Chapter 4

The Alpha nodded, his face still stone-cold. “Good,” he said, turning to leave. “Annie will be here shortly to take you to the house and explain your duties.”

He walked away, the door slamming shut behind him, leaving me alone again in the darkness. My heart felt heavy, but there was no turning back now. I had agreed to be his maid, and there was nothing else I could do.

A little while later, the heavy door creaked open again, and an older woman stepped inside. She looked like she was in her fifties, with gray streaks in her dark hair and a kind but tired face. She gestured for me to follow her, and I got up slowly, my body still aching from everything I had been through.

As we walked down the long, dim hallways of the dungeon, she spoke. “I’m Annie,” she said, her voice firm but not unkind. “What’s your name, girl?”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should trust her, but then I said quietly, “Aria.”

Annie nodded and kept walking, leading me up a flight of stairs and out into the open air. The cool breeze hit my face, and I took a deep breath, relieved to be out of the dark, suffocating dungeon.

We walked across the grounds, and I saw the pack members going about their tasks. They barely glanced at me, but I could feel their judgment. My gaze shifted to the massive mansion ahead of us. It was grand, with tall windows and stone walls that seemed to stretch endlessly. I realized this must be the Alpha’s house.

Annie led me inside, and my eyes widened as I took in the luxurious interior. The floors were polished wood, and chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a warm glow over the rooms. It was nothing like the small, shabby house I had grown up in.

She stopped in front of a door and opened it, motioning for me to step inside. “This is where you’ll be staying,” she said simply.

I walked in and froze, stunned. The room was beautiful. The bed was large and covered in soft, clean sheets. There was a small desk by the window and a wardrobe in the corner. The walls were painted a soft cream color, and the sunlight streaming in through the window made the space feel warm and inviting.

For the first time in a long while, I felt a small spark of gratitude. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Why did the moon goddess have to give me such a mate. Why didnt she give me a kind and loving mate like other people.

Annie gave me a curt nod, but before she could leave, I gathered the courage to ask, “Can you tell me where I am? I don’t even know the name of this pack.”

She turned back to me, her face expressionless. “You’re in Shadowclaw Pack,” she said plainly.

I gasped, my eyes widening in disbelief. “Shadowclaw?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

Annie gave a slight nod, confirming it. My stomach twisted. Everyone knew about Shadowclaw Pack. It was infamous for being the most ruthless pack, ruled by an Alpha who was feared across all the lands—Alpha Ronan. Stories about his brutality, his strength, and his lack of mercy were told in every pack.

My heart sank as the realization hit me. My mate, the man who had marked me and locked me in the dungeon, was none other than Alpha Ronan. The shock made my knees weak, and I felt like I might collapse.

Annie didn’t seem to notice my reaction. “You’re to be Alpha Ronan’s personal maid,” she informed me briskly. “You’ll follow his orders and do as he says, no matter what.”

I nodded silently, my throat too tight to speak.

She handed me a folded outfit. “Here,” she said. “This is your uniform. Put it on now.”

I hesitated but took the clothes from her. They were simple but revealing—a short black dress with a white apron. It wasn’t something I would have chosen for myself, especially not in my current state.

I stepped behind a small screen in the corner of the room and changed quickly. When I put the dress on, I looked down and felt my cheeks burn. It was far too short, barely reaching mid-thigh. The bruises on my legs from everything that had happened were visible, and I felt exposed and shy.

I stepped out hesitantly, pulling at the hem of the dress in an attempt to cover myself. Annie glanced at me briefly, her expression unreadable. “It’ll do,” she said, turning toward the door.

“Let’s go,” Annie said firmly, not waiting for me to answer. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, but I nodded and followed her out of the room.

We walked through the mansion in silence. The hallways were wide and grand, with shiny floors and walls decorated with paintings and portraits of people I didn’t recognize. I couldn’t stop fidgeting with the hem of my short maid dress, trying to pull it down to cover more of my legs.

After what felt like forever, we stopped in front of a large wooden door. Annie knocked on it lightly, and a deep, gruff voice from inside called out, “Come in.”