Chapter 7

ELOWYN 

I looked down at the chains that were still around my ankles and hurried to the door, pushing it open.

“Hey!” I shouted at the backs of the guards trailing behind Sabrina.

They turned to regard me, their expressions cold and unreadable. Even Sabrina herself glanced over her shoulder, her eyes immediately filling with annoyance.

“Please,” I said, lifting the weight of the chains for emphasis. “Take them off. They’re hurting me. They’re impacting my mobility.”

Sabrina rolled her eyes and turned back around, her regal steps never faltering.

“The chains stay on until I say otherwise,” she said coolly to the guards. She didn’t even have to look back to ensure her instructions would be followed.

The guards, who had started toward me, froze and quickly turned again to resume their pace behind her, ignoring me as though I hadn’t spoken at all.

Defeated, I dragged my feet back inside the cramped room assigned to four women. The iron clinked with every step, each sound a reminder of my helplessness. I lowered myself onto the only bed that lacked a pillow, assuming it must be the one left unclaimed. My gaze drifted toward the small window, where the fading light of day poured in.

I thought about everything Sabrina had said.

I had never wronged her. I had given her the gown she demanded. I had never spoken against her. And yet, she treated me like dirt beneath her heel. Why? What kind of hatred could burn so strongly without cause?

My heart sank further as her cruel command replayed in my mind. She wanted me to sleep with Alpha Kieran tonight. She wanted me to carry the burden of her deception, to bear the heir she herself was too afraid to conceive.

But how was I supposed to make her look pregnant when I was going to be the one with child? How was I going to convince people she was pregnant? 

And how was I supposed to keep my own condition hidden if I got pregnant?

I couldn’t walk around the palace with a swollen belly, unmarried and unmated. I would be mocked, shamed, called a whore. I would be despised by the entire pack. My stomach churned at the thought.

So what was I going to do? Why was Sabrina punishing me like this? And how, in the goddess’s name, was I supposed to survive tonight? Could I even pretend to be someone else in the alpha’s bed?

I had never before been touched by a man. Was I even going to like it? 

The door creaked suddenly and then swung open. A girl about my age stepped inside. She was petite, with skin that had seen too much sun and bright blue eyes that sparkled. She stopped short when she saw me, staring as though she’d found a stranger in her home.

“Are you lost?” she asked, her tone edged with confusion.

I shook my head slowly. “I was brought here by the queen. I’m to stay here until she requires my presence.”

Her eyes widened. “Our Luna?” She stepped further into the room, awe spreading across her face. “You mean the Luna was really here?”

I gave a small nod. I didn’t see anything extraordinary in Sabrina’s visit, not when I knew the sharp cruelty behind her mask.

“Wow.” The girl’s voice dropped to a whisper, her amazement uncontainable. “How does it feel walking with her? Is it true she killed twelve men in a fight all by herself? Is she as strong as the rumors say?”

Her question reminded me of the way Sabrina’s nails had dug into my skin earlier, cruel and merciless, making me cry out in pain.

“She is strong,” I confirmed quietly. “You should never cross her.”

The girl’s eyes grew even wider as she studied me. Her gaze flicked down, landing on the chains still clamped around my ankles.

“Why are you in chains?”

I followed her stare and sighed, shame weighing heavy on me. “The Luna insists I remain in them.”

“But why?” she pressed, frowning.

I shook my head. I couldn’t explain. I couldn’t risk even a hint of Sabrina’s secret slipping from my lips. If anyone discovered what she was plotting, I had no doubt I’d be burnt alive.

“It just has to be this way,” I murmured. “I’ll be fine.”

She seemed to accept that, nodding without pushing further. “My name is Betsy. I work in the palace stalls. I milk the cows and goats, feed them too.”

She stopped and studied me more closely, her bright eyes softening with a touch of pity. Then she lowered her voice. “There are two other maidserants here. Have you met them? 

I shook my head at her. “You're the only one I've met so far.”

"You should be careful of the other two servants who stay here. They talk too much. Loudly, too. If you're not careful, they might put you in trouble.”

I nodded understandingly. “Thank you. I’ll be careful.”

Betsy hesitated, her eyes dropping to the chains again. “You know… I could help you with those.”

My heart lurched. “Help… how?”

“I can take them off when you’re in here, and put them back on before the Luna or her guards summon you again.” She smiled faintly, though concern shadowed her expression. “It must hurt, wearing them all the time.”

Her kindness stunned me. “I… I don’t know,” I admitted. “If Sabrina ever found out—”

“She won’t,” Betsy said quickly. “I’ll make sure of it. Trust me.”

For a moment, I hesitated, torn between fear and relief. But the ache in my ankles was unbearable, and the thought of even a few hours without the weight of iron was too tempting. Slowly, I nodded.

“All right,” I whispered.

Her smile widened. “Good. Sit still.”

Betsy knelt before me, her fingers surprisingly deft as she worked the locks. Within moments, the chains clattered softly to the floor. I let out a sharp breath, the sudden freedom making my legs feel light and foreign.

“Better?” she asked, tilting her head, her blue eyes sparkling with warmth.

“Yes,” I said softly, rubbing at the red welts on my skin. “Much better.”

She dusted her hands off and smiled again. “There. We’ll keep this between us. Don’t worry—I’ll put them back before anyone notices.”

“Thank you, Betsy. You're really kind.”

“You're welcome. What are you called?”

“Elowyn. Call me Elowyn.”