1 Year Later

It had been 6 months since Malik awoke from his coma. After fighting the Alpha, he had been knocked unconscious, slipping into a coma for almost 6 months. The pack doctor was shocked that he survived but said that due to his malnourished body, it would take far longer to heal. The doctor had placed an IV to push fluids and nourishment while he lay motionless in his slumber. Freya and Ash never left his side, insisting on being the ones who cleaned him and turned him so he was comfortable. It was the longest 6 months of Freya's life, just waiting to see the bright green sparkle in his eye. Ash had shifted on his 18th birthday and became a man. She was devastated that Malik wasn't able to be part of the event. Meeting your wolf was a big deal for werewolves. During this time as well, Alpha Kavik's behavior was unstoppable. The territory was tattered and the vibrant greenery was wilted. Nothing had been taken care of like it should have been and the pack members were fighting for their survival. The increase in violence against each other, the robberies, and the Alpha had killed anyone who thought of or tried to leave. No one from outside the territory knew what was happening to the Greene Oak pack and getting a message out was nearly impossible. When Kavik heard that Malik had finally woken up, he rushed to the room, he wasn't going to let him off that easy. As Kavik stepped through the door both Freya and Ash instinctively stood in front of the boy as he sat up in his bed. Ash stepped in front of his mother, not willing to step down to the Alpha this time. "He just woke up Alpha, give him time to get his bearings," Ash said confidently even though he was terrified inside. Kavik stopped and looked at Ash "Do you think I care that he just woke up. The question you should be asking is do you value his life enough that you would end yours to protect him?" Freya gasped behind Ash and grabbed his shoulder "No Alpha, we are sorry. We are just overwhelmed that Malik is awake now and Ash let his emotions get the best of him." She hoped Kavik would have mercy on Ash's insubordination but it happened so fast that no one saw it until Ash was already being thrown. Kavik stepped forward, grabbed Ash, and slammed him into the wall across the room. "If you ever so much as breath my way again, I will end you, child. Learn your place in this pack or I'll make your place six feet under." Kavik said as he clenched his jaw and bared his fangs. He dropped Ash and turned towards the bed, he pushed Freya aside and was face to face with Malik in no more than three strides across the room. He grabbed him by the chin roughly and pulled his face up to look at him. "You disgust me. How you survived being the frail, pathetic mutt you are I'll never know." Kavik loosened his grip and sighed "It was my Luna that kept you here. I HATE that you are a memory I have of her, it's what makes me want to kill you so I no longer suffer. Since it seems the moon goddess continues to spare your life, this is how it will go. From now on, you will stay in your room at all times except for when you are preparing meals with Freya or training my army. We have been asked to start catering for some big events in the human faction so Freya will need help with preparations. Other than that, keep your disfigured face out of sight. Do you understand?" Kavik growled as he looked at everyone in the room waiting for them to acknowledge his words. He threw Malik's face out of his grip and stormed out of the room. As he walked out Freya threw her arms around Malik and sobbed into his hair. Slowly Ash got up and embraced them both. Days went by and Malik recovered enough to make it through a full day of work. At 11 years old, Malik was defeated, broken, and bruised. He did exactly what the Alpha told him to do with no resistance. He prepared each meal for the pack and continued to be the warrior's training bag. Although he was beginning to grow quite large for a child, he could now withstand beatings and hold his own. When he wasn't in the kitchen or the training room, he was locked in his room in complete solitude. No one knew that he had snuck in some weights and every night would work himself until his fatigue took over. He was empty inside but he never wanted to make it easy during training. He would start fighting back more and maybe even one day, he would come back and win.