INICIAR SESIÓNDEXTERA“Please, I want these cleaned up and dried.” I beckoned on one of the cleaning maids working in the Alpha's kitchen.“I wouldn't like the Alpha to make a single complain or be uncomfortable.” I added and walked to the other end of the kitchen where the new cooking items which Thor's lead chef recently brought in were arranged.“Sure, ma'am.” The new maid replied before scurrying off to clean the wet place I pointed out.She had just been appointed to work in the Alpha's quarters, kudos to Thor who requested a change of all previous working maids in his mansion from Madam Sansa.A broad smile pulled at my lips soon after, as I recalled the reason he gave.__________FLASHBACKOutside the Sanctum...Thor's announcement rooted me to the spot and I forgot every other thing surrounding me. For real, it came to me as a total shock. Nothing in Thor's speech or action before that trial prepared me for it.For a brief moment, happiness coursed through me. Then it dawned on me that the
DEXTERADeucalion gave a signal to the errand boy standing nearby, who hurried forward instantly, holding a shallow bowl filled with an unknown, almost clear liquid.Deucalion collected the bowl and tilted it slightly to spill some of the liquid across the map in droplets.Almost everyone watched in anticipation, all completely in the dark about what was about to unfold. I tried to calm my anxiety so bad, but I knew deep down that would only be possible when the trial ended and I exited the crowd and the Sanctum as a whole.At first, nothing happened. Deucalion spread the liquid gently, ensuring it coated every corner of the map before setting the bowl aside. Almost everyone leaned forward in their spots, confused, while the map got soaked with the unknown solution.I tried to calm my breathing, but my heart continued hammering painfully against my ribs. About a minute passed, then the errand boy stepped forward again and handed Deucalion a 3.65nm UV forensic light pen. The small d
DEXTERA I signified my presence with a raise of my hand. “I’m...here.” I drawled, my cheeks flushing red with several penetrating stares on me. “Please step forward.” Slowly, I stepped forward from the column where I had been standing and the crowd parted slightly to let me pass. Every step toward the center of the Sanctum felt heavier than the last.When I reached the opening adjacent to the Circle of Truth, the elder regarded me carefully and gestured for me to move closer. “Do you confirm that you visited Elder Vaelorra’s residence that night?”“Yes,” I answered.The runes beneath Vaelorra flickered softly, but they didn't give any reaction to signify I was lying which meant my words were accepted as truth. After all, I wasn't the suspect standing in the circle this time. So, I couldn't be bothered about the circle.“And what did you witness?” the elder pressed further.I swallowed.“I heard an argument,” I said. “Between her and Ivana.”Vaelorra watched me quietly and I conti
DEXTERATWO DAYS LATERLess expected, but I was summoned to be present for Vaelorra's hearing. Thor had been busy since he returned to work, so we didn't get to see each other. Rumours soon began to fly around the pack. As usual, some whispered I was the bad luck behind the growing unrest in their pack as the Alpha was never at loggerheads with Vaelorra publicly, while a few who saw the true picture wanted things to work against Vaelorra—each for their own selfish reasons.Either way, I made sure to turn deaf ears and avoid joining in their discussion. Never again shall I be a scapegoat in Woodhound. I vowed. Headed for Astrald’s Great Sanctum of Weighing, my heart thudded heavily in my chest. Each step along the familiar stone path stirred memories I had tried very hard to bury deep within the darkest corners of my mind.The cold towering pillars of the Sanctum soon came into view. The last time I had been brought here, I wasn’t walking on my own feet. I had been dragged in like a
THOR It felt better to finally let it all out. No doubt, there was something different about Dextera. The way she had absorbed my words carefully without saying much or reacting badly, or try so hard to please me with sugarcoated words intrigued me. She didn’t interrupt me unnecessarily. She didn’t twist my words into pity. And she certainly didn’t act like I had suddenly become weak. Despite my attempts to intimidate her and make her leave, she had stood her grounds boldly—an act I applaud greatly. I had always preferred women who possessed backbone. Weakness bored me, and fear irritated me. Dextera had done something else too. Without even realizing it, she had massaged my wounded pride while reminding me of who I was and the weight I bore. Whatever magic she used, it worked. Before I could stop myself, I leaned forward slightly and placed a small peck against her forehead. “Thank you,” I said, almost in a whisper. Dextera blinked, clearly not expecting the gesture. Then
DEXTERA“Well...you’re right,” I said.Thor glanced up again.“I don’t understand everything you’ve been through.”I tilted my head slightly. “But I do understand one thing.”He remained silent, waiting for me to talk. “Mistakes aren't meant to destroy you.” I shrugged faintly. “They’re meant to make you grow. But instead of learning from them, you’re hiding in here like a man afraid to face his own shadow.”Thor’s stare hardened again, though not with the same violent fury as before.“If you truly made mistakes,” I continued, “then own up to them. Stand up. Fix what you can. Then move forward.”I gestured lightly toward the door. “Cowering in this room won’t change the past. It just proves that whatever broke you won.”My gaze locked with his. “And I believe you know this already. If you don't master the art of accepting failure, you'll be trapped in the same circle and not succeed.”“That has been what's kept me going all along —moving on despite it all,” he expressed. “But no matt
THORAero wouldn't stop disturbing me for having Dextera locked up in prison. I wasn't too comfortable with it either, but she got what she deserved just like she said my sister deserved what happened to her. Sincerely, I meant what I said to her. If anything terrible ended up happening to Freya, D
DEXTERAI cursed under my breath and snapped my head away, mortified at myself after staring long enough to inscribe the details of his two hundred and seventy bone in the depth of my mind.Good goddess, what the hell did I just walk into?“Staring like that, do you want it in you?” Thor's cold voi
DEXTERA“You are now the Alpha's personal maid.” Madam Sansa''s voice echoed in my ears, as she dropped the bombshell casually as if it were nothing.I was dumbstruck at the information. It's been a week and two days since I escaped Alpha Thor's clutches. Thanks to Deucalion who stayed true to his
DEXTERA The same maid who had brought me the uniform earlier returned to my side as soon as Sansa left for some duty. She had a blank expression on her face as usual. Is it some kind of rule not to smile here? Ever since I arrived, I haven't seen anyone smile.“The Alpha needs his maid.” Her word







