Chapter 6

- Lael~

The pack grounds were bustling with activity as Jared led me through the various sections of his territory. Despite the forced smile plastered on my face, I couldn't shake the lingering fear from his earlier threat. Every step felt heavy, knowing that one wrong move could cost my brother his life.

"This is the training ground," Jared announced, gesturing toward a large open area where wolves in human form practised combat. The sound of clashing weapons and grunts of exertion filled the air. "My warriors train here daily. Strength is everything in this pack."

I watched as the fighters moved with deadly precision, their muscles rippling under the afternoon sun. These weren't just ordinary pack members—they were killing machines, shaped by Jared's ruthless leadership.

"Impressive, isn't it?" he murmured close to my ear, his breath sending unwanted shivers down my spine. "Each one of them would die for their Alpha without question."

"Or kill for him," I whispered back, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Jared's eyes darkened momentarily before that familiar smirk returned. "Clever little lamb. Yes, they would kill for me too. Remember that."

We continued walking, passing the pack kitchens where the aroma of fresh bread and roasted meat wafted through the air. Several pack members bowed respectfully as we passed, their eyes curious but cautious. I noticed how they looked at me—not with warmth or acceptance, but with uncertainty. I was an outsider, thrust into a position I never wanted.

"The pack house," Jared said, pointing to a massive stone building. "This is where important meetings are held, where disputes are settled, and where justice is served." The way he emphasised 'justice' made my blood run cold.

As we approached a group of women and children gathered near a playground, I felt my anxiety spike. This was it—the moment I would have to address them as their Luna. But what could I possibly say? How could I pretend to care about a pack that had been built on fear and violence?

"Luna!" A small girl with pigtails broke away from the group and ran toward us. Her innocent smile was a stark contrast to the tension I felt. "Are you really our new Luna?"

I knelt down to her level, my forced smile becoming a little more genuine. "Yes, I am. What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Emma," she giggled. "Mama says you're going to take care of us now. Is that true?"

The simple question hit me like a punch to the gut. These people—these children—were looking to me for protection, for guidance. But I was just as trapped as they were, just as powerless under Jared's rule.

"I..." I started, but the words caught in my throat.

Jared's hand settled on my shoulder, his grip firm. "Of course she will, Emma. Luna Lael cares deeply about all of you."

The little girl beamed and ran back to her friends. I stood slowly, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes on me. The women stepped forward, their expressions a mixture of hope and wariness.

"Luna," an older woman with greying hair spoke first. "We welcome you to our pack. I'm Sarah, and I speak for the women here. We... we hope things might be different now."

Different. The word hung in the air like a prayer. They were hoping I could somehow change things, make their lives better. But how could I, when I was just another prisoner in Jared's twisted game?

"Thank you, Sarah," I managed, my voice stronger than I felt. "I know this is all new, for me as much as for you. But I want you to know that I..." I paused, catching Jared's warning look. "I want what's best for this pack."

It wasn't a lie, exactly. I did want what was best for them—I wanted them to be free from Jared's tyranny. But I couldn't say that, not with him standing right beside me.

"If any of you ever need anything," I continued carefully, "please don't hesitate to come to me. We're all family now."

The women exchanged glances, and I saw a flicker of something—hope, maybe, or relief. Sarah stepped forward again and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Luna. We look forward to serving under your guidance."

As the crowd began to disperse, children waved goodbye while their mothers ushered them away. I watched them go, feeling a strange mix of protectiveness and helplessness. These people deserved better than Jared's rule, but I was powerless to give it to them.

"Well done, little lamb," Jared said as we walked away. "You almost sounded like you meant it."

"Maybe I did," I replied quietly.

He stopped walking and turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "Be careful, Lael. Don't let them get too close to your heart. Caring makes you weak, and weakness gets people killed."

"Is that what happened to you?" I asked boldly. "Did caring make you weak, so you decided to become a monster instead?"

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—pain, regret, maybe even vulnerability. But it was gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

"I became what I needed to become to survive," he said coldly. "And now, so will you."

As we walked back toward the pack house in silence, I couldn't shake Sarah's words from my mind. They hoped things would be different now. Maybe they couldn't be, not while Jared held all the power. But perhaps, somehow, I could find a way to protect them—even if it meant playing his game for now.

After all, even a trapped lamb could grow fangs when her family was threatened.

~Jared~

I watched Lael interact with the pack members, noting every expression, every gesture. She was trying so hard to maintain the facade, but I could see the conflict raging beneath the surface. Good. Conflict meant she was thinking, and thinking meant she might eventually understand the reality of her situation.

When little Emma ran up to her, I saw something shift in Lael's expression. The forced politeness gave way to genuine warmth, and for a moment, she looked less like a prisoner and more like... a Luna.

It was dangerous, this softness of hers. In this world, mercy was often mistaken for weakness, and weakness invited challenges. But perhaps that was exactly what made her perfect for what I needed.

The pack had been growing restless lately. Too many years of iron-fisted rule had bred resentment, even among my most loyal followers. They needed to see a gentler side of leadership, a caring Luna to balance their Alpha's harshness. Lael could be that balance—if she survived long enough to grow into the role.

"You're thinking too loud," she said as we headed back, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Just observing," I replied. "You did well back there. Better than I expected."

She shot me a sceptical look. "Don't sound so surprised. I may be your prisoner, but I'm not heartless."

"No," I agreed, studying her profile. "You're not. That's exactly what makes you dangerous."

"Dangerous?" She laughed bitterly. "I'm the least dangerous person here. I don't even have my wolf."

If only she knew the truth. If only she understood that her dormant wolf was the least of my concerns. It wasn't her beast I feared—it was her humanity. Her capacity to make others love her, to inspire loyalty through kindness rather than fear.

It was a power I'd never mastered, and perhaps never could.

"Danger comes in many forms, little lamb," I said softly. "And sometimes, the most devastating weapons are the ones that don't look like weapons at all."

She fell silent at that, but I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head. Let her think. Let her plan. In the end, it wouldn't matter. She was mine now, bound by forces far stronger than simple captivity.

The curse that had stolen her wolf would ensure she could never truly leave me. And perhaps, in time, she would understand that some cages were built not to imprison, but to protect.

Even if the thing they protected her from... was me.