Chapter 6

Vena

I followed Miriam down the wide staircase as I looked around the mansion, its grace and glamor was beautiful. Every step we made echoed through the mansion.

I tried not to stare too obviously, but it was impossible not to notice everything. From its high ceilings to the huge chandelier dropped from the ceiling but it wasn't enough to brighten the sitting area that had dark curtains shutting off the morning sun.

Miriam walked ahead of me sharply, while I walked slowly behind her, distracted by the emptiness of the halls. There were no paintings. No portraits. No framed memories on the walls. Just some expensive vases and a few vague paintings.

It felt strange. Like I was in a museum or art gallery.

I sped up, my knees hurt in protest and blurted the question before I could stop myself. “Why are there no personal things around?”

Miriam glanced over her shoulder. “Personal things?”

“Pictures,” I said, gesturing vaguely at the walls as we turned into a long hallway. “Family portraits. Memories. Anything.”

She sighed, stopping for a second. “The Alpha doesn’t keep any.”

I frowned. “None at all?”

“No,” she said simply before she continued into a hallway.

Before I could ask more, raised voices echoed down the corridor ahead of us. Sharp. Young. Arguing.

Miriam’s shoulders slumped just a little. “These kids will be the end of me.”

She moved faster, practically marching now, and I hurried to keep up.

The noise grew louder as we reached a large double door at the end of the hall. Miriam pushed it open without knocking.

The kitchen burst into view.

It was the only part of the house where the sunlight seeped through with high glass doors that were opened to reveal a large courtyard and a small fountain at its center.

The kitchen was enormous. At least twice the size of my room, maybe more. It could have passed for a hall on its own. Stone floors gleamed beneath hanging lights, and long counters lined the walls, stacked neatly with jars of ingredients, baskets, and polished utensils.Cupboards with glass doors that displayed expensive china plates. At the center stood a massive kitchen island, wide enough to serve a feast for an army. It was covered in folded linens, baskets of fresh produce, and what looked like school bags tossed carelessly to one side.

The arguing stopped the moment we entered.

Two girls stood near the island, both dressed in the same dark uniform, white collars slightly rumpled. They looked younger than me. Twins. That much was obvious.

“Anya. Katya.” Miriam crossed her arms, going to meet them. “What did I tell you?”

“It wasn’t my fault,” one of them snapped immediately. She had short light brown hair and her arms were already crossed defensively. “Anya’s the one who took forever.”

Anya, I guessed, tugged nervously at the ends of her long braids. Her glasses slipped down her nose as she looked between her sister and their mother. “Katya, stop. You know it was because we had to stop at the mansion first.”

“To drop off all this junk,” Katya shot back, gesturing at a box near the counter. “Beauty supplies and clothes for the new human breeder.”

My stomach dropped.

Miriam moved fast. She grabbed both girls by the ears, one in each hand, and tugged gently but firmly. It was a bit funny since the girls were taller than her. “Zamolchi!” she snapped and I recognised it as Russian. “You will not speak like that in my kitchen.”

“Ow,” Anya whined softly.

Katya hissed under her breath but fell silent.

Miriam released them and turned to me with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. “These are my daughters. Anya and Katya.”

Anya’s face lit up instantly. She stepped closer, her hazel eyes bright behind her glasses. She looked sweet and kind.“Hi. Welcome. I’m Anya.” She smiled so wide it almost hurt to look at. “I hope you like it here.”

Katya did not move. She looked me up and down, her expression flat and unreadable. She had a mean girl look to her, a completely different look from her twin.

Before I could respond, she spoke. “If you were going to come to the pack, you could have brought your own things.”

I stiffened.

Anya turned on her sister immediately, a horrified look on her face. “Katya!”

“What?” Katya snapped. “It’s true. We are late to school because of her.”

“That’s not fair,” Anya said quietly. She looked at me again, her smile returning, softer now. “Ignore my sister. She’s always like this. This is why everyone avoids you in school.”

But Katya only frowned, looking away.

I swallowed and nodded. “Hi.” I said softly, unsure of what to do.

“What’s your name?” Anya asked.

“Vena.”

Her eyes widened. “And you really are human? We didn't believe it when mom said the alpha chose a human to be his breeder. And your hair!” She said excitedly, stepping closer as I stepped back quickly afraid she was going to hit me or something.

Silence filled the room as my cheeks flamed red from embarrassment, I wasn't used to having anyone fawn over my hair as it had stayed hidden for the past twenty-five years of my life.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She said quickly as Katya pulled her back. 

“Let’s go to school. We can use my electric scooter.” 

Miriam clapped her hands once, sharp and loud. “Yes! You are already late. Vena would be here when you both get back”

Anya looked at me sadly for a second before she hurried to grab her bag as she followed her sister towards the glass doors.

Miriam pointed after them. “And behave in class. If I get one more report about fighting, I will make sure neither of you sees the skate park for a month.”

Katya groaned loudly as the door slammed shut behind them.

The kitchen felt quieter without them, though the space still hummed with life. The smell of fresh bread lingered in the air, warm and comforting.

I let out a breath I did not realize I had been holding.

“They are… a lot,” Miriam said quietly, giving me a look.

I said nothing. She spoke again. “I don’t know what you have been through but my kids would never hurt you. No one here would lay a finger on you. Anya didn't mean to scare you. She can be a bit intrusive on personal space, but she means no harm. You are safe here.”

Safe here? I almost chuckled in her face. There was no safety for me as a breeder. Not especially in this monster’s home.

“Well, you’ll spend most of your days here. Eating. Learning and helping us with housekeeping. We have two other girls working here full time, they should be here by eight. I resume the earliest at seven because I live closer. My kids, Anya and Katya come back here after school and work part time with us until finish time at eight. Then everyone leaves.”

“So it would just be me and the Alpha after that?” I asked, my voice shaking a bit.

She nodded. “The Alpha lives a quiet and busy life, running the pack and the company.” She glanced at me. “You won't see him much.”

My chest tightened, but I nodded.

Miriam began pulling out bowls and plates, moving with practiced ease. “Sit. You look like you might fall over.”

I sat as Miriam moved around the kitchen, she avoided coming close to me and as the scent of food filled the air, my stomach groaned. 

When the food was ready, I ate it in a rush. It had been days since I’d had anything warm, and my stomach felt tight, like it was afraid the bowl might be taken away if I didn't eat too fast. 

Miriam didn’t say anything, instead she gave me enough space as she stayed busy at the counter,washing dishes.

As I ate, she talked.

“The mansion runs on routine,” she said, her voice steady and calm. “Breakfast is early. Lunch is simple. Dinner depends on whether the Alpha is home or not. Since he comes home late, we leave it in the dining room on heated plates. We clean the mansion daily. Some days are quiet. Some days are not.”

I nodded absentmindedly savoring the taste of the food.

“You’ll mostly help in the kitchen at first,” she continued. “Light cleaning. Sorting. Watching how things are done. No heavy work until you’re settled.”

She finally glanced at me. “You don’t need to be afraid of us. We are all kind here.”

I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure if I believed that yet.

The door to the kitchen opened, and I flinched without meaning to.

A woman stepped inside, tall and graceful, wearing a long dark dress that moved softly around her legs. Her black hair was cut short, framing her face, and her warm brown eyes took in the room with quiet awareness.

“Miriam,” she said with a small smile. “Good morning.”

Miriam smiled back, real this time. “Sasha. Perfect timing.”

The woman’s gaze shifted to me. She paused, studying me carefully with a huge smile on her face.

“So this is her?” she asked gently.

Miriam nodded. “Yes.”

The woman stepped closer but stopped a respectful distance away. “Hi. I’m Sasha.”

I swallowed. “Vena.”

Her smile widened just a little. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Before I could relax fully, the door opened again.

This time, the entrance was less graceful.

A shorter woman leaned against the doorframe, breathing a little hard like she’d rushed. She had short blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a colorful scarf tied loosely around her neck.

“Why does the Alpha have to live four miles away from everything?” she complained. “This estate is in the middle of nowhere.”

Sasha didn’t even look surprised. “I live five miles away,” she said calmly. “And I still get here earlier than you.”

The blonde woman groaned. “That’s because you’re a robot.”

“You’re late,” Sasha replied. “Again. On average, ten minutes late per week.”

The woman rolled her eyes and then noticed me.

She blinked. “Uh… is she…?”

Her gaze flicked to Miriam, who ignored her completely, then to Sasha.

“Yes,” Sasha said with a sigh. “This is Vena. She is the new housekeeper and the Alpha’s breeder”

Her eyes widened. “Wait. The Alpha’s breeder?”

I froze in discomfort.

Miriam finally turned. “Elena!”

“What?” Elena said. “No one told me that.”

“Yes, we did,” Miriam replied calmly. “You just didn’t read all the messages in the group chat.”

Elena frowned and pulled her phone out of her pocket. “There were other messages?”

Sasha laughed under her breath. “You are so disorganized. How did you even pass the interview to work here five years ago?”

Elena scrolled through her phone, squinting. “Oh. I missed that part.”

She looked up at me again, curiosity replacing surprise. “But you're human?”

I nodded.

She stared, then turned to Sasha. “She’s human?”

“She is right here, Elena.” Sasha said through clenched teeth.

Elena laughed awkwardly and waved a hand. “Sorry. It’s the hair. All humans have white hair, so I thought you were a wolf who dyed it or something.”

She tilted her head. “But it’s nice to meet you. I’m Elena.”

“Vena,” I said again, quieter this time.

Miriam clapped her hands once. “Enough introductions. We have work to do.”

She turned to me. “For today, you’ll just watch. Learn how things run.”

I nodded quickly, grateful for the excuse to stay quiet.

As they moved around the kitchen, falling into an easy rhythm, I stayed near the counter, observing. Sasha worked efficiently, calm and focused. Elena bounced between tasks, humming softly, stopping to read something on her phone before getting scolded by Miriam.

It felt strange. Almost normal.

For the first time since crossing into Thornmoon territory, I didn’t feel like I was being watched every second.

But even as the kitchen filled with movement and voices, my chest tightened at the thought of the quiet hours that would come later.  

When everyone left.

When it would just be me.

And the Alpha.

I was the alpha’s human breeder, my life now belonged to him. He hadn't said he wouldn't touch me, or hurt me before we tried for a child in a month. 

Bear me a child, and I will grant you your freedom. He had said. But between that time and now, he hadn't said what he would do to me.

And that thought scared me more than anything. 

**

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