Chapter Five — Humiliation 

Esteria

I entered the house through the back door, quietly. The last thing I wanted was an audience.

My clothes were damp. My hair looked terrible.

And no matter how many times I pulled my jacket tighter around myself, I could still smell him. The stranger.

I could smell his cologne. And the rain, him in particular. Heat rushed into my face.

I climbed the stairs quickly. Thankfully, nobody stopped me. The moment I entered my room, I closed the door then leaned against it.

What have I done? Yesterday, I was supposed to complete my chosen bond with Cassiel.

This morning, I returned home after spending the night with a man whose name I didn't know.

“Oh, Goddess.”

I needed a shower immediately.

I stripped off my wet clothes and stepped beneath warm water. For several minutes, I simply stood there.

But washing my body didn't wash away the memories of everything that had happened with Cassiel, Dorah, the stranger, and his voice. 

Him calling me “Mine.”

I closed my eyes. Why did remembering that word make my chest tighten? It was one night. And that was what I wanted. So why did part of me wish I had stayed? I washed my hair quickly.

“No.”

Leaving was better. I didn't know him. And maybe he had mistaken me for someone else. I wasn't going to think about it anymore.

When I finished, I dried myself and changed into a fresh cream dress with long sleeves. It was simple, clean and normal. Exactly how I wanted to look.

I had barely finished brushing my damp hair when someone knocked. Before I answered, the door opened.

Selianna walked in. Her eyes travelled over me, then stopped.

“What?” I frowned.

She came closer. Her gaze moved toward my neck. I instinctively touched it. Then her eyes widened. A slow smile appeared on her face. “Oh wow.” 

My stomach dropped. “Selianna.”

She reached toward the collar of my dress.

But I stepped back. “Don't touch me.”

She had already seen enough. Her smile became cruel. “You slept with someone.”

My chest tightened. “Get out.”

Instead, she turned toward the open door and screamed. “Mother!”

“Selianna!” I shouted. Obviously too late. 

Her voice carried down the hallway already. And within minutes, Luna Lumina appeared. “What is all this noise about?”

Selianna pointed at me. “She slept with someone last night.”

Luna Lumina's eyes snapped toward me. “What?”

“It isn't your business.”

Her expression hardened. “It became my business when you returned to my house carrying another man's marks.”

My humiliation turned to anger as I touched that part of my neck. It was just a scratch, and nothing more, so I spoke. “This is Alpha Corvian's house too.”

Her hand twitched. Before she could respond, more voices came from the hallway.

I closed my eyes briefly, of course. Cassiel and Dorah are here too.  They had apparently come to speak with Corvian.

Dorah stopped the moment she saw me.

Cassiel's eyes moved over my face. Then toward the part of my neck my dress didn't completely cover. His expression changed.

“Esteria?” He looked shocked. 

I almost laughed.

Selianna folded her arms. “She didn't waste much time after you rejected her.”

Dorah looked down. But Cassiel stared at me. “You were with someone?”

That tone, like he was disappointed. Something inside me snapped, and I looked directly at him. “Yes.”

His jaw tightened. “Last night?”

“Yes.”

“Esteria—”

“What?”

He fell silent. But I  stepped closer. “You slept with my best friend while we were still supposed to complete our bond.”

Dorah flinched.

“You formally ended things with me afterward.”

Cassiel's face hardened.

“So tell me, what exactly gives you the right to look disappointed?”

He had no answer for me. Just as I expected. For once, I didn't lower my eyes.

Selianna scoffed. “Listen to her. One night with some random man and suddenly she has courage.”

Luna Lumina's face changed at the words. “Random man?”

I looked at her. Her eyes sharpened. “Who was he?”

“I don't know.”

Everyone went quiet. Selianna laughed.

“You don't even know?”

I didn't reply. I just remained quiet because I was tired. 

Luna Lumina looked almost furious. “You disappeared from protected pack territory, spent the night with an unidentified wolf, and came back without knowing his name?”

“He wasn't a rogue.” I finally responded. 

“How do you know that?”

“He is not.” 

“That isn't an answer.” Her voice rose. “You could have brought danger into this pack.”

“Nothing followed me into the Pack.” 

“You don't know that!”

I frowned. Then heavy footsteps approached. Alpha Corvian entered. His gaze swept over the crowded room.

“What is going on?”

Nobody answered immediately. But his expression darkened. “I asked a question.”

Luna Lumina straightened. “We have a serious problem with Esteria.”

Alpha Corvian's eyes moved toward me. But before he could ask, one of the pack guards appeared behind him.

“Alpha.”

Alpha Corvian turned.

“The royal convoy has crossed into Silvercrest.”

Everything changed immediately. Selianna gasped. Luna Lumina's anger disappeared instantly. “The King?”

The guard nodded.

“Alpha King Elliott Moonfang is coming here personally.”

Selianna immediately touched her hair. And I almost rolled my eyes.

Alpha Corvian looked around the room. “Everyone out. Now.”

“But—” Luna wanted to protest. But Alpha Corvian wasn't done talking. 

“Lumina, prepare a good breakfast. Selianna, go with her. Cassiel, Dorah, not today. Let's talk tomorrow.” 

Everyone began moving. But Alpha Corvian looked at me last. “We will finish this later.”

I nodded. The moment he left, Lumina turned back. Her eyes were cold. “You are not going anywhere near the King looking like this.”

“I wasn't planning to.”

“Good.”

She signalled two guards. My stomach tightened.

“What are you doing?”

“For the safety of this pack, you will remain in the secure holding room until the King's visit is over.”

“What?”

“You refuse to identify the male you were with.”

“I told you I don't know his name.”

“Exactly.”

I looked at the guards. Then at Lumina. “This is ridiculous.”

“Take her.”

For once, I fought. I pulled my arm away when one guard reached for me.

“Don't touch me.”

Lumina stepped closer. “You will not embarrass this family in front of the Alpha King.” Her voice dropped. “And you certainly will not go anywhere near him.”