Chapter 5: Bowed Head, Unbroken Spirit

The kitchen was already warm when Julia stepped inside. The scent of baking bread and simmering broth filled the air. Large pots clanged against iron stoves. Omegas moved in quiet coordination, chopping vegetables, kneading dough, preparing trays for the morning rush. It was routine. Predictable. Safe. Julia tied her apron around her waist and rolled up her sleeves. Her movements were automatic. She reached for a knife and began slicing root vegetables with steady precision. Every morning was the same. Help in the kitchen. Then clean the leaders’ quarters. Change linens. Scrub floors. Polish furniture. Prepare meals. Wash dishes. That was the value of an omega in Silver Fang. Service. Silence. Submission. That was her value. Julia’s grip tightened on the knife. I am nothing, she thought. A worthless omega who dared to dream of acceptance from her alpha. From her mate. And what had she received for those dreams? Abandonment. Humiliation. Betrayal sealed in front of the entire pack. Whether they knew the truth or not, it did not matter. In this pack, she was exactly what her rank declared her to be. Nothing. “Julia!” She looked up. One of the younger omegas, Mira, hurried toward her with bright eyes and flushed cheeks. “Where did you go last night?” Mira asked excitedly. “You left so early! The party was so fun. Our new luna is strong. And did you hear? She’s from Nightfang Pack! One of the strongest packs in the region. She is a daughter of their Alpha. Our alpha chose such a suitable luna.” Each word landed like a stone against Julia’s chest. Suitable. Strong. Nightfang. Julia forced her lips to curve into a polite smile. “I was tired,” she said calmly. “I thought it would be better to rest after the alpha’s announcement so I would have enough energy to work today.” Mira’s smile softened as she studied her. “Are you feeling better now? You look pale. Maybe you should take the day off.” Julia shook her head. “No. I can’t just stay in my cabin. It is better this way.” Better to work. Better to move. Better than lying alone in silence, feeling the faint echo of a bond that now belonged to another. She wiped her hands on her apron and began arranging trays of food. Steaming platters of roasted meat. Bowls of porridge. Fresh bread. Fruit. Everything had to be perfect before the pack arrived. She lifted the heavy trays and carried them into the food hall. The long buffet tables gleamed under the morning light filtering through high windows. Julia placed each dish carefully, adjusting them until everything was symmetrical and inviting. Then she took her place behind the serving station. One by one, pack members entered. Warriors first. Then families. They greeted one another with cheerful voices, still buzzing from last night’s celebration. Julia kept her head slightly bowed as she served portions onto plates. “Good morning.” “Congratulations to the alpha.” “Nightfang blood… what a powerful alliance.” The words flowed around her like distant noise. Then she felt it. The shift. The energy in the room changed instantly. Conversations hushed. Spines straightened. The alpha had entered. Julia’s fingers stilled for a fraction of a second before she forced herself to continue serving. Jason walked in with Luna Willow at his side. Their hands were intertwined. Their posture proud. United. The fresh mating marks were clearly visible on both of their necks—dark, possessive, unmistakable. A public declaration. A permanent claim. Pack members bowed deeply as they passed. “Alpha.” “Luna.” “Congratulations.” Julia kept her eyes lowered. She could feel them approaching her station. But before they reached her, another gaze locked onto her first. Beta Kirk. He looked at her openly. And then— He smirked. The expression was subtle but deliberate. Amused. Mocking. As if he knew everything. As if he had always known how this would end. And maybe he does. An omega thinking to be more than what she really is, is something amusing for the beta. Humiliation burned through her veins. For daring to believe, she thought. For thinking the alpha would ever choose me. Julia quickly looked away, swallowing the sting rising in her throat. The alpha, luna, and beta stopped in front of her. She bowed respectfully. “Alpha. Luna. Beta.” Her voice was steady. “What do we have this morning?” Luna Willow asked pleasantly, her smile elegant and composed. Julia kept her gaze respectfully lowered. “Roasted venison, spiced porridge, fresh bread, and fruit, Luna.” Willow tilted her head slightly. “I don’t believe I met you last night at the party.” The room grew quieter around them. Julia could feel the eyes of the pack on her. “Yes, Luna,” she replied smoothly. “I left early. I was not feeling well and decided to return to my cabin to rest after the alpha’s announcement. Please forgive me for not congratulating you last night.” She lifted her eyes just enough to meet Willow’s. “Alpha. Luna. Congratulations on your mating. I pray to the Goddess to grant you a long and happy life together.” Her smile was flawless. Even though her heart felt like it had been shattered into dust. Willow studied her for a moment. “Thank you,” the luna said gently. Then her tone shifted ever so slightly. “But I hope it will not happen again that you leave a gathering organized by your alpha or by me—your luna—without permission.” The air thickened. “You are an omega,” Willow continued calmly. “And you should understand that there are rules within pack hierarchy.” Every wolf in the hall heard it. A public reprimand. Julia’s face burned. She could feel disapproving looks from nearby warriors. An omega displeasing the new luna on her first morning. “When my luna is speaking to you, Julia,” Jason added coolly, “we expect a response.” The added weight of his voice made the humiliation cut deeper. She slowly lowered her head further. “Of course, Alpha. Luna. I apologize for my ignorance and behavior. It will not happen again.” Her voice did not tremble. She would not give them that. She would not cry. Not here. Not in front of the alpha who chose another. Not in front of the luna who now stood in her place. Not in front of the beta who smirked at her pain. She served their plates with steady hands. Jason took his without looking at her again. Willow offered her a satisfied nod. And they moved on. The noise in the hall slowly resumed, but Julia felt like she was standing in the center of a storm, completely alone. She inhaled slowly. You will not cry. Not a single tear would fall inside these walls. If she was nothing— Then she would be nothing with dignity. She straightened her spine and continued serving the rest of the pack as if her world had not ended the night before. Because in Silver Fang, omegas did not break. They endured.