The wolf slave camp was thick with raw, living malice.
"Well, look at that, the new girl," the red-haired she-wolf said, leaning against the doorframe as she sized me up. "Not bad to look at, either. Shame you're a wolfless piece of trash."
"I heard her own fiancé sent her here. Pathetic," someone laughed.
Expressionless, I walked to a corner, picked up a broom, and got to work.
"Hey, I'm talking to you," the red-haired she-wolf snapped, striding over and kicking my bucket over. "Don't know the rules, newbie? Get over here and serve me."
I paused and looked up at her. "Serve you? I thought everyone here was a slave."
Her expression darkened, and she raised her hand to strike.
"Stop."
A cold female voice cut through the air, and the room fell silent at once.
A dark-haired woman stepped in, clad in tight combat leather, her tall frame lined with sleek muscle. Her eyes were a rare silver-gray, sharp enough to cut.
"Ms. Crowe," the red-haired she-wolf said at once, lowering her head.
Selena Crowe. Kael Draven's chief female warrior. The most formidable female Alpha in the Royal Court.
She stopped in front of me, looking down from above. "You're that useless Omega?"
"Elena," I said. "I have a name."
"Trash doesn't deserve one." She sneered. "Here, you're just Wolf Slave Number 108."
I said nothing, tightening my grip on the broom.
She suddenly snatched it from me and crushed it under her boot. "I heard you even dared to defy His Majesty's orders."
"I just told the truth."
"The truth?" she scoffed. "Then let me tell you something true. Trash like you doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as us."
She kicked over a nearby basin, filthy water splashing all over me.
"Lick it clean."
Laughter broke out again around us.
I looked at the dirty water, dust and scraps floating in it. "I refuse."
Selena's eyes sharpened. "What did you say?"
"I said I refuse." I lifted my head and met her gaze. "I lost my wolf. Not my dignity."
A sharp crack rang out as her slap struck my face. My lip split open, and I tasted blood.
"Here, dignity is worth less than dirt." Selena grabbed my hair, forcing my head down.
"She's my spoils."
A cold voice came from the doorway, and everyone froze.
Kael had appeared without anyone noticing. Leaning against the doorframe, his golden eyes gleamed dangerously in the dim light.
"Only I decide her punishment."
Selena let go immediately, lowering her head. "Your Majesty, I was only teaching her the rules—"
"I know." Kael cut her off as he walked in, each step heavy with pressure. "But you've forgotten something."
He stopped in front of me, his golden gaze fixed on the blood at the corner of my mouth.
"She may be useless, but she's mine. The full moon is tonight." Kael turned to Selena. "Go prepare the transformation rite. I don't want to see you wasting time here."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Selena bowed deeply, shooting me a vicious glare before leaving.
When everyone was gone, only Kael and I remained.
He crouched down to my level and suddenly reached out, wiping the blood from my lips. The gesture was rough, yet strangely careful.
"Stand guard outside my chambers tonight," he said.
"Why?"
"That's an order." He stood up. "Remember. Don't leave. Don't make a sound. No matter what you hear."
He turned to leave, but I couldn't stop myself. "What happens to you every full moon?"
He paused mid-step.
"You'll find out soon enough."
