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.

Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I turned to face them. Alpha stood before the crowd, exuding his authoritative presence with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his infamous evil smirk etched across his face.

"You will be blindfolded, and two groups of wolves who are still undergoing training, along with one of our top pack warriors, will fight against you. Your task is to rely on your senses to defend yourself—just defend, nothing more! But remember this crucial piece of information: any act of aggression from your side will be the gravest mistake of your life, and we will ensure you regret it," he calmly explained, yet the underlying threat was palpable. My fear intensified. This punishment was even worse than what rogues faced. They were locked in dungeons without food or water, subjected to alternating beatings in an attempt to extract information or kill them. However, at least they knew who their opponents were. In my case, I wouldn't even know when or from where an attack would come. Shit! How would I survive if I couldn't fight back? These wolves were highly trained, and I stood no chance against them. Before I could ponder a solution to the predicament I had gotten myself into, Alpha continued speaking.

"All of this defense must be done in your human form. If you shift into your wolf form or collapse on the ground, your chores will be doubled, and you will face increased punches and kicks from the pack members. Understood?" I gasped. The cruelty and vindictiveness of their plan became evident. They sought revenge, but for what? Wasn't I already paying for the incident they blamed me for? "Try your best to remain on your feet if you wish to avoid the forthcoming consequences," he added with another smirk, causing my eyes to widen in shock as my face drained of color.

I knew nothing about fighting or defense, and they were well aware of it. That's precisely why Alpha chose this punishment for me. How could I possibly defend myself when they never allowed me to train and my senses were weak? A visible gulp traveled down my throat as my hands grew clammy with sweat. My mind and heart raced at a hundred miles per minute.

Despite being a werewolf and having a natural instinct for self-defense, I couldn't muster the courage to stand up against them. I'm too weak to fight back. How could I be otherwise when they barely provide enough food to survive, deny me rest, and even whip me with silver-covered whips at times? The scars on my back and upper thighs remain hidden beneath my clothing.

"Nova, did you hear that?" I called out to her, my voice filled with panic.

"Yeah, don't worry, and please try not to panic. We've always managed to get through situations like this," she reassured me. But how could I not worry? While she was right that we had encountered challenging circumstances before, this time it felt far more severe. We had often been on the verge of death, and just when I started to believe that my suffering was finally coming to an end, that my painful life would cease, I would wake up in a hospital bed with IVs attached to me. They always took us to the pack hospital, and we would return alive. Unfortunately. They had become so dependent and lazy that they couldn't even survive without a maid!

"Don't even think about dying yet. We still have to find our mate, and I'm sure that when we do, he will help us. With his love, he'll change your perspective on the idea of dying. Remember, being in his arms will bring you more peace than being dead," Nova said optimistically. Ha! As if anyone would want to mate with us. I doubt the Moon Goddess has even chosen a mate for me, and even if she has, he would surely reject me. No one desires a fat, lazy, and ugly omega as a mate. The pack members share this belief, as they constantly remind me of my mate's future rejection during their beatings. Strangely, I find solace in their shared belief.

"Shush, girl, you're really crazy. I can't fathom how you can think that way about our mate," Nova commented. Is that even a question? The real question is, how can she remain so positive about our mate? What does she know? She wasn't even with me when that tragic incident occurred. If my mate is from this pack, he will undoubtedly reject me. If he's from another pack, there might be a chance.

"Enough talking. Listen carefully. I will do my best to heighten your senses so that you can defend yourself. Please maintain control over your hands and legs. Don't let them overpower you, as you've always managed to do. If you follow my instructions, we'll be just fine," my wolf concluded confidently, while I groaned in frustration.

"I fear, Nova, that this may be our final ordeal. No matter what we attempt, they always find a way to break us," I confessed, my voice trembling with fear, as I surveyed the crowd, trying to discern who would be chosen to end my life. My heart sank when I noticed two burly men stepping forward.

"Cam, silence! Why do you humans always declare the outcome before even facing the challenge? Focus on them, not on me, and cease with your negative thoughts. If you were to die, don't assume I'd grant you a peaceful afterlife, for I won't. Now, concentrate," Nova admonished me, hushing my concerns while subtly threatening me with her words. I knew she wouldn't spare me either if I perished. She would surely ensnare my soul in this world and subject me to torment. What a wonderful wolf companion I have! Yet, despite her words, fear still gripped me. This was an experience I had never encountered before.

Dissociating my mind link from Nova, I observed that Alpha had formed a group consisting of two trainers, three others, and one warrior stationed at the end. That is, if I managed to survive until the end.

"Endure until the very last moment, relying on your feeble and repulsive legs, until it is my chance to strike, as I eagerly await my turn," the warrior Max taunted, wearing a malicious smirk.

"Blindfold her," commanded Alpha, and just as the order was given...

"If I may," Eliana interjected with a sickeningly sweet tone, casting a seductive glance at Alpha Cassius. He met her gaze with an impassive expression and nodded in response.

Eliana approached me, attempting to intimidate me with her six-inch heels, smirking all the while. However, I felt no trace of fear towards her, for she was nothing more than a leech and an actual embodiment of promiscuity. She positioned herself behind me and, with an unsettling force, tightened the blindfold knot while snarling, "Go to hell, whore." The sudden pressure made my eyes well up, and I gasped for breath.

"Begin," bellowed Alpha, his voice resounding throughout the arena, signaling the commencement of the battle between me and my approaching, unseen adversaries.