Julia barely felt her legs as she walked back to the small servant's room.Alan's words echoed in her skull like a curse she couldn't escape.
"From tomorrow, you will warm my bed."
She'd known he could be harsh. She'd known grief could twist a heart. But she had never imagined the man chosen by the Moon Goddess would use the bond like a weapon.
How did everything go so wrong?How did love turn into this nightmare?
Elara whimpered in her mind, a wounded sound.I can't feel him the way we used to… the warmth… it's gone. All I feel is hurt.
Julia collapsed onto the narrow bed, pulling her knees to her chest."We can't survive this," she whispered into the empty room. "Not like this."
We have to, Elara whispered back. We have no one left.
Julia's parents were locked in the dungeon.Her clan had been dismantled.Mary was in a coma.Alan was swallowed by hatred.Olivia watched her like a vulture waiting for scraps.
Her world had collapsed in a single night.
Morning
Julia woke to a sharp knock.
Before she could rise, Olivia barged into the room, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"Get up," she snapped. "The Alpha wants you in the training grounds."
Julia blinked. "Training…grounds? Why would he—"
Olivia smirked. "Punishment."
Julia's heart dropped. "What now?"
Olivia leaned close, her breath mixing with the scent of bitter apples."Alan wants to see how far you can be pushed before you break."
Julia's breath shook. "Does…does he know I'm barely healed?"
"Oh, he knows." Olivia's grin stretched cruelly. "That's the point."
Training Grounds
The training grounds were filled with warriors — sparring, shifting, sweating under the morning sun. But the moment Julia stepped onto the packed earth, silence rippled across the field.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her.Judging.Whispering.Blaming.
The girl who hurt Mary.The mate who betrayed the Alpha.
Julia swallowed hard.
Alan stood at the center, muscle tense, gaze fixed on her with cold calculation. His presence alone made the air vibrate — Alpha aura thick and suffocating.
He spoke loudly, so everyone heard.
"Julia will be training today."
Warriors glanced at one another, confused. Training mates was unheard of — especially mates treated like prisoners.
Julia stepped forward hesitantly. "Alpha, I—"
"Silence," he snapped.
She froze.
Alan paced in front of her, eyes never leaving her face."You're a wolf. Fight like one."
"I—I don't understand—"
He gestured to the massive warrior behind him — Markus, a built wall of muscle. "You will spar with him."
A gasp spread through the warriors.
Julia stepped back. "Alan…he'll kill me."
"The rogues didn't die when you attacked my sister," Alan bit out. "So I see no reason you shouldn't survive this."
Julia felt the sting like a slap.
"Alan—"
"Alpha," he corrected sharply. "Call me Alpha."
Her voice cracked. "Alpha, please…I can't fight today. I'm exhausted. I haven't eaten. I—"
"I gave you an order."
Markus cracked his knuckles. His wolf growled beneath his skin — not cruel, but obedient. He didn't want to hurt her, but the Alpha's command was absolute.
Julia's knees trembled.Elara whimpered. We can't fight him… he's too strong.
We have no choice, Julia whispered back.
Alan crossed his arms. "Begin."
The Fight
Markus moved slowly at first — giving her time, giving her mercy.
Alan's eyes narrowed. "Markus. Don't hold back."
Markus winced. "Alpha—"
"That is an order."
Julia barely had time to breathe before Markus charged.
A fist to her ribs.She stumbled.
A kick to her thigh.Pain exploded.
A hit to her shoulder sent her to the ground.
Warriors watched in horror.No one dared intervene.
Julia coughed, tasting blood. She struggled to stand, legs shaking violently.
Alan watched with a blank, dead stare — no flicker of remorse, no recognition of the woman who was meant to be his equal.
"Get up," Alan said.
Julia tried, failed, tried again, and eventually pushed herself upright.
Markus hesitated. "Julia…stop. I don't want—"
"Finish it," Alan commanded.
Markus's face fell.
Julia braced herself as he lunged.
She dodged once, twice — but she was slower, weaker, wounded. His fist connected with her arm, sending her crashing onto the dirt.
Her vision blurred.Her lungs burned.Elara whimpered in agony.
Alan stepped closer."Sparring is over."
Julia exhaled shakily. Relief…
…until he said:
"Shift."
Julia's blood froze. "No… no, I can't. I'm hurt. My wolf—"
"SHIFT," he thundered, Alpha aura slamming into her like a wave.
Julia cried out as her bones cracked, tendons stretched, fur sprouted painfully.
Elara howled inside, trying to protect her despite the injuries.
Warriors looked away — unable to bear the cruelty yet powerless to oppose their Alpha.
Julia collapsed halfway through the shift, her wolf form trembling weakly on the ground.
Alan watched her suffer.Anger blazing.Hatred breathing.
"Pathetic," he said.
Julia looked up at him with golden wolf eyes filled with agony.
Alan met her gaze — and for a brief moment, something flickered.Something like recognition.Like the bond pulling.
But then he smothered it.
"This," he said quietly, "is the price of touching Mary."
Julia whimpered, unable to speak, unable to stand.
Alan turned to Lucien. "Take her back to her room. She'll serve tonight."
Lucien's jaw clenched. He hated himself for obeying.But an Alpha's order could not be broken.
Julia felt herself being lifted, her vision fading, her wolf whimpering.
Elara spoke weakly. He hates us so much…
Julia whispered to her wolf, Hold on. One day he'll know the truth.
But her heart cracked as she added—
It might be too late by then.