Chapter 5: He's going to punish you

Ivory's POV

The moment the lamp hit his face, time seemed to snap back into place.

I gasped, I hadn’t meant to do that.

I didn’t even remember deciding to throw it.

It was like my body had moved on its own.

“Ah!” I winced, staring at what I had done.

The crash echoed through the room, followed by a sharp inhale from someone behind me.

The woman who had been glaring at me rushed forward instantly.

“Hakan,” she cried, panic lacing her voice.

She moved in front of him, inspecting his face with trembling hands.

That was when I saw blood running down from his forehead, tracing the side of his cheek.

My stomach dropped. They were definitely going to kill me. There was no doubt now.

I had just attacked an Alpha in his own pack house.

I swallowed hard, my throat painfully dry.

“Alpha, you’re bleeding so much,” the woman said, her voice shaking between anger and worry.

Then she turned to me. Her blue eyes blazed. “You… you insane wretch.”

She moved toward me. I flinched violently, raising my arms to shield myself, already bracing for the hit.

“Lucille, don’t,” Alpha Hakan said firmly and she froze mid-step.

“But Alpha, you’re hurt—”

“Lucille.” His voice was firm. She stopped completely.

He gently removed her hand from his face and stepped forward slightly, positioning himself between us.

“It’s fine,” he said calmly. “The wound has healed.”

I stared at him, he was still bleeding.

There was blood on his cheek and on his collar.

He didn’t even look angry. That confused me more than anything. He didn’t glare at me. He didn’t snarl. He didn’t even threaten me. He just… looked at me.

And somehow, that made me flinch harder.

He opened his mouth as if to say something. But the door burst open again.

“Alpha, Seki isn’t in the pack house at all. Should I call—”

Callum stopped mid-sentence as his eyes landed on Hakan’s face. “What happened to your face?”

“Nothing,” he replied simply. Blood was still slowly trailing down his skin.

Nothing? How was that nothing?

Before anyone could say more, another knock came from the doorway.

A man stepped in respectfully.

“Excuse me. Alpha, Beta, Lady Lucille,” he greeted with a slight bow. “The associates from the Golden moon pack are here.”

Hakan gave a nod. “I’ll be there shortly.”

He stood up fully.

For a brief moment, his gaze returned to me. My heart pounded painfully in my chest.

I couldn’t read his expression.

“I’ll be back,” he said quietly. Then he turned away.

“Lucille,” he called.

She shot me one last glare before following him out.

***

When I opened my eyes, it was already night time. I had fallen asleep. My head throbbed, still heavy from the headache that never seemed to end. I gripped it tightly, trying to steady myself.

Right, I was still in this place and Alpha Hakan hadn’t returned yet. I needed to get out before he did. Even if he didn’t show his anger, I knew better. People who didn’t show their fury were the most dangerous.

I’d thrown a lamp at him. There was no way he’d just let me go. My only chance now was to escape. I was no longer in my own pack, no one would bother chasing me if I disappeared.

Slowly, I got to my feet. My legs and head ached, but I had to move. I stepped out of the room into a hall so big and unfamiliar it made my stomach twist. The walls were clean, the floor polished, and the smell of this place was so different from the dungeon that I had almost forgotten that kind of life existed.

A few maids passed by. Some glanced at me, others ignored me completely. I was grateful for the latter.

I walked slowly, unsure where I was going. I only knew I needed an exit. That’s when a hand reached out and grabbed my wrist.

I gasped, looking up, and froze. It was Lucille. Her hard gaze pinned me.

“You sneaky thing. What do you think you’re doing out here?” she said.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

“Trying to escape, huh?” she smirked, a cruel glint in her eyes. “You’re so dumb.”

She glanced down at my wrist, lifting it, wiggling it in her hand. “You’re so skinny. It's disgusting. I mean… what is this? How would the Alpha even hold someone like you?”

Hold? I thought, confused, my brows furrowing.

“But you’re trying to escape, aren’t you?” she said, and her smirk widened.

“I… I need to get away from here, please,” I stammered, my heart racing.

Lucille’s eyes glinted. “Oh, that shouldn’t be a problem. You see, it’s best to get out of here. Alpha Hakan can be very dangerous. Once he’s done with his meeting, he’s going to punish you. Remember, you hit a lamp on his face. That’s very unforgivable.”

My chest tightened. I knew she was right.

“This is your only chance to leave. If you don’t, he’s going to kill you when he’s done,” she said, her smirk curling. “This way.” She grabbed my arm, leading me down the hall. “I’ll distract the guards over there. As soon as I do, you run. Run as fast as you can.”

I nodded frantically, my legs trembling. She glanced at me once more. “Hide here. Once I start talking to the guards, you leave.”

I obeyed, hiding in the corner as she moved away. Soon, I heard her call the guards over. “You three, over there! Come here for a minute.” They bowed and walked toward her, their attention completely on Lucille.

The moment they were distracted, I bolted. My legs pumped as fast as they could carry me. The hallway blurred, the walls flashing past, and every step felt like freedom.

I didn’t look back. I was going to run, and I was going to leave this place behind.