Chapter 2 Her Body

• Zyra's POV
• I watched as they approached me with malice in their eyes, feeling a sense of dread wash over me. I tried to back away, but they closed in, encircling me in slow motion. These two were always a pain in my ass.
• "What do you want from me?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.
• Gaia, Alpha Grayson's daughter, sneered at me and replied, "We just want to have a little fun with you, Omega. You know how much we love playing with our toys." Her mocking tone sent a shiver down my spine.
• To be referred to as a toy once again – it was all too familiar. Cade had treated me the same way, playing with me as if I were just an object, and now his sister wanted to do the same.
• Elara laughed heartily at Gaia's statement and began to circle me, adding to the humiliation. "What a pathetic thing you are," Elara taunted.
• "You should be dead by now."
• "Your parents are just as dumb as you are. It runs in the family," Gaia laughed, finding amusement in belittling me.
• "There are more than a thousand ways to die. You should pick one instead of wasting oxygen, you filthy thing," Elara spat, gripping my hair from behind.
• Refusing to be completely powerless, I mustered my courage and grabbed her wrist, pulling her hands away from my hair. "I won't be your toy," I stated firmly, surprising Gaia, whose eyes widened.
• "I am a part of this pack, and you have no right to treat me like an outsider," I added, desperately clinging to my dignity. But instead of understanding, they burst into laughter. Elara stepped closer, her intense gaze fixed on mine. I looked away, clenching my fists with determination.
• "Do you want to be reminded where you belong?" she sneered, forcefully grabbing my hair and forcing me to meet her gaze.
• "You are nothing but a weakling. You will do as we say," she snarled, her words laced with malice. "Or else, we will make your life a living hell."
• Gaia laughed from behind, "Her life is already a living hell."
• "That's true, but we can always add more to it," Elara added with a menacing smile, kicking my aching stomach as I attempted to walk away.
• "And where do you think you're going? You have no respect at all," Gaia taunted, blocking my path and trapping me with her glowing yellow eyes.
• I took a step back, my gaze falling on her elongated claws and refracted fangs. "Do you have to be this way?" I asked, my voice trembling.
• "What did I say about your life being a living hell?" she threatened. Fear sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to back down, holding my head high.
• "I refuse! I refuse to be bullied by you," I replied, defiance coloring my voice. Gaia's grip on my neck tightened in response.
• "Maybe I should just kill you," she threatened, causing my breath to catch in my throat.
• "No, please don't," I managed to say, and suddenly, a voice cut through the tension from behind.
• "Gaia!" Cade's commanding voice echoed, causing her grip to slightly loosen, her attention shifting to her brother standing behind me.
• "That's enough!" he interjected, to which Gaia scoffed.
• "Why? I'm tired of seeing her face. It would be best if she died since she's as useless as her father's condom," Gaia sneered, her smirk sending a chill down my spine.
• "Let her go. It's enough for today," Cade firmly instructed, and Gaia glared at me one last time before releasing her grip. I fell to my knees, gasping for air while clutching my sore neck, struggling to breathe.
• "Pathetic," Elara spat, delivering a final kick to my stomach before striding away. I turned to see Gaia walking off with Elara and her brother. Cade glanced at me briefly before looking away.
• "Argh!" I groaned in pain, pulling myself up from the ground, and dragging my weary feet toward my room. It was the smallest room in the mansion, but as long as I had a bed to lie on, I was grateful.
• I stumbled my way to the bed and fell onto it, feeling a slight pain around my neck. Rolling to the other side, I tried to ignore the discomfort, hoping it would fade with time. I closed my eyes, seeking solace in sleep. Night had fallen, and it was time for rest.
• Cade's POV
• My sister's hatred for Zyra seemed stronger than even my own. While I disliked her, I couldn't bear the thought of her being harmed, especially by my sister's hands. In our pack, we had a rule – we didn't kill the innocent. Only those who committed crimes against the pack faced consequences. Although Zyra's mere existence seemed like a crime to some, we weren't allowed to take her life.
• Despite my dislike for Zyra, I couldn't ignore the undeniable attraction I felt towards her. Deep down, I knew she had feelings for me too, despite her hatred.
• Leaving my room, I made my way to her room. As I walked, pack members respectfully bowed their heads. In a week, I would be celebrating my 21st birthday, and my father had entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the pack. I was eager to prove myself and find my mate as well.
• "Alpha Cade," Aria called out behind me. Aria, one of our pack members, was a beta wolf who would do anything to have me as her own.
• I turned around and saw her with a smile on her face. "Aria, what is it?" I asked, curious about her intentions.
• "I wanted to know if you're busy. It seems like you're not, so would you mind coming to my room? I'm really bored," she pouted, attempting to flirt.
• "Are you trying to flirt with your Alpha?" I teased, a low laugh escaping my lips. Aria pursed her lips.
• "Who wouldn't?" she quipped, confident in her attraction towards me.
• "Well, I'm busy for now," I replied dismissively, turning to leave.
• "Oh, I'll be waiting for you whenever you're free," she called out, but I ignored her, continuing on my way.
• Zyra's POV
• I was peacefully asleep until I felt a hand gently brush against my cheeks. My eyes slowly fluttered open, only to meet Alpha Cade sitting beside me on my bed.
• "Alpha..." I whimpered, my heart pounding in my chest. I was immediately on edge, fearing another round of cruel treatment.
• "Haven't you had enough fun for tonight?" I asked, my voice quivering. It seemed as though he always wanted to take advantage of me.
• "No, I want something else," he replied, his hand slowly sliding down to my collarbone and beneath my shirt. I swallowed hard, my gaze fixed on his hands invading my personal space. I folded my lips inward, shaking my head in protest.
• "No, please. I don't want this," I cried softly, hoping he would listen, but, as expected, my pleas fell on deaf ears.
• In an instant, Alpha Cade forcefully tugged away the duvet I had used to cover my body and positioned himself over me. Tears streamed down my face, and I shook my head in disbelief.
• I had once longed for a moment of love with Alpha Cade, but I now realized that I could never yearn for someone who abused me.
• "You've always wanted this, haven't you, beauty?" he sneered, unbuttoning his shirt. The tears continued to flow as my sense of helplessness grew.
• "You're lying," he growled, gripping my neck tightly, cutting off my ability to speak.
• Fear pulsed through me as his hold tightened, restricting my breath. I struggled, desperate to break free from his grasp, but it felt futile. In that moment, I felt a surge of anger and defiance.