New Beginning

Elena's point of view 

Alpha VuK stands outside the cell, his expression unreadable. “You can come out,” he says. “You’re not being punished.”

I hesitate but step out cautiously. When he shuts the cell door with a clang, I flinch and nervously tug at the hem of my tattered shirt, trying to make it longer.

“How long have you been here?” he asks.

“Through the night,” I answer, keeping my gaze down as the rogue had advised.

Alpha VuK sighs. “What’s your name?”

“Elena,” I reply.

His fingers brush the sleeve of my shirt, and I freeze. “And this?” he asks.

“The guards gave it to me. I didn’t have clothes,” I explain quietly. “I’ve never spoken to an Alpha before. Especially not one like you.”

“Like me?”

“An Alpha with your reputation.”

“Are you afraid?” he asks. The mate bond muddles my emotions, urging me not to fear him. Still, my answer comes out unconvincing: “No.”

“Come. I’m taking you to clean up,” he says, turning to leave.

I hesitate before following, careful not to fall behind. We pass through a dimly lit room reeking of wolfsbane, its single metal chair adding to the eerie atmosphere. The scent is familiar; my father used to come home with it clinging to his clothes, much to my mother’s dismay.

Alpha VuK opens a door to the outside, and the cool morning air hits me. The breeze carries his scent, and under the rising sun, he looks even more striking. My thoughts war with each other—being bonded to someone like him feels dangerous, yet defying the Goddess’s will seems unthinkable. I trail behind, studying his confident stride and the way his brown hair catches the light. My hands grow clammy. He’s powerful and untrustworthy, but undeniably mine.

I step onto the grass beside the path to spare my bare feet. Feeling wild and unkempt, I imagine my mother’s disapproval. When Alpha VuK glances back, I ask, “Should I call you by your name or Alpha?”

A faint smile plays on his lips. “You can call me Vanda.”

“Okay,” I mumble, testing the name in my mind.

“Do you belong to a pack?”

“Of course. I’m not a rogue.”

“I didn’t think you were,” he mutters, looking ahead. “Which one?”

“Are you going to send me back?” I ask.

“No.”

“Then what will you do with me?”

He glances back again. “I told you, you’re not being punished. Don’t you want to bathe? Eat?”

I swallow hard and say nothing more. He leads me down a winding path through the forest until we reach a three-story house surrounded by towering trees. Its ornate woodwork and steep roofs give it an almost haunting beauty. Two circular turrets rise above the canopy, their cone-shaped tops striking against the sky. It’s older than the homes I’m used to but meticulously maintained.

Alpha VuK holds the door open for me, and I step inside, staying close to the wall. Voices drift from deeper in the house, but he ignores them and gestures for me to follow. We ascend the staircase, my dirty feet leaving faint marks on the polished wood. I don’t dare protest, focusing instead on obeying.

He leads me through a simple bedroom to an adjoining bathroom. Pushing the door open, he says, “Clothes will be left on the bed. Breakfast will be ready when you’re done.”

I nod, tugging at my shirt’s hem. His gaze lingers, sharp and unyielding, making my skin prickle. After scanning the room once more, he leaves, shutting the bedroom door behind him.

Alone, I exhale shakily. Alpha VuK—Vanda—has yet to acknowledge our bond, leaving me in a haze of uncertainty.

Around me, I rub up and down my arms and step into the bathroom. I can't help but wonder what an Alpha expects from his mate—especially someone like Alpha VuK—but as I look at myself in the mirror, I feel inadequate. Surely, an Alpha’s mate isn’t like me. My hands prod at my tired, dull skin, and I run my fingers through my tangled hair. My clothes are rags, my hands are filthy, and I must reek despite the mate bond’s natural pull. No wonder Vanda’s glances at me have been so detached. I look horrendous.

I turn on the shower and peel off the grimy shirt, letting it fall to the floor in disgust. I scrub my body clean, thoroughly washing my hair until the water runs clear. When I emerge from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, a neat stack of clothes awaits on the edge of the bed. The thought of Vanda leaving them while I was showering ignites a strange feeling through the bond, but I assume he has others to handle such tasks for him. The clothes, though slightly oversized, are clean and made for women—a welcome improvement over the guards' castoff shirt.

As my stomach growls again, I make my way downstairs. My hand trails along the railing while I listen for the voices I heard earlier, but the house has grown quiet. Only faint sounds of movement and tapping on glass can be heard. Following the noise to the end of the hallway, I find myself in a kitchen where one woman and a young man, they were working. One is scrubbing a pot in the sink, while the other is arranging food on a plate. They pause when they see me.

"Excuse me," I say. "Do you know where the Alpha is?"

The younger man, walks over with a plate of food and sets it on a small table in front of the counter.

"Elena, right? The Alpha isn’t here right now, but please sit and eat. You’ve had a long night," she says kindly.

I nod and take a seat at the table.

"Would you like water or tea?" she asks.

"Water, please. Thank you," I reply.

The young man fetches a glass of water as the other dries her hands on a towel. For the first time, I begin to feel some semblance of ease. They don’t seem unkind. My breakfast consists of roasted potatoes, carrots, and slices of steak—an unusual but appetizing meal. I start with the meat.

Between bites, I cautiously ask, "Do you know where Vanda is?"

The older woman, sipping tea from her mug, replies, "He could be anywhere. He’s a busy man."

"Do you know when he’ll be back?"

She shrugs. "Soon, I’m sure."

As I finish eating, I glance around and say, "This is a beautiful pack house. Does anyone else live here besides the Alpha?"

The older woman sets down her mug and chuckles. "You have a lot of questions."

"Of course she does," the man interjects. "She’s new here."

Despite my lingering uncertainty, I find comfort in their warmth. After finishing my meal, I sip the cool water, feeling a sliver of normalcy. Yet, the thought of Vanda and what lies ahead looms heavily in my mind.