Chapter 5

Zirelle’s POV

I walked into the Wolvehowl Pack, clutching onto my loaf of bread like it was my lifeline. My gaze was low, avoiding the curious and judgmental stares of the pack members around me.

They whispered to each other, their voices too low for me to decipher, but their eyes spoke volumes. I knew they were gossiping, but I forced myself to keep moving, pretending not to care.

One of the pack's godmothers approached me, her expression neutral. She guided me to the maids' quarters, showing me to a small room. It was simple, barely more than a cot and a stool, but it was better than the dungeon I had lived in for years.

She gave me a few instructions and told me to wash up. "The Alpha hates dirty maids," she warned before leaving.

I followed her orders, scrubbing away the grime that had clung to me for years. Dressed in the uniform apron provided, I began my new life as a servant.

At first, some of the maids tried to talk to me, to make friends, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. Years in isolation had dulled my social skills. I had forgotten how to communicate, how to laugh, how to connect.

After a while, they stopped trying.

Some began to dislike me, thinking I was prideful because I wouldn’t speak. One maid, in particular, seemed to harbor an intense hatred for me—Medina. I had no idea why, but her disdain was palpable.

One day, Medina and I were assigned to serve Alpha Drake his meal.

I was nervous. The other maids often whispered about him, painting him as a ruthless and cold-hearted leader.

This would be my first time seeing him since my arrival at Wolvehowl Pack.

As we arranged the dining table, the Alpha suddenly walked in.

I froze.

The plate I was holding slipped from my trembling fingers and shattered on the floor.

It was him.

The man I had stolen from five years ago.

The man I had healed only months ago.

And possibly, the man responsible for taking my virginity.

My mouth went dry, and my heart raced. Why was he always appearing in my life? What sort of cruel joke was the Moon Goddess playing on me?

Panicked, I grabbed the veil from my apron and draped it over my head, hiding my face. But as I turned to leave, my foot caught on something—Medina’s outstretched leg.

I crashed to the floor with a loud thud.

My gown rode up, exposing my thighs.

Drake’s gaze fell on me, his eyes lingering on the small tattoo etched into my skin.

It wasn’t just any tattoo—it was the mark my mother had given me, my little “guardian angel.”

I quickly pulled my gown down, covering myself. Drake’s eyes flickered with recognition before he turned away, his expression unreadable.

Medina smirked, satisfied with her handiwork. She had tripped me on purpose.

I groaned in pain, picked myself up, and fled the room without looking back.

My legs trembled as I hurried to the maids' quarters. My thoughts were a whirlwind.

Has Drake recognized the tattoo?

Has it triggered a memory?

I had seen the flicker of familiarity in his eyes, but I couldn’t be sure.

Just as I reached the door to my room, Medina’s voice rang out behind me.

“Hey, pussy. Alpha Drake wants to see you,” she sneered, folding her arms smugly.

My heart dropped. “What? Tell him I’m feeling sick. I can’t go,” I stammered, my voice trembling.

Medina laughed coldly. “Suit yourself. But I’m sure the Alpha wouldn’t mind seeing your corpse swinging from the rope above the gate tomorrow morning.”

She pointed to the execution rope dangling in plain view.

Fear gripped me. My knees buckled, and I almost collapsed.

Without another word, Medina turned and walked away.

I stood there, paralyzed. What should I do?

Summoning every ounce of courage I had left, I forced myself to return to the dining hall.

Drake was already eating when I entered.

“You called for me,” I said, my voice shaky but bolder than I felt.

He slammed his fist on the table, making me jump. “Can’t you see I’m in the middle of my meal?”

“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, my eyes filling with tears.

“Shut up! And you’re still talking!” he roared, standing abruptly.

Before I could react, he stormed toward me.

In a flash, his hand was around my throat, pinning me against the wall.

The air was forced from my lungs as he tightened his grip. My hands clawed at his, trying to free myself, but his strength was overwhelming.

“Why do you look so familiar?” he growled, his other hand lifting the hem of my gown. His fingers traced the tattoo on my thigh.

“Please… stop,” I begged, tears streaming down my face. “You’re hurting me.”

“Answer me!” he barked, his grip tightening.

Our eyes met.

Something passed between us, something primal and electric.

Suddenly, his expression changed.

He released me, stumbling back as though he had seen a ghost. “Were you trying to shift on me?” he demanded, fury blazing in his eyes.

“What?” I gasped, collapsing to the floor.

“You were going to shift into a wolf and attack me, weren’t you?”

“No!” I cried, coughing and clutching my throat. “I swear, I wasn’t trying to shift.”

“Don’t lie to me!”

I didn’t know what he was talking about. I couldn’t shift. I had no powers left.

“Your eyes turned blue,” he hissed. “Don’t deny it.”

“I can’t shift!” I screamed, my voice breaking. “I don’t have any powers. I’m mostly human now… I’ll never be able to shift.”

Drake froze, his rage flickering into something unreadable.

Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the room.

I stayed on the floor, sobbing into my hands.

Why was my life like this?

Why did the Moon Goddess keep me alive, only to let me suffer endlessly?