Chapter 5 - Hate You

|| REIKA'S POV ||

I went back to my room, crying my heart out. It was the first time I felt so broken inside. The pack of soldiers all saw my torn clothes when I ran back to the room as per the king’s order. Although I managed to hide my assets, as a proud Alpha, I suffered the biggest humiliation of my life. I dropped onto the floor, mumbling accusations repeatedly until I was out of breath,

“ I hate you, King Radolf. I hate you so much. Even if my father proves himself innocent, I will never forgive you.”

Unbeknownst to me, Radolf followed me to my room, only to find it locked from the inside. Frowning, he asked a guard passing nearby,

“ Is she gone inside?”

The guard bowed his head respectfully and replied,

“ Yes, my king. She went inside crying.”

Radolf paused for a second—it was his first time knowing that I had shed tears even though I was imprisoned there. His lips curved upward victoriously as he scoffed inwardly and turned to leave,

“ She deserves it! Her stubborn ass won’t be tolerated here!”

---

The following day, a formal gathering was arranged on behalf of the Alpha King. Alphas from different territories were invited to join the meeting. It had been a long time since Redhowl Vale held any party. The loss of the king’s mate had left a long-lasting impact on the pack members. For a long period, the castle had been drowned in sorrow.

I learned about the gathering the next morning when I saw the preparations going on around Redhowl Vale. Although it wasn’t my concern, curiosity gnawed at me. I stopped a servant who appeared kind enough,

“ What is the meeting about? Do you know?”

The servant was carrying garlands meant for the walls. She replied casually, clearly unwilling to linger with a prisoner like me, afraid of falling into Radolf’s bad books,

“ I heard the king wants all packs to stop offering help to the Moon-Eyed Pack. That’s why he called them.”

I froze. My wolf growled furiously inside me. Every instinct screamed to protect my pack from further damage. Seeing that the servant was assigned to the gathering, I offered,

“ Can I join you? Don’t I have to work for the gathering today?”

She eyed me suspiciously. The king didn’t want me anywhere near the gathering—rumors would spread. Shaking her head, she refused flatly,

“ No. You’re assigned to other work. This is mine.”

She turned to leave. Panic seized me. I needed to know what King Radolf was planning for my pack. With no other option, a wicked plan formed in my mind. I strode forward and struck her from behind with my Alpha strength. She collapsed instantly. I whispered as I reached for her clothes,

“ I am sorry…”

---

Evening soon fell over Redhowl Vale as Alphas began arriving. I took the servant’s place after hiding her inside the room. No one questioned the replacement. I did everything I could to enter the gathering.

I had to know what Radolf was planning to destroy my pack. Maybe—just maybe—I could find an ally.

As the event began, Agnes stood beside Radolf, wagging her tail sheepishly like a puppy while occasionally asserting her presence like a queen. Everyone already assumed Radolf would claim her as his mate someday. Naturally, the Alphas treated her differently.

Radolf sat at the center table, speaking with Alpha Dimitri of the northern pack. Dimitri voiced the question everyone was thinking,

“ My king, may I know why we were summoned so suddenly? Is it because of the Moon-Eyed Pack?”

Radolf’s wolf growled impatiently. Even hearing my pack’s name ignited his fury. Alpha Artemis and his people had killed his mate—his hatred barely restrained.

His voice was icy, lips curling into a devilish smirk,

“ I want you to break your territory collaboration with them. Your lands provide the best deer.”

Dimitri hesitated. It had been a peaceful agreement meant to prevent conflict. But a king’s order was absolute.

He nodded heavily. No one truly knew what happened the night the former queen went to meet my pack—but every piece of evidence pointed toward my father.

I clutched the tray so hard my fingers ached. Rage surged through my chest, but I was powerless.

How could Radolf do this? My father had asked for time. Breaking territory collaboration meant only one thing—starvation.

I don’t know how long I stood there until Cohen’s voice snapped me back,

“ Alpha Reika, who told you to come here?”

I lifted my head, meeting his scrutinizing gaze,

“ The servant assigned here fell sick. She asked me to replace her.”

After a moment of suspicion, he sighed and pointed toward Radolf’s table,

“ Go. Serve them.”

I obeyed, though my wolf rebelled violently. An Alpha serving others—it was humiliating. I should have been seated among them, not bowing before them.

When I reached Radolf and Dimitri, both were stunned. Radolf had ordered me to keep away. Dimitri recognized me instantly.

“ Isn’t she—” Dimitri began.

“ New servant!” Agnes interrupted smoothly, resting her hand on Radolf’s arm. “ She’s the new servant of Redhowl Vale.”

My wolf snarled violently. I bowed stiffly to Dimitri,

“ Enjoy your drink, Alpha.”

I left before my control snapped.

Behind me, I felt Radolf’s gaze darken. Even surrounded by Alphas, I had ignored him completely.

What was I doing here?

---

The meeting dragged on. Radolf made it clear—anyone helping the Moon-Eyed Pack would become his enemy. My father was being cornered deliberately.

I waited in the corridor, staring at the stars, until a voice startled me,

“ Alpha Reika?”

I turned to find Dimitri behind me. I bowed respectfully,

“ Alpha Dimitri. You recognized me.”

He frowned deeply,

“ Why are you here as the king’s servant? Did he abduct you? Does your pack know?”

His concern was genuine. Dimitri had always respected me.

I didn’t waste time explaining everything.

“ Please help me. Don’t break the collaboration. King Radolf wants to push my father to ruin. My pack will starve.”

He fell silent, piecing everything together.

“ Don’t beg,” he said gently. “ It doesn’t suit you. I’ll find a way to speak to the king.”

Before relief could settle in my chest, a cold voice echoed from the darkness behind us, freezing my blood,

“ Is this why you came to serve in this gathering today?”