LOGIN***Astrid***I'm running. The jagged twigs tugged sharply at my flesh, drawing blood. My chest and lungs burned severely, but I couldn't stop, because they're behind me. Wolves. The large, enormous monsters, six or seven of them, were hot on my tail. A pack of scary-looking wolves. Their fangs dripped with saliva as their bloodshot eyes locked on me, like predators on prey. Dread filled me up. I increased my pace, but the universe was against me. I tripped forcefully to the ground and felt an intense, blinding pain as one of them gripped my left leg.A loud scream tore out of me, almost blinding my vision. Looking up, I saw the rest of the wolves close in on me.I let out a gasp as I woke up. My eyes darted around frantically, but there were no wolves in sight, just the cold, damp stone walls of my cell closing in. Iron bars separated me from the dim corridor beyond, and the air stank of mildew and old blood. Chains rattled faintly when I shifted on the thin straw pallet
***Atlas*** Sweat dripped from my face as I drove another brutal hook into the soldier’s guard. The impact jarred up my arm, painful, but satisfying in a way nothing else had been lately. The young soldier staggered back a step, boots scraping against the training mat, but he didn’t go down. Good. I needed the resistance. “Again,” I growled. He reset his stance, jaw tight, eyes wary but determined. I feinted left, then slammed a right cross hit that clipped his shoulder pad hard enough to make him grunt. The pack needed warriors who could take punishment, not crumple like paper. I'd always made it a ritual to spar with every new recruit, so I can test their strength and give corrections where necessary. I lunged again, faster this time, forcing the soldier to block desperately. His arms buckled under the force, and he slid a few feets away. “Enough,” Kyle called from the side of the mat, arms crossed. He’d been watching the whole session, silent until now. I stepped back, chest
***Astrid*** My heart felt like it was going to explode. That man was so close to me, his cinnamon-y scent invading my head space. I hated how he affected my thoughts. I'm supposed to hate him, not gush over him. It's not my fault that the universe decided to bless that monster in every possible way. Now that my task for the day is suspended, I quickly headed back to my room. But I needed to speak with Ophelia first. I headed straight for her room, but she wasn't there. I headed back to the kitchen, she probably was still with Sasha and her minions. Suddenly, some soldiers trooped in. “A human maid was just found dead in the West side of the forest. Everyone is advised to avoid that area, as the murderer is yet to be found.” What? “Ophelia. Where is she? You were the last person with her.” I asked Sasha. Her face was as white as a ghost, with dried tears stuck to her cheeks. A couple red stains were on her apron. Blood. “I…we all went outside for some fresh air, and she was
***Astrid*** The next morning, I woke up by the door. I must have slept off, after crying my eyes out last night. I stared out the only window in my room. The sun was already rising, casting a dim orange glow as it seeped into my room. Slowly, last night's events flooded into my mind. The Alpha had almost killed me. I don't know what it was that he did, but the memory still sends a chill down my spine. I'll need to steer clear from him, if I needed to survive. Though staying away from him is going to be near impossible, since he decided to make me his personal cleaning maid. Thankfully, the sun was still rising, meaning I still had time to prepare. Even though my body strongly disagreed with me, I got up, quickly washed my body and hair, then changed into my uniform. I stared at my form in the mirror, giving myself one last reassurance. “You can do this.” I said out loud to myself. I tied my brown hair up in a messy bun, looking at myself one last time, before bolting out in
***Astrid*** And god, his eyes! I stared at mesmerizing icy blue orbs that were slightly covered by strands of dark black hair. His eyes were like an endless pool that drew me into them, like they held some untold secrets behind them. I know I should look down in submission, my mind screamed at me to look down but I couldn't. “What's your name, human?” He asked again, and I could hear the slight irritation in his tone already. Great job, Astrid. Now you're definitely going to die. “A-Astrid,” I managed to mutter. “Astrid,” he repeated, quieter this time. Then his expression hardened. “You’ll remain in the palace,” he continued, voice turning cold and final. “But not as a guest. Not even as a servant.” A pause. “As my personal slave.” The words hit me like a slap. “You will not leave these grounds without my permission. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will answer when I call—no matter the hour.” His gaze darkened. “Your freedom is no longer yours. It belongs to me.”
**Astrid** I woke up with a gasp. My heart is pounding from the weird dream I had. The dream didn't make any sense, the only thing I remembered was seeing a blue eyed wolf. Slowly, last night's events came rushing back into my mind and I began to adjust to my surroundings. I stared around me in confusion. Sunlight sneaked in from the open window, making me squint my eyes. I recognised the old dressing mirror immediately. I was in my room in the slave quarters. How did I get back here? I began to panic. Was I caught? Am I still dreaming? I immediately pinched myself, and the stinging pain that came after, told me otherwise. I got down from the old mattress I owned and stared at the mirror and my eyes widened in shock. I still had on the clothes I stole and put on. And it's torn appearance and the dirt stains evident on it, told me that last night wasn't a dream at all. It very much happened. I checked my thigh, but there was no sign of an injury. Strange, I thought. The fabric was to







