Alpha Glint sat alone in his chamber. The night was quiet, and only the low crackle of fire from the corner could be heard. He leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.
A knock came on the door.“Enter,” he said firmly.One of the guards stepped in. He bowed. “Alpha, Mara wishes to see you.”Glint frowned slightly. “Mara? At this hour?”“Yes, Alpha. She waits outside.”The Alpha thought for a moment, then waved his hand. “Let her in.”The guard bowed again and left. Soon Mara entered. She was dressed neatly, her steps soft, her eyes lowered. She gave a small smile.“Alpha,” she greeted with a gentle voice.Glint studied her carefully. “What brings you here, Mara?”She walked closer, her hands folded in front of her. “I wanted to speak with you, Alpha. I hope I am not disturbing you.”“You are,” he said flatly. “But speak.”She gave a light laugh, almost nervous. “I know it maLeah waited by the hedge. She stood with her arms folded, her eyes darting back and forth. She had seen Rowland walk down this same path earlier. She knew he would return. She wanted to meet him, talk to him, catch his attention.When his tall figure appeared in the distance, her lips curved into a soft smile. She straightened her dress and brushed her hair back with shaky hands.“Alpha Rowland,” she called lightly when he got close.He gave her a glance. “Leah.” His tone was even, not warm, not cold.She stepped closer. “It is such a fine evening. Would you… walk with me?”He stared at her for a moment, then gave a small shrug. “If you wish.”They began to walk side by side along the hedge. Birds fluttered out of the trees above. The silence between them was thick, but Leah tried to fill it.“You seem busy all the time,” she said softly. “I wonder if you ever slow down to just… enjoy company.”Rowland’s jaw flexed. “I enjoy company when it is worth enjoying.”She laughed gently, mask
Leah stood at the gates of the Crystal pack. Her eyes moved slowly across the tall walls, the guards standing, the clean path that led into the wide compound. She had been here before, but now she felt different. Her heart beat faster as she thought of Rina.She walked inside with calm steps, her mind full of plans. She wanted to see how Rina lived now. She wanted to see if Rina was still the poor, broken girl she used to know.But what Leah found shocked her.Rina was not treated like a slave anymore. She was walking freely, her clothes neat, her hair brushed, her face clear. Two servants even greeted her as she passed. Leah’s chest burned.“So this is what she has now? A better life? A place where she is treated with respect?”Her lips curved into a small fake smile.“Let’s see how long this lasts, Rina.”Later, Leah asked around quietly until she found where Rina was. She walked there, keeping her smile steady. W
Elara carried a tray of folded napkins through the long hall of the pack house. She walked quietly, her small shoes making soft sounds on the stone floor. She was heading to the alpha's dining room now that she had started running errands, when she heard voices around the corner.She slowed her steps. The voices were strong. She recognized one right away—it was Alpha Simon. Another voice joined in, sharp and cold. It was Rowland.She stopped near the corner wall, pressing close so she would not be seen.Alpha Simon said, “It must be perfect when she comes. We must maintain the standard they're familiar with.”Rowland replied, “Yes. The daughter of the Alpha from Sauna pack deserves to be met with hospitality.”Elara’s eyes widened. She held her breath.Alpha Simon’s voice dropped lower. “She will be arriving soon. I wanted you to know.”Rowland nodded. “I know, father.”Elara’s fingers tightened on the tray. Sau
Stacy sat on her bed for a while after she left Leah's room. Her chest felt heavy. She whispered to herself, “Why does she always get what she wants? Well, she's the daughter of the alpha and she is selfish.”She stood up and walked out, her steps sharp and quick. She pushed through the pack house doors and headed down the dirt path. She knew where she was going. She needed someone to hear her. She needed Mara.Mara was sitting inside her small house when a knock came at her door. She frowned. She was not expecting anyone. She rose slowly and opened the door.Her eyes widened. “Stacy?”Stacy gave a small smile. “Hi.”Mara blinked. “What are you doing here?”“Can I come in?” Stacy asked softly.Mara hesitated. Tension still lingered between them. They had not been close since that night of the fight. Still, Mara stepped aside. “Come in.”Stacy walked in and looked around. The house was neat and simple. A small fi
The great hall of the Sauna pack was quiet. The torches burned low, throwing long shadows on the stone walls. Alpha Glint sat on his chair, his eyes steady on Leah who stood before him. Kendrick sat to the side, his arms crossed, his face unreadable. He didn't know why he was sitting here to experience the Alpha talk to his daughter. This time, he hoped it would have nothing to do with him or his presence in the pack and what it was doing to her. Glint leaned forward. “Leah, I will ask again. Why must I let you go? Why do you think I should give you this permission?” He asked. This wasn't the first time he was asking, and now Kendrick was wondering why he didn't just allow her to go or simply ask her to stay back. Leah’s hands trembled at her sides, but her voice was soft and clear. “Father, I need time away. I need to breathe. I need to know myself again. Everything here feels heavy. I cannot find myself if I stay.”Glint’s brows furrowed. “That is
Jack knew he had a limited time to make his findings and get back on his way to the Sauna pack. His only regret was that he would not have time to rest. But he was assured that there was something to take back. Secrets seemed to be lying around for him to stumble on. What he had learned from the maids whose conversation he had overheard made him want to hear more. His mission was to find out what was happening with Rina, but if while doing that he found out a thing or two about Rowland's behavior with other members of the pack, he'll simply be armed with the information.“I must know what is happening with Rina,” he thought. “I must bring back news that matters.”He moved carefully into the busier parts of the pack. His hood was low, his steps slow, blending in. He dared to walk further than the slave quarters, watching, listening.By midmorning he froze. Rina.She walked quickly across the yard, her hair loose around her shoul