CLOSER TO THE KILL

[PRESENT DAY]

                           🪷ISORA🪷

"Listen up! New rotation starts today."

Head Maid Margot's voice cut through the morning chatter like a blade. The servants' hall fell silent, thirty pairs of eyes turning toward the stern older woman who commanded the Alpha's household with iron efficiency.

I stood near the back, keeping my posture submissive, my expression blank. Four years of surviving had taught me how to disappear in plain sight, even with my black hair and striking features that made the other servants whisper when they thought I couldn't hear.

Margot pulled out a worn ledger, scanning the names with a critical eye. "Berta, you're on the kitchens. Mari….laundry. Devon….grounds maintenance..."

The assignments droned on. My fingers curled into my palms, hidden in the folds of my plain servant's dress. Any day now, I'd told myself for three weeks. Any day, they'd give me access to him.

"Isora."

My head snapped up. Margot's sharp gaze fixed on me.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"You're on Alpha's quarters. Mornings and evenings, starting today."

The hall erupted in whispers. I felt every eye turn toward me, felt the weight of jealousy and pity in equal measure.

Well I don't care, I'm just one step closer in achieving what I came here for.

A dark-haired girl to my left leaned in. "Why her? She's only been here three weeks."

Margot's eyes could have frozen fire. "Because I said so. And because she knows how to keep her mouth shut and her head down, unlike some people who'd do well to learn the same." 

Her attention returned to me. "Don't touch anything you don't need to. Don't speak unless spoken to. And for the love of the Moon Goddess, don't look him in the eye. Am I clear?"

Really,I scoffed inwardly, I want my arrow to pierce his eye balls, his death will be slow and brutal just like he did my pack four years ago.

"Yes, ma'am." My voice came out steady, calm. Inside, my heart hammered against my ribs.

Finally, I'm getting closer to him now…

"Good. Report there within the hour. He's in a council meeting, so you'll have time to familiarize yourself with the space." 

Yes! Time to learn the space, when to strike and how to escape.. I thought 

Margot's gaze swept the room one final time. "The rest of you, get to work. I won't tolerate laziness."

The servants dispersed, their whispers following me like smoke as I made my way toward the door.

"That girl's too pretty to be cleaning the Alpha's rooms," someone muttered behind me.

"Give her a week. She'll either be warming his bed or dead."

"Or both."

My jaw tightened, but I kept walking. Let them think about what they want. Let them see me as just another desperate slave trying to catch an Alpha's eye. They had no idea who I really was.

What I'd come here to do.

The walk to Adrian's private quarters felt too long. My mind raced through the plan Asher and I had crafted over months of preparation. Get close. Learn his patterns. Find the weakness. Strike.

Simple. Clean. Final.

An older servant named Greta met me at the heavy oak doors, her expression weary. "You're the new girl?"

"Yes."

Greta looked me up and down, then sighed. "You won't last. But that's not my problem." She pushed open the door. "He's precise about order. Everything has its place. The bed linens are changed daily, but don't touch the desk. Ever. He notices if even a paper is moved." She gestured vaguely around the space. 

"Fresh water in the basin morning and evening. Clothes laid out for the day. Fire is maintained if it's cold. You have an hour before he returns."

I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the dimmer light. The room was exactly what I'd expected…dark wood, minimal decoration, everything precise and cold. A warrior's space, not a home. 

"One more thing." Greta's voice made me turn. "Keep your head down, girl. Wolves like him... they take what they want. Don't give him a reason to want you."

If he wants his death to come quickly, he should try nonsense with me.

"I'll be careful."

Greta studied my face for a long moment, something like pity crossing her weathered features. "No, you won't. Girls who look like you never are." She shook her head.

Then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

I stood alone in the enemy's den.

Four years. Four years of training, planning, surviving in the wilderness with nothing but Asher and my burning hatred to keep me warm. Four years of waiting for this moment. It's finally here.

I moved through the room slowly, methodically. The massive bed with its dark furs. The desk is covered in maps and reports. The weapons mounted on the walls….swords, daggers, a bow that made my fingers itch.

Too obvious, I thought. He'd notice if one went missing.

The wardrobe held rows of black and dark gray clothing, everything precisely organized. I pulled out what looked like training clothes and laid them across the chair, my movements fast even as my mind catalogued every detail.

Where he kept his weapons. Which windows offered escape routes. How long it would take me to reach the door if things went wrong.

My hand brushed against his shirt as I arranged it, and something visceral twisted in my gut. Hatred, I told myself. Just hatred.

I was examining the lock on his desk when the door opened.

"What are you doing?"