Chapter Four – Defeated, But Not Broken

Zoe’s POV

Pain became my constant companion day by day.

The moment I regained consciousness, sore and battered in my whole body, two enforcers dragged me from the cold, dim servant quarters. Their grips on my arms felt like iron, lifting me to my feet before I could even gather my thoughts and strength.

“Time to show your worth, stray,” one of them said mockingly as he dragged me forward.

I stumbled and fell, the world briefly blurring from exhaustion. Every part of my body throbbed from the severe beating I'd endured the day before, but rest was a luxury I couldn't afford. Not now.

Sienna awaited me in the training grounds, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face.

"Look who’s still alive," she said, shaking her head. "I thought you’d sneak away in the night."

I remained silent any response seemed pointless.

Her smile widened. "Not talking, huh? Good. Let’s see how long that lasts."

Thrown Into the Chaos

The warriors of the Nightfang Pack were merciless. They trained with an intensity, ruthlessly that revolved around dominance and brutality. Their goal was not merely to win, but to obliterate and destroy.

And I was their newest target.

I was dragged into a circle of wolves, all of whom ranked above me and were eager to assert their dominance. There was scarcely time to prepare before the first punch struck me a fist to my ribs that sent me crashing into the ground.

A second blow landed almost instantly a kick to my stomach.

The pain was so blinding and intense.

I gritted my teeth and forced myself up. The warriors circled me like preying predators, amusement showing in their eyes.

"Get up, rogue," one said derisively.

So I did. I had no other option.

Another warrior rushed at me. I barely managed to avoid the attack, but I felt sluggish and it hurt, my body protesting every movement. I attempted to retaliate, but I was too weak and slow. My fist only brushed against him before another hit sent me falling onto my back.

Laughter rang out around me.

Gasping for air, the world spun. My lungs burned, my ribs ached, but I couldn’t afford to stop. If I stayed down for too long, they would only make it worse.

I rolled aside just as a kick aimed at my head barely missed.

"Hopeless," Sienna mocked. "She can't even defend herself."

I clenched my jaw, anger boiling within me. I wanted to fight back, to show them I wasn’t weak.

But my wolf once a powerful force remained silent.

Without her, I felt insignificant.

A shadow stood over me, and I barely raised my head in time to see another fist descending upon me.

Darkness consumed me again.

*****

When I came to life, I lay on the ground, the coppery scent of blood filling the air.

Mine.

A pounding headache overpowered me as I attempted to push myself up. My arms trembled beneath me, weak and unsteady.

"You lasted longer than I expected," Sienna’s mocking voice floated over.

I turned my head slightly, wincing. She stood above me, arms crossed, flanked by several warriors who had joined in the beating, their faces twisted with amusement.

"Alpha Damon ordered you to train," Sienna continued, crouching beside me. "But let's be honest, Zoe. You're not training. You're just surviving honestly."

She seized my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze. "You’ll never be one of us. You’ll never belong here."

I clenched my teeth, my bruised lips pressed together.

Sienna's grip tightened. "Say something," she challenged.

I remained silent.

She released me with a dismissive shove. "Clean yourself up. You’re needed in the kitchen."

The kitchen.

So I was both a punching bag and a servant now.

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and forced myself up. Every part of me screamed in protest with each movement.

But I pressed on.

I refused to be broken,not yet.

****

I worked in silence, my hands raw from scrubbing floors, my body stiff from bruises. Each step sent pain running through my ribs, but I showed no sign of it.

Other Omegas whispered as they passed, casting sidelong glances some with pity, others with disdain.

I ignored them all.

As hours passed, I operated on autopilot. I cleaned, served, and endured.

And then I felt him.

A heavy gaze.

Turning slightly, I locked eyes with Damon Blackwell.

He stood in the doorway of the dining hall, watching me with a look I couldn’t explain.

Something flickered in his golden eyes something sharp, something assessing, something unreadable.

I quickly looked away, refocusing on my work.

But I could still feel him.

Watching.

Waiting.

That night, I could barely move. I collapsed onto the thin mattress in the servant’s quarters, every part of me aching, my thoughts weighed down.

Then the door creaked open.

I tensed, my breath caught as a figure entered.

Damon.

My heart raced. I struggled to sit up, but he raised his hand to halt me.

"Stay down." His voice was low and unfaze.

I clenched my jaw, hating to be seen in this state weak and broken.

But he didn’t look at me with pity.

He regarded me like a riddle.

"You survived day one," he murmured. "Barely."

I stayed silent.

Damon crouched next to me, his intense gaze fixing on mine. "Why are you still here?"

A test, I sensed it.

I met his eyes, striving to keep my voice steady. "Because I refuse to die."

A heavy silence descended.

Then, to my surprise, Damon let out a soft chuckle. "Good answer."

He rose, turning toward the door. "Keep enduring, Zoe."

And then he left.

I exhaled slowly, my heart still racing.

Something was changing.

Something dangerous….