แชร์

A CAGE OF GOLD

ผู้เขียน: Clark Tamaramiebi
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-03-13 06:13:59

The sun had barely begun to rise when Lina slipped out of bed. The large chamber she shared with Dane felt suffocating, despite the luxury draped over every surface. Silken sheets, carved wooden furniture, and gold-trimmed mirrors—everything screamed royalty, yet she had never felt more trapped.

Dane stirred beside her, his breathing steady, oblivious to the turmoil inside her. She had perfected the art of pretending, smiling at him when required, nodding when spoken to. But beneath it all, she longed for an escape she could never take.

She wrapped a cloak around her shoulders and padded toward the balcony. Outside, the Green Moon Pack stretched before her—strong, thriving, everything a pack was meant to be. Wolves trained in the courtyard below, their grunts and shouts echoing in the crisp morning air.

She should feel pride. She should feel safe.

Instead, all she felt was exhaustion.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned just as it creaked open, revealing a servant carrying a silver tray.

"Good morning, Luna," the woman greeted softly, keeping her eyes down.

Lina forced a smile. "You’re up early, Elara."

The young woman hesitated. "Alpha Zack requested your presence in the council chamber after breakfast."

Of course he did. Lina’s stomach tightened, but she nodded.

Elara set the tray on a small table, pouring tea into a delicate porcelain cup. "Shall I wake the Alpha?"

Lina glanced at Dane’s sleeping form and shook her head. "Let him rest. I’ll go alone."

Elara hesitated, but didn’t question her.

Once she was gone, Lina sighed and took a slow sip of tea, bracing herself for yet another day of being a puppet.

---

The council chamber was as intimidating as ever, its high stone walls lined with banners of the Green Moon Pack. A large table sat at the center, where Alpha Zack and several elders were already seated.

Her father, Alpha Jackson, sat near Zack, his expression unreadable.

"Lina," Zack greeted as she entered, his tone as smooth as ever. "Good of you to join us."

She forced herself to sit, keeping her posture poised. "You requested my presence, Alpha Zack?"

He chuckled, as if amused by her formality. "I did. There are matters concerning our alliance that require your input."

She said nothing as he continued.

"The Crescent Moon Pack has been growing restless. Their Alpha has refused our last trade agreement. We may need to show strength to remind them of our position."

Lina stiffened. Strength. That meant violence.

"What does that have to do with me?" she asked carefully.

Zack leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "As the Luna of this pack, you must be prepared for all aspects of leadership—including securing our alliances."

A chill ran through her. She knew where this was going.

"If you mean I should persuade Alpha Orion with pleasantries and smiles, you’re mistaken," she said coolly.

A few elders exchanged glances, but Zack merely smirked. "No, my dear. You will accompany Dane on a diplomatic visit. Show them the strength of our bond."

Lina clenched her jaw. "You mean parade myself like a prize."

Zack’s smirk remained. "Call it what you like, but your duty remains the same."

Her father finally spoke. "Lina, this is necessary."

She turned to him, searching for any sign of concern, but found none. He had always been this way—distant, bound to duty above all else.

She felt a surge of something bitter and ugly rise within her, but she swallowed it down.

"Of course," she said evenly. "I will do as you ask."

Zack looked pleased. "Good girl."

Lina dug her nails into her palms, hiding the storm raging inside her.

She would do as they asked.

For now.

อ่านหนังสือเล่มนี้ต่อได้ฟรี
สแกนรหัสเพื่อดาวน์โหลดแอป

บทล่าสุด

  • In Love with the Alpha’s Daughter   Changes

    The forest was quiet—too quiet.Lina’s boots crunched softly over the scattered leaves as she made her way down the narrow path behind the training fields. She’d needed space, again. Ever since that late-night conversation with Louis, her thoughts had been tangled, hard to sort. Every time she thought she had buried her feelings, he’d say something, look at her a certain way, and everything would shift again.He was waiting for her near the edge of the woods, where the trees opened into a small clearing. A half-smirk played at his lips as she approached, hands shoved casually into his pockets.“I was starting to think you ditched me.”Lina raised an eyebrow. “And miss another one of your charming silences? Never.”He gave a low grunt, almost a laugh, then turned to walk beside her as they headed deeper into the woods. It wasn’t official pack territory anymore, but it was safe—usually. They both needed the quiet, the peace. But tonight, the forest felt different.The breeze carried som

  • In Love with the Alpha’s Daughter   Unspoken

    The sky had already deepened into a smoky violet by the time Lina slipped out of the packhouse again. The walls felt too close, too heavy with responsibilities she wasn’t ready to face. Out here, under the open sky, she could almost remember who she was before everything changed.Almost.The air was cool against her skin, laced with the earthy scent of pine and fresh grass. A few warriors still lingered near the training grounds, their laughter low and fading as they drifted back toward the main house. Lina kept her distance, wandering further out toward the open fields, where the moon was just beginning to rise.That was when she saw him.Louis.He was sitting alone at the edge of the training field, his back against a low fence post, one knee bent loosely as he stared out over the darkening landscape. His posture was lazy, but his eyes were sharp, like he was guarding something unseen.Maybe himself.Without fully thinking, Lina walked over, the soft crunch of her boots on the grass

  • In Love with the Alpha’s Daughter   Beneath the pine

    The morning after their last encounter, Lina found herself restless.She’d barely slept. Her thoughts had been tangled—looping endlessly around things Louis had said, and the things he hadn’t. The way he looked at her. The way he walked away.She hated how her mind kept circling back to him.The pack was still asleep when she stepped outside. Early light slanted through the towering trees, turning the edges of the forest golden. Birds chirped high above, and the air smelled of dew and woodsmoke. It was quiet in the way only early mornings could be.And again—like fate had a habit of placing him in her path—he was there.Louis stood near the tree line, this time sharpening a blade with calm, measured strokes. The rhythmic shh, shh of the whetstone was oddly soothing. He didn’t look up when she approached.“I’m starting to think you live in these woods,” Lina said.“Maybe I do,” he muttered without glancing at her.“You’re not going to chase me off again, are you?”“Depends. Are you her

  • In Love with the Alpha’s Daughter   Closer than silence

    The late afternoon sun bled golden light over the forest’s edge, turning the air warm and soft as it filtered through the trees. The pack grounds were quieter than usual—most warriors were inside, resting or eating—but Lina preferred it that way. Solitude had become oddly comforting in the past few days, and now that she was allowed to wander under supervision, she took full advantage of the open space. Her boots crunched lightly against the gravel path as she made her way past the small clearing where training usually took place. A light breeze brushed her hair from her shoulders, and for the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe. She didn’t expect to see him. Louis was standing at the edge of the woods, half-hidden in shadow, sleeves rolled to his elbows, a small pile of firewood at his feet. He moved with quiet efficiency, arms flexing slightly with each piece he stacked. His back was to her, but somehow, she knew he’d sensed her presence before she even said a wo

  • In Love with the Alpha’s Daughter   A father’s visit

    Morning sunlight bathed the courtyard in gold as Lina stood by the window, watching the pack members begin their day. She hadn’t slept well, her mind circling endlessly around Dane’s apology, her confusion, her anger… and the aching sense of betrayal that had lingered ever since she learned her fate had been decided long ago.A sharp howl echoed in the distance—low, commanding.She didn’t need to be told who it was.Alpha Jackson.Her father.The guards bowed as a tall figure passed through the main gates, flanked by warriors from the Midnight Pack. His presence was like a thundercloud—silent, imposing, impossible to ignore.Lina’s stomach tightened.She had expected him eventually.She just didn’t expect the hurt in her chest when she saw him again.By the time the knock came at her chamber door, she was already dressed and waiting.“Come in,” she said, her voice steady.The door opened, and her father stepped in.He hadn’t changed much. Still broad-shouldered, still carrying the sce

  • In Love with the Alpha’s Daughter   Old memories

    The first light of dawn crept through the tall windows of Lina’s room, brushing golden warmth across the stone walls. She hadn’t slept. She’d spent the night pacing, replaying yesterday’s conversations with her father, her fears, and her endless internal arguments.She hated this.Hated feeling like a prisoner in her own home.And most of all, she hated the aching emptiness that came with knowing her future had already been written—without her consent.The bond to Dane pulsed quietly in her chest. It wasn’t strong—not yet. They hadn’t fully completed the mating bond. But it was there, like a lingering thread tugging at her thoughts.A bond that should have meant protection. Love. Understanding.Not this… distance.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.She hesitated. Only a few people knocked on her door like that. Not the guards. Not the maids.“Come in,” she said finally.The door creaked open, and Dane stepped into the room.He looked tired. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, h

บทอื่นๆ
สำรวจและอ่านนวนิยายดีๆ ได้ฟรี
เข้าถึงนวนิยายดีๆ จำนวนมากได้ฟรีบนแอป GoodNovel ดาวน์โหลดหนังสือที่คุณชอบและอ่านได้ทุกที่ทุกเวลา
อ่านหนังสือฟรีบนแอป
สแกนรหัสเพื่ออ่านบนแอป
DMCA.com Protection Status