Chapter 9
641words
I slip through a servant’s entrance, the cool air raising goosebumps on my torn uniform.
I find a small stone shed for gardening tools with a latch I can secure from inside.
I settle in the corner with my thin blanket, my mother’s knife in my lap. Despite exhaustion, every sound sends my heart racing.
What would happen if Lucas found me here? What would he do to Lily for her deception? The questions circle in my mind like hungry wolves.
Sometime in the early hours, I must drift off, because I wake with a start to voices nearby.
"Search the gardens thoroughly. Lord Lucas says she couldn't have gone far."
Guards. Searching for me.
I press myself deeper into the shadows, holding my breath as footsteps approach the shed. The door handle rattles.
"This one's locked," a male voice says.
"Check it anyway," another responds. "She could be hiding inside."
My fingers tighten around the knife handle as the latch is forced open. Light from a lantern spills into the small space, illuminating my huddled form.
"There she is!" The guard's eyes widen at the sight of me. "I found her!"
I scramble to my feet, knife held before me. "Stay back."
The guard—a young werewolf in uniform—looks more surprised than threatened. "Put that down, human. You'll only make things worse for yourself."
More footsteps approach as other guards converge on the shed. I'm cornered, with nowhere to run.
"Lord Lucas wants her unharmed," the first guard says to the others. "Just restrain her."
"I’m claimed by Lord Kayden," I say, forcing confidence into my voice. "You have no right to touch me."
One of the older guards laughs. "Lord Lucas says different. And he outranks you, little human."
They move in together, too many for me to fight off. One grabs my wrist while another forces my arms behind my back. I struggle, but it’s useless against their supernatural strength.
They drag me from the shed, across the moonlit gardens toward the palace. My feet barely touch the ground as they half-carry me between them.
"Lord Lucas will be pleased," one says. "He’s been searching for you all night. He’s furious about the lies you told him."
We enter the palace through a side entrance. The guards take me to a large audience chamber with high ceilings and massive windows.
Lucas stands by one of these windows, his back to us as we enter. He turns slowly, his face a mask of controlled rage.
"Leave us," he commands the guards. "Wait outside."
They release me and exit, closing the heavy doors behind them. I stand alone before Lucas, trying not to show my fear.
"You're quite resourceful," he says, his voice deceptively calm. "Having that servant girl lie for you. Hiding where you thought I wouldn't look."
I remain silent, watching him warily.
"Did you really think you could escape me?" He moves closer, circling me like a predator. "In my own home?"
"This isn't your home," I say. "It belongs to the Alpha."
His hand shoots out, grabbing my throat. "And one day, it will be mine." His fingers tighten. "Kayden is weak. The pack needs strength, not compassion."
I claw at his hand, trying to loosen his grip. "Kayden will be Alpha," I gasp. "Not you."
Rage flashes in his eyes. "We'll see about that." He releases my throat only to grab my hair, yanking my head back painfully. "But first, I'll deal with you and your lies."
The doors burst open. Lucas turns, his grip on me not loosening.
"My lord," a guard says, bowing. "Forgive the interruption, but—"
"I said no disturbances!" Lucas snarls.
"The border patrol has returned," the guard continues, his eyes fixed on the floor. "Lord Kayden is back."
