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Katelyn felt as if she had been leaping for an unending stretch of time. With the crowd's varied gazes on her, unwilling as she was, she had to steel herself and carry on.

Bellatrix had told her that she could only stop after returning to the shelter enough times.

She had lost count of how many times she had leaped to the gate. Worse, the onlookers, who were initially helping her count, were now focused on discussing among themselves while pointing at her.

In the past, if anyone were caught gossiping about her, she would have thrown them into the dungeon to languish in sorrow, if possible, for the rest of their fucking miserable lives.

But now…

It was hateful. Downright detestable!

Each time she leaped towards the shelter's entrance, she would be forced to witness her enemy munching away, a packet of snacks resting on her thigh, legs folded, with a relaxed look on her face.

She so much wanted to stop what she was doing and just charge at that haughty weakling, scratch at her ugly face and gouge out those eyes!

"Haven't you eaten?" Bellatrix asked the obvious, throwing one of the snacks on Katelyn's shoulder. “Do it faster!”

The latter paused and turned to cast a fierce glare at the breeder. But then, she decided to bottle in her rage and continue with the punishment.

"I'll let you eat a whole packet of snacks and drink five bottles of water if you reach the gate in 7 seconds,"

An impossible demand!

The Luna clenched her teeth harder.

'I just need to bear it. Everything I suffered under your hands today, I'll return it a hundredfold, Bellatrix. Just enjoy your brief moments of bossing me around,' she thought to herself.

After a few more times of leaping to the gate, Bellatrix stopped her. Next, the latter stood up from the bench and made her way to the Luna, holding a bottle of water.

"You must be fatigued after all that workout, and your throat must be bone dry." She twisted the cap of the bottled water open and handed it to her. "Drink,"

Though unhappy, Katelyn took the plastic bottle and downed its contents in one big gulp.

Her throat hurt from how fast she drank it, but she didn't care. At least she had drunk something clean after weeks of ingesting Wolfine.

"You want more?" Bellatrix inquired.

"Yes, and please give me food," Katelyn cried as her stomach protested angrily.

"I'll give it to you, don't worry." The omega headed back to the bench and then returned with another bottle of water.

She removed the lid, but instead of handing it to the thirsty Katelyn, she poured the cold water all over the latter's head.

"What are you doing?!" the enraged Luna shrieked.

"You haven't taken a bath in weeks. I feel for you."

"You... I don't need your damned pity, you disgusting wretch!" she snapped, causing others to let out gasps. Katelyn then realized what she had done, and her face paled. She could already envision her chance at freedom flying away.

“I’m disgusting?” Bellatrix asked, crossing her arms before her chest, her right brow lifted.

“I…” Katelyn knew she had to think fast. She didn’t want to be imprisoned again.

Damn this Bellatrix. If not for her action just now, how would her real thoughts have slipped out?

“So you never needed my forgiveness. That’s good to hear. I admit that I’m not as pretty as many in this pack. I know that, in your prime, I wouldn’t even be worthy of being the mud under your shoes. But remember one thing: I am the alpha’s mate and his chosen breeder. Even if you hate me, you can’t change that fact. Only the Alpha himself can. You call me disgusting because of what? My wolf rank? Or simply because I decided to give you a much-desired bath?”

“I…”

“Don’t interrupt when I’m speaking, Luna Katelyn.”

Katelyn clamped her lips shut, her gaze on the Omega’s feet.

“Your current condition was brought by you. Everyone thought I was living a carefree life when I literally had to be careful of my food and the maids assigned to me. You did everything you possibly could, so the Alpha would execute me without even fulfilling the initial purpose for which I was brought here. If the Alpha hadn’t saved me that day, I would have been counted among the dead, and you would have been celebrating, right?”

Katelyn lifted her head, her expression desperate, “Please, I’m sorry,”

Bellatrix shook her head, “You’re not sorry. If the Alpha hadn’t ordered you to come find me and apologize, you wouldn’t put away your pride and agree to suffer any humiliation. What I did to you today is nothing compared to everything you have done towards me, Luna.”

Katelyn became panicked and tried to grab Bellatrix’s foot, but the latter stepped back in time.

“The disgusting person has always been you. Whether in the past, or even especially now.”

“Please,” Katelyn pressed her trembling palms together, “Please, I’m begging you, have mercy on me. I’ll change. I’ll do anything to prove I’ve turned a new leaf. Please, don’t let them take me back there.”

“The cell is the only thing motivating you.”

The latter shook her head, waving her hands in denial, “No, it’s not like that. I really want to…”

“Save it. It’s time for me to state my third condition. If you can fulfill it, I’ll bury the hatchet and let you prove you’ve changed.”

“Please, I’ll do anything,” Katelyn frantically implored.

“Alright. My third condition is actually two options. Choose between spending a few more days in the cell or…become Xoey’s servant,”

“X-Xoey?” the Luna asked with widened eyes.

“Oh yes, the Xoey that you know. She’s my maid if you haven’t heard.”

Katelyn felt a surge of rage coursing through her body, she grappled with the urge to curl her fingers into fists. That would be seen as a sign of rebellion— something she couldn’t afford to be accused of right now.

“So…what’s your choice?”

“M-my choice…” as much as she hated it, there was only one choice. “H-how long will I serve as... a s-servant?”

“Well…” Bellatrix kept her in nail-biting suspense. Then she answered, “…depends on how you behave.”

While that wasn’t the answer Katelyn was looking for, it came with hope. So she just had to grit her teeth and do everything she was told to do. Only then could she assume her role as Luna again.

And then, she would deal with this bitch.

With that in mind, she placed her right hand across her chest and lowered her head, “I will do my best while fulfilling my new role. I will prove to…”

"No need for that long speech.” Bellatrix cut her short, and the Luna pursed her lips, head still inclined.

“Stand up,"

Katelyn obeyed, and Bellatrix told her to go find Xoey. The Luna bowed again before turning to leave.

“And one more thing…”

Katelyn froze in her tracks but didn’t turn her head.

“Clean up before you find Xoey. Even a gutter rat has better perfume than you do. I should punish you for assaulting everyone’s noses, but I’m kind, I won’t hold that against you.”

Katelyn clenched her jaw and swallowed hard, “Noted, my lady,”

As she made her way towards the gate, the onlookers tried to follow her, but when she turned to them, they quickly ditched that thought because of her murderous gaze.

She internally scoffed, ‘Losers will always be losers,’

“Someone slap her for me.”

Katelyn froze in her tracks upon hearing that voice.

She turned to her left and saw the Alpha seated in another shelter with arms crossed. He didn’t look happy.

“A-Alpha…” Katelyn’s knees quickly gave out.

When did he enter the training grounds? How come no one knew?

She crawled towards him, but two guards flanked her sides and yanked her arms, forcing her to stand. Then another guard walked over and gave Katelyn a harsh slap that stunned everyone into silence.

Bellatrix left the shelter, also stunned that the Alpha was actually present all this while.

“Bellatrix,” Killian called her, his expression stern.

Gone was the feigned snooty look that she was wearing earlier. A disquieted expression materialized on her face as she made her way to the king.

Then she saluted him, her right hand placed across her chest, her expression now solemn.

“Considering how she almost took your life, you were way too merciful to her. But... It’s alright. Also, consider this the end of your training.”

She almost leaped for joy, but her face fell when he completed his sentence. “..in public.”

“Y-your Majesty…” she stammered, looking mystified.

“I happen to be very free these days,”

The Beta who was standing behind Killian almost choked on the juice he was downing. His mind thought back to the two stacks of documents waiting for the Alpha’s perusal on his desk.

Well…it’s not like he could publicly disagree with his leader, right?

He decided to pretend as if he wasn’t hearing anything.

Bellatrix was feeling antsy at the Alpha’s suspense. But it’s not like she could tell him, ‘Please hurry and complete your sentence, don’t keep me waiting, Mr Alpha,’

“So… I’ll be your instructor from now on.” His words made her feel punch-drunk.

“Y-you’ll instruct me?” she asked in sheer disbelief.

The king nodded in affirmation, and her knees started buckling.

“Don’t worry; I know how weak you are. I’m not as harsh as the Gamma,”

The Beta almost choked again, recalling the last time Killian trained those elite warriors.

‘Bellatrix, I can only wish you luck,’ he thought with a sigh.