Natalie Cautiously I nudged the door open just enough to slip through, keeping my eyes downcast. "Your honey cakes, Alpha. The cook sends her compliments and hopes they please you."Leo lounged on a plush chaise before the fire, one leg draped casually over the side. He was bare chested, giving me an unfortunate view of his finely sculpted muscles beneath smooth tanned skin. A few shapely female servants attended him, stoking the blaze and pouring wine. Clearly I had interrupted intimate plans.Leo waved the servants off with a command to wait in his bedchamber, leaving us alone. What's going on? Why did he send them off?My heart beat restlessly, as my unease deepened as he rose with fluid grace and approached. I dug my nails into my palms, willing myself statue-still."Well now, this is a pleasant surprise." Leo's voice held warm amusement as he plucked a sticky cake and popped it into his mouth. "Delicious. But not half as sweet as the lovely server - Natalia, isn't it?" Of cou
NatalieI winced as the cook's shrill voice cut through the noisy kitchen."Useless fool, you call this slop fit to serve the pack warriors? Taste it yourself and tell me!" Before the trembling young slave boy could obey, she seized a ladle of the thin vegetable stew and flung it violently at him. He cried out as the scalding liquid splattered his face and chest. My gut clenched in sympathy.The boy, Lucas, was an orphan newcomer barely twelve years old. Already the cook had seized upon him for the worst abuses, calling him stupid and worthless daily. My hands balled into fists, old anger rising.As the boy hunched sobbing against the wall, arms raised futilely to protect himself, something in me snapped. Before I could reconsider, I was across the room pushing past the startled cook to stand between her and Lucas. Planting my feet, I turned to face her slowly. The entire kitchen had fallen silent, all eyes riveted on us."Enough." My voice was hoarse but steady. "No more. This ends
Natalie I winced as the heavy bucket handle dug into my cracked palm. The walk to fetch water from the well felt longer than usual today, my steps leaden. Strange dreams had chased any true rest from my hours last night.Ever since that tense encounter in the kitchens, Leo preyed on my thoughts in waking and sleeping. His geniality hid something darker and harder to read than Lucas' outright cruelty. Leo's games of cat and mouse left me tense as a hunted doe, braced perpetually for the killing stroke. But it never came. His feigned kindnesses served only to confound me further.I shook myself from troubled thoughts as the well came into view. This endless fretting solved nothing. An Alpha's motives were forever opaque to lowly slaves. Best accept any small reprieves and not question the causation, lest they be withdrawn as capriciously as granted. The trick was enduring day to day.I had nearly finished filling the second bucket when approaching footsteps sent prickles of unease do
Natalie"Everyday looks like a freaking nightmare." I mumbled.I winced as the heavy pail sloshed, soaking my legs with frigid wash water. Laundry duty was the worst chore, leaving my hands pruned and numb for hours. But I bit back complaints - there were far worse ways to suffer here.Around me other slaves scrubbed uniforms and bedding, sending up clouds of soap and steam in the cramped wash house. I kept my head down, working diligently. The mood had been uneasy lately, with guarded looks and whispered gossip trailing me in the halls. Ever since Lucas and Leo's odd friendship kindled public speculation about my own potential ties to that Alpha, the other slaves regarded me with suspicion. As if I had any choice in attracting their fickle interests.Mary believed resentment also played a role. "You are seen as ungrateful, enjoying favor from two powerful wolves while the rest suffer," she had warned. "Tread carefully, Natalia. Jealousy drives people to foolish acts."I knew the tru
LeoAnother mind-numbing afternoon of meetings with the pack council finally drew to a close. As the eldest royal heir, a heavy portion of administrative duties fell to me. Necessary work, but tedious. What I craved now was entertainment - something to stir the blood after hours spent debating crop yields and settlement disputes. My thoughts turned to lovely Natalia and the spark she ignited within me. Perhaps she would provide some fun distraction from the day's monotony.With that aim in mind, I went in search of the defiant slave girl who continued plaguing my thoughts. Our charged interactions were proving surprisingly habit-forming. The way she met my gaze with subtle fire, never fully yielding or cowed despite her chains, fascinated me. Natalia was no groveling servant content with her fate. The wolf still raged within. I admired that unconquerable pride and wished to tease more of it from her. After inquiring with the kitchen overseer, I was directed toward the laundry hous
NatalieI winced as the heavy oak door creaked loudly in the silence of the deserted corridor. The main palace was still, most of its inhabitants already retired for the night. As a lowly kitchen slave, I was rarely permitted access to these opulent upper levels, reserved for the pack's nobility. But one of the fine rugs in the guest wing's main sitting room had been stained earlier today, and the head housekeeper insisted it be washed immediately to avoid offence. So as the most junior servant, the unpleasant task of scrubbing out the large rug in the dead of night inevitably fell to me. At least the silence and solitude was a respite from the chaotic confines of the kitchens.I didn't mind the tedious labor or late hour. It was a stroke of luck not to encounter any disapproving guards on my long trek here from the servants' wing. My pulse had only just settled to a normal rhythm after sneaking up several concealed back staircases.Some instinct prompted me to scan the seemingly de
DamianI scanned the sitting room with a critical eye, searching for any flaws in the pristine space. As usual, the staff had done adequate work tidying up after yesterday's informal pack gathering. The fine Calormene rug showed no hints of the wine stain from Leo's carelessness. Satisfied, I turned to review the documents spread across the massive teak desk. There was always more administrative work to be done governing the pack's affairs and expanding our influence. Father relied increasingly on me to oversee such matters as his health declined. I took the duties seriously, even if they resulted in long tedious hours of reading dreary reports. I had just settled in my chair and taken up a proposed treaty when a muffled thud from the terrace interrupted my concentration. Frowning, I set down the parchment and went to investigate the noise. Hopefully not more drunk revelers stumbling about.Pushing open the French doors, I was startled to see a lone slave girl scrubbing the large
DamianI rose with the sun as was my habit, determined to get a head start on the day's work before the rest of the pack stirred. There were always endless new matters requiring my attention and mediation as Alpha-in-training. But I welcomed the demands and responsibilities as affirmation of my leadership duties. After a light breakfast, I reviewed various administrative reports and drafts of new legislation in my private study. One proposition in particular held promise - guidelines protecting indentured servants from unwarranted abuse and allowing them to earn eventual freedom through years of loyal service. It would be controversial with traditional pack members, but seemed a fair compromise to me. The old ways served us well enough, but thoughtful change was warranted at times.I made notes on the draft to present before the council later, satisfied with the morning's progress. But there was scarce time to rest on laurels. Lunch with dignitaries from the Longclaw pack awaited th