15

AUTHOR'S POV.

The cold night air bit into the servant’s skin as she walked briskly along the stone corridors, rubbing her arms for warmth.

The banquet had ended hours ago, and most of the pack had retired for the night. She was exhausted and looked forward to resting in her quarters.

But then, a shadow moved.

Before she could react, two guards emerged from the darkness. One grabbed her left arm. The other seized her right.

The servant gasped, her body stiffening in shock. "What? What’s happening? What did I do?"

The guards said nothing.

Fear clawed its way up her throat as they began dragging her down the hallway.

She didn’t dare scream.

She knew the rules. Making a scene would only make things worse. Still, panic surged through her.

"Where are you taking me?" she whispered frantically. "Please! At least tell me."

But no matter how many questions she asked, she was met with silence.

The guards led her through the back exit of the estate, out into the open training grounds.

The night was eerily quiet, the only sound coming from the distant rustling of leaves.

Lanterns stationed around the perimeter cast flickering pools of light across the rocky ground.

Then, suddenly, they shoved her forward.

She hit the dirt, her hands scraping against the rough ground.

A sharp sting shot through her palms, but she barely noticed.

The cold realization of what was happening sent ice through her veins.

This wasn’t a mistake. This was punishment.

Her breathing turned shallow as she pushed herself up, turning just in time to see a figure step into the light.

Lord Cassian.

The moment she recognized him, her body went rigid.

"Lord Cassian." Her voice trembled as she lowered her head in greeting.

Lord Cassian didn’t acknowledge her greeting. Instead, his gaze was cold, calculating.

"How dare you disrespect our Alpha?"

The servant’s eyes widened in alarm. Disrespect?

She quickly shook her head, her pulse hammering. "I would never, Beta! I don’t understand."

Lord Cassian tilted his head slightly as if studying an insect. "Denying food to the Alpha’s wife in front of esteemed guests," he said evenly. "Tell me, how is that not a direct insult to him?"

The servant’s stomach lurched. So, this was about the banquet?

She had assumed it would pass.

The Alpha hadn’t made a big deal of it. She thought he had let it go after the warning. But it seemed she had been wrong.

Horribly wrong.

Her legs wobbled beneath her as she dropped to her knees.

"I, I wasn’t thinking, my Lord," she stammered. "I made a mistake! I swear, it won’t happen again."

Lord Cassian’s gaze didn’t waver.

"Did you think you were above the Alpha’s wife?" he said smoothly. "Is that what you believe?"

The servant bowed her head lower, pressing her forehead against the dirt.

"N-No! I don’t think that at all!"

"Good," Lord Cassian said, his voice dipping lower. "Because I’m here to ensure it doesn’t happen again."

A sick feeling crawled up her spine.

Slowly, Lord Cassian turned to the guards.

"One hundred lashes."

The servant’s body seized in horror.

"What?!" She jerked upright, wild-eyed. "P-please! I swear I will never..."

Before she could lunge forward, the guards seized her again.

She kicked and thrashed, but they were far stronger.

They dragged her across the rocky dirt, scraping her skin, until they reached a wooden post stationed near the edge of the training ground.

Her hands were yanked behind her, tied tightly.

Her feet were bound next.

A white cloth was stuffed into her mouth to silence her, muffling her screams.

Lord Cassian turned on his heel and strode away. Behind him, the sound of the whip slicing through the air filled the night.

Then came the muffled cries.

He didn’t turn back. He didn’t even flinch.

---

The black Mercedes van cut through the darkness, its tyres gliding over the smooth dirt road leading away from the Ironveil Palace.

Inside, a thick silence pressed upon the passengers.

Margaret sat with her hands clasped in her lap, her gaze fixed on the passing trees outside the window.

Beside her, Sarah and Tiana sat still, their usual smug expressions absent.

Eli, sitting near the front, kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, shoulders tense.

And at the very front, Gabriel Voss simmered in silent rage. The weight of his fury was like a living thing, thick and suffocating.

No one spoke.

No one even dared to breathe too loudly. They all knew better.

For a while, the only sound was the faint hum of the engine. The tension stretched like a blade against their throats.

Then, Gabriel finally broke the silence. His voice was low and dangerous.

"I heard you gave a maidservant to Serafina."

Margaret stiffened. She knew this was coming and had already prepared.

Slowly, she turned her gaze toward her husband. "Yes," she said carefully. "Her name is Mira."

Gabriel’s nostrils flared.

Margaret continued before he could explode. "Serafina has no one in Central Ironveil. I thought having at least one familiar face."

"You thought?" Gabriel’s voice turned sharp, cutting through her words. "You thought?"

Margaret lowered her gaze.

Gabriel slammed his fist against the armrest, his lips curling back in disgust.

"That useless girl doesn’t deserve anything! She deserves to rot alone!"

Sarah spoke up carefully, her voice measured.

"Mother was just thinking about appearances, Father. No matter what happens, Serafina is still tied to our name. Everyone knows she is your daughter."

A muscle ticked in Gabriel’s jaw.

Tiana nodded, her voice carrying an edge of disdain.

"We should all just be praying she doesn’t drag our family through the mud one more time."

Gabriel’s fists clenched. "If she does, " His voice turned even darker. "If she disgraces us again, I will go to Central Ironveil myself, to finish what the curse started."

His words sent a cold chill through the car.

Then Tiana muttered under her breath, "That’s if someone doesn’t get rid of her first."

Gabriel exhaled sharply, his rage still thick in the air.

Eli, who had been silent until now, spoke.

"Don’t worry, Father. I’ve already warned her." He leaned back, his voice as cruel as ever. "If she forgets my warning, then I will be the one to end her miserable, unproductive life."

A chilling finality settled in the van as Serafina’s fate had been sealed in their minds.

They would not protect her.

They would not care for her. And if she ever faltered, they would be the first to destroy her.