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
Natalia I bit back a sigh, rolling my aching shoulders discreetly beneath the shapeless servant's dress. After being assigned to palace duties recently, the last few days had been the most challenging yet serving the impossibly demanding Alpha heir, Damian Walker. His exacting standards and temper made Lucas seem mild by comparison. My fellow slave Mary listened patiently that evening as I unloaded my daily frustrations in the safety of the servants' quarters. "Honestly Mary, I'm at my wit's end trying to anticipate Damian's wishes before he can find fault," I confessed wearily, scrubbing a grubby hand across my face. "But nothing seems to mollify him. It's like caring for a temperamental dragon with the appetite of a bird!"Mary patted my shoulder consolingly, her kind face etched with sympathy. "Patience, dear heart. You are new to his service still - in time you will learn how best to avoid rousing his ire." I managed a wan smile at her reassurance. Mary's stalwart support was
DamianI stormed down the empty palace corridor, fists clenched tight with outrage I could no longer contain. The day's endless vexations had finally tipped me over the edge into a rare open temper. That a palace slave would dare attempt to serve me dumplings, knowing full well I detested them since childhood, was beyond incompetent. It was a targeted insult, though I could not fathom the cause.Either way, such insubordination could not stand unanswered. There were protocols in place for dealing with recalcitrant servants who overstepped boundaries. I would see them enforced to the letter, and find the root of this affront.Bursting into the administrative wing, I sent for my assistant Kyle and began pacing as I awaited him. "How dare she."Speculation roiled in my mind. Surely the girl Natalia was not foolish enough to attempt such blatant sabotage. She seemed flighty at times, but not malicious."Why? Why would she it is clearly in my meal timetable." Which meant someone else wa
Damian I stormed through the vaulted palace corridors, servants scurrying out of my path. Rare temper darkened my face like thunderclouds, warding off any foolish enough to address me. There was reckoning to be had this day. None escapes justice under my authority.The object of my ire soon loomed ahead - the carved oak door leading to the head cook's domain. Normally a hub of activity, the kitchens now stood ominously silent, word of my black mood preceding me. I flung the door wide without ceremony, relishing how it crashed against the stone wall. All within jumped violently at my abrupt entrance. Stern eyes fixed on the cook where she huddled whispering with her assistants.At my thunderous expression, she paled and hastened forward, wringing her hands. "Alpha Damian! What an honor to have you visit my humble kitchens..."I cut off her sniveling pleasantries with a sharp gesture. "Enough. I have no patience for pretense when matters of discipline are at hand."The cook quailed u
DamianStormwind's hooves thundered over the packed earth as we galloped swiftly toward the forest edge. The wind lashed my face, blurring details into abstract smears of color. But my focus remained fixed straight ahead. I would not lose Natalia's trail now. Her life likely depended on my finding her before the elements or wild beasts did. Guilt gnawed at my core, sharper than the winter chill knifing through my cloak. If not for my stubborn blindness and temper, she never would have believed fleeing into danger her only choice. I had failed spectacularly in my responsibilities as Alpha.Only bringing her home safely now could begin to mend this breach. I silently prayed the gods grant us that chance. Stormwind tossed his head urgently beneath me, as if sharing my fervent wish. Natalia's loss would leave a wound beyond healing in us both.At last the shadowy tree line loomed before us. I reined Stormwind to a canter, then a brisk walk as we entered the dim undergrowth. Now stealth