I was in total confusion, trying to process everything that had just happened. I stared at the shattered jug and the spilled drink, my mind racing with a mix of fear and disbelief.
Slowly, I raised my head to meet the Lone Wolf's gaze, searching for any sign of anger or judgment in his eyes. His expression was unreadable, and I couldn't tell what he was thinking or feeling.
The tension in the room pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. Every nerve in my body screamed for me to stay calm, yet panic churned beneath the surface, and I choose not to show it.
He should be angry, because I had just broken the jug he claimed was rare, expensive, and nearly impossible to replace. I stared at the maid and caught the look on her face, her eyed wide, filled with shock and disbelief... as if I had completely lost my mind.
Her gasp still echoed softly in the chamber, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me. Every second stretched unbearably long as I waited, unsure of what the Lone Wolf would do next.
It's just the way I saw the woman give the portion to the maid earlier, and the way the maid carefully poured it into the jug. Everything about it seemed suspicious to me.
Something didn't feel right, and I couldn't ignore the uneasy knot forming in my stomach. My instincts screamed that the portion wasn't what it seemed... that it could be poison. I acted on that thought, trusting my gut even as fear gripped me. It replayed in my mind, convincing me that I had to intervene before it was too late.
But I thought wrong, it wasn't poison at all, but medicine prepared for Alpha Rollo. If I had stayed out of a matter that wasn't mine, I wouldn't have ended up in this mess.
My heart sank as I realized how my actions, though well-intentioned, had only caused trouble. Yet, I couldn't stop myself from caring... why did I even care for someone who had bought me from my parents, someone I wasn't supposed to feel scared for? My own stubbornness had all collided in one moment of reckless choice.
"I thought it was poison, that's why I threw the jug away," I said truthfully, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. But he only scoffed, as if my honesty were an offense.
Is he serious now? I had only spoken my truth, yet that was the expression he gave me, as though I had some hidden motive.
"You just came to this pack a few hours ago, and you've already ruined two things... the medicine, which is rare, and the jug, which is a limited and expensive item," he said.
"I didn't mean to," I said softly, hoping he would understand.
"You all leave me and her," he commanded, and the guards and maid bowed before silently exiting the room. The door clicked shut, leaving us alone. He turned to me, his eyes scanning me from head to toe, like he was assessing me.
"Maybe if you begged me, I'll consider forgiving you," he said, his tone teasing... sounding dangerous.
"I am sorry, forgive me," I replied immediately, not wasting a single moment.
He looked shocked at my quick apology. Apologizing wasn't new to me... I had spent my whole life apologizing, often for things I didn't even do.
*
*
*
He studied Freya's expression carefully, but he couldn't read it. That 'sorry' hadn't come from her heart, yet it didn't seem forced either. It was a strange mix, and it piqued his curiosity even more.
"How long were you a Luna, and why did your husband leave you?" he pressed.
She tilted her head slightly, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "How did you know it was him who left me, and not the other way around?" she asked, her tone calm but challenging.
He looked at her thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing slightly. "With this character and behavior of yours," he said slowly, "no man would ever want to stay close to you."
Freya's eyes flashed, a mixture of disbelief and defiance. "Then why did you want me here, if no man would want to stay close?" she challenged, her voice steady.
He let out a short, incredulous laugh. "I can't believe you actually think you're here to be my Luna," he said, shaking his head.
She could not believe this... that was not what she meant at all. Her thoughts tangled as shock rippled through her, yet she forced herself to remain calm, masking every emotion behind a steady expression.
"Don't get this the wrong way," he said coldly, his voice stripped of any warmth. "You are here to warm my bed."
Hearing this, her breath caught, but she didn't show it.
"I'll add you to the roster," he continued, as though discussing something trivial. "There are turns. When it's your turn, make sure you don't stay silent, but moan aloud... or I won't stop."
