Chapter 5
638words
The kitchen bustles with activity. Mrs. Winters, a stern woman with graying hair, examines my pendant.
"Lord Kayden's new claim," she notes. "Everyone works here."
"I don't expect special treatment," I reply.
"Good. Help with breakfast service, then join the main hall cleaning rotation."
The work resembles my home duties but larger scale. I serve rare meat to indifferent werewolves, clean massive rooms, and scrub floors until my knees ache.
During lunch, I glimpse Melissa beside Lucas, jeweled and finely dressed. She laughs at his words, casting smug glances at servants. When our eyes meet, her smile falters before she deliberately turns away.
"That one won't last," mutters an older servant beside me.
By afternoon, rumors of border troubles spread. I overhear werewolf guards discussing rogue attacks.
"Three dead already," one says. "The Alpha's sending his son to handle it."
"Kayden?" asks another. "Good choice. The rogues respect him more than the others."
"Or fear him more," the first replies. "Either way, he leaves at sunset."
As evening approaches, Mrs. Winters dismisses me. "Lord Kayden requested you return to his quarters before sunset."
I find Kayden packing weapons into a leather bag.
"You're leaving," I say.
He looks up. "News travels fast among servants."
"Were you going to tell me?"
"I'm telling you now. There's trouble at the eastern border. I'll be gone for several days."
He approaches me. "While I'm gone, trust no one. Not even your sister."
A messenger interrupts us. "My lord, your escort is ready."
Kayden nods. "I'll be right there." When the messenger leaves, he turns back to me. "Remember what I said, Freya. Be careful."
With that, he's gone.
I retrieve my mother's knife from beneath the mattress, studying its strange markings. Mother had been secretive about her past, only saying she came from "elsewhere." She'd made me promise to keep it hidden, to use it only in dire need.
"It will protect you when I cannot," were her final words.
A soft knock interrupts. I hide the knife and open the door to find Melissa.
"Freya! You won't believe what's happening!" She pushes past me. "Lucas says the rogues killed three pack members. The Alpha is furious!"
"That's terrible," I say.
She waves dismissively. "The important part is that Kayden has been sent to handle it. Lucas says he'll be gone for days. Do you know what that means?"
"What?"
"Freedom! We can enjoy ourselves without them watching our every move." She examines my quarters with envy. "Though I see you're already enjoying the perks of being claimed by royalty."
I gesture to my dusty uniform. "Does this look like luxury to you? I've been cleaning all day."
"But you have private quarters and his personal insignia. Lucas says that's unusual. He says Kayden must have special plans for you."
I remember Kayden's warning. "There's nothing special about me. I'm just a servant who happened to catch his attention."
"Well, while he's away, you should come visit me. Lucas has given me beautiful things." She twirls, showing off her expensive dress. "He says I'm special."
I notice fresh bruises on her wrists, partially hidden by jeweled bracelets. "Melissa, are you truly happy with Lucas?"
Her smile falters before returning, brighter but brittle. "Of course! He's passionate, that's all. Sometimes he forgets how fragile humans are."
"If you ever need help—"
"I don't," she cuts me off. "Lucas treats me better than anyone ever has. Better than our family ever did." She moves toward the door. "If you're free tomorrow, come hang out with me."
After she leaves, I sit in silence, turning over Kayden's warnings. Lucas suspects something unusual about me.
I clutch my mother's knife, drawing strength from its familiar weight. Whatever secrets it holds, whatever secrets I hold, I'll need to protect them carefully in the days to come.
