All Chapters of ALPHA'S DARK PAYMENT. HE REJECTED HER. HIS WOLF CHOSE HER.: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

MAIDS’ QUARTERS — MORNINGThe palace buzzed like a stirred beehive.Footsteps echoed down marble corridors. Laughter, complaints, orders, and excited whispers tangled in the air as maids hurried from one task to another, arms full of linens, ribbons, candles, and baskets of fresh herbs.“Listen up!” Lady Claribel called sharply. “We don’t want this festival looking like a farmer’s wedding. Everyone has assignments!”Papers were unrolled.“You — kitchen duty. Cooking and baking. No burnt meals this time.”A few maids groaned.“You — dishwashing and cleanup.”Groans grew louder.“You — serving tables during the banquet. Smile, even if your feet are weak and hurting.”Soft laughter followed.“And you lot,” she pointed toward a small group, “ballroom duty. Scrubbing floors, polishing chandeliers, setting lanterns, hanging ribbons. That hall must shine like moonlight.”The maids scattered, some excited, others muttering something under their breath.******KITCHEN — MIDDAYThe kitchen

Beta Luciano and Anika exchanged a glance—brief, tense.Kane’s jaw tightened, muscles bunching beneath his skin, but he said nothing. He remained where he was, rigid, the silence around him stretching until it pressed against every nerve in the room.Elara.Just her name—unspoken yet heavy—and the Alpha’s refusal to respond said more than any outburst ever could.Anika excused herself abruptly, turning on her heel and striding away. She blinked furiously, fighting the tears that threatened to ruin her makeup *****The forest came alive beneath the thunder of movement—warriors’ boots pounding earth, horse hooves cracking against roots and stone. Silver moonlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating twisted branches and bathing the undergrowth in a pale, otherworldly glow.Wolves from every pack stretched and flexed, muscles rolling beneath fur and skin as they sniffed the night air. Their breaths fogged softly, tails swaying, claws brushing against damp soil in anticipation.

Kane entered the library, confusion clawing at him. He had slept deeply... peacefully... something that had not happened since he was ten.“How is that even possible…?”He sat down and picked up a book, flipping through the pages, but memories of Elara’s touch flooded his mind.“Fuck…” Kane cursed, throwing the book aside.“The Moon Goddess better be joking,” he snarled before storming out. ★ NIGHT ★Elara walked out of Anika’s chamber on trembling legs, her fingers sore and raw, tears blurring her vision. She had been scrubbing the lady’s chambers and running errands without a single moment to rest.Hunger clawed at her stomach, threatening to tear her apart from the inside. She felt weak and hollow, her throat dry like a desert — so parched that even a single drop of water sounded better than a full meal.Staggering down the hallway, she headed toward her quarters, her legs barely able to carry her weight. Her vision swam, the world tilting slightly beneath her f

★ NEXT MORNING ★Sunlight flooded the great hall, glinting off long tables piled high with roasted meats, honeyed bread, fresh fruit, and steaming teas. Wolves gathered to eat, their voices loud with laughter and pride as they recounted the Night Hunt.Every Alpha observed. Every warrior compared.Maids moved quietly between them, pouring drinks, refilling cups, and waiting tables.Anika sat stiffly, shooting Elara dangerous glances. Her mind churned with fury at the memory of Elara spending the night in Kane’s chamber—something Anika herself had never been granted.Anika’s lips curled into a slow smirk.She snapped her fingers sharply in Elara’s direction.After breakfast, Kane called for a short training session.Warriors from different packs gathered in the open grounds, sparring, running drills, testing reflexes, and raw strength. The tension in the air was thick, electrifying.The training grounds grew cold and silent the moment Kane stepped in.Warriors snapped to attention in

Elara’s throat tightened. “Who…?”Anika stopped behind her, resting both hands on her shoulders. Their reflections met in the mirror—one calm and cruel, the other pale and trapped.“Alpha Gary,” Anika said softly, “has requested your company tonight.”Silence crashed over the room.Elara felt the air leave her lungs.“Me…?” she whispered.“By name,” Anika replied. “He even mentioned how lovely you look when your hair is worn down.”Elara’s fingers trembled.She had never worn her hair down in front of Alpha Gary.Not once.Yet the dress fit perfectly.The jewelry matched her eyes.Her reflection blurred.“How…?” she breathed.Anika leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper.“Alpha Gary remembers everything about you.”Elara’s fingers tightened around the hem of her plain uniform.The room waited for her to look amazed, grateful, obedient.Instead, she bowed slightly.“My Lady… I cannot accept them.”The silence cracked.Anika’s brow lifted just enough to show her surprise.“And