Why this happened to me every single day remained an unsolved mystery. They deemed me a disgrace not only to the pack but also to my parents who had brought me into this world. They regarded me as vile, devoid of anything good, and believed that suppressing my dark side meant keeping me weak and fragile, subjecting me to endless beatings until I never woke up.

That fateful night not only altered my life but also forever changed my perception of people and shattered my trust in them.

He forcefully yanked me up by my hair and spat in my face, his voice filled with anger. "How many times do I have to tell you about laziness?" he questioned.

I kept my gaze down, not daring to struggle against the tight grip on my scalp, knowing it would only worsen my situation. I had been warned, or rather threatened, not to look up unless instructed to do so. Defying this rule would result in severe consequences, none of which would be favorable.

"Hard work pays off later, but laziness pays now, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner should never be delayed even by a minute," I responded meekly, my voice barely audible, trembling with fear. My eyes remained fixated on the ground, lacking the courage to anticipate what would befall me.

"Yes, your laziness will indeed have its consequences. And what else did I say?" he pressed on, growing impatient with my feeble answers, tightening his grip on my hair even further.

Taking a deep breath, I whispered fearfully, "And if it is late, then..." My tongue tied up, and I struggled to continue, but I jolted off balance when he pulled me closer by my hair. He leaned down to my level, tugging at my hair once more as I wriggled in pain. "Then?" he asked, a malicious tone dripping from his words.

"Then... I will be handed over to the Alpha, and he will decide my punishment," I stammered, finding it difficult to admit the fact that I would be at the mercy of the Alpha. If he laid eyes on me, who knows what fate awaited me?

"When you are aware of this, why didn't you make breakfast on time?" He enquired, each word enunciated clearly, before throwing me away, causing me to fall to the floor once again.

"I am sorry, Beta sir," I quickly apologized, concealing my tears and swallowing the pain, unwilling to add another punishment to my already overwhelming burden.

"Uh-uh-uh, you won't get off that easily. Now, will you?" He smirked, but I refused to turn around, keeping my eyes fixed on the floor.

"Go prepare breakfast first, then go to the Alpha's office. And yes, no food for you today," he declared his decision in an unwavering manner, before storming off in another direction.

As if my legs had a mind of their own, I rose to my feet and, like a robot, they carried me to the kitchen. My hands, seemingly detached from my bruised and cut cheek and lips, mechanically prepared pancakes, bacon, waffles, and juice for 200 people, oblivious to the pain I endured.

As you can see, I am the sole omega of this pack, which means I am nothing more than their punching bag and servant. Our pack never really needed an omega until I made a mistake, one that they deemed not perfect but fitting for me to bear as my punishment, relegating me to a life as the lowest and most tormented wolf in the pack.

Things were not always like this. In the past, life was easier, and I was genuinely happy. Sighing, there is no point in constantly wondering what might have transpired if they had survived that fateful night, for deep down, I know they wouldn't have, and they were aware of it too. Sometimes, I ponder why I am still here, alive, enduring a life filled with degradation and humiliation. But, as I mentioned earlier, there is no use dwelling on these thoughts. I quickly finished preparing breakfast, not wanting anyone else to arrive and unleash their screams upon me. With haste, I set the table, ensuring everything was ready. Within moments, heavy, stomping footsteps echoed down the hall.

Normally, I would receive the leftovers to eat, but today, even that is not possible, as Beta Sir has already predetermined my fate. Thus, I ascended the stairs, passing the chattering table, trying to conceal myself as much as possible, and made my way to the Alpha's office, my pace agonizingly slow. I had no interest nor eagerness to go there willingly. My legs trembled violently throughout the journey, and it appeared as if I was limping. Sweat coated my forehead, and upon arriving outside the door, I found myself contemplating whether to knock or not. Nervousness and anxiety gripped me tightly; I was ill-prepared. In fact, I would rather be anywhere else but here. Finally, after numerous internal battles urging me to flee or enter, I let out a sigh. I did not possess the right to decide to run away, for I remembered my father once telling me as a child that this pack is our family, and abandoning them would be equivalent to forsaking our family principles. No one ever abandons their family.

Moreover, I lack the energy and skills to escape the pack's clutches. I have never been trained to defend myself in rough situations, and even if I dared to venture beyond the pack, I have never ventured outside its safety. I remain ignorant of the type of people who reside beyond our borders, and if they are anything like my pack members, then I am better off staying here.

With trembling hands and a deep breath, I raised my fist to knock, but I froze midway upon hearing loud moaning and groaning from inside. The sound turned my stomach and filled me with disgust. Despite the lump in my throat, I mustered the strength to maintain a composed expression and eventually knocked, albeit softly and timidly. Although my knock may have been nearly inaudible to human ears, being a werewolf, particularly one of the higher rank—an Alpha—he likely sensed my presence the moment I ascended the stairs toward his office.

"Come in!" bellowed a commanding voice that compelled me to obey.

I walked in before my mind could generate second thoughts, positioning myself directly in front of the desk, never once raising my head. A deep, bone-chilling silence pervaded the room, intensifying my fear. My ears pounded with the sound of my own blood as I remained silent, waiting for his mercy or his punishment. "So, I've heard that today's breakfast was late," he stated coldly, each word causing my heart to pound louder. I felt darkness encroach upon my vision, a result of overwhelming fear and anxiety.

"Tell me the reason for your laziness. What caused you to delay preparing breakfast for 200 people?" I remained silent, my throat constricted, struggling to find the right words to say.

"Tell me!" he bellowed angrily, the force of his growl echoing through the room. I flinched and trembled in my spot, fear striking me with the speed of lightning. My lips quivered as I attempted to form words.

I swear I despise that lazy epithet, but I am an omega, and he is an alpha. I can do nothing while he has power over me.

"Stop thinking, you lazy butt, and answer him," spoke my wolf, Ellinor, her tone dripping with a hint of fear. But I must admit, she detests him and never misses an opportunity to taunt him—or rather, both of us. I am her favorite, after all.

"Stop calling me that, dumbass," my anger flared up at her calling me lazy, adding fuel to the fire within me.

"I am not the dumbass; you are. Now answer him, or else he will have our head," she retaliated, her words carrying a weightier punch than mine.

She was right. I severed the link between us and responded, "I... I was truly exhausted from yesterday's chores, and I... I accidentally overslept. I apologize, Alpha. It won't happen again." I rushed to add the last part, desperate to avoid punishment. If he chose to punish me, I knew I would either wake up in a hospital bed or not wake up at all.

"Ha! You were tired, you lazy fatass. The chores were assigned to you precisely to curb your laziness. But no, you remain lazy as always," he spat rudely. Then, he continued, "And yes, it won't happen again because I will ensure it doesn't. Now, Eliana dear, what do you think about that punishment?" A shiver ran down my spine as he addressed her, emphasizing the word "that." I wondered what he had in store for me.

"Which one?" she asked, her fake innocence dripping like venom from her sickly sweet voice. "Oh, yeah, that one," she later chimed with joy, realizing what he was referring to. However, I remained confused, trembling with fear and horror. No matter what I do or how many times I apologize, they always make it their mission to torment my life.

"Yup," he confirmed with a husky voice.

"That's a good one for her, no, the best. It will show this lazy, fat, ugly duckling her place," she said with distaste, and I could envision the disgust etched on her face as she looked down at me.

"Oh no! If she's so excited, then it's not the best; it will be the worst, no, the worst of the worst," exclaimed Nova, the name I use for her.

"Is 'worstest' even a word, girl?" I asked her, mentally searching my mind to recall if I had ever heard that term before.

"Of course not, but it is useful in this situation," my wolf replied. To say that Nova is a little dramatic is an understatement—she is far more than that. No one can truly comprehend.

"Hey, I'm not indulging in drama; this is serious," she said, sounding offended. And this is why I continue to live my life—because she never leaves my side and never misses an opportunity to amuse me. No matter what condition we find ourselves in, she is always there for me.

Sometimes, I ponder how she can remain so normal and cheerful when we have been subjected to a lifetime of abuse by our own pack, who are supposed to treat us equally and provide greater care after that tragic incident. But they refuse to do so, blaming me for the incident and turning a blind eye to my supposed mistake.

Whenever I lose my will to carry on or become emotionally troubled, she supports me. She is my only friend and family. I don't understand why she stays with me. She is so good; she could be with someone better. But every time I express this sentiment, she yells at me and says something I will quote: "After every dark night, the sun rises with proud rays of hope. Similarly, after every bad situation, good is bound to happen." She urges me to be patient. She is truly one of a kind.

Getting back on track, I overheard them discussing plans to make me suffer, and finally, the alpha declared my punishment. "You will receive the same punishment given to rogues, as you are lazy as always and for disobeying the orders of your superiors," he pronounced his verdict without a second thought, completely disregarding the fact that my actions were not a terrible mistake.

Upon hearing this, I gasped, lifting my head to find him smirking and Eliana snarling. I had forgotten the rule imposed on me, as I was consumed by terror and helplessness. However, when I looked at them and accidentally noticed their position, the bile rose in my throat, but I suppressed it, not wanting any further trouble.

Eliana was sitting on his lap, and his hands were placed on her thighs, positioned much higher than any modest man would dare. As always, she was heavily made up and wearing what could hardly be called a dress—more like a piece of cloth haphazardly wrapped around her body, with no undergarments in sight. Her hands were wrapped around his neck, and she sat in a compromising manner, with her legs swinging on either side of his chair, looking at me over her shoulder.

Recalling the reason why I had raised my head, I quickly began pleading while shaking my head to banish those horrific images from my mind. "No, no, Alpha, please, I'm sorry, it won't happen again, please, no, Alpha..." I kept apologizing and begging him to reconsider his merciless punishment.

"Silence!" he ordered loudly, and I immediately stopped, as silence once again filled the room.

He glanced at me with a stern look for a moment before shifting his gaze back to Eliana's, then he addressed me while still holding her gaze, not with love but with lust. "Enough of your pleading. I will give you a different punishment, but don't think it won't be severe either." With those words, he kissed Eliana on the lips and whispered as he stood up, still holding her, "I'll meet you later; I have to deal with this lazy wretch." His voice carried a tinge of sadness, but a wide smirk formed on his lips as he glanced in my direction. I shuddered and stumbled back a few steps.

Eliana pouted—she looked so repulsive doing that. "Okay, we can continue this later too," she said with a wink, seductively trailing her fingers up and down his chest.

"Please don't waste your time on her; she doesn't deserve it," I thought to myself. She, the pack slut who has slept with almost everyone in this pack. Now I understand why she has been so mean and intimidating lately—it's because she believes that if she sleeps with the Alpha, she'll become the next Luna. How foolish! Why can't she see that he is using her, that she is just a toy to him and not a Luna? If he does make her Luna, only the Moon Goddess can save this pack from the disastrous downfall it will face. No, shaking my head slightly, he won't make her Luna, because Alphas tend to wait for their true mate, as they gain more power. I'm sure he will discard her the moment he finds his true mate.

"Yeah, we don't," Nova said in a different tone. Her words must have affected her, I suppose.

The Alpha grabbed my arm, digging his nails into my skin, attempting to make me scream. But I bit my lips, holding back the pain as blood started to flow from where he held me. He roughly pulled me out of the room and through the hallways, taking me somewhere I knew would be truly terrible.

Camila's POV

With a forceful grip on my arm, the Alpha dragged me downstairs to the main hall, a spacious area capable of accommodating over 200 people. It seemed he had mind-linked everyone, as every member of the pack was present, ranging from newborns to toddlers, teenagers to adults, and elders. My mouth fell open as I realized he had summoned them all for my punishment. This meant he was incredibly serious about making an example out of me, and a sense of impending danger gripped me, causing a fearful gulp.

The hall was filled with various activities. Some pack members were seated on couches, while others stood or engaged in conversations with their mates or friends. Children ran around, playing and giggling. However, as soon as Alpha Cassius made his appearance, the entire room fell into a hushed silence. Every individual stood up straight, like disciplined soldiers, and bowed deeply, showing their respect to the Alpha. They remained in that position until...

"Rise," commanded Alpha Cassius. As everyone straightened up, their eyes still fixed on him with a mix of respect and pride, they hadn't even noticed my presence. The Alpha decided it was time to draw their attention to me, and he forcefully pushed me forward, causing me to nearly lose my footing. It was then that their gazes turned to me, and their expressions transformed into pure disgust and hatred.

Once again, Alpha Cassius grabbed my arm and pulled me back, his nails digging into the same spot as before. The pain caused me to tremble, but I bit the inside of my cheeks to stifle any cries or screams. This time, he applied even more force than necessary, and I was certain it would result in yet another bruise on my hand.

"As you all know, today's breakfast was delayed," Alpha Cassius began speaking in a deceptively calm manner, but I knew it was just the calm before the storm. "And I must mention, it wasn't just a mere delay of one minute, three minutes, or even five minutes. It was delayed by a whole hour." He emphasized the gravity of the situation. "All because she was too lazy to wake up early and put in an additional hour of effort to prepare breakfast." With his words, he once again pushed me forward, exposing me to the angry faces of the pack members.

"Now, as you are all aware of the rules, it's important to understand that anyone who breaks them will face punishment. Because of her actions, you all were delayed by a total of one hour, which could have been utilized for productive work instead of wasted on someone who never contributes and spends her time sleeping or lounging around," Alpha Cassius declared, his words piercing through my thoughts. I couldn't help but be bewildered by their accusations. Don't I work tirelessly in this pack? The majority of the household chores are carried out by me. However, before I could voice my objections, Alpha Cassius's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"I have decided to give her the most severe punishment to ensure she learns her lesson and doesn't repeat the same mistake again." Wicked smiles spread across the faces of the pack members as someone from the back began shouting, receiving support and amplifying the chorus of voices that reverberated throughout the hall.

"Because of her, we were late for school!"

"I couldn't make it to the salon!"

"We missed our training session!"

Accusations were hurled at me from every direction, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for their absurd behavior. My eyes involuntarily rolled at their lack of perspective. Seriously, I managed to prepare food in just one hour—a feat that should be considered super fast and commendable. Yet, they remained displeased. Are they mad, or am I? Whoever made the claim that men are never content with what they have was clearly right. They always crave more.

"Silence!" A powerful voice boomed, instantly silencing the hall. The pack members immediately bowed their heads, submitting to his authority.

"Her punishment has already been determined, and I summoned you all to witness it firsthand. I want you to understand the consequences of daring to defy me. Follow me to the training grounds, now!" Alpha Cassius growled, leaving no room for discussion. A wave of dominance emanated from him as I whimpered in fear. He forcefully grabbed my arm and began dragging me along. I resisted, pushing against his strong grip, but my struggles only tightened his hold. His claws dug into my arm, causing unbearable pain that eventually led to a piercing scream escaping my lips—so loud that if we were still inside the pack house, it would have shaken its very foundation.

"Shut the hell up! If you don't stop struggling, I have no qualms about ending your pathetic life right here and now. I'll make sure your last moments are the most agonizing and torturous experiences you've ever endured. You'll beg for a swift death, but I won't grant that wish so easily. I'll relish every stab I have planned for you. So, stop struggling and come with me like the cowardly dog you are," he hissed angrily, his face inches from mine. His eyes transformed into a menacing black, and I noticed fur starting to emerge from his skin. Trembling with fear, I flinched and looked down as he continued to drag me.

After what felt like an eternity of being forcefully pulled, we finally arrived at the training grounds.

"Go and stand in the middle," Alpha commanded with a cold tone, forcefully pushing me away. I stumbled but managed to regain my balance. Looking back at the pack, I saw them standing in a united formation behind him, resembling an army. Some wore smirks of satisfaction, while others appeared disinterested. The thought of defying his order briefly crossed my mind, but the memory of his deadly threat instantly extinguished that idea. Fear consumed me, causing my body to break out in a cold sweat. Reluctantly, I complied and made my way to the center of the training ground. My palms clenched and released repeatedly as I scanned my surroundings, hoping to find an escape route or a hiding place to delay this dreadful situation. But there was nothing—just an open field with the scorching sun bearing down on me.