Rina sat on the edge of the small cot. Her fingers gently stroked Mira’s soft hair as the baby slept in her arms. Beside her, Elara curled beneath a worn blanket, her small body barely moving with each breath. The night was cold, and the air inside the room felt even colder.
Moonlight spilled through the single window, casting pale shapes across the floor. Rina stared at the door. Her heart had not rested since Kendrick left. Now, she was alone. No protection. No comfort.The silence was broken by a knock.Rina froze.Her heart thudded painfully. Slowly, the door creaked open. And then, she saw her.Maggie.She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. Her long red hair bounced behind her as she walked in, head high like a queen.Rina stood quickly, still cradling Mira. “Maggie,” she said softly.Maggie tilted her head, a sharp smile forming on her face. “Good evening, slave girl.”Rina swalloweLeah stood still in her room when the door was opened. The maid bowed slightly.“You may go out now. The Alpha says your punishment is over,” the maid said quietly.Leah did not answer. She only nodded and stepped out. Her feet felt weak, but she was happy to be out. Even though the shame had not worn off. She walked down the hall and then went straight to her father’s chamber.Alpha Glint looked up when she entered. His face was hard, but there was a small sign of relief in his eyes.“You are free again,” he said. “I hope you have learned something.”“I have,” Leah said in a soft voice.Her father folded his arms. “Then keep yourself from disgrace. You must not drag this pack into shame with your selfish behavior.”“I understand,” she whispered.But then she took a breath and lifted her head. “Father, I want to ask for something.”Alpha Glint raised a brow. “So soon after being punished, you
Rina woke up early the next morning and was more than happy when she was told she had been granted another two hours to do whatever she wanted. She was to stay within the pack until the hours were over. The sun was just climbing when Rina walked out slowly, her eyes scanning the open path. The guards watched her but did not stop her. She was given two hours, and she meant to use them well.Her steps were quick. Her heart beat fast. She was not heading to the woods this time. She was going to the servants’ quarters. She needed to see Neri. She needed to make sure the girl was still safe, still breathing, still fine.Rina whispered to herself as she walked. “Just a quick look. Just to see her face. Then I’ll return. No one has to know. No one must know.”She pulled her shawl closer as she moved through the narrow side path that led to the servants’ area. But before she reached the end, a sharp voice stopped her. “And where are y
Rina had not been in the room for thirty minutes when she began to get unsettled. She stood by the side of the room, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her dress. She could hear Rowland’s boots striking against the floor before he entered. Her chest tightened as the door opened with force.Rowland stepped inside, his sharp eyes scanning her from head to toe. He didn’t waste time before speaking.Rowland: “Why do you smell like this?” His voice was hard, accusing. “You smell of Forest and dirt. You reek of the woods.”Rina swallowed and tried to stay calm.“I just came back from my stroll, Rowland. I haven’t had a bath yet. Of course I’ll smell like sweat. You ordered that I could stroll. I only did as told and nothing outside what you'd ordered me to do.”Rowland narrowed his eyes and took a slow step closer. “Don’t play with me, Rina. You weren’t only strolling. You were away. Where were you? Who did you meet? Tell me t
The moment Rowland finished with the women he turned his back on Rina. She let out a long breath. Her chest was heaving, her fingers gripping the towel tightly.“He’s gone,” she whispered to herself, pressing her hand against her racing heart. “He actually left…”The next morning, she wasn't sure about what she was to do for the day, but once she woke up, she quickly dressed, her hands shaking as she pulled on the simple dress the maids had left behind. She didn’t even care if it fit neatly. The relief of not being forced by him was enough to make her want to collapse.From outside, the guard’s voice broke into her thoughts.“You may step out today, Rina. The Alpha said you can stroll for two hours. Make use of it. Do not try anything foolish.”Rina straightened, her eyes flicking toward the door. She pressed her lips together and answered, “I understand.”When the guard opened the door, she stepped out slowly, keeping her expres
Elara’s heart raced as she hurried toward the door. Her disguise was fragile, and the fear of being caught burned in her chest. She reached for the handle, but before she could step out, the guard at the door straightened. His eyes narrowed on her face.“Wait,” he said sharply. “What’s your name? And what were you doing inside? You said you had a message. I want to hear it again.”Elara’s stomach twisted. For a moment, she thought her voice would fail her, but she forced herself to answer, lowering her head as though too shy to meet his eyes.“My name is Sterling,” she whispered quickly. “I was sent to remind her to… to prepare and wait for the Alpha. That is all.”The guard folded his arms, still staring at her. His tone was suspicious.“You were in there long. What took you so much time for such a simple message?”Elara’s hands trembled against the bowl she still carried. “She… she was slow to answer. I had to repeat myself.”
Rina wasn't sure about what to do. Every idea that crossed her mind seemed to be self destructive and she wasn't ready to take that path. She wanted to approach Rowland from a safe spot where she would not be incapacitated.Her wolf’s voice broke the heavy quiet. “Are you thinking of running, Rina?”“Yes,” Rina whispered. “Maybe I should run before Rowland comes.”Her wolf sighed. “If you run, you will not make it. The guard is just outside. He will catch you. You will end up back in the dungeon, weaker than before.”Rina rubbed her arms. Her skin felt cold though the room was warm. The last place she wanted to be in again was the dungeon. Going there meant she would be unable to do anything and she would be under the mercy of everyone, with no way out. “Then what should I do? If I stay, Rowland will…” Her voice trailed off, fear tightening her throat.“We wait,” her wolf said softly. “We think. We stay strong and wait for an op