Get out here, now." He says plainly.

I swallow hard as I force myself to stand my ground, "I'm using the bathroom. Give me ten minutes." Sure I'm already dressed but it's the only moment I get to spend by myself.

Again he speaks, "I said now Alfred."

While every inch of my being is screaming not to open the door I let in to his order and pull it open, "Kuro-" I'm quickly silenced by a sharp slap to my right cheek that nearly stuns me. I stare at him with wide eyes as he holds the belt in his hands tighter, "Wait!"

For a moment he lowers the leather belt, "You're going to tell the judge you were mistaken and that you don't want this divorce." His red eyes are ice cold as he glares at me before cracking his belt like a whip just past my head. "You are my Omega."

The noise alone makes me flinch, "But…" I say quietly as I take a small step back, "This isn't…" I want to say this isn't right but he matches my step and hits me again in the face with his belt. "Ngh…" I groan. I know exactly what's coming; nothing going to change his mind so all I can do is brace myself.

He brings the belt up again and again each time with more rage than the last, "You are my Omega. You are going to learn to behave and do what I say." As he backs me into a corner of the bathroom I can't stop myself from falling to my knees.

A year before I would have tried to protect my head but now I wrap my arms around my stomach to shield my child from his fury and his belt, "Kuro please stop! You'll hurt the baby." I scream out as he kicks me in the chest though I'm sure he was aiming for my stomach. It knocks the wind out of my lungs and all I can taste is metal.

He stops for a second, he's tired I can tell but he won't stop until his point is across. "If you lose this one I'll just mate with you again." He says as he points to me. "And I will make sure you lose this one if you don't stop this pointless divorce."

Slowly he kneels down to me but I force the tears away. I refuse to give him that satisfaction at least but I know he can tell how truly terrified I am. "You…don't scare me." I manage but instantly I regret it as he takes my head and hits it hard against the tile wall behind me. He slams my head back a few times before I can stop him.

My vision blurs for a moment but as my sight returns he's inches away from my face. His eyes are hallow now and his smile is full of a wicked lust I've seen before, "You don't know how easily I could snap your neck right now and really all I'd have to say is that you attacked me and that I defended myself."

My heart beat is so fast I'm afraid it'll burst out of my chest as my mind goes blank on what to say or even do, "I,"

"Or I could just defile your body and leave it for your little brother to find instead." It comes with a sinful laugh that makes my hairs stand on end. "Really I like that idea better." His eyes look me up and down as he holds my wrists together tightly. "Maybe I won't kill you first but rape you over and over and over again." With each word he gets closer to my ear until I can feel his breath on me, "Then I'll go after that brother of yours…what was his name again? Matthew? No the very little one…Peter?"

Peter's name is enough to finally bring tears to my eyes sure he's miles away but in this moment it doesn't matter. My youngest brother is only twelve and the thought of this monster touching him finally is enough to break me, "Okay…" I whisper with a sob, "Okay I'll tell the judge I…I was wrong just don't hurt him."

Slowly he lets go of my wrists as he stands up, "Good now clean yourself up you look pathetic." With that he turns around and walks out of the bathroom without another word.

For what feels like hours I just sit there and cry. I just hide my face in arms as I hug my knees tightly. If I had known now what I knew then I wouldn't have let his charm win me over.

I feel so stupid and worthless and if it wasn't for the doorbell ringing out I would probably have spent the entire day on the bathroom floor.

Quickly I wipe my eyes and pray the back of my head isn't bleeding as I open the door. I expect to see one of Kuro's friends but instead there's my little brother. Peter just stares in shock at me as he drops the soda in his hand. "Alfred what happened to you?" He yells out as he rushes to hug my leg.

But as he does I can hear Kuro walking down the hallway. In a split second I do something I never thought I'd do, I pick up my brother in my arms and bolt out the door. I hold him tightly to my chest as I race out of the yard and down the street, "Alfred!" I hear behind me but I keep running. Even as my vision blurs and my chest wants to give out I keep running. I don't know where I'm running too but as long as I can get my little brother safe it's good enough for me.

I duck down a side ally way as the sky starts to darken and the winds change, "Peter, why are you here?" I finally ask once I feel we've lost my mate though I'm not sure if he was even chasing us or not.

He lets out a small hiccup as he hugs my neck tightly, "Papa sent me to live with you while he's on the business trip, remember?"

My mind races as I sit on a concrete step, "No that's not for another two months."

"He had to leave early." He says as he digs into his pockets for a note. "He didn't think you'd mind."

I take it and slowly read as a few drops of rain start to stain it. It's a simple note but I can't finish it, so instead I fold it up and place it in my back pocket. "Well…" I start until I notice he's staring at the back of my head, "What?"

"You're bleeding Alfie."

I reach my hand back and sure enough I feel the warm liquid slowly oozing down the back of my neck, "Yeah…I mean no dude it's um fake."

"Fake?" He repeats as I pick him back up into my arms. "But what about your face?" I know he's a smart kid and I can't hide anything from him long but I can at least try if only to ease his fears.

"How about we play a game?" I ask as I start down the alley as I try to shield him from the oncoming rain. "It's gonna be a long game but I promise you'll have fun."

He rests his head just below my chin as he nods slowly, "But what about Kuro?"

"He…" I look back for a moment before walking on, "He doesn't get to play…"

"Good I don't like him anyway."

A/N: I won't do many for this story but in chapters to come will also be acts of domestic violence and possible acts of rape. This is rated M for a reason.