Chapter 4.

Kira’s POV

The sun is already setting by the time my shift ends. My body aches from scrubbing floors and handling sick pack mates all day, but at least I’m done. I just want to go home, crawl into bed, and forget this miserable day ever happened.

But as usual fate always has other plans.

I barely make it a few steps from the hospital when my bullies show up.

"Well, well," sneers Cassie, the ringleader. "Look who’s finally off work. Still rolling around in filth, Kira?"

Her friends snicker beside her and I clench my fists. "I don't want your trouble today."

Lena smirks and dangles my mother's bracelet in front of me. My breath catches and I don't think, I just lunge for it, but she jerks it away, laughing.

"Not so fast," she coos. "You still owe us, remember?"

"I already did what you asked," I snap. "Now give it back!"

Tara clicks her tongue. "Tsk, tsk. You’re not very smart, are you? We never said we’d return it after just one favor."

My stomach twists. "What do you want now?"

Cassie’s grin widens. "It’s simple, really. We need dresses for when the Alpha heir is looking for his mate tomorrow morning. Something expensive and worthy of royalty."

A bad feeling settles in my gut. "And?"

"You’re going to steal them for us."

I take a step back. "No way."

Lena pouts mockingly. "Oh? So I guess you don’t want this back?" She twirls my mother’s bracelet between her fingers.

I grit my teeth, heart pounding. "You don’t need me to steal for you. You all have money."

Tara scoffs. "Yeah, but why waste it when we have you to do the dirty work?"

I shake my head. "I won’t do it."

Lena raises an eyebrow. Then, with a smirk, she throws the bracelet to Cassie, who tucks it into her pocket.

"Then I guess it’s gone forever," she sings.

I stare at her, rage and helplessness clawing at my insides. I could fight them—but I already know how that would end.

Biting my lip, I force myself to say the words that make my stomach churn.

"...Fine. I’ll do it."

Their smiles stretch wider.

"Good girl," Lena purrs.

---

An hour later…

Sneaking into the boutique is easier than I expect.

The girls had already scoped the place out—no guards, or security cameras inside, just a basic alarm system they conveniently disabled before shoving me inside.

The boutique is breathtaking—racks of silk gowns, shimmering fabrics, and intricate beadwork. Dresses fit for Luna queens. Dresses I could never even dream of wearing.

I quickly grab the ones they requested, my hands shaking as I fold them over my arm.

As soon as I step toward the exit, the alarm blares and my blood turns to ice.

Those bitches set me up.

I whirl around, but Lena and her friends are already gone. I hear footsteps—a lot of them before the door bursts open, and the boutique owner storms in, flanked by pack warriors.

I freeze.

A furious-looking woman in a sleek red dress glares at me. "Thief!" she hisses. "How dare you steal from my store!"

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

One of the warriors steps forward. "Should we take her to the dungeons, ma’am?"

Panic surges through me. "No—wait! I didn’t—"

A sleek black car pulls up to the curb outside, its headlights cutting through the night.

The door opens, and a royal guard steps out, his uniform crisp and unmistakable.

"What's going on here?" His voice is calm but authoritative.

The boutique owner immediately straightens. "This girl was caught stealing from my shop."

The guard studies me for a moment, then turns back toward the car.

A few seconds pass. Then, he walks back over and pulls a stack of crisp bills from his pocket.

"Consider this compensation," he says, handing the money to the owner.

She blinks, then snatches the cash without hesitation. "Hmph. Fine. But she’s banned from ever stepping foot in my store again!"

The warriors glance at each other before backing off.

I let out a shaky breath.

The guard turns to me. "You’re free to go."

My body sags in relief. Then, I catch it.

That familiar scent lingering in the air. The same one from the forbidden forest and the hospital.

I glance toward the sleek car, heart pounding. "Can I… thank him?"

The guard’s expression is unreadable. "No need."

With that, he turns, steps back into the car, and drives off.

I stare after it, my mind racing.

Why was he here again? Is he following me now?

***

When I finally get home, I’m punished for being late again with an endless list of chores to do around the house...

The morning comes way too fast, just as I finish the last of my work. I’m exhausted but drag myself to get to work, too tired to shower or eat.

Along the way, I notice the air buzzing with excitement and gossip. As I walk through the streets, I catch a glimpse of unmated she-wolves, all dressed in their best gowns, rushing toward the pack house hall.

I furrow my brows momentarily then remember what today is. Oh. Right.

The Alpha heir is here. I scoff under my breath and keep walking.

Unlike the others, I don’t have time for fairy tales. I already know how my story goes—I was born to suffer, struggle, and to barely survive. The Moon Goddess wouldn’t waste a second on someone like me.

I shove my hands into my jacket pockets and keep my head down, ignoring the giggles and chatter around me. Let them dream. I have work to do.

***

After my shift, Naomi is already waiting for me outside the hospital, arms crossed with a deep glare.

"You didn’t come!" she accuses, stomping toward me.

I sigh. "I had work."

Naomi groans dramatically. "Kira! The Alpha heir himself was there—Prince Damian Blackwood! He was choosing his mate, and you were scrubbing floors!"

I roll my eyes. "And? Did he find her?"

Her face falls. "…No."

I shrug. "See? It wouldn’t have mattered anyway."

Naomi grabs my shoulders. "But what if it was you?!"

I laugh dryly. "Naomi, be serious. No one important is ever fated to an omega."

She frowns but doesn’t argue. She knows I’m right… We walk in silence for a moment before Naomi sighs. "You’re so stubborn, Kira. Whatever. I’m going home."

"See you tomorrow," I mutter as she walks away.

But before I can take another step—They appear on cue.

Cassie, Lena and Tara .

Just my luck.

I tense as they approach, their smug smiles already making my stomach churn.

"Hey, Kira," Cassie sings sweetly.

I grit my teeth. "What do you want now?"

Lena smirks. "Oh, nothing much. Just a tiny favor."

I cross my arms. "I’m done with your stupid favors."

Tara giggles. "Oh, really?" She reaches into her pocket and dangles my mother’s bracelet in front of me.

I freeze.

"You witches." My voice shakes with anger.

Tara pouts. "Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. We were going to give it back yesterday as soon as you gave us our dresses… but you failed and now we need another favor."

I narrow my eyes. "I'm not doing your dirty work today."

Cassie’s smile twists into something wicked. "Oh, but you will... if you ever want your bracelet back."

My heart skips a beat at the mention of my mother's bracelet, the one thing I can't afford to lose forever.

"Besides," Cassie adds casually, "today’s task is simple — just fetch a blue rose’s fang from the Forbidden Forest. We need it for a love potion."

A love potion? To trap who?

My blood turned to ice.