chapter 10

Alana's POV.

For a moment, nothing happened. Alpha Navier didn't speak or move. Then, his growl broke the silence in the room. He slowly looked up to stare at the visibly shaking guard.

"And you're just telling me this now?" he snarled, his voice gripping with anger and frustration, though I couldn't read his expression.

The guard flinched, his head bowing in submission to his Alpha. "We tried mind-linking you, Alpha, but... your mind-link was blocked," he answered, Bowing his head as a sign of respect.

I could feel fear roll off him in waves, sharp and acrid to my heightened senses. As a stealer wolf, I've always been able to pick up on people's emotions and voices to judge what they are feeling on the inside.

"Where's the wolf now? Has he breached our walls?" Alpha Navier asked in a soft yet strong voice. I felt the urge to shout at him to get the fuck up and investigate what's going on, but who am I to order the Alpha around, especially the one who hates my guts?

The guard hesitated for a moment before he spoke up. "Yes, he got past our defenses and is already on the pack grounds."

Alpha Navier’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood. “How the hell did an Alpha wolf breach my defenses without being spotted?” His voice cut through the room like a blade.

The guard opened his mouth to say something, but he seemed to think better of it because he closed his mouth and dipped his head lower. I could sense guilt and shame in his eyes.

“Bloody incompetent fool,” Navier muttered, brushing past the guard as he stalked toward the door. The guard ran to catch up with his pace.

As the heavy door slammed behind them, the dining room fell into silence. Tension hung thick in the air and I couldn't help but notice the maids exchanging wary glances, their eyes wide with fear. I didn’t understand it.

It’s just one wolf, not an army. Right?

“I’m off,” Carrie announced suddenly, pushing back her chair with an exaggerated sigh. “This drama is giving me wrinkles. I need my beauty sleep.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her retreating back; she wasn't worth my energy.

"Come, let's get you cleaned up," Hen’s soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to her, nodding gratefully.

Before leaving, I glanced at Mama T. She met my gaze, her expression softening as I signed my thanks, rubbing my palms together in silent appreciation.

I wished, more than anything, that I could voice my gratitude. But wishes meant nothing in a world that cares nothing for the souls that inhabit it.

We got to the room, the head Omega gave me. I looked around the room, it was nicely furnished with a big bed and a cute sofa. It had a toilet and bathroom within.

"Wow" I thought to myself, my eyes widening in Surprise.

The room is a hundred percent upgrade from my previous rooms. In my father's pack I was staying in the attic but now I had this beautiful room to myself.

"The place is nice, isn't it?" She asked me, pulling me to the bed and ripping a bandage off to put on my bruised ankle from the fall, that I had not noticed before.

I nodded frantically in response, and Hen chuckled. "I know." She admitted. "The only thing that stops me from moving here, is my family and that evil witch."

I burst out in a soundless laughter, I knew who she was referring to. Carrie. To be honest, I also feel the same way about her.

I changed into a nightgown I found in one of the drawers. Apparently, new clothes come with the maid's job. After hours of talking, Hen went home when it was already getting late, leaving me to my thoughts.

***

The next morning I woke up feeling refreshed. I got dressed and went to the kitchen to start today's work, I don't want the chef thinking I'm slacking off.

By the time I arrived, breakfast was over, and the chef and other older maids were already washing the plates.

"If you're here for breakfast, there's none left for you, lazy bones." She shouted immediately she saw me.

I waved my hands, to say no. I wasn't here for breakfast when I came here to work, I can't even remember the last time I ate breakfast. I signed and told her I was here to resume my work.

She squinted her eyes. "I don't understand what you're trying to say, but you can't stay here. Not until evening. Young maids are to go to school or find other things to do during the day and resume work later in the day." That being said, she turned back to talking to the women surrounding her.

I didn't know what to do with myself until evening. My life in the Red Moons pack revolves around the kitchen and laundry room. I didn't graduate highschool because my father decided it's useless for me to continue with the pretense that I needed school, in his words.

I roamed about the pack going to nowhere in particular, until I saw Mama T talking to one of the guards.

I approached them, and bowed in greetings. "Mira, how are you this fine morning?" She greeted me back. I flipped my hands in vertical motion to show that I was alright.

"After my morning shift, I will come back to check on those pipes." The guards said walking away.

I guessed they were discussing about the leaking pipes, Mama T told Cole about yesterday

"So, where are you headed to?" Mama T asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Nowhere, just exploring the pack." I signed to her in a rush but from the confused look on her face it was clear she didn't understand anything from what I had just signed. I have become so relaxed with her that I forgot no one understands the werewolf language.

I palmed my face in frustration. Mama T chuckled, clearly amused by my actions. "The fingers running in a circle means you have been walking aimlessly with nothing to do. Right?" The smile still etched on her face.

I nodded enthusiastically, happy that she understands me. "We can't have that now, can we? Come." She gestured.

I followed her into the pack house, laughing as she was ranting off about last night. How she would have smacked the living daylights out of Carrie, if the Alpha hadn't intervened when he did.

We were almost at the entrance when two guards walked up to us. "The Alpha has requested your presence in his office."

I hid behind Mama T in fear, I knew from past experience that being summoned to the Alpha's office is trouble.

What's wrong?" Mama T asked, her concern evident.

The men ignored her and yanked me from behind. My heart quicken in fear, and for a moment, my breath seized as they dragged me off to Navier's office