CHAPTER FIVE

Days went by, filled with the dull routine of being alone and the constant replay of my own thoughts. One morning, I walked into the gardens, hoping to find comfort among the greenery. Out of nowhere, a voice broke the silence, catching me off guard.

"Hey, Audrey, right?" he said, smiling at me.

"Yeah, that's me," I replied, turning around to see Jaxon, Magnus' ally, the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, looking concerned.

"It's been tough, you know? But hey, I'm surviving," I said, trying to keep things light with a small smile.

"Surviving is a good start. I'm Jaxon, by the way," he introduced himself in a friendly way.

"Nice to meet you, Jaxon," I replied, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Umm, where are you headed?" he asked, still looking concerned.

"Nowhere in particular, just taking a walk," I said, glancing around.

"Is it okay if I join you?" he asked politely. I shrugged, trying to seem indifferent, and said, "Sure."

As we walked, Jaxon's easy-going attitude contrasted with the usual heaviness. "So, what are your hobbies, Audrey?" he asked, keeping the conversation light.

I felt a bit surprised, not used to casual talk in the middle of pack troubles. "Well, I used to love painting," I said with a nostalgic smile on my face.

"That's fascinating! I'd love to see your paintings sometime," Jaxon said, his eyes lighting up.

"Sure, I might need a bit of inspiration these days," I admitted. My inner wolf, Silver, seemed curious, acknowledging that maybe not all alliances were menacing.

Jaxon chuckled, "We all do". "What about you? Any hobbies or interests?" I asked, shifting the conversation away from the heavy stuff. "I enjoy a good run in the woods. Clears the mind, you know?" Jaxon shared, smiling genuinely.

"That sounds nice," I said, Silver silently agreeing. "Maybe I'll join you sometime."

"Absolutely! It's a deal then," Jaxon agreed, and as we continued walking, a surprising sense of friendship started to grow. But suddenly, a voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Magnus, mindlinking me for the first time in years.

"Where are you?" he asked, and a wave of memories flooded back. I had opened the mindlink a year after he was banished, hoping to hear his voice, but he never reached out. Now, his voice triggered something in me—was that worry in his tone? Did he still care about me?

"I'm in the garden, just taking a stroll," I replied through the link, my heart hoping for a sign that he still cared. "Get back here right now," he commanded sternly, and then he closed the link. A wave of sadness washed over me, and Silver, sensing my emotions, curled up moody.

"Is everything okay?" Jaxon's voice brought me back. I had forgotten he was there, and I could see the worry on his face. Suddenly serious, I told him, "We need to go back to the Pack house," and turned, retracing our steps.

Back at the pack house, every step felt heavier as I entered with Jaxon by my side. The atmosphere had shifted, and Magnus awaited my return with a cold, unshakable gaze. The pack members fell silent, sensing the impending confrontation.

Magnus approached with a stern expression, and his eyes locked onto mine. "You think you can just wander off without my permission?" he growled, his alpha authority slicing through the air.

"I... I didn't mean to disrespect you, Magnus," I stammered, my voice betraying a mix of fear and confusion.

He ignored my explanation and turned his gaze to Jaxon. "What business do you have with my mistress?" The word "mistress" dripped with bitterness.

Jaxon, attempting to ease the tension, raised his hands defensively. "Just a casual walk, Magnus. No harm meant."

Magnus scoffed, his eyes narrowing, he circled me, his scrutiny cutting through any remnants of pride or dignity. "You forgot your place," he spat, the words hitting me like a physical blow.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my eyes pleading for understanding, for a trace of the love that once existed.

Magnus, unmoved, signaled my dismissal with a wave of his hand. "Go to your quarters. We'll discuss your insolence later."

As I walked away, shoulders slumped and heart shattered, I felt the weight of his judgment. Once the love of his life, I was now reduced to a position that offered neither respect nor dignity. 

I reached my quarters, the walls closing in on me. The weight of the title "mistress" echoed in my mind like a haunting melody, a constant reminder of my fall from grace. 

Despite the thorny resentment I held for my father, the longing for him crept in – making me wonder about the hardships he might be enduring in that forsaken dungeon. Lost in thought, Silver's unease abruptly interrupted me, and then the unmistakable scent of Magnus reached my senses. But there was another fragrance in the air. Another wolf accompanied him, a femme. I sat up on my bed, awaiting their entrance.

Magnus strolled in, the shewolf clinging to him like a shadow. I didn't recognize her; she seemed from another pack. Her tight hold on Magnus stirred jealousy within me. 

Who was she, and what was their connection? My inner wolf growled silently in response, fueling my own resentment and hatred. I had to consciously snap myself out to calm her.

"Hey! Who gave you the right to wander into the woods?" Magnus barked, his expression stern.

"I didn't go to the woods. Just took a walk in the garden," I defended, my voice carrying a hint of defiance.

The femme continued to shoot disdainful glares my way, her facial expressions like a stormy sky. "Who is she?" she demanded, her voice carrying the weight of suspicion.

Magnus turned to her, his demeanor softening into a rare tenderness. "She's nobody to worry about, baby. Just an ordinary mistress, a plaything," he chuckled, and they shared an unsettling laugh. Tears welled up; mistress, plaything – was that what I had become? Did he already have another mate?

"Don't you dare leave this room without my permission," he barked before leaving with the femme. The pain in my heart was overwhelming as I cried silently, questioning my worth in his eyes.