Chapter 5

Katia lay curled on the narrow bed, awake the entire night.

She called for Carol again and again, but her wolf was gone.

Her chest felt hollow, like half her soul had been carved out.

Worse, she'd once felt healing power flowing through her veins. Warm. Alive.

Now it was gone too.

BANG—The door slammed open.

"Get up, bitch." Omega supervisor Liz stood in the doorway, face twisted with disgust.

Katia pushed herself up, her body still wracked with rejection pain.

"Faster!" Liz stormed over, grabbed Katia's hair, and dragged her off the bed.

Katia bit back a groan as pain shot through her scalp. She stumbled after Liz into the hallway.

"Starting today, public toilets, kitchen floors, trash bins—all yours." Liz kicked her shin. "The dirtiest work? That's your life now."

Other Omegas crowded around, eyes full of contempt.

To them, Katia was lower than dirt.

A wolfless Omega. A rejected mate. A sister killer.

The lowest of the low.

All day, Katia scrubbed toilet tiles on her knees.

The chemical cleaner burned her nostrils and churned her stomach. Cold water split the skin on her fingers.

But no one planned to let her off easy.

A brown-haired Omega passing by kicked over her bucket. Filthy water sloshed across Katia's body.

"Oops." The brunette smirked. "My bad. Clean it up again."

Katia stopped wiping. She stood slowly, picked up the rag and threw it at the girl's chest.

"You did that on purpose."

The air went quiet.

CRACK!

A vicious slap landed across Katia's face.

"You're wolfless trash—how DARE you talk back?!" The brunette snarled.

Katia wanted to fight back, but several other Omegas had surrounded her.

Fists and heels rained down.

"You killed Allison!"

"A rejected mate brings bad luck to the pack!"

"You should be dead!"

Katia curled into a ball, arms locked over her head.

Fury burned in her chest. What did I do wrong? Why should I die?

Late that night, Katia dragged herself into the communal shower.

She turned on the faucet. Ice-cold water hit her skin.

She flinched but stayed standing.

No hot water for her. The frigid stream rushed over bruises and cuts, pain blooming sharp then going numb.

Halfway through washing, the water stopped.

Katia opened her eyes, soap still clinging to her skin.

She twisted the faucet several times. Nothing came out.

After a moment of silence, she bowed her head and used a damp towel to wipe away the soap.

Then she pulled on the same threadbare clothes.

She was exhausted. Too tired even to feel angry anymore.

But her suffering seemed endless.

When Katia pushed open her room, she froze.

Xandar sat on her bed, legs crossed. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting him like a beast lying in wait within the dark.

He lifted his head, mouth curving into a dangerous smile.

"You're back." Xandar's voice was low and pleased. "I've been waiting for you."

Katia's heart slammed against her ribs. She stepped back, but Xandar was already on his feet.

He moved with terrifying speed.

In an instant, he was in front of her, one hand clamping around her wrist. He yanked her into the room.

"Let me go!" Katia struggled.

"Why would I do that? You're mine, Katia." Xandar shoved her against the wall, gripped her chin and forced her to look at him.

Katia spat. "You rejected me! Why can't you just leave me alone?!"

Xandar was silent for a few seconds. Then he suddenly laughed.

"You accepted my rejection. That doesn’t change anything. I can still feel you. Still smell you. And I’m not done with you."

"You're insane!" Katia's fury exploded. She tried to kick him, but he pressed his body tight against hers,trapping her completely.

However, with how close they were, Katia realized one thing: she could feel his hardness against her stomach, and this repulsed her.

He was turned on because of her struggle and rage? Nausea rolled through her.

"You want to know what insane looks like?" Xandar lowered his head and started licking her neck.

"No!" Katia screamed, raised her hands and started hitting him.

But Xandar didn't budge. He caught her wrists and pinned them above her head, then leaned down to her ear.

"You're going to enjoy this," he whispered, then spun her around and threw her toward the bed.

His eyes burned with hunger. His intention was clear.

"What? What are you doing?!" She scrambled up and bolted for the door, but Xandar effortlessly pushed her back.

"No! I don't want this!"

Katia screamed at the top of her lungs, but no one came to rescue her.

No one ever did.

Her cries lasted for hours, until Xandar finally left the room.

This torment lasted three months.

Today was a special day. Alpha Xandar was to be appointed Head Alpha of all the Royal packs protecting Central City.

It was an extraordinary honor. While Alpha King Cahir fought on the front lines, Xandar had held Central City without flaw.

Some said it was merit. Others said it was Luna Maria—his mother, and Cahir’s stepmother—who had spoken in his favor before the Council of Elders.

Either way, Alphas from the major packs were gathering today to offer their congratulations.

Katia lay still beneath him, staring blankly at the ceiling as Xandar violated her.

Over the past three months, Xandar had come almost every day. He'd used every method imaginable to break her spirit. To crush her.

Xandar suddenly sped up, breathing grew ragged.

Katia knew that at moments like this, his guard would drop just slightly.

She lunged forward and sank her teeth into his neck, while her other hand gripped the jagged glass shard she’d hidden.

"Ah—" Xandar let out a muffled grunt as blood flooded into Katia’s mouth.

She drove the glass shard deep into his chest.