The Girl Who Said No

Ragnar

“I said… no.”

The words hit harder than a punch.

“I don’t want to clean your chambers,” she added.

For a second, the entire hall went silent. No one breathed. No one moved. Even the maids forgot to lower their heads.

A slave had just refused me. My wolf surged forward instantly. How dare she? Bane’s growl rolled through my skull like thunder. Deal with her, Ragnar. Don’t let this slide.

My jaw tightened. In all my years as Alpha, warriors had disobeyed. Betas had argued. Elders had challenged. But a slave? Never!

I studied her. Filthy dress. Hollow cheeks. Bruises lining her wrists. And yet… Her spine was straight. Her eyes didn’t beg.There was fear there… yes…but no submission.

Interesting. I stepped closer. “All slaves are granted seven days of light duty when they first arrive,” I said calmly.

Hope flickered across the watching faces.

“Except you.”

Her breath hitched.

“You’ll clean the main hall and my chambers. Alone. For seven days.”

She gasped quietly.

“If you’re going to defy me,” I continued, voice low, “you’ll be strong enough to survive it.”

I didn’t raise my tone. I didn’t need to. “Vanya.”

The head maid appeared instantly. “Yes, Alpha.”

“Take her to my chambers. Deep clean. After that, return her to the hall.”

Vanya’s lips curved cruelly. “Gladly.” She grabbed Seraphina’s arm. “Move, murderer,” she hissed.

I watched as they dragged her away. She didn’t cry. Didn’t beg. Didn’t look back.

Bane stirred again. She’s different.

Before I could answer him..

“Alpha Ragnar! Alpha Ragnar!”

I turned. Rowan jogged toward me, breathing hard. My Beta never ran unless it mattered.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Cassandra Vale is in your office,” he said. “She insisted on waiting. Looks… upset.”

I frowned. “What does she want now?”

He shrugged. “Didn’t say. But it doesn’t look friendly.”

I exhaled slowly and headed toward the office. The door was half open. Inside, Cassandra Vale stood by the window, sunlight framing her like a portrait.

Perfect posture. Perfect hair. The perfect daughter of the council.

She turned when I entered. “Ragnar,” she purred.

Before I could react, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around me.

I pulled her off immediately. “Don’t.”

Her smile faltered. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’ve been working.”

“You never have time anymore.” Her voice softened. “You know how I feel.”

I said nothing.

She stepped closer again. “We grew up together. Everyone already expects..”

“Cassandra,” I cut in, “we’re friends. Nothing more.”

Her eyes glistened. “This is the second time I’m confessing to you.”

“And this is the second time I’m telling you I feel nothing romantic for you,” I replied evenly. “We aren’t fated mates. We never will be.”

We both went silent.

Her face crumpled. She sniffed, turned, and left without another word.

The door clicked shut.

I finally exhaled. Politics disguised as affection. I hated it.

********

The next morning, the training yard felt dull. Warriors sparred, steel clashed, dust rose. Everything, boring.

I folded my arms. “Faster,” I barked.

They obeyed, but nothing stirred my blood. Then I remembered. Silver chains, defiant eyes. And the words, “I said no.”

A slow idea formed. “Bring me the Crescent Moon slave,” I ordered the guards. “And gather the warriors.”

Murmurs spread instantly. A challenge. They loved those.

Seraphina was dragged into the yard moments later. She looked worse than yesterday. Paler, exhausted, but still standing.

Good.

If she had the strength to defy me, she had the strength to fight.

I stepped forward. “New rules,” I announced. “Today we make this interesting.”

The warriors straightened.

“Anyone who wins this challenge earns promotion.”

Excited whispers spread. Then I looked at her. “If you win,” I said, “your punishment is canceled. No chamber duty. No hall cleaning.”

Her head lifted. For the first time…I saw hope.

Wooden swords were tossed down. A warrior stepped forward, twice her size. He charged immediately. She barely blocked.

He knocked her down.

She hit the dirt hard, and didn't stay down. She got up. Again and Again.

By the third clash, she adapted. Stopped running and started striking fast. She used his weight against him..Crack. He fell flat on his back.

Silence swallowed the yard. A slave… beat a warrior?

Interesting. Very interesting. “You win this round,” I said. “One more fight.”

I turned to a guard. “Bring me Cassandra Vale.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. When Cassandra arrived, her eyes immediately found me. Then the slave.

Confusion turned to anger. “Spar,” I ordered.

Their swords clashed. Unlike the first fight, this one was fast. Very skillful. Cassandra had training. But Seraphina had something else. Desperation, survival and nothing to lose.

Minutes later…Cassandra’s sword flew from her hand. Seraphina’s blade stopped at her throat.

The yard froze.

Cassandra’s face burned with humiliation. The slave stood there, chest heaving… victorious.

And for the first time in years…I smiled.