CHAPTER ONE - The Dark Room

LIORA'S POV

"Wolfless bitch," I heard someone whisper as I passed and a soft giggle followed.

I kept my head down and continued toward the stairs. There was no point in responding. The words had lost their sting years ago because I had heard them all over and over again.

I had woken before dawn, to the familiar ache that had settled deep into my bones. 

Yesterday's work which included scrubbing the grand hall's marble floors on hands and knees had left my shoulders burning and my lower back throbbing with that persistent pain that never quite faded. 

Other omegas could let their wolf heal them but I had no such mercy. 

I could not shift so I lacked the strength that most wolves possessed, hence the pain lingered in me like an unwelcome guest that refused to leave.

The air was cold and damp, carrying the musty smell of stone and earth, but I kept walking. 

In the kitchen, I found my workspace already sabotaged. The cleaning rags I had folded so carefully the night before were scattered across the floor, some of them soaked in what looked like dishwater. My apron had vanished from its hook. Again.

"Looking for this?" Anna's voice came from behind me. I turned to see her dangling my apron from one finger, a smile playing at her lips. 

Despite being my age, she was the head maid and undoubtedly beautiful, with glossy dark hair and fiery green eyes. "I found it in the ash bin. It's strange how things wander."

"Thank you," I said softly, taking it from her. The fabric was covered in soot.

"You should be more careful with your things, Liora." Her tone was sweet, but her eyes were cold. "Carelessness isn't befitting of someone in your... position."

I nodded and turned away, shaking out the apron as best I could. There was no time to wash it properly, the household would be waking soon, and Anna expected breakfast preparations to be well underway by sunrise. 

Today was especially important. 

The young master of the house was being celebrated for his enlistment in the army, and the house would be filled with guests by evening.

I found a clean rag and began wiping down the counters, falling into the familiar rhythm of work.  It was getting harder each day, but I refused to let it go entirely.

"Child, you're here early." The old chef shuffled into the kitchen, her joints creaking audibly with each step. She was the only one who ever spoke to me with kindness.

"Good morning, Marta," I said, offering her a small smile. "Let me help you with that."

I took the heavy pot she was carrying, ignoring the sharp protest from my shoulders, and set it on the stove for her. She patted my hand, her weathered fingers warm against my skin.

"Good girl," she murmured. "Don't let them break that gentle heart of yours."

But gentleness felt like a luxury I couldn't afford, not when I was an orphan with no pack family to claim me.

The council member who owned this house, Lord Cassius and his wife, Lady Becca, had taken me in as an act of charity when I was seven, but charity only extended so far. 

Because I was useful labor, nothing more. 

The morning passed in a blur of preparations. I arranged flowers in the great hall, polished silver until my reflection stared back at me from every surface, and through it all, I felt eyes on me.

Julian, the young master, had returned from the academy two days ago, broader in the shoulders and harder in the jaw, but with that same unsettling intensity in his gaze. 

More than once, I caught him watching me as I worked. When I passed him in the corridor carrying fresh linens, his hand reached out to touch my arm and it made my skin crawl.

"Liora," he had said, his voice low. "You've grown up."

I had hurried past, my heart hammering.

That afternoon, as I was carefully arranging Lady Becca's prized vase collection in the drawing room, Anna appeared in the doorway with several other maids behind her.

"Lady Becca wants those in the dining room for tonight," she announced. Asides being the head maid, Anna was also Lady Becca's second cousin, which made her untouchable. "Move them now."

I frowned. "But Lady Becca specifically said-"

"Are you questioning me?" Anna stepped closer, and I caught the familiar scent of her omega wolf, stirring low. 

I swallowed and reached for the nearest vase just as Anna's foot shot out. I stumbled, and the vase slipped from my fingers, it hit the floor with a sickening crash, shattering into dozens of pieces.

Time seemed to stop as the painted birds lay fragmented at my feet, 

"What have you done?" Anna's voice was loud, and within seconds, Lady Becca appeared, her face going white then red as she took in the scene.

"My grandmother's vase," she whispered, then her voice rose to a shriek. "You clumsy, worthless girl!"

"My lady, I…" I started, but there was no point. Anna stood behind her, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Lady Becca's hand connected with my cheek, the sharp crack echoing through the room. "Take this useless omega wolf to the dark room.. Perhaps a night alone will teach you to be more careful with things that are precious."

Two servants grabbed my arms and dragged me through the house, down into the bottom of the estate where the punishment rooms waited. 

The dark room was exactly what it sounded like, it consisted of a windowless chamber, and it was empty except for the stone floor. They shoved me inside, and the door slammed shut before I could blink.

The lock clicked and footsteps retreated, then there was only darkness, and the sound of my own ragged breathing.

I didn't know how much time had gone but I sat against the wall, hugging my knees to my chest, trying not to think about the space closing in around me. 

My cheek still throbbed from Lady Becca's slap and my body ached. And underneath it all was a familiar despair, threatening to swallow me whole.

I had almost dozed off when I heard the scrape of the lock turning.

A sliver of torchlight pierced the darkness and I squinted against it, my heart suddenly racing.

"Hello, Liora." Julian's voice was soft as he stepped inside, pulling the door closed behind him.

The torchlight cast dancing shadows across his face, and there was something in his expression that made every instinct I had scream danger.

He moved toward me, and I pressed myself back against the wall.

"Don't be afraid," he said, reaching for me. "I'm just here to comfort you. You must be so lonely down here."

His hands found my shoulders, pushing me down, and I realized with horrifying clarity what was happening. 

I struggled, but he was stronger, so much stronger, and my body was no match for him.

"Stop!" I gasped, trying to push him away. "Please!”

He grinned, flashing white teeth. “Let me keep you company-”

The door burst open and Julian was suddenly yanked backward, thrown against the opposite wall with enough force that the stones shook. 

A figure stood in the doorway, radiating an authority that made me shrink back. When the figure stepped forward, I recognized him immediately. 

"Darren," I breathed, his name escaping my lips like a prayer.