Chapter 5

Accepting My Fate

*****

The room they gave me was quiet, but my mind wasn’t. I sat on the edge of the bed, arms wrapped around myself, still trying to accept everything that happened. The walls felt too close, the air too heavy. I kept telling myself to breathe, to stay calm, to not break down again.

But how could I accept a fate like this?

Sold.

Used.

Trapped.

My father’s betrayal stabbed deeper than Alpha Logan’s cold threats. I kept wiping my tears, whispering to myself like it would help.

“It’s fine… it’s fine. I can survive this. I have to.”

A soft click came from the door.

I froze.

The door opened slowly, and Beta Xavier slipped inside. His eyes moved around the room before they settled on me.

“You shouldn’t cry like that,” he said quietly, shutting the door behind him.

I swallowed hard. “What do you want?”

He sighed and walked closer, his voice low and almost hesitant. “I don’t know why, but I… pity you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe it’s because you remind me of someone. Or maybe you don’t deserve all this.”

My heart thumped. “Then help me. Please.”

He paused, then leaned closer. “There’s only one way out of this pack,” he whispered. “One escape route. But it’s dangerous. If you get caught, you’re on your own.”

My breath caught. “Just tell me.”

“No one must know I told you,” he warned. “If the Alpha ever discovers this, or if you mention my name by mistake… I’m dead. You’re dead. Your father is dead.”

I nodded quickly. “I won’t say anything.”

Xavier exhaled deeply, then described the path—

a narrow old passage behind the kitchen, a side gate with a broken lock, a small slope that led into the forest. But everything came with a warning.

“You get one chance,” he said. “If they catch you…”

His jaw tightened. “Just pray they don’t.”

Then he slipped out as quietly as he came.

I waited until the hallway fell silent. When I was sure no one was around, I tiptoed out of my room, hugging the shadows. My heart thudded in my chest. Every step felt like stepping deeper into danger, but I needed to see the escape route for myself.

I found the old passage just like Xavier described. The broken lock. The narrow path. Freedom was right there.

Just a few steps away.

But as I turned back toward the packhouse, I heard footsteps.

Then a voice.

“Well, well. Trying to run already?"

It was Ethan—the Alpha’s ruthless cousin. His hand clamped around my arm so hard my bones burned.

“I wasn’t— I just—”

He dragged me back roughly. “Save it. If you try anything funny again, I’ll kill your daddy myself.”

My heart stopped.

Even with everything he had done to me…

even with the pain…

I didn’t want my father dead.

Not yet.

Not until I got my revenge.

So I kept quiet as he dragged me to the Alpha’s office. Alpha Logan didn’t say a word. He only nodded once.

“Punish her.”

Regan slapped me hard across the face, and I hit the floor with a sharp cry. Then he kicked my ribs—not enough to break them, but enough to leave me breathless.

“If you run again,” he hissed, “I will make sure you never walk again.”

After that, they sent me back to my room. I curled on the bed, holding my aching ribs, biting back tears. I couldn’t let anyone hear me cry again.

Hours passed.

The sun had drowned behind the mountains, leaving the packhouse buried in darkness when a knock sounded on my door. My heart leaped painfully.

The maid walked in with lowered eyes.

“The Alpha sent me. He said… tonight is the night.”

My stomach twisted.

A silver gown was placed on my bed. My hair was brushed. My body was prepared like some kind of offering. When she left, I stood staring at myself in the mirror.

I didn’t recognize the girl staring back.

My lips trembled.

“My first time… is this how it ends?”

The door opened again.

Alpha Logan stood there, cold and unreadable.

He didn’t speak—he just turned.

A silent command.

Follow.

My legs shook as I obeyed. Every step toward his room felt like walking deeper into a nightmare. When we reached his chambers, he opened the door.

I hesitated.

“I hate you,” I whispered.

He didn’t react.

I walked inside. The door shut.

“I hate you,” I said again, louder. “You’re heartless. Wicked. You don’t even see me as human—do you?!”

Still nothing.

“You’re forcing me into this! Do you even know how it feels?”

That’s when he snapped.

“Do you know how much your father owes me?” His voice thundered. “Do you think you’re here because I wanted you? Your father is an Alpha—yet he sold you like trash. And you—half omega—belong to me!”

He stepped closer, towering, breathing anger.

“I can do anything I want to you. Anything.”

Tears streamed down my face, but I didn’t run.

“I only ask…” My voice cracked. “One favor. Be gentle. I’ve never… I’m still a virgin.”

His eyes flickered with something—confusion? Anger? Disgust?

I couldn’t tell.

He moved toward me slowly. I backed away until the bed touched my legs. He didn’t kiss me. Didn’t hold me gently. He stripped me like someone opening a package.

His touch was rough.

Cold.

Unfeeling.

I clenched my jaw, squeezed my eyes shut, and endured the pain.

When the moment broke, a scream tore out of me. My first time—the one I saved all my life—was gone in the hands of a man who didn’t deserve to look at me.

When it was finally over, I lay there shaking, tears drying on my cheeks.

Then something shifted.

His breathing slowed.

The air crackled.

A strange, powerful

energy filled the room…

Something was happening.

Something neither of us expected.