Leah awoke that morning feeling bright. A gleam filled her eyes. Her long dark hair fell down her shoulders like a wave. Today she would see Prince Kendrick again.
She thought of how Alpha Kendrick had stayed at Sauna Pack. He was now under the same roof as Leah. No Rina this time. Rina was in another pack, far away.For a long while, Leah had believed she could win him. Now he was here. This was her chance.She put on her best dress—a pale blue gown with silver trim. She brushed her hair and smiled at her reflection. She made sure every detail was perfect.She walked through the courtyard toward the main hall. Servants bowed as she passed.In the hall, Alpha Glint greeted her father and the prince with courtesy.Leah saw Kendrick at the table. He sipped tea and nodded politely when Alpha Glint spoke. Her heart beat faster.She stepped forward, head held high, and curtsied deeply to the prince.“Good morning, PrLeah sat in her drawing room with two close friends, Stacy and Mara. The fire crackled softly. Their dresses were fine but simple. The lantern light made their eyes glow.Leah’s eyes were bright with worry. “I’m not sure what to do,” she said. “Alpha Kendrick is here now. He stays at Sauna Pack. Yet he does not look at me.”Stacy tilted her head kindly. “You have been graceful and polite. Give it a few more days. Let him observe your kindness and your respect and then he will be naturally drawn to him. He'll be here for long enough for you to win him over.”Mara frowned. “Days? That’s too slow. Other women in the pack admire him. If you wait, someone else will take his attention first.”Stacy placed a hand on Mara’s arm. “Patience is a virtue. She must move with dignity. She is the daughter of the alpha and she can't be found being needy.”Mara shook her head. “He is two years away. He might choose someone else quickly. Leah, if you want
Leah awoke that morning feeling bright. A gleam filled her eyes. Her long dark hair fell down her shoulders like a wave. Today she would see Prince Kendrick again.She thought of how Alpha Kendrick had stayed at Sauna Pack. He was now under the same roof as Leah. No Rina this time. Rina was in another pack, far away.For a long while, Leah had believed she could win him. Now he was here. This was her chance.She put on her best dress—a pale blue gown with silver trim. She brushed her hair and smiled at her reflection. She made sure every detail was perfect.She walked through the courtyard toward the main hall. Servants bowed as she passed.In the hall, Alpha Glint greeted her father and the prince with courtesy.Leah saw Kendrick at the table. He sipped tea and nodded politely when Alpha Glint spoke. Her heart beat faster.She stepped forward, head held high, and curtsied deeply to the prince.“Good morning, Pr
Kendrick had been traveling without a clear plan. He stopped and slept at inns and once, he went to human territory and stayed a day. He still wasn't sure where to settle. But he knew he didn't want to be a wanderer for the next two years. And whatever happened, he had to be able to reach Rina occasionally.He looked up at the sky. Gray morning light spilled across the trees.He made a decision.“I will go to Sauna Pack,” he whispered.Sauna Pack—Rina’s birth pack. The place where she was a child, and where her father had served as an alpha’s guard before he was executed. He had never betrayed his own pack. Rina had sworn that many times.Now Kendrick would go to Sauna Pack. For two years, he would stay there in exile. But he had another purpose and it was an idea forming in his mind. What if— if he could get close enough to Alpha Glint—he could learn the truth about Rina’s father? Maybe he could find evidence that he was innoce
Rina closed the door of Elara and Mira’s room very softly. Inside, the girls rested soundly, wrapped in warm blankets, safe under Gilly’s care. A quiet hush surrounded them. Rina took one more look at the girls. Then she stepped away.Her heart pounded like a drum. She felt lighter now that she had a bit of freedom from Rowland’s room. She drew in a shaky breath and slipped out quietly down the corridor. The halls were dim but still lit by soft lanterns. Shadows danced gently across the wooden floors. She moved carefully, her feet making no sound.She hoped she could find Kendrick while she had the chance—before he left.Memory guided her steps. The hall curved. She felt her throat tighten. She raised her hand and knocked lightly on a heavy wooden door. No voice answered. She opened it slowly and peeked inside.There he was, Kendrick. He stood by his bed, packing a small bag. He placed folded shirts inside, then paused, staring at an empty space.
The morning air was tense when Darius came back to the pack house. He led a small cart. Elara and little Mira were in it. Darius held their hands gently.Kendrick stood by the front gate as they arrived. He looked worried. He saw the cart and the girls. Relief touched his face.“Darius,” Kendrick called softly. “You found them?”Darius bowed his head. “Yes, Prince. They are unharmed.”Elara peeked out and waved. Mira clutched Elara’s hand tight. She was still in her blanket Kendrick moved forward to help them down. He gave warm smiles.But just then Rowland appeared from inside the pack house. He stood firm by the gate. His face was hard.“Stop,” Rowland said in a loud voice. “Are those strangers?”Darius stopped the cart. He turned to Kendrick. “They are the girls you asked me to bring.”Rowland shook his head. “No. They can’t enter. I will be the next alpha soon. I decide what happens here.”
Rina sat at the edge of the bed. Her fingers touched the window sill lightly. The sky outside was dull and grey. The trees moved gently in the wind. Down below, the pack guards moved around, but Rina’s eyes weren’t on them. She was searching, watching for Kendrick.She let out a small breath.“I just want to see him and stay with him one more time,” she whispered to herself. “Just one more time.”The room felt cold. She had been forced into Rowland’s room now. This was where she had to stay.He had said it clearly earlier that morning, “From now on, this is your room. You are mine. I don’t want to find you anywhere else.”She had not argued. She was tired. Too tired. And afraid.But now, she stood by the window, hoping, praying for one small moment with Kendrick.Suddenly, she heard the door open behind her.Her heart jumped.She turned around quickly.Kendrick was standing there. He stepped in