Mag-log inKestrel's POVI wake to the softness of sheets that don't belong to me. The pillow smells like Knox. I raise myself, memories smacking me back to reality.I can almost feel it again... my bones cracking, fur soaked in rain, Lucas's voice, the excruciating shift.My throat burns.I frown at the water on the bedside table. I'll sooner die than drink that.Although my heart's still broken, my body feels much stronger. I don't understand it.I turn the knob and pull. It doesn't open. I don't have to pull it a second time because it slowly opens from outside.Two guards watch me silently."I want to go to my room." I say as calm as I can manage.One of them glances down at me and that's when I realize I'm wearing a long white shirt. It has to belong to Knox.Suddenly I want to scrub my skin off.*I want it off!*"You're not allowed to leave yet." The first one says and pushes the door back in my face.I'm left standing there and staring at the wooden door. Whatever it is, I'm not remaining
Kestrel's POV“Kneel,” one of the guards barks, yanking my hair and forcing me down.The cold granite bites into my knees immediately, and I grind my teeth together, trying not to make a sound.“You're lucky the Alpha King favours Knox,” one of them mutters.“Or you'd be dead by now,” another says.Shortly after that, they leave. A few minutes later, it's just me and the cold night air. My knees burn, and I know they are already bleeding, but I hold in my tears.Around me are guards on duty, watching. My heart clenches as I realize how alone I truly am. Isn't it a pity. This is now my life.Thunder strikes in the sky, and my head drops. With the first drop of rain, a tear falls, and then I'm crying even as the rain drenches me.Every minute feels like an hour. My body shivers under the cold, my fingers digging into my skirt. But then I feel something I'd sworn to never allow myself feel.My palms burn as my nails elongate into claws.I gag, panic striking me like the next thunder acro
Kestrel's POVMy insides coil with disgust at his touch.I pull my leg away, hesitating when I think of smashing the jar on Zane's head.He smirks and takes a sip of his wine, relaxed like he didn't do anything. I glance at Knox, but he's too invested in his food to notice.I drop the jar, but Axel speaks, “Serve me too.” With a glare that doesn't go unseen by the people around the table, I pour into his half-filled cup. And just like his dimwitted brother, he also trails his fingers up my thighs.As much as it disgusts me, I don't react, knowing there's no way an argument will end in my favor.“She looks too healthy. Her master must be soft,” Axel's mother says with a pitiful look.“He isn't, Clara.” The Alpha King defends nonchalantly, and I notice how Knox's hand tightens around his spoon, something he hasn't raised to his mouth since.Clara glares at me, her disgust palpable. Her blond hair is pulled in a ponytail, expertly tied and brushed to perfection so that not one strand is
Kestrel's POVKnox easily avoids my attack, lazily deflecting it aside.I strike again, this time harder. He blocks effortlessly, like he's not even trying. And that infuriates me.I grit my teeth and go for his side, then feign trying to catch him off guard.It's as useless as the scarf was in hiding my identity from him.*Damn him and his effortless swiftness.*I try again with three smooth steps, but in a single motion, he disarms me and has me pinned... again.I groan as my back hits the tree but tense up when his strong hand instantly finds my wrist, the other pressed near my waist.My sword clatters to the ground, dust rising in its wake.He's so close... *too close.*“You're fast.” His warm breath fans across my cheek. “But sloppy. You shouldn't telegraph your strikes.”I glare at him. “And you're too cowardly to actually fight and stop running.”His lips twitch. “You aren't ready for me yet. You still have a lot to learn,” he says, his dark eyes flickering between mine like he
Kestrel's POVI shouldn't be here.The thought repeats itself in my mind like a storm, but it doesn't make me change my mind. Using my palm, I smooth out a rumple on the hem of the stolen gown I'm wearing.It's designed with black and pink threads. Not my favorite, but who cares? I drape the equally stolen scarf over my head. I sneak out of the servants' dorm, knowing this isn't going to end well.I squint at the sun once I'm outside. As expected, no one has noticed me yet. For a pack this massive, they are pretty careless. Perhaps their size is their doom, seeing as it's harder to keep track of a community this vast.I try not to stare too hard as I walk further from the pack house. Try not to stare when I see two men yelling at each other, their fangs protruded. I try not to stare when a couple of guards on patrol watch me closely.If they ask, then I'll tell them I'm sick. After a while, they turn away from me, falling into a discussion. Of course, they are not bothered since it's
Kestrel's POV“Try not to cry when I break you,” she teases before striking with a speed I didn't expect.My head jerks back from her punch, blood coating my tongue.Those watching chuckle.“Don't just stand there and cry. Come on, hit me back.”There are no rules to this game, no countdown, no signal. No warnings.She throws a kick at my head, but I block it, staggering back from the impact. She's strong. Much stronger than me now that I haven't trained my muscles in weeks.What was I thinking, jumping into a fight so unprepared?I barely dodge the next blow, stepping out of the way.“Boring!” someone yells. They're mocking me for remaining on the defensive. I know they'll all be overjoyed to see me lose.That's why I need to prove them wrong. To prove Knox wrong. I'm sure he's watching, and I can't let him see me any weaker.I curse as my leg slips a bit. It's all she needs to ram her shoulder into my side. “Shit, what on earth do you eat!” I groan as pain flares through my ribs.“H







