5. Chapter

Corin

The dust hanging in the great hall and the smell of heavy velvet curtains burned my throat. I had been standing on the ladder all morning, cleaning the chandeliers and adjusting the decorations. My back no longer just hurt, it had gone numb. The places where the whip had struck throbbed and burned with every movement of my arms as my shirt tore at the wounds again and again. But I could not stop. Lumi was sitting comfortably in one of the armchairs in the center of the hall, sipping hot chocolate and watching my every move like a hungry predator.

“There’s still a stain there, you mongrel,” she pointed at one of the crystals with a mocking smile. “If everything isn’t shining for tomorrow’s ball, my father will personally inspect your work. And you know he isn’t as forgiving as Martha.”

I did not answer. If I spoke, I would only give her another excuse to torment me. A knot tightened in my throat and my eyes burned with exhaustion. I thought only of Glacier. Of the moment when this nightmare would finally end. He was my only hope, the only reason I had not given up.

When the work finally ended and I could barely stand upright, Glacier appeared in the hall unexpectedly. Lumi jumped to her feet at once and put on her sweetest smile, but Glacier brushed her aside with a firm gesture.

“Lumi, leave Corin alone. I need to talk to her about tomorrow’s protocol,” Glacier said in a calm but unmistakably commanding voice.

Lumi’s face twisted with rage, but she did not dare defy the Alpha’s son. As soon as she left, Glacier hurried to my ladder and helped me down. The warmth of his hands seeped through my shirt and for a moment made me forget all my pain.

“Sweet gods, Corin… you are completely exhausted,” he whispered, placing his hands gently on my waist. “You are so pale. Why do you let them wear you down like this?”

“I’m fine, I just… had a lot of work to do,” I tried to smile, but it turned into a grimace because of my back.

Glacier pulled a small ornate jar from his pocket. “Look what I brought you. This is the most expensive healing ointment I could get from the traders. It helps wounds heal and fades scars.”

He guided me to sit on a bench and though I felt ashamed, I let him lift the edge of my shirt. I heard him hiss softly when he saw the lash marks.

“Those animals,” he murmured with restrained anger, yet his touch was infinitely gentle as he spread the cool cream over my skin. “Tomorrow night, Corin. Tomorrow night everyone will see who you are to me. I already bought your dress too. They will bring it to your room in secret during the night.”

“You bought me a dress?” My eyes widened in shock. I had never owned anything new. I had always worn the pack’s discarded clothes that either hung off me or cut into my skin.

“Of course. Made of gold and silk, fit for a princess. I want you to be the most beautiful woman in the hall when I announce that you are my chosen mate. No more cleaning. No more kitchen. No more of any of this.”

My heart nearly leapt from my chest. It felt like a fairy tale. Glacier was kneeling in front of me, the pride of the Silver Stone pack, looking at me as if I were his most precious treasure. I forgot the pain. I forgot Lumi’s cruelty. In that moment, he was my golden prince arriving to save me from the tower.

“Glacier,” I began timidly. “My mother said I should not believe you. She said your pack would never accept a half blood at your side.”

Glacier’s face softened with sadness and he gently cupped my cheek. “Your mother is just afraid, Corin. Humans have suffered too much in this world and they cannot see a way out. But I am me, not my father. If I choose you, the pack will obey, because I will be their next Alpha. Trust me, all right? Trust only me. I will protect you from them.”

I nodded. I wanted to believe him. If I did not, my entire life would lose its meaning. He was the only one who treated me like a person, like a woman, in this brutal world.

“There is one more thing,” Glacier said, looking deep into my eyes. “Tomorrow at the ball, Alpha Mason will be there. Please do not go near him. I heard he was staring at you again today during training. He is a dangerous, dark man. I do not want him to frighten you or cause you any trouble. Promise me.”

“I promise,” I whispered. Mason’s sharp gaze from yesterday flashed through my mind, but Glacier’s closeness and gentle touch smothered all doubt.

Glacier kissed me. His kiss was soft and sweet, filled with promise and safety. I felt as if I had finally come home.

Later, when I returned to the kitchen, Lumi blocked my path again. This time she did not shout. She only whispered as I passed her.

“Enjoy your little gifts, half blood. But remember, pretty words do not cleanse dirty blood.”

I ignored her. The small jar of ointment rested in my pocket and Glacier’s promise filled my heart. I believed tomorrow’s ball would be the day of my freedom and happiness. At last I would show everyone that Luke’s daughter was not just a servant, but someone worthy of love.

That night, as the cream finally eased the throbbing of my wounds, I heard a faint sound beneath my window. It was not Glacier. There was no scratching, only the heavy sense of a deep presence in the darkness. Someone stood among the trees, watching. But I was so calm from Glacier’s promises that I did not feel afraid. I fell asleep dreaming of the golden dress and the moment when Glacier would bow before the pack with me at his side.