Howl of the rejected

Zyra's POV

I watched as they approached me with malice in their eyes, feeling a sense of dread wash over me. I tried to back away, but they closed in, encircling me in slow motion. These two were always a pain in my ass.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.

Gaia, Alpha Grayson's daughter, sneered at me and replied, "We just want to have a little fun with you, Omega. You know how much we love playing with our toys." Her mocking tone sent a shiver down my spine.

To be referred to as a toy once again – it was all too familiar. Cade had treated me the same way, playing with me as if I were just an object, and now his sister wanted to do the same.

Elara laughed heartily at Gaia's statement and began to circle me, adding to the humiliation. "What a pathetic thing you are," Elara taunted.

"You should be dead by now."

"Your parents are just as dumb as you are. It runs in the family," Gaia laughed, finding amusement in belittling me.

"There are more than a thousand ways to die. You should pick one instead of wasting oxygen, you filthy thing," Elara spat, gripping my hair from behind.

Refusing to be completely powerless, I mustered my courage and grabbed her wrist, pulling her hands away from my hair. "I won't be your toy," I stated firmly, surprising Gaia, whose eyes widened.

"I am a part of this pack, and you have no right to treat me like an outsider," I added, desperately clinging to my dignity. But instead of understanding, they burst into laughter. Elara stepped closer, her intense gaze fixed on mine. I looked away, clenching my fists with determination.

"Do you want to be reminded where you belong?" she sneered, forcefully grabbing my hair and forcing me to meet her gaze.

"You are nothing but a weakling. You will do as we say," she snarled, her words laced with malice. "Or else, we will make your life a living hell."

Gaia laughed from behind, "Her life is already a living hell."

"That's true, but we can always add more to it," Elara added with a menacing smile, kicking my aching stomach as I attempted to walk away.

"And where do you think you're going? You have no respect at all," Gaia taunted, blocking my path and trapping me with her glowing yellow eyes.

I took a step back, my gaze falling on her elongated claws and refracted fangs. "Do you have to be this way?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"What did I say about your life being a living hell?" she threatened. Fear sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to back down, holding my head high.

"I refuse! I refuse to be bullied by you," I replied, defiance coloring my voice. Gaia's grip on my neck tightened in response.

"Maybe I should just kill you," she threatened, causing my breath to catch in my throat.

"No, please don't," I managed to say, and suddenly, a voice cut through the tension from behind.

"Gaia!" Cade's commanding voice echoed, causing her grip to slightly loosen, her attention shifting to her brother standing behind me.

"That's enough!" he interjected, to which Gaia scoffed.

"Why? I'm tired of seeing her face. It would be best if she died since she's as useless as her father's condom," Gaia sneered, her smirk sending a chill down my spine.

"Let her go. It's enough for today," Cade firmly instructed, and Gaia glared at me one last time before releasing her grip. I fell to my knees, gasping for air while clutching my sore neck, struggling to breathe.

"Pathetic," Elara spat, delivering a final kick to my stomach before striding away. I turned to see Gaia walking off with Elara and her brother. Cade glanced at me briefly before looking away.

"Argh!" I groaned in pain, pulling myself up from the ground, and dragging my weary feet toward my room. It was the smallest room in the mansion, but as long as I had a bed to lie on, I was grateful.

I stumbled my way to the bed and fell onto it, feeling a slight pain around my neck. Rolling to the other side, I tried to ignore the discomfort, hoping it would fade with time. I closed my eyes, seeking solace in sleep. Night had fallen, and it was time for rest.

Cade's POV

My sister's hatred for Zyra seemed stronger than even my own. While I disliked her, I couldn't bear the thought of her being harmed, especially by my sister's hands. In our pack, we had a rule – we didn't kill the innocent. Only those who committed crimes against the pack faced consequences. Although Zyra's mere existence seemed like a crime to some, we weren't allowed to take her life.

Despite my dislike for Zyra, I couldn't ignore the undeniable attraction I felt towards her. Deep down, I knew she had feelings for me too, despite her hatred.

Leaving my room, I made my way to her room. As I walked, pack members respectfully bowed their heads. In a week, I would be celebrating my 21st birthday, and my father had entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the pack. I was eager to prove myself and find my mate as well.

"Alpha Cade," Aria called out behind me. Aria, one of our pack members, was a beta wolf who would do anything to have me as her own.

I turned around and saw her with a smile on her face. "Aria, what is it?" I asked, curious about her intentions.

"I wanted to know if you're busy. It seems like you're not, so would you mind coming to my room? I'm really bored," she pouted, attempting to flirt.

"Are you trying to flirt with your Alpha?" I teased, a low laugh escaping my lips. Aria pursed her lips.

"Who wouldn't?" she quipped, confident in her attraction towards me.

"Well, I'm busy for now," I replied dismissively, turning to leave.

"Oh, I'll be waiting for you whenever you're free," she called out, but I ignored her, continuing on my way.

Zyra's POV

I was peacefully asleep until I felt a hand gently brush against my cheeks. My eyes slowly fluttered open, only to meet Alpha Cade sitting beside me on my bed.

"Alpha..." I whimpered, my heart pounding in my chest. I was immediately on edge, fearing another round of cruel treatment.

"Haven't you had enough fun for tonight?" I asked, my voice quivering. It seemed as though he always wanted to take advantage of me.

"No, I want something else," he replied, his hand slowly sliding down to my collarbone and beneath my shirt. I swallowed hard, my gaze fixed on his hands invading my personal space. I folded my lips inward, shaking my head in protest.

"No, please. I don't want this," I cried softly, hoping he would listen, but, as expected, my pleas fell on deaf ears.

In an instant, Alpha Cade forcefully tugged away the duvet I had used to cover my body and positioned himself over me. Tears streamed down my face, and I shook my head in disbelief.

I had once longed for a moment of love with Alpha Cade, but I now realized that I could never yearn for someone who abused me.

"You've always wanted this, haven't you, beauty?" he sneered, unbuttoning his shirt. The tears continued to flow as my sense of helplessness grew.

"You're lying," he growled, gripping my neck tightly, cutting off my ability to speak.

Fear pulsed through me as his hold tightened, restricting my breath. I struggled, desperate to break free from his grasp, but it felt futile. In that moment, I felt a surge of anger and defiance.