Why me

I totally stumbled over my words. My reason for apologizing? Obviously because I got caught training without permission, like some thief, like some low-ranking wolf daring to mimic an Alpha.

Wasn't that a huge mistake?

Wasn't that what I'd always been taught?

My mouth opened, but no words came out. My brain was working overtime, trying to piece together a logical explanation, one he could accept. But there was nothing. All that surfaced was fear.

Alpha Dexter sighed. It wasn't a disappointed sound, just a weary one. "Stand up," he commanded.

I immediately got to my feet. My ragged dress made me feel even more humiliated. I stood stiffly before him, my head slightly bowed.

Suddenly, Alpha Dexter attacked. His movements were incredibly fast, just a silver blur. He launched a punch towards my face. My instincts took over. I raised my hand, parrying it, though there was barely any time. His strength far exceeded my expectations. I stumbled, but I didn't fall.

He kept attacking. Punches, kicks, elbows. Every strike was precise, nothing wasted. I tried to defend, parrying, dodging.

Every move I'd observed from his training, I now performed to protect myself. I ducked when his fist aimed for my head, stepped back when his foot swept towards mine.

I tried to counter with a small punch, which he easily parried.

I was panting, sweat soaking my forehead. My body was already exhausted, but I didn't give up. Until finally, he caught my arm, twisted it, and gently pushed me to the ground. I fell, gasping, my whole body aching.

Alpha Dexter stood over me. His eyes looked straight at me. "That's enough," he said. He extended his hand to me.

I looked at his hand, hesitant. This wasn't a trap. I was sure of it. I reached for his hand. His grip was strong, pulling me to my feet effortlessly.

"Next time," Alpha Dexter began, "you don't need to hide when you're training."

My eyes widened. What was he saying? I didn't mishear, did I? He was allowing it? "W-what?"

"I said, next time you don't need to hide," he repeated, a little more firmly. "If you enjoy training, do it. Openly. In the training area. I won't punish you."

"I won't be punished?" I asked, still in disbelief.

Alpha Dexter shook his head. "Why punish someone who wants to improve? That's a good thing." He looked directly into my eyes.

I didn't know what to say. All my life, every attempt to be more than just a slave had always ended in punishment. Now, an Alpha was actually telling me he'd support it. This felt like a dream.

"How are you doing?" he asked then, his voice turning more practical. "Alvin said Dr. Martin checked on you. What were the results? Any complaints?"

I stammered. "Nothing, Alpha. I'm doing well." I thought for a moment. "Honestly, I've never lived this well, Alpha."

Alpha Dexter nodded. "That's good."

Beta Alvin appeared. He seemed to be in a hurry. "Alpha," he said, bowing slightly. "The time has come."

Alpha Dexter's face didn't change, but his eyes implied a certain urgency. "Alright. I'll see him." He turned to me. "You can change your clothes. And after that, get some rest."

He turned, walking away, followed by Beta Alvin.

Curiosity consumed me. After Alpha Dexter and Beta Alvin left, I didn't go back to the pavilion. I walked slowly down the corridor, trying to figure out where they had gone.

Faint voices could be heard from a room at the end of the main corridor. I approached. The door was slightly ajar. I peeked through the small crack.

Inside, a woman sat on a sofa, facing Alpha Dexter.

The woman wasn't young, around forty, with dark hair.

I saw Alpha Dexter holding a cup; he was drinking something from it. The liquid was bluish, slightly murky.

What was that?

Medicine? Or some strange drink?

Alpha Dexter's expression didn't show any enjoyment as he drank it, as if it were an obligation.

"Ruby!"

A voice suddenly startled me. I gasped, jumping back from the door. I turned. Eveline stood behind me, hands on her hips. Her expression wasn't angry, just surprised.

"Eveline!" I wrung my dress. "I'm sorry! I was just..."

"Peeking, are we?" Eveline finished my sentence, her tone flat.

I nodded, unable to deny it. "I was curious. There was a guest just now, and then Alpha Dexter went in here. He was also drinking something weird."

Eveline sighed. She looked at me for a moment, then reached for my arm. "Come with me to the kitchen," she said. "There are some things you need to know."

We walked to the kitchen. The other servants were gone; the kitchen was now quiet. Eveline told me to sit on a high stool, then she sat across from me, her gaze serious.

"Tonight," Eveline began, her voice soft and low, "is the ninth full moon."

I frowned. "The ninth full moon? What's up with that?"

"Every ninth full moon, for the past ten years, Alpha Dexter has had to be on guard," Eveline explained, her eyes looking far ahead, as if seeing into the past. "Not on guard against enemy attacks, but on guard against himself. He's under a curse."

My blood ran cold. A curse? For an Alpha as powerful as him? "What kind of curse?"

"A sleeping curse. A curse from an ancient Pack elder. For the next nine days, Alpha Dexter will sleep. Without waking up." Eveline stated, her expression heavy. "That's why he drank that concoction earlier. It's an antidote. He has to drink it before his long sleep, and during his sleep, he'll receive nutrients intravenously. That woman was a witch, very skilled with potions. She specifically prepares that antidote every nine months."

"Nine days?" I couldn't imagine it. A powerful Alpha, so vulnerable. "But who cursed him? Why?"

Eveline let out a long sigh. "It's an old story, Ruby. Ten years ago, Alpha Dexter was very young and had just taken the throne. There was a conflict with a neighboring Pack, the Northwood Pack. The son of a very respected elder in the Northwood Pack provoked Alpha Dexter. There was slander, fabricated misunderstandings created by a third party who wanted to see the two Packs fight. Alpha Dexter, who was still hot-headed and not yet wise, accepted the challenge directly."

"He killed the elder's son?" I asked.

"Yes," Eveline nodded. "In a very fierce duel. Alpha Dexter won, but the elder couldn't accept it. She believed Alpha Dexter killed her son unjustly. That elder, a powerful ancient witch, cursed Alpha Dexter. A curse that weakens him periodically, taking control of his body every ninth full moon."

I was silent.

...

That night, the entire Moonshadow Pack was under extremely tight security. It was my first time seeing the security system so active.

Wolf warriors patrolled tirelessly around the Pack's perimeter. Every corner of the mansion was watched.

I tried to sleep in my room, but it was incredibly difficult. Every little sound made me jump. I knew Alpha Dexter was in his sleeping phase, vulnerable, protected by the curse and his warriors. The thought made me restless.

...

The next morning, the kitchen atmosphere was unusual. There was a slight commotion. I walked in and saw Eveline sitting on the floor, her face contorted in pain. A large pot of hot water had spilled near her feet. Her foot was scalded, red, and obviously very painful.

"Eveline!" I rushed to her, panicking myself. "What happened?"

"Ah, Ruby," she groaned. "I was clumsy. The hot water spilled."

A few other servants tried to help her, wrapping her wound with a cold cloth. But clearly, Eveline couldn't move much.

Just then, Beta Alvin arrived. He looked at Eveline, then at me. His expression seemed anxious. "Who's going to clean Alpha?" he asked, his voice heavy.

All the servants fell silent. Taking care of a sleeping Alpha was a huge responsibility. It was a special task entrusted to Eveline due to her age and proven loyalty.

Eveline looked at me, then at Beta Alvin. "Ruby, Beta Alvin," she said, her voice trembling slightly from pain. "She can do it."

My eyes widened. "Me? Clean what, Eveline?"

Eveline sighed. "Everything, child. Alpha is in a long sleep. His body will sweat, and his skin needs care to prevent irritation. He needs to stay clean."

I immediately felt nervous. No way. "I can't, Eveline. I've never done that." This wasn't just cleaning a room. This was cleaning an Alpha's body. A man's body. And naked. I'd never seen a naked man before, let alone Alpha Dexter, who always made me nervous.

"I'm not sure..." I stammered.

"Not just anyone can enter Alpha's room, Ruby," Eveline added. "Only tested and trusted people. Right now, you're the one."