When the mind begins to think because the body is suffering, the pain becomes bearable, but when the body is so battered, and the mind is assaulted with offensive words, unable to grasp the meaning and sense of the attack, the soul shatters, the heart clenches, and the unimaginable occurs.

Alone, cold, hungry, and in pain from the assault, only two feelings prevail: hatred and rebellion. These feelings grant a survival strength when there’s no strength left for anything else. Something corrodes the soul, due to an inability to fight back against what torments it and the hopelessness of not knowing how to escape. There is no solution, only to endure, to hold on, until a miracle happens.

Once again, he dragged her by the hair, made her sleep in the doghouse without food after giving her a beating with a wet towel, leaving no marks. She was growing up unable to escape this life and had only been spared what she considered worse that night because she was "filthy," as he put it.

Thunder boomed loudly and lightning, one after another, streaked across the sky. The dog nudged her to make room, and she ended up stepping out from under the protection of the makeshift shelter and into a mud puddle formed as soon as the rain started to fall. She saw a light and glimpsed the back door of the house open, and someone ran towards her.

"I'm setting you free, June, go away, flee into the forest, but never show your face here again, or in town. Go, my child, and forgive me."

The woman, who despite her worn appearance, was still young, having had her first child at fourteen, lifted her oldest daughter's mud-covered body, smeared more mud to disguise her, and helped her over the wall, as the gate was locked. She went back inside, not looking back. If she had, she would have seen a car hit the little girl and a large man put her into the car, heading towards the forest.

The miracle June awaited arrived. It wasn’t quite as she imagined, but at that moment, she was in a world of oblivion, where humiliation and pain no longer belonged to her current moment, only the relief of nothingness.

"Bring her inside, Kurt. I'll need to clean her up before checking her wounds; she's covered in mud."

"Yes, Dr. Malek."

Kurt picked up the girl, only recognising she was female by the small hard spots that were her nipples in the center of the small mounds that were her breasts. He took her to the biopsy table and washed her with the handheld shower, letting the mud wash away. He stopped and cut her tattered dress off, pulling it away and resuming the wash; she wore no undergarments.

"So, Kurt, how is she?" the doctor asked, now fully dressed for the procedure.

"It looks like her legs, one arm, and ribs are broken. Can’t tell if the ribs have punctured any organs, but the arm seems to be broken in two places and the legs just below the knees, both are broken."

Dr. Malik observed the slender girl and noted her malnutrition and, by the thin stream of blood running between her thighs, that she was menstruating and anemic.

"Her condition is dire, we'll check her internals with the ultrasound."

He pulled down the ceiling-mounted device, turned it on, and hovered it over her body at a certain distance, with the internal images appearing on the screen.

"Yeah, it's very serious, I'm not sure she'll survive, and even if she does, she may not fully recover. It will take a long time for everything to heal. The ribs have punctured the lung and spleen; it’ll be a challenge to fix all this."

"I also have a feeling, although there aren’t many visible bruises, that she’s been beaten."

"Yes, dear Kurt, there are ways to beat a person without leaving marks. Humans can conceive unimaginable forms of torture."

"May I know what is happening here?" a deep voice spoke next to the doctor.

"As always, very stealthy, Don Ramon. We ran over this poor creature on the road. But her condition is so precarious that I fear she won't survive."

"Her scent is different; her blood seems very weak, her body frail, and she is too young for a transformation," concluded the deep voice.

"Perhaps, but she appears much younger due to abuse. She has formed breasts and is menstruating. What do you decide?"

"Treat what can be treated, if she survives until tomorrow, I'll try to transform her, for the sake of your conscience, Malek, and that’s the only reason. But know she'll be your responsibility."

"Thank you, Alpha."

"Don’t thank me yet, Malek, she'll be quite the trouble. Thank me later." The Alpha left, well-dressed, seemingly with an appointment.

"Let's begin, Kurt. First, let's drain the blood from her lung and chest since she's already on this table. Then we'll take her to the surgery room."

They spent the rest of the night working. The dying girl seemed very eager to live, for she bravely withstood the multiple surgeries required. They gave her a blood transfusion and anesthesia.

Now, her two legs and arm were immobilized. A large bandage covered the incision made in her chest, just below the breast, to mend the ribs and organs damaged by them. Besides that, they only applied a pain-relieving spray to the muscles.

"All done, Kurt, now we wait. We've done all we could. Let's pass on the care instructions to the two arriving and get our deserved rest."

"Yes, doctor, you did a great job, especially for a human."

"We did, Kurt, we did. And I must confess, I found it gratifying to practice this kind of medicine again."

They left the patient in a bed in one of the three well-equipped clinic rooms of the Lotus Flower Pack, as there was no need for so many beds since no one there ever got so injured or sick. That very day, the Alpha would come to see her and assess the situation. If he found a survival strength in the creature, he would transform her, but if not, he would leave her to fate. It would be a full-moon night, perfect for transformation.

For the moment, though, the Alpha was entangled in his sheets and in the body of his partner, eager for an offspring as the full moon ignited a sexual frenzy in his kind.

On the following night, Dr. Malek and young Kurt went to check on the young girl's condition and, incredibly, found her alive and coping well. The Alpha also came to see her and, displeased with her state but recognizing her resilience, chose not to waste her, nor to convert her into one of their kind as her body could not withstand the agonizing pain that would accompany the transformation.

The potential for incorrect mending or further breaking of her numerous fractured bones during the process warranted restraint. Hence, it was permitted for her to remain admitted until she could manage on her own, after which she would be sent away. Thus, Dr. Malek and Kurt tended to her, and she endured with exceptional bravery.

When she finally awoke, she revealed her name to be June and that she resided at the House of the Cross, a well-known brothel where all the women who sold their bodies were the proprietor's daughters. They started their toils as children and faced abuse if their service displeased the clientele. June had been beaten merely for reaching puberty, rendering her unusable to those who preferred her barren.

"Poor child, how old are you?" inquired Dr. Malek.

"14. I am the eldest of my mother, but not a daughter of my so-called father," she answered. "My mother told me he took her in off the streets, already with child, which is why he harbored such resentment toward me. My mother stays there because of my younger sisters."

The doctor was appalled upon hearing the tale and the fact that children were involved in such a place.

"Did your mother tell you anything about your father?" Kurt inquired.

"It was like a fairy tale, she claimed; my father was strong and seized her in the forest while she was fleeing from violent treatment at home. After his deed, he left her pregnant, abandoned on the streets without shelter or food."

"It's a heartbreakingly sad story, and I hope you get well and find a better life," the doctor said.

"Rest well, child, and eat whatever we provide, so your body can heal," Kurt advised her.

In time, she improved. Though metal pins and rods were keeping her bones in place, she could now move her legs in bed and even bend her knees. The Alpha revisited, somewhat pleased with her recovery but decreed she leave as soon as the metals were removed, lest she become prey to mateless males.

Dr. Malek, concerned for her welfare, contrived a secret plan to save her from such a dire fate. He would take her to his abode and thereafter journey to the city where her brothers lived, who would surely cherish caring for such a battered young soul.

"Doctor, when do you think she'll be well?" Kurt asked.

"Soon, young Kurt. Her recovery is remarkably swift. Almost like a she-wolf's, yet she isn't, pity that."

"Have you set a date to remove the rods?"

"You seem more eager than the patient herself, Kurt. Have you taken a liking to her?"

"It's just concern, doctor."

"Good. She's human, and you will find your mate. It wouldn't be fair to her, who has already endured so much at the hands of men."

"Of course, doctor. I'm aware, and I just want to see her flourish."

"You’re a caring, talented youth. You'll have an illustrious career and will one day succeed me," Dr. Malek said, clapping Kurt's back before departing for home, concluding his shift as did Kurt.

But Kurt also wished to aid the girl, so he prepared a quaint cottage in the forest for her. It would be advantageous for her to have a haven rather than roam the streets as her mother did. He knew, through the pack females, the hardship of lacking a male protector. So, he ventured into the forest for another day of arrangements, needing to install a window and a door. Afterwards, he'd bring a bed with a mattress and other necessary items.

The day to remove the metals finally arrived, and June was eager. Transformed into a vibrant, healthy girl, a stark contrast from the wounded one once brought in. Dr. Malek removed the metals and aided her standing and walking around the room. She walked well and was given clothes to dress and prepare to leave the hospital the next day.

"This is your last night here, but do not fret. Tomorrow I'll return to escort you to your new life."

"I must admit, I'm somewhat afraid, doctor. I've never lived outside of home."

"I understand, child, but I’ll help you adapt to a new life."

"Thank you, doctor, thank you, Kurt."

"Our pleasure, June. It was nice caring for you," Kurt said before he left with the doctor.

Yet, the young man stayed close by, waiting. Once the surroundings were clear, he retrieved a wheelchair and quietly entered the clinic through the back, making his way to June’s room. The girl was startled at his sudden appearance, yet smiled at the sight of the wheelchair, mistaking it for a jest.

He asked her to don the provided clothes and take a seat in the chair, then wheeled her outside, across the concrete sidewalk, and down a dirt path that led into the woods. It was only then that he took her out of the chair, concealed it amidst the undergrowth, and continued on foot until reaching the cottage.

"Welcome to your new home, June. I arranged everything for you, with utmost care."

"Why would you build a home for me?" she asked, her smile resonating enthusiasm.

"It’s a modest cabin, but you'll be safe here, and I'll look after you."

"But the doctor said I should wait, and he’d take care of me."

"Our leader wouldn't allow you to stay, and the doctor will take you away, leaving you alone in the city. I couldn’t let you go through that, June."

"But the doctor…"

"The doctor follows the leader's orders."

He unlocked and swung open the door, stepping in first. Lighting a lantern, he called her in to see what he had prepared. To him, it was excellent, while to her, it seemed a rudimentary, darkened dwelling in the midst of the forest, lacking safety and comfort. She sat on the bed, feeling the slats beneath the thin mattress, yet uttered no complaint.

"Come morning, you can explore outside. There’s a river behind the cabin where you can bathe, and all the essentials are here: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, brushes for your teeth and hair, towels, and spare clothing.”

"Is there a way to cook food?"

"There's a small stove; later, I'll teach you outdoor cooking with charcoal or wood."

To Kurt, it was all uncomplicated like a camping expedition, but he'd forgotten she was a woman who had never ventured from home, especially not into the forest.

June did not know that real werewolves existed, nor about the occurrences during the full moons and the approach of the blood moon. The blood moon was responsible for the union of mates as well as strengthening transformations. The wolves' sexuality blossomed, and many cubs were conceived under this moon.

After Kurt had left, she found herself alone, with only a lantern's glow for company. She wandered around the shabby cabin with gaps between the boards that made up the walls and the thatched roof. She perused items on the shelves and discovered plain dresses made of cheap fabric, some undergarments, and a slipper.

She opened another door, which he had said led to the backyard and a nearby river. But the backyard was a forest, invisible in the dark. She would need to wait. Wanting to urinate but with no bathroom, she retreated a little and relieved herself right there on the ground. Wet and without a means to clean herself, she returned to the cabin to wait for dawn.

She lay on the narrow, hard bed and tried to sleep. She was cold but had nothing to cover herself with. Kurt had forgotten that humans aren't as warm as werewolves and hadn't left any sheets, not even to cover the mattress. She succumbed to sleep from exhaustion, unaware of the howls that filled the night, celebrating the impending full moon.

Dr. Malek arrived at the hospital early, eager to transfer his patient without anyone noticing. But upon finding her absent, he was thrown into a panic, questioning night guards and nurses about her whereabouts, but no one knew. Kurt arrived and joined the search, feigning ignorance.

The Alpha witnessed the commotion and ordered it to stop; if she had run away, it was her problem. Malek calmed down but was not at peace, instead becoming more vigilant, observing everything and everyone. It was late in the afternoon when he pretended to leave and stayed hidden, watching. He saw Kurt emerge and retrieve a bag from the underbrush before heading into the forest.

"Malek, what are you doing in the bushes, still looking for the child?"

"No, Alpha, there's a strange sensation in the air, and it's not from the blood moon approaching."

"You feel it too? It's like a premonition," said the Alpha.

"Do you think he'll attack?"

"I don't know; if he does, he'll be defeated, as he's still too young for such an endeavor."

"You must be joking," laughed the doctor, "he's no youth anymore, and his strength only grows each year, fueled by anger and pain towards you."

"Disrespectful boy, thinks he's my illegitimate son, but his mother wasn't my mate, and it is known that werewolves only reproduce with their mates."

Malik said nothing, but he knew of cases where pure-blooded Alphas like him impregnated strong females who could endure them, due to the males' brute strength. Most females died, but it hadn't been so with Rude, the rogue and resentful Alpha's bastard son.

Rude departed from the Lunar Fire Pack as soon as he realized he was unwanted, an outcast who would never amount to anything. He roamed the world, gathering other misfits, asserting his Alpha dominance. He formed a new pack, and once they were numerous enough, he took over a smaller pack by killing its Alpha. Rude grew in power and reputation and was known as the Shadow of Death.

The supposed boy was in truth a formidable Alpha male, a large and powerful werewolf who gained strength by absorbing the power of those Alphas he had slain. If Rude decided to invade the pack, Don Ramon—as the Alpha liked to be called—might not have the strength to withstand it. The Alpha left as silently as he had arrived, and it was too late to follow Kurt.

The young male reached the cabin and was displeased by the scent, as his lupine nose was finely tuned, disliking that June had relieved herself so close to the cabin - she should have gone to the river. Entering the cabin, he looked at the young woman, who also reeked, and asked:

"What happened, didn't like the river?"

"I've never ventured out before; I don't know what a river is like, and there's no washroom here, nor water to drink."

"Come, it's getting dark, but I'll take you there anyway because you smell too bad, you'll get sick."

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along, using too much force and marking her delicate skin. They weaved through the trees and underbrush, oblivious to the scratches inflicted on her. They arrived at the river, and he showed her how shallow it was and that she needn't fear. He handed her the soap he had brought and ordered her to wash.

"Wash off all that stench covering you."

"Turn around, so I can undress."

"Don't be ridiculous, I've seen you naked several times."

"But…"

"Hurry up, I brought you food and need to leave. You must learn to fend for yourself; I'm not your caretaker."

She said nothing, crouched down, disrobed, and scrubbed herself with the soap—a true relief. At La Cruz's house, they bathed often; they couldn't smell when clients arrived. She finished, washed her dress, and clothed herself just to cover up until she got back to the cabin.

Kurt regarded this as absurd because female wolves felt no shame in their naked bodies, as it was a natural outcome of their transformations. He ripped the wet dress and threw it away, dragging her back to the cabin, where she arrived with even more scratches on her body. She hurried to find another dress and put it on, staining it with spots of red blood.

Kurt detected the scent and saw her condition, finally realizing that caring for a human was more challenging than it seemed. He showed her the food he had brought, the water bottles, then left, feeling irritated. It would be a while before he returned to see if she could manage herself.

What he hadn't anticipated was the tempest that struck that night. The wind whistled through the cabin's gaps, carrying rain, and the roof also gave way—a portion collapsed, and another part flew off. For June, the fallen piece was a blessing; she sheltered beneath it, though she was already drenched.