All Chapters of The Alpha’s Fated Mutt: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

“Mara? Are you alright?” Nora’s voice was low as she attempted a quiet whisper inside the immensely large throne room. We were both in the middle, scrubbing the unblemished floor while on our hands and knees; as we did after every Judgement. But we don’t usually talk while working inside here; Every sound, even the softest, echoes off each surface without the crowds polluting the room.Off to the side a few other servants, who were repainting the large white columns supporting the balconies, took a glimpse our way, curious but trying to seem uninterested all the same. But I was confused as to why she was asking in the first place. The only pain I had was in my knees, but I didn’t think I was complaining, even if silently. I plopped myself onto the heels of my feet, the butt of my long sleeved, blue dress getting scuffed by my black leather boots. I tossed my scrub brush back into the wooden bucket of sudsy water between us with a soft splash, but Nora kept working as she always does.

The soft, steady flow of rain at sun fall was dripping into my grungy cell. I was deep within the dark dungeon of the castle, watching as the water started streaming down the wall and soaking into the straw floor. The rain had begun just after the armor-clad guards had handed me off to the maroon cloaked Jailers a few hours ago, leaving me to be promptly stripped naked. The shrouded men then shredded my dress and used its remnants as a flimsy, makeshift cast overtop my darkening, numb arm before tossing me into this cell and locking the door.Now all I have to choose from is either watching the rain steam flow through my tiny window near the ceiling or entertain the sickening few lords that are on their hands and knees trying to peek through it.I’d only been rotting for an hour before the first showed up; A lesser lord from the North who had been visiting the King already. But by hour 2, it was obvious word had spread about me, the 1st prisoner the Queen has sentenced to die, and it

High in the black sky, the moon was full and glowing, its beauty complimented by the millions of sparkling stars dancing around it. I’d never seen such a view, and I felt myself get a bit teary as I made my way to the stone railing, my steps slow and thoughtless. When I reached the edge, I placed both hands onto it to steady myself as I continued to take everything in.Below the dark sky, the moonlight illuminates all of Valehelm, the largest walled in city in Thames, the capital of the land. Its roads are softly lit up with the flickering fire of lanterns that are guiding the Kingsguards as they patrol, as well as leading the last few stragglers home. I could hear the faint clanks of dishes and occasional shouts from taverns, and the clashing and sizzling of metal from the blacksmiths finishing their work for the night.Just outside the walls are miles of trees, their leaves turning shades of orange, red, and browns. I squinted to see a bit further, but the tree line all blended in w