Punishment

Elena’s P.O.V.

“That is strange,” I murmured, sitting before the mirror, my gaze locked on my reflection with a mix of surprise and confusion. In my black hair, some thick braids were turning golden. This looked pretty, but strange.

My hair was black, and now it was turning golden in one night. Is this magic?

“Ahhhh, Beta’s daughter, you are never so lucky to possess any power. You are weak and even wolf-less. Everybody hates you, especially the Moon Goddess, and do you think that she will give you a hidden power? Oh no. She just gave me a good appearance that proved to be useless.” I sighed in helplessness. But a tall figure’s reflection waved in front of my eyes.

“Declan.” He claimed that I was his mate, but I knew he couldn’t accept this bond. He was Alpha King’s son. He can’t do that. But he was kind in a place filled with mean and selfish people. He listens to me, cares for me, and has a kind heart.

“Elena, it's 8 o'clock. Where have you been?” A commanding voice took me out of my imaginary world. I suddenly got up and ran outside. This was the time for breakfast, and I had to be there to serve Alpha and his pack. Yes, to serve as a slave, because I deserve this.

‘I am sorry, Marry. I was late today.” I mumbled, bowing my head. Marry was the special maid of this house.

“It’s okay, Elena. Just take that tray to the table, and please be careful not to stumble. We wouldn't want to incur their anger." She said politely that she was the only one who talked to me nicely. I nodded and headed toward the dining hall. Alpha Steven and his son were sitting proudly on the head chair, flanked by my sister, Emma, and my mother, the Beta of the Gray Pack. Alpha Alexander, my mate, looked at me with a sneer.

In a pack where strength and power were valued above all else, I was weak. They were happily having their breakfast. They never feel anything for me. I approached, set the tray before them, and stood by their side, bowing my head.

“Tell me what you want on your birthday, Emma.” Alpha Alexander asked lovingly. They were going to marry soon. My sister was going to marry my mate, and I was helpless to do anything.

"Ah, Elena,” I sighed. I turned 17, but no one was there to wish me. They don’t even remember that Emma and I have the same birth date. She was celebrating her birthday, and I cried in my shattered room.

I longed for a word of acknowledgment, a sign that I mattered. But instead, I remained invisible, just as I always had. I was the "human" in a family of wolves.

Alpha Steven continued to praise Emma's accomplishments while my mother, a caring Beta, served food. My father died long ago; maybe if he were alive, my situation would be different.

She occasionally glanced in my direction, concern etched into her eyes. She had never wanted this life for me, but as the Beta’s daughter, I was expected to be a part of the pack, even if I had no wolf.

“Did you tell her, Alpha?” Emma said with a glint of sarcasm in her voice. Alexander’s cold gaze bore into me, his expression twisted with a mixture of disdain. He was well aware that he was my mate, but he chose my sister over me. Emma was everything I wasn't—a girl with healing power. I had no such powers, no latent abilities, and it had left me feeling like a slave.

Finding his gaze, I looked at him confusedly. What was he going to tell me?

"Oh, I almost forgot," Alpha sneered, looking down at me. "Listen, girl. We've finally decided on your useless existence. Alpha of Crescent Pack needs a breeder for his son ‘Eric’; and our Alpha decided that you'll be handed over to him." His words hit her like a physical blow. I felt a surge of defiance rise within me.

“Eric, he is a cripple, a man who can’t even walk. A fitting match for a girl like her.” These were the words of my sister, but I was still in shock.

“H.. how? He killed my father; how can you allow this?” My lips trembled in shock. My mother didn’t say even a word, and Emma was calm. How can they forget dad’s death so easily?

“That is the only thing that could end the enmity among us. You have no right to refuse.” Alpha commanded. Handed over as a breeder and to my dad’s killer? That thought made bile rise in my throat. I looked at Emma’s sarcastic smile, Alexander’s disdainful gaze, and my mother’s bowed head.

“I will not be a breeder for you or anyone else." With a deep breath, I declared, my voice trembling but filled with determination. I could feel the bruises forming on my skin from the last beating I had received, a punishment for daring to speak out of turn, but I couldn’t hold anymore. I will not bow this time.

“How dare you?” With a surge of anger, Alexander rose from his seat and moved towards me. Before I could even comprehend what was happening, his hand connected with my cheek in a resounding slap. The sting of his palm against my skin jolted me, and I fell to the ground.

I gasp for breath, tasting blood in my mouth. The pain was sharp, but now I was used to it. Every single day, I never escaped a beating. But today I felt a surge of defiance rise within me. I refused to accept this fate that had been thrust upon me because I was wolf-less. I slowly pushed myself up onto my elbows, my body aching but my spirit unyielding. Alexander stood over me, his eyes filled with disdain and superiority.

"You are a disgrace," he sneered. "A shame upon our pack. You will learn your place, one way or another."

“You rejected me; I didn’t utter a word. But I will not accept this. Never.” I struggled to my feet, swaying slightly but refusing to back down. 

Alpha Alexander watched me with a mixture of frustration and something else flickering in his eyes. "You leave me no choice," he said coldly. "You will learn to obey, Elena. And if not, you will face the consequences."

My heart raced as I tried to understand what he said. Was this going to be my life? Just a toy for the Alpha? Forced to breed without any say? I shook my head. Despite feeling scared and in pain, I knew I had to stand up for myself.

I took a deep breath, stood tall, and looked Alpha Alexander in the eye.

"I won't be treated like a breeder for the sake of your pack," I said firmly. "I'll fight for my rights. I may be wolfless, but I am not without strength. I will not be a breeder for your Alpha, nor will I accept this fate," I declared, my words echoing with determination that silenced the room.

“You will regret it," Alexander warned, then turned to his father.

“Throw her into the dungeon and beat her until she agrees,” Alpha commanded, and Alexander nodded. “It has to be done," he muttered, turning away from the sight.

As I was dragged away to the dungeon, my mind raced with several thoughts. How can he do that to me? He never felt hurt by my suffering. How can he endure this so easily?

“No, I won’t bow this time. I will end my life, but I won’t be a breeder for a cripple Alpha.”