Chapter FourteenFaelen’s POVAs Mary and I entered my room, I couldn’t shake the emotions still spinning inside me. I sat down on the edge of my bed, feeling drained, while Mary settled on the other end.The silence that had grown between us felt heavy, but comforting in a strange way. I didn’t know why, but I felt like I could trust her. I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts, so I started to talk.“I don’t even know where to begin,” I said, my voice only a whisper. “He made me… he made me clean all the toilets in the estate. And as if that wasn’t enough for him. He… he forced his… in my mouth, and used me like I was some common whore, just there to please him.” I said, allowing the tears to flow. Mary’s face softened with sympathy, and she reached out to squeeze my hand. “I’m so sorry, Faelen,” she said, her voice full of concern. “But I want you to understand something… what you’ve been through, it’s not your fault. It never was.”I felt tears gathering up in my eyes again, b
Chapter FifteenCaleb’s POVAs I walked out of Hunter’s chambers with him, the morning sun was already high unlike before I had gone in to see him. There was a little unease in my chest.I couldn’t point out why, perhaps it was because of the message from the neighboring pack, or maybe I just felt bad about Hunter’s indifference to it and to other people.“Like the poor girl,” I thought.I still had the image of that servant girl fleeing from his room in tears not too long ago. I’d seen her again just now, bent over her work, scrubbing the floor like she was trying to sink into it.The way Hunter had looked at her, the cruelty in his eyes, it was all too familiar. I had known him long enough to recognize when he was enjoying someone’s suffering.I couldn’t shake the unease. The confrontation I had just witnessed between Hunter and the girl stuck in my mind. There was something about the way she looked at him… with fear. I’d seen that look too many times before. Hunter didn’t seem to
Chapter SixteenFaelen’s POVAfter the man who had introduced himself as Caleb left, I just stood there, frozen in place, trying to make sense of what had just happened.Caleb, the pack’s Beta, Hunter’s right-hand man, had actually apologized for the way Hunter had treated me.It didn’t make any sense to me at all. These men were supposed to be the strongest, the most ruthless, and here he was, showing kindness? No, it had to be a test, a way to see if I’d let my guard down and disrespect the Alpha. I finished cleaning the dining room, pushing thoughts of Caleb and Hunter out of my mind.I had to stay focused. My mission was all that mattered to me. Whatever Hunter did to me, however he humiliates me, it’s nothing compared to the success of my mission.I would make my Alpha proud. I had to.I wiped away the tears that had started to trickle down my cheeks. This wasn’t the time for weakness. I shouldn’t be stupid enough to get distracted by a few kind words from Caleb.Hunter’s cruelt
Chapter SeventeenFaelen’s POVAs I walked, I couldn’t help but replay the encounter with Caleb in my head. Caleb hadn’t seemed angry or suspicious, but that didn’t mean I could trust him.He was still Hunter’s right-hand man, and I couldn’t forget that. The letter weighed on my mind, and I knew I had to figure out a way to make the information to Alpha Zodd.But how?I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as I made my way to the kitchens. I resolved that I may have to allow myself get a little distracted by Caleb, by his apparent kindness. And perhaps also turn Hunter’s cruelty into an advantage. I made my way back to the head maid, hoping she had not asked of me while I was gone. Fortunately, there wasn’t any sign she did, so it was a good sign. The head maid just handed out remaining tasks for the afternoon to us there, then told us we had one hour to rest before starting lunch preparations.I nodded absentmindedly, barely listening to her words as I thought of how to get t
Chapter EighteenHunter’s POVI rode through the forest, my horse thudding his hooves on the undergrown bushes. The trees stood tall and thick, their branches forming a canopy above.This was the southern border, the very edge of our territory, where the earth had revealed its secrets a few weeks ago… gold, and plenty of it. The recent letter from the Steeprock pack had been annoying. A warning and hidden threat, no less, about activities encroaching into their land.They seemed to think they could intimidate me with threats and letters. I had always found such attempts laughable. Their Alpha, like the rest, was weak compared to me.The only reason I took the letter seriously enough to visit the site today was to ensure that the operation remained under control and to plan the next steps in securing the gold without any interference.As I approached the site, where I had my most trusted men on the job, I could see the machines at work in the distance, and the men working tirelessly.
Chapter NineteenCaleb’s POVAs I stepped out into the courtyard, a commotion caught my attention. Two of Hunter’s guards were dragging someone roughly toward the estate, and it took me a moment to realize who it was… Faelen.Her tear-soaked face was overwhelmed with fear and pain, and my heart raced at the sight. What in the name of the moon had Hunter done now?I rushed over, my pulse quickening. “What the hell are you doing?” I barked at the guards as I reached them. “Why are you dragging this girl like that?”The guards barely looked at me, their faces hard and indifferent. “Alpha’s orders,” one of them grunted. “He commanded us to bring her to his chambers.”I felt a rush of anger at their casual response. “Why?” I demanded, trying to keep the anger out of my voice, though it was almost impossible.The other guard shrugged, his grip on Faelen not tightening even harder. “We don’t know. We’re just following orders, sir.”I clenched my fists, my frustration mounting quickly. It wa
Chapter TwentyHunter’s POVAs the door slammed shut behind Caleb, I stood there, fists clenched, struggling to maintain my anger.His defiance irritated me, but there was something else that ate at me… a feeling I refused to acknowledge.He had no right to interfere, especially not when it came to my business. And yet, I couldn’t shake off the anger that continued to boil inside me, not just at him, but at myself.I turned my gaze back to Faelen, who was standing there, trembling slightly, the handkerchief clutched tightly in her hand.Her long red hair covered most of her face, and those gorgeous wide eyes of hers… always so full of fear, always making me feel… something I didn’t want to feel.Her presence there weakened me, more than I cared to admit. “Why do you have to make things so difficult, huh?” I muttered under my breath, more to myself than to her.My words came out louder than I intended, but I didn’t care. I needed to regain control, to stamp back my dominance and remind
Chapter Twenty-oneFaelen’s POVAs I finished the last bite of bread, I felt a strange mix of relief and confusion. Hunter had been watching me the whole time, his expression unreadable, but now, he seemed to have lost interest.He turned away, his eyes distant, as if I wasn’t even there anymore. “Take the plates with you and leave,” he ordered, his voice cold and distant.I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to make of the sudden change in his demeanor. But then I bowed lightly, as I had been taught to do, and gathered the plates.My hands were still shaking, and I had to force myself to focus, to not drop anything. As I made my way to the door, my mind was racing, trying to understand what the hell had just happened.Why had Hunter suddenly changed his mind? Why hadn’t he hurt me like he had last time?I could still remember the cruelty in his eyes, the way he had taken pleasure in my humiliation. But today, he had been different. Distant, yes, but not cruel.Not in the way I ha
Chapter Seventy-threeHunter’s POVSeated alone in my office that morning, I tried to focus on the endless papers spread across my desk, yet all my mind seemed capable of doing was going back to last night with Faelen.A faint smile tugged at my lips as I recalled every detail… the way her hair fell in waves across the pillow, her soft laughs, the warmth of her body against mine.I’d left her early, quietly slipping out to keep up appearances and make it to the office without drawing attention. But the memory lingered, a welcome distraction from my usual routine.The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Caleb stepping inside, his expression serious. My smile faded as I straightened, noting the urgency in his eyes.“What’s going on, Caleb?” I asked, gesturing for him to come in.He closed the door behind him and stepped forward. “I have news from the scouts and spies,” he began, his voice low and wary. “The Belladonna Pack… They’re regrouping for another attack.“What?” I asked, r
Chapter Seventy-twoHunter’s POV Waking up in Faelen’s bed, I lay still for a moment, letting the early morning sun which pierced through the window settle over us. The warmth of Faelen’s body beside me was a reminder of the steamy night we’d shared, every detail printed into my mind.Her bare shoulder peeked out from under the sheets, her red hair spilling around her face like fire against her pillow.Laying there, she looked almost unreal, soft and breathtaking… like an angel… in her sleep.My fingers itched to reach out to her again, but I held back, not wanting to disturb the rare peace that she had in this moment.Slowly, I shifted, slipping out of the bed with a careful, measured silence. I gathered my clothes and moved away slightly.I glanced over at her every few seconds, as if to check that she was still there, that last night hadn’t been some hazy dream.As I pulled my shirt over my shoulders, I couldn’t help but recall the warmth of her touch against my skin, or the swee
Chapter Seventy-one Faelen’s POV When Hunter shared his decision to make me a full member of the pack, my first instinct was disbelief.I couldn’t quite grasp that he meant it, that he was willing to trust me so deeply despite everything I’d done.All I managed was a quiet, breathless thank you, hoping he could see just how much his faith in me mattered.As he watched me, the warmth in his eyes gave me something I hadn’t felt in years…hope. For the first time, I felt like maybe I could be more than a pawn in someone else’s game.The days that followed were filled with new routines for me as I tried to settle into my place among the pack.Hunter, of course, was never far. I would find him stopping by while I helped the pack with library work, hauling supplies, or tending to small tasks around the offices.His face held that half smile of his, and sometimes he’d shake his head at me, urging me to take a break.But I couldn’t. It wasn’t about proving anything to the others… it was abou
Chapter SeventyHunter’s POV The next few days, I set everything in motion to reinstate Faelen officially into the pack. I’d made the decision, and I’d stand by it, though I knew there were bound to be a few raised eyebrows.There’d been a lot of gossip circulating since the dinner, but I didn’t care. They came to respect her, but I knew they still didn’t see her as one of us, which I hoped to change.What mattered to me was ensuring Faelen knew her place here was solid… that she could trust us as much as I hoped to make everyone trust her as I did.Early the following morning, I gathered the pack elders and high ranking officers in the palace hall, where I intended to reveal my decision.The sun had barely set over the estate grounds when I had Caleb call the meeting, and the early morning light pierced through the window touching everyone who walked in there.My chest tightened nervously when I saw them all seated by the long table, shifting on my feet. I could see they were all ea
Chapter Sixty-nineHunter’s POV As I exited the restroom, I had one last look at myself to make sure I looked presentable. Satisfied, I then headed down the hallway.On my way, I passed a group of women going the opposite way. They looked at me strangely, but I wasn’t surprised why, seeing I’d just come out of the female restroom.Briefly smiling at them, I walked past and headed towards the dining hall. I couldn’t shake the rush within from what had just happened between Faelen and me.I had always been in control, always certain of myself, but not with her. The moment I saw her tonight, everything had shifted.Faelen had taken my breath away, standing there looking both fierce and vulnerable, like she belonged to some heavenly realm but had graced us with her presence.The memory of her lips, her touch… it all felt raw and tattooed into my mind.Raising my head high and squaring my shoulders, I forced myself to adopt the relaxed expression I knew everyone expected from me. Caleb c
Chapter Sixty-eightFaelen’s POV It was over in minutes, and as we adjusted our clothes, the weight of what we’d just done settled over me.My fingers paused on the loosened neckline of my dress, feeling a warmth still there from Hunter’s touch.When I glanced up, I saw him tucking his shirt back in, his eyes catching mine with a mischievous look.The reality of the moment hit us both… sneaking off in the middle of the dinner he’d arranged for me to fuck… and we couldn’t help but share a smile.He stepped closer, his breath brushing warm against my cheek, still heavy from our time together.Reaching up, he gently pushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering as they brushed my cheek. “That was amazing,” he murmured, voice low and satisfied.A laugh escaped me, soft and a little shy. I lowered my gaze, adjusting the fabric of my dress to buy a moment to collect myself, though my heart was still racing.“It was… amazing,” I admitted, feeling a blush creep over my cheeks.
Chapter Sixty-sevenFaelen’s POV As the laughter and chatter from the dinner filled the air, I couldn’t shake off the discomfort of the dress hugging my body.It was beautiful, a deep shade of blue that seemed to complement my hair, but every time I moved, I felt it tighten around me, making it hard to breathe.I needed a moment away from the table, a chance to gather myself and take a breath. Excusing myself from the lively conversation, I slipped out of the dining hall.Just as I turned to head towards the nearby restroom, I bumped into Caleb. He was leaning casually against the wall, a soft smile on his lips.“Faelen,” he said, his eyes brightening as they went over me. “You look absolutely stunning in that dress.”“Thank you, but I can barely breathe in it,” I admitted, giving a small laugh, hoping to mask my discomfort.Caleb chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. Besides, you’re supposed to look like a princess tonight. That’s the point.”I smiled back, but inside I felt strange. I
Chapter Sixty-sixHunter’s POV I stood in front of the huge mirror by my closet, giving myself one last look before leaving for the dinner.The reflection staring back at me was a complete difference to my usual rugged demeanor.My hair was neatly combed, my shirt crisp, the dark fabric complementing my tall frame. A sense of discomfort suddenly ran through me as I adjusted the collar.It was an unfamiliar feeling settling in my chest. I’d never felt the need to present myself this way for anyone before.Yet here I was, preparing for a dinner where Faelen would be the guest of honor, and somehow, it felt awkward.What the hell is wrong with me? I thought, running a hand over my face.I usually appeared anywhere with authority and confidence. But this was different… this felt personal.I shook my head, pushing the nerves aside, and stepped out of my chambers. I sighed as I closed the door behind me and walked.The dark corridor and stairs led me toward the dining hall, where I could a
Chapter Sixty-fiveFaelen’s POV After our intense afternoon together, I thought the day couldn’t hold any more surprises, but as evening came, I found the estate bustling with preparations for a dinner Hunter had promised. Everywhere I turned, people were rushing about, arranging flowers, polishing and setting tables.The energy in the air felt different, and I couldn’t help but feel it was all a little strange… like this dinner was somehow just meant for me.I tried to help, slipping into the dining hall to see if I could lend a hand, but Caleb quickly intercepted me.He crossed his arms by the doorway, giving me a stern look that didn’t quite match the grin on his lips.“Faelen,” he said, “tonight isn’t about you helping anyone. Let us take care of things. Hunter wanted everything to be perfect. He wanted you to relax and enjoy your moment.”I hesitated, feeling a little strange about it. All this effort just for me felt… extravagant. But Caleb just shook his head with a smile.“T