MasukI lifted the glass cup between my fingers and took a slow sip of the tea before setting it down on the table in front of me. I sat on one of Naomiâs white leather couches, completely relaxed, while the four women across from me stared like I was some strange creature they couldnât figure out.Naomi sat directly opposite me, sitting stiffly on her own sofa. Behind her was Head Maid Smite, pressing an ice pack to her swollen cheek, glaring at me like she wished she would kill me then and there. Sarah and Grace stood near the door with a couple of maids and guards, all of them pretending they werenât here to watch the show. Anyone who had brains could tell this was going to be a pivotal moment that defined my existence in this castle. No other concubine that hadnât won had had the audacity to sit so confidently in front of Naomi. Talkless of an unimportant âwhite wolfâ with no family name.It was unimaginable. The other three official concubines sat to my right, each looking at me in
âWho did you say youâre here to see?âThe maid at Concubine Naomiâs door stared at me from head to toe, confused like she couldnât believe what sheâd just heard.I stood in front of Naomiâs quarters, letting my eyes wander around with amusement. Compared to my dingy quarters, this place was heaven. Guards stood at every corner with maids rushing in and out carrying trays of food and piles of clean clothes, fresh flowers in tall vases. Gardeners trimmed her trees making everything look like perfection. The walls were painted, the floors were pure white marble.Naomi lived like a queen.The maid, one of Naomiâs closest confidants looked shocked. Sheâd never met me before, but she definitely knew who I was supposed to be. Iâm sure sheâd heard every one of Naomiâs attempts to get me to come see her⌠and every time I said no. And now here I was, suddenly showing up at her door.And looking nothing like the woman theyâd described.Iâm sure Head Maid Smite had used all the words in her voca
Sarah glanced over her shoulder, making sure no one was around before going into the staff quarters. She moved fast, closing the door behind her and heading straight to the room she shared with Grace.Her eyes scanned the place until they landed on Graceâs side of the room. Without even thinking twice, she started going into her things, pulling open her cupboard and even went through her jewelry box until she found what she was looking for.It was a ring. Graceâs favorite ring.Sarah smirked. âPerfect,â she whispered, putting it into her pocket. âYou really shouldâve worn this today.âShe laughed at herself before sneaking out again, her plan already forming in her head. She soon reached where Grace said the fight happened and she stopped when she saw Poppy on the floor. She was laying unconscious at the bottom of the ditch, her head covered with blood. Sarah bent down, her lips turning into a cruel smile. âSo this is the girl Lady Dahlia was so proud of,â she laughed. âWerenât yo
Grace ran through the palace halls, her shoes were slamming against the marble floors as she stopped in front of Head Maid Smiteâs office. Without knocking, she burst inside and slammed the door shut behind her.Both Head Maid Smite and her other assistant Sarah, looked up in shock. Smiteâs eyes narrowed as she glared at Grace as she was still angry about the embarrassment she suffered in front of Dahlia which she totally blamed on Grave.âGrace,â she snapped. âWhat on earth are you doing barging in here like a madwoman? Didnât I send you to help clean Concubine Naomiâs quarters as your punishment or do you not want to work here anymore?âGraceâs chest was rising and falling fast as she tried to catch her breath. Her face was pale, her hands trembling as she shook her head. âIâI did! I mean, I was going there, butâââBut what?â Sarah cut in. A smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. How satisfying, she thought. Grace finally made a fool of herself. Letâs see how long her precious po
The next thing I heard was a sound that belonged in the pits of hell. It was loud and manic laughter that made my whole body shake. Then I heard another snap that sounded like my own spine breaking. My body twisted in ways that weren't normal. I gasped, choking on air, as I started getting dizzy. My eyes rolled back and I fell to the cold floor, my heart beating so loud I thought it would burst. Thatâs when I saw my fingers stretching and my bones cracking as pale fur started pushing out of my skin. When I looked at the broken mirror, I saw a massive white wolf with eyes burning red. IâIs that me? No itâs not me. Itâs Wonlock! But heavens, I felt alive! Every sound around me seemed to flood into my ears all at once. The drip of water from the sink, the pounding of my pulse, the faint running of a rat behind the walls. I could smell everything, the thick scent of blood, soap from the bathroom. I heard a low growl from deep in my chest. I couldnât feel anything, yet I could
âLady Dahlia, you have to calm down! Weâll treat her please, sheâs not dead yet.â Doctor Jeffery, the royal doctor, spoke with a forced calmness that didnât make me feel better at all. I bursted into the palace hospital and practically screamed for help. I watched as he adjusted his glasses, his expression full of pity which Iâd always hated when people looked at me like that but for the first time, I didnât care. I grabbed his arms with my shaky hands. Two nurses tried to hold me back as others rushed Poppy toward the emergency room. âPlease, save her! Iâm begging you!â My voice broke, shaking with every word. âWhatever you want, Iâll give itâjust donât let her die!â He only gave me a stiff nod before running after the nurses, leaving me standing there trying not to break into pieces. My knees gave out, and I hit the cold floor hard, my hands cleaning on the tears I didnât even realize were falling. How did this happen? Who couldâve done something so cruel? But deep down, I alr







