Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Aneira

Morning came too quickly.

Pale gray light seeped through the cracks in the shack walls while rain tapped softly against the roof above me. For a long moment, I stayed curled beneath my thin blanket, staring up at the ceiling as cold water dripped steadily into the metal bucket near the firepit.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Usually, the sound annoyed me.

Today, it felt strangely final.

I exhaled slowly before forcing myself upright. The shack was freezing, my breath faintly visible in the dim morning air as I pulled on my thick leggings and oversized sweater. The cold clung stubbornly to my skin no matter how close I stood to the weak fire.

Everything I owned fit neatly into one small satchel resting beside the bed.

Pathetic.

My fingers brushed the ruby at my throat instinctively, lingering there for a brief moment before I pushed the thought away and began getting ready.

I twisted my curls into a messy bun before slipping my feet into my worn boots and grabbing the satchel from the floor.

My gaze swept slowly across the shack one final time.

The crooked table near the firepit.

The worn stack of books beside my bed.

The herbs hanging from the ceiling beams to dry.

This place had never truly been a home.

But it had been mine.

A strange ache settled heavily in my chest as I glanced around the tiny room before stepping outside.

Cold air bit immediately at my skin.

Ashfang had already begun waking for the day, though the skies remained dark and heavy overhead. Rainwater pooled along the muddy pathways while merchants hurried to cover their market stalls from the drizzle before the weather worsened.

I kept my head lowered as I walked.

The Alpha estate sat above the rest of the village like something carved from another world entirely.

Massive stone walls towered over the territory below, dark against the stormy sky while iron gates guarded the entrance. Even from a distance, the estate felt intimidating.

Untouchable.

People like me weren’t meant to exist in places like that.

By the time I reached the gates, my stomach had twisted itself into knots.

Two guards stood outside the entrance, both broad-shouldered warriors with silver markings embroidered into their dark uniforms. One of them looked me over slowly, his eyes lingering just long enough to make heat creep uncomfortably up my neck.

“I’m here for the staffing transfer,” I said quietly.

The older guard barely concealed his grimace.

“The hybrid?”

I swallowed hard.

“Yes.”

He exchanged a glance with the other guard before jerking his head toward the gates.

“Marla’s expecting you.”

The massive iron gates creaked open slowly.

I stepped through carefully.

The estate grounds stretched endlessly ahead of me; stone walkways lined with black iron lanterns, towering pine trees swaying in the wind, and servants moving quickly between buildings with baskets balanced carefully in their arms.

Everything looked polished.

Perfect.

Even the air smelled cleaner here.

I suddenly became painfully aware of my worn boots and fraying sweater sleeves.

A servant passed me carrying folded linens before wrinkling her nose faintly at the sight of me.

I pretended not to notice.

Stepping inside the estate felt like walking into another world entirely.

Warmth wrapped around me the moment I stepped through the entrance hall, rich with the scent of cedarwood and burning fire. Massive chandeliers hung overhead while polished floors reflected the soft golden glow from the hearths.

Gods.

One of the carpets probably cost more than Mira’s tavern.

“You’re Aneira.”

I startled slightly at the voice.

A woman stood near the staircase, thick wool wrapped neatly around her shoulders while sharp brown eyes studied me carefully.

Silver threaded through her dark hair, though there was nothing fragile about her posture. She stood with the kind of confidence that made people instinctively move aside without being told.

This had to be Marla.

“Yes,” I answered quickly.

For a moment, she simply looked at me.

Not with disgust.

Not pity either.

Just… assessment.

“You’re late.”

My stomach dropped instantly.

“I’m sorry—”

“You were supposed to arrive ten minutes ago.”

Heat flooded my face immediately. “The roads were muddy and I—”

Marla sighed softly, though it sounded more tired than angry.

“Relax, girl. If I wanted to throw you out already, I would’ve done it before you opened your mouth.”

Oh.

I blinked.

Something that looked dangerously close to amusement flickered briefly across her face before disappearing just as quickly.

“Come with me.”

I followed her quickly through the winding halls of the estate, trying not to stare too obviously at everything around me.

Servants moved out of Marla’s way immediately as we passed.

Clearly, she held authority here.

“The western halls are your responsibility,” she explained as we walked. “Cleaning, laundry, fireplaces, guest rooms when needed.”

I nodded carefully, trying to memorize everything she said.

“You’ll help in the kitchens during crowded evenings and assist with inventory twice a week.”

“That’s fine.”

“You’ll stay out of restricted areas unless directly instructed otherwise.”

Something about her tone made me straighten slightly.

“The Alpha’s office and chambers are restricted. So are the council chambers and lower armory halls.”

The Alpha.

Just hearing the title made tension creep back into my shoulders.

Marla glanced at me sideways.

“You’re afraid.”

It wasn’t a question.

“A little,” I admitted quietly.

A dry hum left her.

“That’s probably smart.”

Wonderful.

We turned another corner before stopping outside a narrow wooden door tucked between two larger rooms.

Marla pushed it open.

“This will be yours.”

The room was small.

A narrow bed sat against the wall beneath a tiny window while a wooden dresser occupied the opposite corner. A single candle rested beside the bed.

Still…

It was warmer than my shack.

And dry.

Something uncomfortable tightened painfully in my chest at the realization.

“You’ll eat with the other servants downstairs,” Marla continued. “Breakfast before sunrise. Work starts immediately after.”

I nodded again.

Marla studied me quietly for a moment longer before speaking again.

“The estate can be difficult for girls like you.”

Girls like you.

Weak.

Low-ranked.

Easy targets.

My fingers tightened slightly around the strap of my satchel.

“I can handle difficult.”

One of her brows lifted faintly.

Then, unexpectedly:

“We’ll see,” Marla said before turning toward the doorway.

“You have ten minutes before breakfast.”