Chapter Five – The Breaking Point

Zoe’s POV

Pain shadowed me.

By dawn, my body was nothing but bruises and weary limbs. The servant quarters were already vacant when I forced myself upright, every inch of me aching from the previous day’s abuse.

The Nightfang Pack had no notion of rest. And for a stray like me, mercy was non-existent.

I stumbled to the kitchen, my head swimming, my stomach empty. I hadn’t eaten properly for days. Even the Omegas those ranked below the warriors refused to acknowledge my presence,like I was a pig actually.

I was invisible to them all.

And they intended to keep it that way.

The morning was unforgiving.

Sienna ensured I received the worst tasks scrubbing floors until my fingers bled, carrying heavy sacks that made my bruised ribs scream in protest, fetching water repeatedly as if she relished seeing my struggle.

Then came breakfast.

The Omegas gathered around a long wooden table, plates piled high, their laughter ringing in the warm kitchen. The aroma of fresh bread and roasted meat made my stomach turned painfully.

I lingered at the doorway, waiting, fully aware I shouldn’t step forward.

Sienna spotted me immediately.

“Oh, look,” she sneered, turning in her seat. “The stray thinks she’s one of us.”

Laughter erupted.

I kept silent, my gaze lowered.

“Are you hungry, Zoe?” Sienna asked sweetly.

My throat tightened, but I managed a nod.

She filled a plate with food fresh meat, bread, and fruits. My stomach tightened painfully at the sight.

Then, in an instant, she poured it on the floor.

The food hit the ground, scattered and ruined.

Gasps of feigned astonishment filled the room.

“Oh no,” Sienna feigned concern. “Such a shame. But I guess a stray like you is used to eating off the ground, right?”

More laughter followed.

My hands curled into fists, but I forced myself to remain calm. Reacting would only compile their cruelty.

Sienna nudged the spilled food with her foot, grinning. “Go on, eat.”

I refused to budge.

That was a mistake.

In the next instant, Sienna grabbed a cup of scalding tea and threw it over me.

A sharp, burning sensation spread across my body, my shoulders, my skin. I stifled a cry, my entire body shaking as the liquid fried me.

Laughter turned vicious and homouros.

“Oops,” Sienna said with faux innocence. “You should’ve been quicker stupid idiot.”

I stood there, fists clenched, breathing heavily.

I wouldn’t break.

Not here.

Not in front of them.

***

The day dragged on like a weight. My head pounded, my skin still stinging from the burn, and my muscles struggled to keep up with the relentless labor.

Then, just as I thought I had endured the worst, it was time for the fighting pits again.

I was thrust into the training ring again, my body already at the brink of collapse. The warriors gathered around, eager for the spectacle.

Sienna stepped forward, rolling her shoulders, her smirk sharp.

“Let’s see if the stray has learned anything,” she said, cracking her knuckles.

I barely had time to prepare before she struck me, a deadly struck.

The first blow sent me rolling to the floor.

The second landed harder a kick to my stomach that robbed me of breath.

I curled into myself, gasping, but I refused to cry out.

Sienna laughed. “Pathetic.”

Another hit, another intense burst of pain that shoved me.

This wasn’t a fight this was slaughter.

The crowd erupted in roars, some encouraging, others jeering.

Then I heard him.

Damon.

“Enough.”

His voice sliced through the chaos, commanding and sharp. The warriors fell silent at once.

I strained to lift my head, barely able to focus as he stepped closer, his golden eyes locked onto mine.

He appeared… displeased.

Not furious. Not impressed.

Just… observing.

Studying me.

“You’re weak,” he declared, as if it were an undeniable truth. “Weak wolves don’t belong here,not ever.”

His words hurt more than the physical blows.

Sienna smirked beside him. “I agree, Alpha. Do you want us to dispose of her?”

The atmosphere shifted.

Damon’s gaze remained fixed on mine.

“Not yet,” he murmured. “Let’s see if she can survive another day.”

With that, he turned and strode away.

The warriors laughed, but I no longer paid them any mind.

Because for the first time since my arrival, I recognized something chilling.

Damon wasn’t halting the torment.

He was testing me.

****

Pain had become a permanent companion. A persistent, dull ache settled deep within my bones.

The Nightfang Pack was intent on destroying me, and I was barely keeping it together.

Following the brutal encounter with Sienna, I felt as if my body had been shattered and destroyed accordingly. Breathing was a challenge, movement was painful, and the searing burn of the hot tea still lingered, mingling with the bruises and cuts covering me.

I should have long lost consciousness.

But they wouldn’t allow it.

Instead, I was pulled from the training pit and thrust into the next task without a moment of of rest. The warriors showed no hesitation in their amusement as they piled on the impossible workload.

“Since you’re bursting with energy, stray,” one laughed while tossing a bucket my way, “clean the entire training area. Every inch. By sunset.”

I clenched my teeth, gripping the bucket with trembling and shaking hands. The training ground was vast, big, soaked with blood from earlier battles, the air thick with the scent of sweat and iron.

It was an unachievable task.

And they were fully aware of it.

I toiled in silence, my hands becoming raw as I scrubbed stubborn stains from the ground. The sun blazed down, making sweat sting my injuries, yet I refused to stop.

Time dragged on.

The stains remained steadfast.

The warriors continued their taunts and disgrace.

Suddenly, a boot kicked my bucket over, splashing murky water all over me.

I froze.

Laughter rang out around me.

Sienna stood above me, arms crossed, a sickly sweet smile spreading across her face.

“Oops,” she mocked. “Looks like you’ll have to start over.”

The warriors surrounding her laughed even harder.

My fists balled.

I ached to fight back.

I wanted to tear them to shreds.

But I couldn’t.

Not yet.

So instead, I lowered my gaze, clenched my teeth, and forced myself to lift the bucket again.

Sienna’s eyes sparkled with triumph. “That’s right, Omega. Know your place.”

With a final smirk, she turned and walked away.

I inhaled sharply, my nails digging into my palms. This was far from over.

As night came, exhaustion threatened to consume me. My body begged for rest, but it was nowhere to be found.

The greatest humiliation of the day came when the warriors feasted.

While they indulged, I was left to clean up after them one by one.

The aroma of roasted meat, fresh bread, and ripe fruit filled the air, twisting my already hungry stomach in knots. My head felt dizzy, my vision blurred.

Then

A piece of bread hit me square in the face.

Laughter erupted.

“Eat it, stray,” one of the warriors taunted.

Another chunk landed on my shoulder, quickly followed by more.

They were pelting me with food.

Mocking me.

I stood there, paralyzed in embarrassment, my fists trembling at my sides.

I wanted to scream.

I wanted to lash out at them.

But I held my ground.

If I reacted, they would win.

“Enough.”

The deep, authoritative voice rapidly quieted the room.

Damon.

He stood at the entrance, his golden eyes narrowing as they assessed me. There was no anger on his face, no surprise.

Just indifference, something unreadable.

“Stop wasting food,” he said dismissively, turning away. “It’s pathetic.”

The warriors immediately ceased their actions.

But the harm was already done.

Damon hadn’t intervened for me.

He hadn’t even looked my way.

I was invisible to him.

The realization stung,I was really sad.

That night, sleep was unattainable, unachievable.

My stomach was empty, my body ached, and my thoughts revolted.

Just when I thought I couldn’t take any more

Rough hands dragged me from my bed.

I was brought forward, the cold night air striking my skin as I stumbled into the darkness.

I was surrounded.

Sienna.

The warriors.

And this time, they were dead serious.

“Since you seem so intent on surviving,” Sienna said sweetly, stepping closer, “let’s see how long you can last in the wild.”

Panic surged through me.

No.

Not this.

Before I could react, hands pushed me towards the gates.

The pack’s borders.

The territory where rogues roamed.

Where death loomed near.

The guards opened the gates.

Sienna leaned in, her breath hot against my ear.

“Run, stray,” she whispered. “Run fast.”

Then she kicked me forward,

And I plunged into the darkness of the forest…..