Chapter 3

I stepped out of the car, standing before a grand gate made of dark wood, intricately carved with an elegant crescent moon symbol. The gate opened on its own, as if welcoming me. The road inside was pristine, lined with tall, lush green trees. I had never seen a forest so beautiful. The houses in this Pack were large and magnificent, built from sturdy stone with pointed roofs.

At the end of the road stood a mansion. More accurately, a palace. Its walls were a pale white, with numerous large windows that reflected the blue sky. I felt incredibly small. My awe was so profound that I momentarily forgot all the pain and threats.

Beta Alvin approached. "Come, Ruby," he said, his voice calm. "Let's go inside."

I nodded, following Alvin. The mansion's floors were covered in gleaming marble. Large paintings adorned the walls, depicting fantastical natural landscapes or portraits of former Alphas. Every detail was perfect; there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. The scent of sandalwood filled the air. I stood silent, my eyes scanning every corner. This was too beautiful for me, a Ruby who had nothing.

"This is your room," Beta Alvin said. He opened a door in one corner of the building. It wasn't part of the main mansion, but a small, separate pavilion, surrounded by a charming mini-garden. The room was small but clean and comfortable. There was a medium-sized bed with white sheets, a small table, and a wooden wardrobe. The window overlooked the garden, offering a soothing view.

Alvin placed my small bag on the floor. My bag looked so insignificant amidst all this luxury. He looked at me, then at my bag. "Is this all your luggage?" he asked, a little surprised.

I looked down. "Yes. It's all I have."

"Nothing else?" He raised an eyebrow. "Most omegas or even gammas sent here bring much more."

I shrugged. "I truly have nothing." I wasn't lying. Those three worn-out clothes were the bulk of my possessions. "Should I have brought more?" I asked.

Alvin sighed softly. "It's fine. Someone will take care of your needs later." He looked at me. "You can rest for a bit. We'll meet Alpha Dexter later this afternoon."

"Thank you," I said, my voice soft.

"Don't thank me," he said. "It's my duty." Alvin turned, stepping out. The door closed softly behind him. I was alone. I looked around the room. Although small, it felt more like a home than the room I used to occupy in the Silvermoon Pack.

Time passed quickly. I tried to sleep but only managed to doze off briefly. My stomach was hungry, but I didn't dare go out. I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting.

A knock at the door. "Ruby?" It was Beta Alvin's voice.

I immediately stood up. "Yes, Beta Alvin."

"It's time," he said. "Alpha Dexter is waiting for you."

I felt a chill creep up my spine. This was it. The moment I both feared and anticipated. I followed Alvin. We walked through the silent corridors of the mansion. The scent of sandalwood grew stronger. Our footsteps echoed on the marble floor. Finally, we stopped in front of a dark double door.

Alvin knocked. A heavy voice from within permitted us entry. Alvin opened the door, and I stepped in behind him.

The room was vast, minimally furnished, yet every item looked expensive and functional. Large windows overlooked a view of snow-capped mountains. In the center of the room, seated in a large armchair behind a dark wooden desk, was a man.

Alpha Dexter.

His hair was long, as white as snow, and gleamed like silver. His eyes were dark blue, staring directly at us. His gaze was sharp, cold, like a sword's blade. His jawline was strong, and his lips thin. He was handsome and imposing, but his aura was so powerful, so pressing, that I found it hard to breathe. It was the aura of a pure Alpha, a hundred times stronger than Alpha Albert. He seemed to sit on his throne, observing all. I had only seen him from afar or in portraits, never this close.

"Alpha," Beta Alvin saluted. "She is the envoy from Silvermoon."

Alpha Dexter only nodded faintly, without taking his eyes off me. He said nothing.

Alvin turned to me. "I'll leave you two," he said. Then he hurried out, closing the door behind him. I was left alone.

Alpha Dexter still stared at me. His eyes locked onto mine, exuding an aura of absolute authority. I felt a pressure on my shoulders, throughout my entire body.

"I don't appreciate those not of my equal standing to dare stand before me." Alpha Dexter seemed to be teaching me about the etiquette of meeting him.

Without a command, I immediately knelt. My head was bowed, my eyes fixed on the floor. This posture of submission was a sign of absolute respect and subservience. I felt his cold gaze still piercing the crown of my head, measuring me. My heart pounded.

I felt a rush of air as Alpha Dexter bent down, his face approaching mine.

"You smell strange." His nose sniffed around my neck, then up to my hair. "Not the scent of the Silvermoon Pack." He pulled his head back slightly, his gaze cornering me. "What kind of wolf are you?"

The question stunned me. How should I answer it? "I don't know, Alpha," I stammered.

"Don't know?" His tone was skeptical, full of disbelief. "Every wolf knows their kind. What power do you possess?"

"I have no power. My power has been sealed since childhood, or at least, that's what Luna Eva and Alpha Albert always said. I've never even met my soul wolf."

Alpha Dexter stood up straight. He walked towards me, circling me. I could feel his gaze tracing every inch of my body. "You're small," he said. "Too thin." He then bent down again, extending his hand. His long fingers touched my shoulder. His touch was cold and sharp, like bone. I felt as if he were touching my ribs directly, without flesh. I truly looked like a skeleton wrapped in skin.

"Are you sure you can work, even with a body like this?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt.

I immediately lifted my head slightly, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I can work, Alpha," I said, trying to reassure him. "This thin body is not a problem. I'm strong. I'm used to it."

He gave a soft sneer. "Used to it?" Alpha Dexter sighed, as if bored. "Take off your clothes."

My blood seemed to stop flowing. My eyes widened. "Alpha?" My voice choked. "What do you mean?"

"Take off your clothes," he repeated, his voice colder. "I want to see what your 'strong body' can do. I want to see every inch of the Silvermoon Pack's guarantee. Now."

Panic gripped me. Why should I take off my clothes? What would he do? This wasn't right. "But, Alpha, I can't." My voice was barely a whisper.

Alpha Dexter's face hardened. His eyes narrowed. "Are you defying me?" he asked, with a clear note of danger. "I don't like to be questioned. Do you not understand the meaning of my command?"

I couldn't. My pride, the last remnants of it, refused. I just stayed silent, bowing my head again, trying to cover myself with my hands.

Alpha Dexter's anger erupted. With a swift, powerful motion, he reached for my shoulder, gripping the fabric of my dress. Tear! The fabric ripped from my shoulder to my waist. The back of my dress was now open, exposing my back. I gasped, trying to turn my body, to protect myself.

"What is this?!" Alpha Dexter's voice was no longer cold, but filled with burning rage. His hand reached for me, turning my body so my back faced him. He gripped one of my shoulders, his fingers tracing strange lines on my skin.

I felt pain, not from his touch, but because the old wounds on my back were exposed. My back was covered in fading scars. Thin lines, some thicker, like faint cuts. Whips or claw marks.

"What did they do to make your back like this?!" he demanded. "What mistake did you make? What caused your people to punish you so severely?"

I stammered, my mind in a turmoil. How could I explain? I couldn't tell him that these were the marks of every small mistake, every act of disobedience, every time I annoyed Madison or Luna Eva. This was the price of my existence in the Silvermoon Pack.

"It was punishment, Alpha," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"Punishment?" he repeated. "Punishment for what? What kind of mistake requires lashing like this? And who did it?" His eyes stared intently at me, as if trying to forcibly extract an answer from my mind.

"My stepmother and stepsister did it," I said.

Alpha Dexter growled. "They sent trash here?”