Chapter 3 No escape

Zara hastily exited the hall, her legs trembling beneath her. She returned to the room assigned to her, overcome with tears and devastation.

Why did she always end up getting hurt? Why did no one want to be with her? She felt like a complete mess, a fragile and broken thing that no one knew how to fix.

Eve walked beside her, attempting to offer words of comfort."Don't cry, Zara. Everything will be alright soon."

But Zara wasn't ready to be comforted. She collapsed onto the bed, her body shaking with sobs. The event of the evening replayed in her mind, each moment a fresh stab of pain and betrayal.

What had she done wrong?

Her mind racing, she replayed every conversation, every gesture, and every moment she'd shared with Scott. Despite their brief encounter, she had genuinely believed the sincerity in his eyes when he had said she'd be his mate. But now, she wondered if her desperation to escape her step mother's torment had blinded her, leading her to latch onto the first man who'd showed interest in her. "So pathetic, Zara, you are so pathetic." She scolded herself pounding her chest in anguish.

Eve sat beside her, offering comforting words, but Zara's emotions were too raw to be soothed. As her frustration boiled over, she rolled on the bed, clutching her hair.

Eve rose and wrapped her arms around her, trying to calm her. "Please, Zara, don't do this to yourself."

Just then, the door creaked open and Scott walked in majestically, his hands tucked into his pockets. Zara recoiled at his presence, her breath catching in her throat.

"Welcome, Alpha," Eve said, bowing her head respectfully. She took a step forward, attempting to leave the room, but Zara grasped her hands, her eyes wide with fear. "Don't go, please." She pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.

The thought of being alone with the alpha terrified her.

Eve's expression softened, and she hesitated, clearly torn between her duty to leave and her loyalty to Zara.

But Scott's gaze was firm, and he nodded curtly. "Leave us, Eve," he commanded, his deep voice allowing no argument.

Eve's eyes met Zara's, filled with a silent apology, before she bowed her head and backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Zara was left alone with the alpha, her heart racing with the anxiety. "What do you want?" She gathered her courage and asked when Scott just stared at her.

Scott smirked, "Why the sad face? Are you crying?"

Like seriously!

Zara's expression reflected her disgust. "You are Just like the others, heartless."

Scott's expression widened momentarily before he sneered, "is this about last night?" His question touched a sensitive spot, and Zara's anger flared up intensely. "You took my virginity knowing you didn't want a real relationship with me! Why did you lie?"

Scott shrugged, his tone casual. "I didn't lie. I said you could be my mate...or rather, my side girl. Not an actual partner, but someone to keep on the side."He snickered at Zara's incredulous stare. "Did you really think I'd make someone as overweight and unhealthy as you my official mate? Don't make me laugh."

His mocking words cut deep, and tears streamed down Zara's face. "Who would want someone without a wolf as their partner, as the Luna of their pack? Only a dumb fool would do that."

"Why then did you deceive me?" She demanded, her voice shaking.

He sneered, "I just wanted to see what it'd be like to sleep with a fat girl."

Zara blinked her eyes twice in disbelief. "So that is all I'm worth to you? A twisted curiosity?" Her fist clenched at her sides as she shot him a deadly glare.

Scott would've been a dead man if looks could kill. Instead, he laughed at her furious expression. "Don't get me wrong, you're not entirely unattractive....for a fat girl," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

As he approached the bed, Zara scrambled backward until she hit the headboard.

Scott's eyes locked onto hers, his lips curling into a wet, sinister smile.

She panicked. 'What ...what do you want?"

"I want you....again," he whispered, his voice low and menacing. Before Zara could process his words, Scott's eyes flashed from green to deep red. He pinned her down, his breath against her ear making her tremble.

"I want to taste you once more. I love the feeling of thrusting into you. I'm addicted," he snarled, his voice barely human.

Zara struggled to break free, but Scott's grip was too strong. His wolf was taking over, suffocating her.

"Leave me alone, you bastard!" she screamed, kicking her legs wildly.

Scott growled, releasing his pheromones, choking back her screams. Her vision began to blur as his grip on her tightened. She felt him tear her clothes, trailing hot kisses all over her body, and then finally felt his hard thrust inside her.

She couldn't move; it was as if her body was paralysed and only responded to his movement.

As she cursed her fate, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Scott wiped them away as he continued thrusting inside her till she lost consciousness.

~~~~~~~~

It was almost noon when Zara finally opened her eyes. She looked around, disoriented, and found Eve sitting beside her, gently dabbing her forehead with a damp cloth.

"You're finally awake," Eve whispered.

Zara tried to sit up, but Eve held her in place. "Drink this first," Eve urged, offering her a steaming cup.

Zara sniffled the herbal concoction and shook her head. "I don't want it," She rasped, her voice hoarse from crying.

Eve sighed wearily. "You need it to regain your strength." When Zara still frowned, refusing, she coaxed."I cleaned you up and saw all the bruises on your body.

Zara eyes widened in alarm at the revelation.

"And I changed your clothes," Eve added gently.

Zara's gaze dropped, and she noticed the red gown she was wearing for the first time.

"Is the gown yours?" She asked quietly.

Eve hesitated before responding, "Alpha Scott sent clothes, shoes, and jewelries for you."she pointed towards the wardrobe.

Zara rolled her eyes."Why is he suddenly acting like a gentle man?"

"He said he wants you to look presentable when visiting the future Luna."

Oh! It was about Harley again! Zara masked her turmoil, pretending indifference as she asked, "When did he say I can go visit her?"

"As soon as you are awake."

Oh! She drained the cup, swallowing the contents in one swift motion. Without any more hesitation, she swiftly rose from the bed, hurried into the bathroom, and washed her face. She then adjusted her gown, hiding the love bites on her neck.

"That beast!"she muttered, fist clenched.

Composing herself, Zara returned to the room.

"Let's go," she said, slipping on sandals.

Eve looked concerned. "Are you sure you're ready?"

Zara nodded, resigned. "I don't have a choice." And that was the truth.

Ever since she was a child, she'd never had control over her life, always submitting to others' expectations to survive. That wasn't about to change.

Eve's eyes filled with sadness, but she remained silent. She led Zara out of the room and up the staircase to a beautifully decorated chamber.

When Eve knocked, a voice responded, "Come in."

Zara trembled at the sound, recognising her step mother's voice.

"Go inside, child," Eve whispered, nudging Zara forward. With trembling hands, Zara pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Her stepmother, Sophia, and stepsister, Harley, sat on the elegant queen-sized bed.

Harley sneered at Zara. "Look what we have here, Mother. The fat bitch herself," Harley taunted.

Zara bowed her head, lacking the courage to meet their gazes.

Sophia approached her, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "I never knew you were so eager for a man, eager to jump into a man's bed without caring if he was your sister's fiance," Sophia voice dripped with malice, her words infused with venom that made Zara's skin crawl.

She opened her mouth to defend herself, but Sophia slapped her hard across the face, silencing her. "You are shameless, just like your mother," she sneered, spitting on Zara's face.

Zara took a step back, her eyes welling up with tears. She hated being compared to her mother, who was rumoured to be a slave who had seduced the pack leader.

Shivering and tearful, she pleaded with her step mother to stop, but Sophia slapped her again and continued her verbal assault "You are evil, fat, and useless, just like your mother."

Zara begged, her voice trembling, "No, please...."Her breathing grew heavy as the familiar trauma of being belittled and ridiculed resurfaced.

The words cut deep, triggering a painful memory of being beaten, merciless whipped, and ruthlessly ridiculed just for existing. She slumped to the floor, her hands clasped over her ears, crying and pleading for them to stop.

But Sophia's laughter echoed through the room, her taunts piercing Zara's fragile heart. "You'll always be our slave, Zara, " she sneered.

Harley watched with a cruel smile, gaining satisfaction from Zara's pain and misery.

As was always the case, no one intervened, leaving Zara feeling helpless and defeated, a familiar feeling that had haunted her for years. She lay there, shattered, her tears falling silently on the cold floor.

~~

TBC