Chapter 8: Breakfast In The Wolf's Den

###Sincerely

Everything inside me slammed to a stop.

Blackstone?

The name ricocheted through my skull like a bullet.

“What…” The blood drained from my face so fast the room tilted. “Black… what?”

I shot upright in the tub. Water sloshed violently over the marble edge as I scrambled out, nearly slipping on the wet floor in my panic.

The towel—where the hell was the towel?

“My goodness!” The maids rushed forward.

“Miss… Please, be careful!”

“I have to leave,” I gasped, snatching the towel and wrapping it around myself like a shield. “Right now.”

The older maid caught my wrist with surprising gentleness before I could bolt for the door. “You’ve barely recovered—”

“I can’t stay here!” My voice cracked, raw and desperate. “If Alpha Ryker finds me—”

Both women froze.

“…Finds you?” the younger maid repeated, confused.

“Yes!” I clutched the towel tighter against my chest, heart hammering like it wanted to escape. “He’ll kill me!”

Silence.

The maids exchanged another puzzled glance before the older one spoke, almost amused. “Miss… you don’t know?”

“Know what?” My pulse thundered in my ears.

A small, quiet smile touched her lips. “It was Alpha Ryker who carried you here. He was the one in your room this morning.”

The world stopped spinning.

“…What?”

They both nodded.

I stopped breathing.

No. No, no, no.

I had never met Alpha Ryker Vale, but everyone in Mooncrest knew the stories.

Children lowered their voices when his name was spoken. Merchants made the sign of the Goddess before crossing his borders. Even battle-hardened Alphas weighed every word when he came up in conversation.

By day, he was one of the richest, most powerful businessmen on the continent.

By night… the rumors turned vicious. Entire rogue packs had supposedly vanished after crossing him. Traitors disappeared without a trace. Some whispered his empire was built on blood and broken bones.

One truth was universal: Alpha Ryker Vale was not a wolf you wanted as an enemy.

And I was standing here, naked except for a towel inside his house. In his territory.

A hollow, slightly hysterical laugh bubbled out of me. “Of course. The Moon Goddess really does have a twisted sense of humor.”

Rejected by one Alpha.

Only to wake up in the den of the most terrifying one on the continent.

Miranda was right. I’m cursed.

The room tilted again. That man, the ridiculously handsome one who’d handed me water without disgust was him.

Alpha Ryker Vale.

The Devil of Blackstone.

My wolf, traitor that she was, gave another excited little flutter at the memory of his damp, moisturized skin and intense gaze. I shoved the feeling down viciously, wrapping my arms tighter around myself.

No. Absolutely not.

I couldn’t afford to let my wolf get attached. Not to him. Especially when everything I knew about Ryker screamed danger. Not even when my last “mate” had looked at my body like it was something repulsive.

I pressed my forehead against my knees, breathing shakily.

“What am I supposed to do now?” I whispered to myself.

The luxury surrounding me suddenly felt like gilded bars. Beautiful. Comfortable. And completely inescapable.

I hugged the towel so tightly my fingers ached. “I’m… I’m fine,” I lied weakly when the maids asked if I was unwell.

Neither of them believed me, but they didn’t push.

“Let’s get you dressed first,” the older maid said gently.

•••

The simple cream-colored gown they helped me into felt like a crime. The fabric was impossibly soft, flowing over my curves like it had been made for my body instead of fighting it. It hugged my full breasts, skimmed my wide hips, and fell elegantly to my ankles without a single pinch or tug.

When I caught my reflection in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize the woman staring back.

Round face. Soft stomach. Thick thighs. Messy brown curls that refused to be tamed.

Still me.

But cleaner. Warmer. Almost… soft in a way that didn’t feel like a sin.

The younger maid smiled. “This suits you beautifully.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. She has to be lying.

Back in the bedroom, another shock waited.

A small dining table had been rolled in beside the window, groaning under a feast that looked too beautiful to touch: warm, crusty bread still steaming, creamy chicken soup, roasted vegetables glistening with herbs, fresh fruit, fragrant tea, and even a delicate slice of cake.

I stopped dead.

“…For me?”

“Of course,” the older maid replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

My stomach roared with betrayal.

I shook my head slowly. “I… I don’t think I can.”

The younger maid frowned. “You haven’t eaten since you got here.”

“I’m not hungry,” I lied.

Another loud growl from my stomach called me a filthy liar.

Despite the terror still clawing at my ribs, the corner of my mouth twitched. “Traitor.”

The older maid stepped closer, voice kind but firm. “You’ve been through an ordeal. You’ll need your strength if you want to… decide what comes next.”

The word landed heavy.

Yes, I need strength if I was going to run from the most dangerous Alpha alive. I definitely couldn’t do it on stale bread and spite.

I took a shaky breath and sat.

I reached for the bread with trembling fingers, tore off a piece, and took a bite.

It was warm, buttery and perfect

My eyes stung with sudden tears.

Was this what everyone else at home enjoyed while I survived on scraps?

I didn’t realize I was crying until a tear hit the back of my hand. I kept eating anyway—bread, then soup, then vegetables, each bite tasting like forgiveness I hadn’t earned and safety I didn’t trust.

The maids watched from a respectful distance, relief clear on their faces.

“We’ll leave you to enjoy your meal,” the older one said. “Ring the bell if you need anything at all.”

I looked up, throat tight. “Thank you.”

“It is our pleasure.”

The door clicked shut behind them.

I stared at the half-empty plates, the luxurious room, and the mountain view beyond the glass.

I was in Alpha Ryker Vale’s territory.

Eating his food.

Wearing his clothes.

And sooner or later… he would come back.

The question was whether I’d still be breathing when he did.