The scorching sun beat down on Snow Pack Meadow, where omegas toiled in the fields. Sweat drenched their bodies, and every muscle ached from relentless labor.
Guards patrolled the rows, barking harsh commands.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and work! No food if you don’t finish!”
Young and old, men and women alike, the omegas labored without complaint. A fortunate few served as palace maids, but most spent their lives in these fields. Some, deemed useless, were sold into slavery.
Amora kept her eyes fixed on the dirt, working with desperate determination. Her mother was ill, so she’d taken on extra shifts to keep them both alive. The guards wouldn’t hesitate to let her collapse and die where she stood.
She pushed through, handling both her portion and her mother’s under the merciless heat. The sun scorched her flawless skin, draining her strength until exhaustion clawed at every breath.
Beside her, Juliet whispered, “I’m tired.”
Amora couldn’t reply—her focus was locked on finishing before nightfall. Suddenly, rain poured down, hammering their skin. Still, no one dared stop. “That’s all for today!” the head warrior finally announced.
A collective sigh of relief rose. Some omegas collapsed onto the wet earth; others staggered toward the shelters for whatever brief rest they could steal.
Every dawn forced them awake before sunrise, dragging weary bodies back to unfinished tasks. With each morning came the grim truth: lifeless forms scattered across the meadow—omegas who hadn’t survived the night. They were buried quickly, without ceremony, like forgotten birds.
The survivors were painfully thin, eyes hollow from hunger and endless exhaustion. They received one meager meal only after hours of morning labor, then were sent straight back to work. The cycle repeated, day after day, with no escape.
Amora and Juliet trudged toward their quarters when a strong hand seized Amora’s arm. She tried to scream, but another hand clamped over her mouth, yanking her into the nearest bushes.
Her attacker pinned her to the cold, wet ground, eyes gleaming with lust. “You think I was going to give up? I’m taking what I want, dirty omega. Don’t bother struggling—no one will hear you.”
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Amora yelled, voice trembling with terror.
“No… please,” she pleaded, cracking. She couldn’t bear losing her virginity like this. Never. “Please,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face.
“Shut up,” he growled, ripping at her clothes.
Her eyes widened in horror. “No… please!”
Amora’s cries echoed through the woods.
The guard smirked, freeing himself and preparing to thrust—
Amora screamed and squeezed her eyes shut. Thunder roared overhead. Lightning cracked violently, striking him down in a flash of blinding light.
She shoved his limp body off and bolted into the woods, heart pounding. ★ SNOW PACK WOODS ★
In a clearing, the ground trembled. Blood soaked the earth as a herd of wild beasts threatened the pack.
Snow Pack warriors stood on all fours in wolf form, surrounding the fallen creatures. One by one, they shifted back—bones cracking, fur receding—until only a massive black wolf remained, his coat matted with blood.
His beta stood watchful at his side.
The warriors shifted fully human, laughing among themselves.
“That was more like a training exercise,” one joked. Laughter rippled through the group. But it died quickly.
A furious howl shattered the air. The warriors dropped to their knees, trembling. “Forgive us, Alpha,” they chorused.
The black wolf shifted. A towering man emerged—eyes flashing with raw authority. “Clear the bodies,” he commanded his beta, Carla.
“Yes, Alpha.” Carla bowed.
Alpha Ace mounted his horse and rode toward the castle.
Carla turned to the warriors.
“Get up. Clean this mess and maintain night watch until the Alpha orders otherwise.” They bowed in respect. Carla rode off, guards trailing behind.
★ ACE’S CHAMBER ★
Ace freshened up, changed into his royal robes, and lit his smoking pipe. Rain pattered against the windows, a soothing rhythm.
His wolf, Roa, stirred in his mind.
**Another night without our mate,** he sighed.
**I’m fine without her,** Ace scoffed, exhaling smoke.
**Even if you don’t care about yourself, can’t you pity me? I need her.**
Ace watched the smoke curl upward, brow raised.
Roa groaned and severed the link.
**What? Horny?** Ace chuckled.
**I just want our mate,** Roa snapped.
**You hurt?** Ace asked.
**Oh, wow—so kind of you to ask,** Roa replied sarcastically. Ace could picture the eye-roll. **You’ve never been hurt. Why bother asking?**
**Of course not. Those beasts are too weak to scratch me. But can you stop obsessing over everything except our mate?**
**I can fuck whoever I want,** Ace shot back, cutting the link.