Elena's POV:
Later that day, Brandon returned and motioned for me to follow him outside. The moment we entered the hallway, he slowed down and spoke carefully, like he was weighing his words first. "This situation wasn't caused by you," he said while leading me through the deserted hallway.
His voice stayed calm, but I couldn't stop myself from wondering if he'd sensed the thoughts running through my head. Someone like Brandon probably could. As the Beta who stood beside the strongest Alpha in the region, his instincts were far sharper than ordinary wolves.
"Maybe that's how you see it," I answered softly. The lie tasted bitter in my mouth.
No matter how distant Davis acted toward me, this place still felt safer than Crimson Howl ever did. Back there, I had spent years surviving cruelty disguised as pack hierarchy. Compared to that nightmare, even Davis' cold silence felt merciful.
The corridor stretched endlessly before us while Brandon's footsteps rang against the polished floor. I stayed a few steps behind him and kept my gaze lowered, forcing myself not to stare out the towering windows surrounding us. Beyond the glass stood lands so beautiful they barely seemed real.
Yet beneath that beauty lingered something sharp and unwelcoming, much like the Alpha who ruled over it.
The thought of Caleb surfaced again without warning. Pain twisted through my chest so suddenly that I had to steady my breathing before the tears could rise.
Rejecting me hadn't been enough for him. Caleb discarded me like I meant nothing, fully aware that an omega without her mate bond rarely survived long afterward. He knew exactly what kind of fate waited for me, and he still chose to walk away without hesitation. Then he made things worse by handing me over like an object in a negotiation, using my existence to secure ties with Alpha Davis and his pack.
The morning I was sent away, Caleb came to see me one last time.
Before I could pull away, Caleb stepped closer until almost no space remained between us. His fingers lifted my chin with a touch soft enough to unsettle me, though the cruelty beneath it still crawled under my skin.
Part of me still wanted to melt into his touch, but the memories tied to him stopped me cold. Everything Caleb had done came crashing back at once, leaving fear wrapped tightly around my body.
"Remember why you're being sent there, Elena. Your only responsibility is to obey him and stay useful. If you try to run away, I'll handle you myself," he said quietly. His voice turned colder near the end.
Then he smiled. Before I could move away, his lips brushed against my cheek in a false show of affection that made my skin crawl.
Disgust rose inside me immediately, and I shoved him back without hesitation. Caleb only chuckled softly at my reaction before walking out of the room like none of it mattered.
"This will be your room," Brandon said, pulling me out of the memory.
We had already reached the end of the hallway. After stopping in front of a closed door, he pushed it open and motioned for me to step inside.
Carefully, I looked around the room.
I expected another miserable space meant for someone unwanted, but the sight before me caught me off guard. Everything looked neat and surprisingly comfortable.
A bed covered with soft blankets sat near the center, while a wooden table rested beside the window. Near the wall stood a small wardrobe. Warm sunlight spilled across the room and made the entire place feel peaceful.
"You may walk around the territory if you want," Brandon explained calmly. "Just stay away from the north wing. That's Alpha Davis' private area, and he doesn't tolerate interruptions. Understood?"
Not wanting to seem disrespectful, I nodded right away. "Yes. I understand. Thank you."
For a brief moment, Brandon kept his eyes on me like he couldn't quite figure me out. In the end, he simply walked away without saying anything else. A quiet click followed after the door shut behind him.
The second I was alone, a relieved breath escaped my lungs.
This room didn't feel threatening.
For once, I had somewhere quiet to stay, even if it wasn't permanent.
I welcomed the silence immediately. Davis wasn't here with his cold stares. Hannah wasn't around to throw cutting remarks at me. Natalie couldn't sneer at me from across the room, and Caleb wasn't here to remind me how easily he discarded me.
No one could reach me here.
After placing my small bag inside the wardrobe, another door caught my attention nearby. Curiosity pushed me toward it, and when I stepped inside, I realized it was a bathroom.
Light reflected against the smooth bathtub while the silver faucet gleamed brightly beneath it. Not a single thing looked dirty or neglected.
The sight alone made me want to cry.
Without wasting another second, I filled the tub with warm water and slowly slipped inside. The heat wrapped around my body instantly, easing the soreness buried deep in my muscles.
I couldn't remember the last time I felt this comfortable.
Closing my eyes, I let myself sink deeper into the warmth while the exhaustion from the past few days slowly melted away.
By the time I stepped out with a towel wrapped around me, some of the heaviness inside my chest felt easier to carry.
The moment I stepped back into the bedroom, a rich scent drifted
through the air and stopped me in place—Food.
A tray sat neatly on the table nearby, filled with warm bread, steaming soup, fresh fruit, and chocolate dessert. My stomach growled painfully at the sight, reminding me how long it had been since I last ate properly.
Slowly, I moved closer. Part of me still couldn't believe any of it was meant for me. Carefully, I picked up a piece of bread and took a small bite.
The softness nearly broke me. Warmth melted across my tongue, and for a second, my legs almost gave out beneath me.
This wasn't another cruel trick.
Someone had actually prepared a real meal for me.
Before I even realized it, I had finished everything on the tray. The soup tasted thick and comforting, far richer than anything I remembered eating before. Every piece of fruit carried a sweetness that lingered on my tongue, and the chocolate dessert felt so indulgent that it almost embarrassed me to enjoy it so much.
But the moment I reached for the last piece of bread, my stomach twisted violently. Nausea hit me without warning.
I barely made it to the bathroom before everything came back up.
Breathing hard, I stayed on the cold tiled floor afterward, too weak to stand right away. Shame settled heavily inside me while I realized my body simply wasn't used to eating that much after being deprived for so long.
After rinsing my mouth, I remained there quietly for another moment.
Then I heard something.
A faint creak drifted from the bedroom door.
My chest tightened immediately.
Carefully, I stepped closer and noticed the door hadn't fully closed. Through the narrow opening, I caught sight of a shadow disappearing down the hallway. Heavy footsteps echoed in the distance before fading away completely.
Fear wrapped around me at once.
Without hesitation, I shut the door firmly and locked it. My hands trembled against the latch even after it clicked into place.
By the time I returned to the bed, exhaustion had completely taken over.
The mattress welcomed me the second I collapsed onto it, and sleep dragged me under almost instantly.
Somewhere within that darkness, a massive black wolf appeared beside me.
Its fur looked dark as midnight, while golden eyes watched me quietly. The steady sound of its breathing filled me with an unexpected sense of safety.
As I rested against its thick coat, warmth slowly wrapped around my body like protection.
I had no idea how long I slept before a sudden knock dragged me out of the dream.
Startled, I shot upright and rushed toward the door without thinking. The moment I pulled it open, my entire body stiffened.
Alpha Davis stood outside.
His gaze immediately fell to the towel wrapped around me, and heat rushed straight into my face. Realizing how little the fabric actually concealed, I clutched it tighter against my chest and lowered my eyes in embarrassment.
"Alpha Davis..." I called out awkwardly, struggling to steady my voice. After everything he told me earlier, he was the last person I expected to see standing outside my room. "Did... did you need something from me?"
For a brief second, his expression hardened. Then he finally spoke. "The ceremony has been delayed for another week."
