LOGINChapter 25AVALINEBut this time, I had approached Alpha Monroe weeks ago with a proposal. I had told him that I wanted to be sent as an offering to the Lycan King and his vampire companion. In exchange for their protection and alliance, they would receive a servant devoted to their needs and willing to serve them in whatever capacity they required.It had been a bold move, one that could have backfired spectacularly. But Alpha Monroe had surprised me by agreeing to consider it. He had seen the political advantage in having a direct connection to the Lycan King, someone in his realm who could carry messages and requests whenever the pack needed assistance.And now, after last night, after they had shown such concern for Aida's wellbeing, I was even more certain this was the right path. They might hate werewolves, but they valued loyalty and service. As long as they never discovered what I truly was, I could build a life for Aida in their realm. A life free from the abuse and cruelty t
Chapter 24AVALINEI nodded, not trusting myself to speak, and fled before either of them could change their minds.The servants' quarters were bustling with morning activity as I made my way through the corridors. Several people gave me curious looks, clearly wondering where I had been all night, but no one dared to question me directly. The rumors about the Lycan King's interest in a lowly servant had probably spread like wildfire through the pack.I kept my head down, moving quickly toward my destination. The pack healer's quarters were located in a small building adjacent to the main pack house, and I prayed to the Moon Goddess that I would be able to obtain what I needed without drawing too much attention.The healer, an older woman named Meredith who had always shown me small kindnesses, looked up in surprise when I entered her workspace."Avaline," she said, her eyes widening as she took in my appearance. Despite Lucerion's healing, I still looked rough – my clothes were torn a
Chapter 23AVALINEI woke with a start, my heart hammering against my ribs as disorientation crashed over me like a wave. The softness beneath me was wrong – too plush, too comfortable. My bed in the servants' quarters was thin and lumpy, not this cloud-like cushion that cradled my aching body.My eyes flew open, and the events of the previous night came rushing back in a torrent of memory. The beating. The forest. Aida's injury. And then... them. The Lycan King and his vampire companion, who had shown us more kindness in one evening than I had received in years.I sat up carefully, my muscles protesting the sudden movement. Aida was still asleep beside me, her small face peaceful in the early morning light that filtered through the windows. The gash on her forehead had healed completely, leaving only the faintest trace of a scar that would likely fade entirely in time. Lucerion's healing abilities were remarkable.But as I gathered my wits, a far more pressing concern seized me with
Chapter 22ZIRAELAida's eyes fluttered closed, her small body going limp with relief as the pain subsided. But she didn't lose consciousness completely – instead, she seemed to sink into a healing sleep, her breathing evening out as Lucerion's abilities worked their magic."She'll be alright," he said, looking up at Avaline with reassurance. "The wound will heal completely, though she'll need rest."Avaline stared at her daughter's healing forehead with wonder and disbelief, her fingers trembling as she reached out to touch the spot where the gash had been. "How...?""Vampire saliva has healing properties," Lucerion explained, sitting back on his heels. "It's one of the few gifts we possess that can be used for something other than violence."I moved closer, assessing Avaline's own injuries with a critical eye. Her face was bruised and swollen, her split lip still bleeding, and I could see defensive wounds on her arms where she had tried to protect herself. But it was the hollowness
Chapter 21ZIRAEL"It's not your fault, Mummy," Aida said, her small arms wrapping around her mother's neck. "You do your best. That's all that matters."The unconditional love and forgiveness in the child's voice, the way she comforted her mother even while bleeding and in pain, was more than I could take. I felt something shift inside me, a protective instinct that went beyond simple outrage at injustice.Beside me, Lucerion was no longer growling. Instead, he had gone completely still, his pale eyes fixed on the mother and daughter with an intensity that told me he was feeling the same pull I was. We had both been affected by this human woman and her child in a way that defied logic or reason."We should intervene now," he said quietly, his voice carrying none of its usual playfulness. "Before they try to make it back on their own."I nodded, stepping out from the concealment of the trees. The sound of our approach made Avaline's head snap up, her eyes widening with terror as she r
Chapter 20ZIRAELSolaya was speaking again, her voice filled with smug satisfaction as she circled the bound woman like a predator playing with wounded prey. "Look at that. The little brat is just as weak as her mother. Without a wolf, she's nothing."She moved closer to Avaline, her perfect features twisted with malice that made her beautiful face look ugly and distorted. "And with her eighteenth birthday tomorrow, I'm not sure she'll even get her wolf. The Moon Goddess doesn't favor the weak.""Tomorrow?" Dion asked, his interest clearly piqued as he turned his attention from the unconscious child to her mother. "She's coming of age tomorrow?""That's right," Solaya confirmed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Which means dear Avaline here needs to remember her place. She shouldn't force Alpha Monroe to make one of you mate her tomorrow night."The implications of her words hit me like a physical blow. They were threatening to force Avaline into a mating bond with one of