Chapter 36 Raven's POV Ilaid on the bed , but I couldn't sleep I kept tossing , turning , pulling the sheets up , then pushing them away like they were the cause of my torment . But it wasn't the sheets . It was the day . It was the past . It was the future . It was everything and nothing at the same time , weighing down on my chest the a boulder that wouldn't move . And then my mind went to alpha Ethan the way he fells fulfilled anytime he tortured me . I sighed , frustration boiling beneath my skin as I pushed myself off the bed . The room was suffocating , the silence screaming too loud for me to bear . I needed to get out of here - out of this cursed room , out of my own head . I needed fresh air , even if it couldn't blow away the heaviness wrapped around my soul I grabbed my thin robe and slipped it on over my nightdress , tiptoeing past the other sleeping maids in the servants ' quarters . They didn't stir . It was better that way . I didn't need anyone asking questions or offering pity . I just needed space . The cold air kissed my skin the moment I stepped outside . It was late - maybe past midnight - but the moon was high and bright , casting silver over the garden path . The silence out here was different . Not so heavy . Not so loud . Just ... calm , I walked the familiar path that curved around the back of the pack house , past the rows of carefully trimmed roses , the towering hydrangeas , and the beds of lavender swaying gently with the breeze . Then I saw it - my favorite spot . A bench under the old willow tree . Its hanging branches offered a kind of privacy that I couldn't find anywhere else in this place . I sank onto the bench and pulled my legs up to my chest , resting my chin on my knees as i stared out at the moonlit garden . The tears came quietly at first - silent , hot streams that trickled down my checks . But soon , sabs racked my body , violent and uncontrolled . If I had known that things will turn out like this I would have letted go when Olivia took him six years ago but something in me kept pushing me to get closer to him , and maybe he will tell the bond , but he'll no was I wrong about the whole thing " If she hadn't died ... " I whispered into the night . " if my mother hadn't died having me ... maybe i wouldn't be here . " The words broke something in me , and I clutched my arms tighter around mysel " Maybe I wouldn't be a maid in my mate's pack . Maybe ... I wouldn't have to live like this . Pretending like I'm nothing like I don't matter . Like I don't bleed Achoked sobescaped me . My hands trembled . " And now ... now he's blackmailing me . My own mate . The one who's supposed to cherish me , protect me , love me - he's turned me into his ex - slave . His puppet And he doesn't even know I'm his mate ... " I dug my nails into my palms I didn't know what hurt more his cruelty or the fact that I had to hide the truth from him , Every day I woke up and served him like I was just another lowly worker in this place , and every night I went to sleep with the ache of rejection , the sting of injustice . And then- " What the hell are you doing out here ? " I jumped , startled by the deep voice that cut through the still night air like a whip . Alpha Ethan , I quickly wiped my tears and stood up , my back straightening instinctively in his presence : But my eyes burned , and my lips were trembling , I didn't have the strength to hide it " Lasked you a question , " he growled , stepping closer . " Why are you not in bed ? " Chapter 36 " I couldn't sleep , " said quietly " You couldn't sleep , " he mocked , his eyes natwing . " So instead , you're out here wandering around like some stray ? " Topened my mouth , then closed it . There was no point arguing " you're going to stay up late and then oversleep again . And then what ? Miss the tasks I gave your he snapped , voice growing louder . " I should've kn better than to think you were capable of basic obedience . " That was it . Something in me snapped . I had taken enough . Endured enough , Survived enough " You are a monster , " I spat , my voice shaking with rage and pain . " You act like everyone's beneath you . You treat people like tools . Like boys . Like they don't have feelings , or thoughts , or lives . You think just because you're Alpha , you have the right to crush everyone under your boot ? " His eyes darkened . " Say that again , " he said , his voice dangerously low . I didn't flinch . " You . Are , A. Monster . The slap came fast . I didn't even see his hand move . Just the sting across my cheek , the force knocking me back onto the bench . Pain exploded in my face , and for a moment , the world blurred . But before I could regain my bearings , he grabbed me by the arm and yanked me up . Another hit this time across my ribs . I cried out , the sound swallowed by the night . " you ungrateful little ... " I didn't hear the rest . My ears were ringing . My vision swam . But I didn't fall . I refused to When he let go , I stumbled back , clutching my side . My breath came in short , shallow gasps . He looked at me , breathing hard , his chest rising and falling like a storm barely contained . And then he turned and walked away Just like that As if I were nothing I collapsed back onto the bench , sobs overtaking me once again . But this time , they were different . Not just of sorrow . Of fury . Of betrayal I had endured so much . I had been silent for so long . But something changed in me that night . Maybe it was the pain . Maybe it was the breaking point Maybe . ....... it was the start of something I didn't yet understand . But I knew one thing Alpha Ethan had struck me down . 2/3 20:40: FM 18: Chapter 36 But would rise . AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!