Chapter 4

• Days turned into weeks, each one blending into the next as I endured my new life of servitude. The pack house had become a prison. Zephyr’s sadistic pleasure in tormenting me was matched only by the indifference—or outright cruelty—of the other pack members. They saw me as nothing more than a murderer, a slave unworthy of pity or kindness.
• One afternoon, I was scrubbing the floors in the main hall, trying to ignore the aching in my back and the bruises that painted my skin. The door swung open, and in walked Reuben, Zephyr’s best friend. He was tall, with a muscular build and an air of arrogance that made my skin crawl. His eyes lit up with a malicious gleam when he saw me.
• "How are you doing today, bitch? I hope badly." Reuben said, his voice dripping with mockery.
• I kept my head down, focusing on my work. Tara’s voice echoed in my mind, urging me to stay calm.
• “Don’t provoke him, Evelyn. He’s dangerous.”
• Reuben sauntered over, his footsteps echoing in the empty hall.
• “You know, Zephyr’s been telling me all about you. How you’re his little plaything. But he never mentioned how pretty you are up close.”
• I felt a shiver run down my spine, my grip tightening on the scrub brush.
• Reuben laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “Nervous? Why don’t we have some fun while Zephyr is away?”
• Before I could react, he grabbed my arm, yanking me to my feet. His grip was painful, his fingers digging into my flesh.
• “I think it’s time you entertained me as well,” he said, his eyes gleaming with cruel intent.
• A group of pack members had gathered, drawn by the commotion. They watched with eager anticipation, their expressions ranging from amused to outright malicious. Reuben shoved me forward, and I stumbled, barely managing to keep my balance.
• His hand snaked around my waist. “You’re going to learn your place, Evelyn. Does Zephyr teach you how to please him?”
• As he leaned in, his breath hot against my ear, I felt a surge of desperation. I couldn’t let this happen. I couldn’t endure another violation. Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I twisted in his grasp and brought my knee up sharply, aiming for his groin.
• Reuben let out a strangled cry of pain, doubling over and releasing me. I stumbled back, my heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. The onlookers gasped, shock rippling through the crowd.
• “You little bitch!”
• Reuben snarled, straightening with difficulty. His eyes blazed with fury, and he lunged at me, but before he could reach me, a new voice cut through the chaos.
• “Enough!”
• Zephyr’s voice was like a whip, commanding and furious. He strode into the hall, his eyes locking onto Reuben with murderous intent.
• “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
• Reuben paused, his anger faltering in the face of Zephyr’s rage. “Zephyr, I was just—”
• “Just what?” Zephyr interrupted, his voice dangerously low. “She is my slave. You don’t lay a finger on her.”
• Reuben’s eyes widened with fear and confusion. “But I thought—”
• “You thought wrong.” Zephyr advanced on him, his fists clenched. “Touch her again, and you’ll regret it.”
• Without warning, Zephyr lashed out, his fist connecting with Reuben’s jaw. The impact sent Reuben sprawling to the floor, blood trickling from his mouth. Zephyr didn’t stop there. He grabbed Reuben by the collar, dragging him to his feet only to deliver another brutal punch. Reuben crumpled, barely conscious.
• The crowd watched in stunned silence as Zephyr turned his attention to me. His eyes were cold, filled with an anger that made my blood run cold.
• “You,” he growled, taking a step towards me.
• I backed away, my heart pounding in my chest.
• He closed the distance between us.
• “You think you can seduce my best friend to be your mate? You think I’ll let you get away with this? You crazy bitch!”
• I shook my head as quickly as I could, but his hand struck my face. The force of the blow sent me crashing to the ground, pain exploding in my head.
• “You’re nothing but a funking bitch,” Zephyr spat, his voice venomous. “A worthless slave trying to cause trouble, and forgetting the fact of murdering my father!”
• He kicked me in the ribs, the pain so intense I could barely breathe. I curled into a ball, trying to shield myself from his blows, but there was no escape. Each strike was filled with a hatred that seemed endless.
• All I could do was to miserably shake my head.
• Zephyr’s response was another kick, this one aimed at my stomach. I gasped, the agony overwhelming. Through the haze of pain, I heard Tara’s voice, faint and desperate.
• “Stay strong, Evelyn. Don’t let him break you.”
• But I was already broken. Each blow pushed me closer to the edge, my consciousness slipping away. The last thing I saw before the darkness claimed me was Zephyr’s face, twisted with rage and something else—something almost like fear.
• As the blackness enveloped me, I wondered if this was the end. If this was the moment I finally found peace. But deep down, a part of me knew that my torment was far from over. I would wake again, and the nightmare would continue.
• What would he do if I found my mate? Would he beat my mate like what he did to Reuben?