Angelic Face, Demon's Actions

(Daniel's POV)

The spiritual advisor fled through the door of my private quarters, his footsteps pounding against the stone path. His face had turned ashen when he glimpsed the carnage inside.

Behind me, three dead bodies lay in pools of crimson. Former members of the Silverfang rogue pack—brutal killers who had preyed on innocent travelers for months.

"Should I silence him, Alpha Daniel?" Brock Fletcher asked, gesturing toward the retreating figure.

I wiped my silver dagger methodically, cleaning the blood from its gleaming surface. The weapon had done its work efficiently.

"Don't create more trouble," I instructed, voice calm despite the violence that surrounded us. "Tell Oliver Sage we just handled a case here."

Fletcher nodded, his gaze lingering on the carnage. Bodies with throats slashed lay against the wooden floor, their blood staining the planks beneath them.

I examined my reflection in the now-clean blade. My face stared back at me—ethereally handsome, with features that had earned me both admiration and envy.

My birthright as the Alpha King's fifth son had granted me not only striking looks but also the position of Chief Justice. I dispensed the King's justice throughout the Northern Territory without mercy or hesitation.

Fletcher cleared his throat. "The last one is still alive. Chase is dealing with him as ordered."

I nodded, pleased with my guard's efficiency. "Good. Let him finish."

Outside, agonized screams echoed through the mountain air as Raven Chase carried out my order to cripple the surviving rogue wolf. Justice in its rawest form.

Blood had splattered across my clothing during the interrogation. I strode to the washing basin in the corner and began cleaning myself methodically.

"Prepare fresh garments," I instructed Fletcher, who moved immediately to fetch them from the adjoining chamber.

Once cleansed and dressed, I sat down at the small wooden table where a meal awaited me. Several dishes of venison prepared in various styles filled the surface.

I scoffed at the sight. "This is what they call frugality at Green Pine Sanctuary?"

Elder Morgan donated generously to maintain this place. Surely they could afford better fare than this.

"Actually, Alpha Daniel," Fletcher said hesitantly, "you might want to try it before dismissing it."

I raised an eyebrow at his unusual suggestion. Fletcher rarely commented on such trivial matters.

Curious, I took a bite of the herb-infused venison. The flavors exploded across my tongue—rich, complex, perfectly balanced. The meat was tender, the seasoning exquisite.

Against my will, a rare smile touched my lips. "This is... unexpected."

Fletcher nodded, looking pleased with himself. "I thought you might appreciate it."

"Who prepared this?" I asked, taking another bite. The meal contained medicinal herbs that would accelerate healing—useful after a fight, even a one-sided one.

"I'll find out," Fletcher offered, disappearing through the door as I continued eating.

I savored each bite, intrigued by the skilled preparation. Few chefs could balance flavor and medicinal properties so effectively.

When Fletcher returned, his expression held a hint of surprise. "The dishes were prepared by Eliza Morgan, daughter of the Morgan Pack Alpha and Gamma to the Alpha King."

I paused mid-bite. "Morgan's daughter? The one switched at birth?"

Fletcher nodded. "She's currently residing at Green Pine Sanctuary. Been here for weeks, apparently."

This piqued my interest slightly. I'd heard rumors about James Morgan's true daughter being discovered after sixteen years.

"Interesting," I murmured. "The same girl who caused the commotion earlier today?"

Fletcher confirmed with a nod. "The very same. Some pack members tried to force her to return to the Northern Territory. Quite a disturbance."

I frowned. "That explains the noise that interrupted my meditation."

I should have been more irritated, but the quality of the meal had softened my mood considerably.

"Her wolf emerged unusually early," Fletcher continued. "At sixteen instead of eighteen. The scent revealed her lineage immediately."

I nodded absently, my thoughts already turning back to the case at hand. However skilled this girl might be in the kitchen, she was still just a pack member under Elder Morgan's protection.

"Out of respect for Elder Morgan, we'll overlook today's disturbance," I decided, pushing away my empty plate. "Though the name Eliza Morgan... curious that it stays in my thoughts."

The remaining rogue's screams had finally stopped. Justice had been served.

(Eliza's POV)

"Miss Eliza!" Ivy burst through my door without knocking, her chest heaving from exertion. "William Morgan has arrived!"

"He's come to apologize and escort you home!" Ivy continued excitedly, completely misreading the situation. "Isn't it wonderful?"

I stared at her innocent, hopeful expression. Poor, naive Ivy. She couldn't understand the danger William represented to me.

"William Morgan?" I kept my voice carefully neutral. "My brother has personally come?"

In my previous life, he had been the architect of my torment. His hatred had driven him to extraordinary cruelty—beatings, starvation, public humiliation.

I remembered his face twisting with rage as he blamed me for Katherine's suicide. "It's all your fault!" he had screamed, his hand connecting with my cheek. "If you hadn't come back, Katherine would still be alive!"

"He's waiting by the main entrance," Ivy explained, already gathering my few belongings. "We should hurry!"

I placed my hand over hers, stopping her frantic packing. "Ivy, slow down. Did Elder Morgan approve this visit?"

Confusion clouded her eyes. "I... I don't know. He just arrived with several guards."

I moved to the window, peering out at the courtyard below. There he was, mounted on a white stallion, looking every bit the entitled young master of the Morgan Pack.

William hadn't changed—tall and proud, with our father's sharp features. His confident posture spoke of privilege and power.

His expression, however, revealed his true nature. Contempt and impatience radiated from him as he surveyed the sanctuary.

"We should go down to greet him," Ivy urged, tugging at my sleeve.

I took a deep breath to steady myself. I couldn't avoid this confrontation, but I could approach it differently this time.

"Let's go," I agreed, squaring my shoulders.

As we descended the steps to the courtyard, William's cold gaze fixed on me. Recognition flickered in his eyes—not of kinship, but of an object he'd come to collect.

"So you are the wild girl?" he sneered, looking me up and down with undisguised contempt.

I met his gaze with equal coldness, refusing to cower as I had in my previous life. His scorn couldn't hurt me now—I'd already endured far worse.

Ivy, oblivious to the tension crackling between us, stepped forward with a bright smile. "Young Master Morgan, this is your sister, Miss Eliza!"

She glanced between us expectantly, clearly hoping for a heartwarming family reunion. Poor, innocent Ivy.

I offered William a perfunctory bow, just enough to maintain appearances without showing submission. "Young Master Morgan."

His eyes narrowed at my lack of enthusiasm. Clearly, he'd expected me to fall at his feet in gratitude.

William's lip curled with disgust. "You have some nerve!" he snarled, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "You attacked my pack members and sent them to the Alpha's justice, humiliating me before my parents!"

Several sanctuary attendants looked up at his outburst, watching the scene unfold with concerned expressions.

William continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "So, you're finally satisfied now that I, the son of the Gamma, have come to personally escort you?"

I feigned innocent confusion, blinking up at him with wide eyes. "Your pack members? Do you mean those wolves who attempted to kidnap me?"

I kept my voice steady despite the fury building inside me. "So, when the young master says 'invite', he means to restrain someone with rope?"

William's face darkened with rage. "You dare question me? You, a wild, untamed disgrace to the Morgan name?"

He dismounted with fluid grace, stalking toward me like a predator. I stood my ground, refusing to retreat.

"You think you deserve special treatment?" he sneered. "You're nothing but a replacement for Katherine. A poor substitute at that!"

The mention of Katherine's name sent a chill through me. In my previous life, I had never understood why everyone favored her so completely.

"Your delay in returning home has caused our parents great distress," William continued, his tone accusatory. "Katherine especially has been distraught with worry for you."

I nearly laughed at the absurdity. Katherine, worried about me? When I knew she had orchestrated my downfall from the beginning?

"Katherine is... concerned for me?" I asked, injecting just the right amount of hope into my voice.

William nodded sharply, clearly believing he'd found my weakness. "She's been inconsolable, begging us to find you and bring you home safely."

His expression hardened again. "But you've repaid her kindness with defiance and ingratitude!"

I lowered my eyes, playing the role of a chastened child while rage boiled within me. Katherine's manipulations extended even further than I'd realized.

"Enough of your games!" William suddenly snarled, his patience exhausted. "Today, I'm taking this ungrateful, vicious girl home. This time, you can't claim you were kidnapped!"

He gestured sharply to the guards behind him. "Someone, restrain her!"