Chapter 11: Torment.

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In the mountains, Boun fulfilled his duty, guiding and protecting his pack with the steady hand of a true alpha. For a month, he defended his territory and kept his wolves safe from the ever-present threat of Alex's pack and human hunters. He patrolled their borders, led training sessions to strengthen the younger wolves, and strategized for their continued peace

But every night, as the moon rose over the mountain, his thoughts drifted to the quiet village below, to the boy he'd left behind. Prem's face haunted his dreams, and he often found himself looking out over the forest, longing for the day he could return.

Meanwhile, back in the village, Prem's life had become a living nightmare. Since the day Boun had left him, each moment stretched painfully.His father's fury was a constant torrent, cutting deeper than any wound. 

One evening, the old man grabbed Prem by the arm, his grip bruising. "You've brought disgrace to this family!..." he spat, his face twisted with rage. "Nothing but a wolf's plaything..... That's all you are now!.."

Prem tore his arm free and stumbled back, trying to keep his composure. "I haven't done anything wrong," he whispered, though his voice trembled.

 But his father only laughed...a cruel, hollow sound. "Wrong?.. Everything about you is wrong."

"You don't understand," Prem whispered, his voice barely a murmur, the sting of tears threatening to escape. 

But the man didn't relent. "You think you're innocent?... your mother would still be here if you hadn't been born...... You're nothing but a reminder of all that I lost...." His father's words were venomous, each syllable dripping with hatred and regret.

Prem felt a coldness crawl up his spine, but he forced himself to stay standing, to not let the hurt show on his face. He wanted to scream, to tell his father how unfair it was, but the words stuck in his throat.

"You're a curse, Prem...," his father spat. "And you'll never be anything more than that..."

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze around him.

Prem flinched, but he held his ground, even as his father's words left scars deeper than any physical wound. He wanted to be strong, to cling to the memory of Boun's warmth, but the relentless hate wore at his spirit.

 He wanted to be strong, to cling to the memory of Boun's warmth, but the relentless hate wore at his spirit

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Outside the home, it was no better. The villagers treated Prem like a pariah. He'd walk through the streets, and people would turn away, muttering curses under their breath. Some spat at his feet, others avoided him as though he carried some contagious sickness.

"Beast-lover!!!," they sneered.

"It's because of him that the wolves came to the village...it's because of him that people in this village are in danger...," they hissed, their words filled with venom.

"TRAITOR"

"Betrayer!" they spat, their voices low and filled with loathing. 

He could feel their fear and hatred burning into him, a silent condemnation for loving someone they saw as a monster.

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