Their Beginning
The ride was silent. Emerald's heart beat fast as they moved through the thick forest, the unknown stretching before her like a shadowed path. Free from the Dark Market, her mind was a whirl of questions. Who was this man who'd bought her without hesitation? What did he want with her? And what would life now be?
Behind her, Alpha Joel sat lost in his thoughts, clenching the reins tight while the horse pushed them onward. This is madness, he thought to himself. No one can be Lena. The name bit into his mind with a lingering bitterness-a ghost of a memory. Yet, he had purchased this girl, a decision now weighing heavy upon him. There was no looking back; Emerald was his responsibility now.
Hours of riding passed, and they neared the grounds of New Oak. Emerald's eyes began to widen as they approached. The place was huge, stretching toward every horizon she could see. Stone walls of high standing surrounded the grounds, silent sentinels. The main entrance loomed high with two massive iron gates, signifying the boundary of the pack's domain. Guards were stationed there, watching intently as they approached. She had seen several large stone buildings, one bigger and more imposing than the last. Wolves moved around the grounds: some in human form, others in their wolf forms. The details everywhere testified to the power and enormous size of the pack.
As they rode through the gates, the horse slowed, and a servant immediately came forward to take the reins. Joel slid off with grace, then turned and reached up for Emerald, his hands sure as they encircled her waist. Her feet touched the ground, and she couldn't help the flutter of relief and tension that crossed her face as she looked around.
They began to walk, Emerald closing in behind Joel, as he guided her deeper into the heart of the grounds. As they passed, people turned to look at her, eyes filled with curiosity, some with shock. She caught whispers and saw glances exchanged, but couldn't make sense of it. Why did people stare at her that way? As if they saw something or someone, that shouldn't be there.
They finally reached a large house set away from the rest. Joel's private residence was elegant yet powerful, constructed with dark wood and stone, with wide windows allowing a view into the forest surrounding it. Just as they reached the steps, a young man appeared, hurrying out to meet them. He was lean, with sharp features and an alert gaze, which showed respect and curiosity in equal measure.
"Alpha Joel!" the youngster greeted, his face forward in a low bow. "We were wondering where you'd gone." But the words cut off abruptly as his gaze landed on Emerald. His eyes widened, his expression changing from surprise to shock in that instant. "Lena?" he whispered, almost to himself, the name tumbling from his lips before he could stop it.
A chill coursed down Emerald's spine as her confusion mounted. She didn't know who Lena was, but she couldn't help but note the reaction her presence seemed to provoke. Why had he called her that? She watched as Joel shot the young man a warning glance; flashing his eyes, the young man clamped his mouth shut and stepped aside with his head hung low, unable to resist shooting curious glances at her.
Girl, go with her," Joel ordered, nodding to a female servant who had quietly appeared beside him. "She'll take you to a room, help you clean up, and dress you." His eyes didn't leave hers for a moment, after which he added, "Wear white.
There was something about his insistence on the color that had picked at Emerald's confusion, but she nodded and saved her questions for another time. She followed the maid down a hall, the silence between them heard in her racing mind. Her footsteps were echoing in the quiet as they went further into the house until they came to a room with a huge bath, which was already filled with hot water.
"Let me clean you up," said the maid kindly, gesturing for her to enter.
Emerald stepped forward, her skin suddenly enveloped in the warmth of the room. She hadn't felt clean in days, maybe weeks, and the sight of the bath alone was enough to nearly bring tears to her eyes. The maid got her out of her torn and dirty clothes; her hands soft as she guided Emerald into the tub. She let out a heavy sigh and allowed herself to sink into the water, feeling grime and dust melt.
She went ahead to pour the warm water over her head, washing away dirt and tangles; her hands worked delicately to work some sweet-smelling soap into Emerald's hair. For what seemed to her like the first time in ages, Emerald felt her racing heart slow, her muscles relaxing, as the maid scrubbed arms, back, and legs, leaving no part untouched. She shut her eyes, willing to forget the dark market and the chains and the stares, for even a few minutes peace was worth its weight in gold.
When she was clean, the maid helped her out of the tub and dried her hair and skin with soft towels. She sat Emerald upon a small stool in front of a mirror and gently brushed and braided her hair, laying it over her shoulder in a neat twist. Then there was the dress: simple, eloquent in its plain white material, clean and flowing. The dress fell softly around her frame, its purity a sharp contrast to the rough clothes she'd been wearing.
As the maid stepped back, Emerald barely recognized herself in the mirror. She looked. Almost like someone else. All dirt and rough edges were gone, leaving her with a quiet beauty that surprised even her. She didn't know what to make of it, but there was no time to dwell. Down another hallway the maid led her, her steps light as they moved toward what she assumed was the dining room.
She entered and her eyes immediately found Joel. He sat at the head of a long table, his gaze off to some distant place, though it sharpened the moment he found hers. He gestured to the chair beside him, and Emerald took her seat, feeling the weight of the silence settle around them.
A meal was placed before them, simple, yet tasty. She could hardly remember when she had last eaten a proper meal. The table was filled with roasted meats, fresh bread, and fruits that looked to have been plucked at that very moment. She picked at her food, conscious of the presence beside her and the silence continued to build as they ate, neither of them speaking.
Emerald tried to focus on the food, but now and then she'd catch him watching her, his gaze unreadable. She wondered what he saw, wondered why he'd brought her here, why he seemed so cold yet so. Attentive. There was something he wasn't telling her, something hidden behind those dark, intense eyes.
When they were done, Joel stood, gesturing for her to follow him. She stood hurriedly, her heart racing as she followed him. They went down a myriad of hallways, his gait sure and deliberate, until they came to a room: smaller, more personal, with one chair by the window. Joel sat down, his arms crossing as he regarded her.
She stayed standing, not quite sure what to expect. Her mind raced a mile a minute with questions, but she said nothing, awaiting his continuation.
The silence was finally broken by the sound of Joel's voice. "I didn't buy you to be a slave," he began in an even, calculated tone, studying her reaction with intent.
A wave of relief washed over her; her heart lifted with his words. Maybe he was different. Maybe he didn't want to control her. "Then. What am I here for?" she asked, voice soft, her relief mixed with curiosity.
Joel leaned forward slightly, gaze steady, and when he spoke, his words were sharp, slicing through the hope that had begun to grow in her chest.
"You are here to be a substitute."
Becoming LenaThose words seemed to ring in her mind, echoing on repetition, and went on: "You are here to be a substitute." Emerald stood there in a daze, her eyes enlarging on the man before her while her heart drummed in incredulity. A substitute? For what? For whom?She tried to comprehend what he had just spoken, but it was like her mind felt so greasy that the more she slid away. She had spent the last few hours working out in her head why he had bought her- why a powerful man like Alpha Joel would take her from the Dark Market. She had expected him to want her for work, perhaps some role in the pack. But to hear he wanted her as a substitute? Her hands fisted at her sides as her mind grasped for anything to make this all make sense.She finally looked up at Joel, sitting in the chair, face relaxed and detached. His body was loosely laid back in the chair; he was showing not even the slightest regard as if he were telling her about the weather. She couldn't conceptualize how he
Lessons in ShadowsEmerald sat stiffly, trying to listen as the woman in her room explained the details of Lena's life, but her mind kept drifting to the thought that with each word her own identity was slipping away. The room itself was quiet, peaceful even, but she felt anything but relaxed. Instead, a feeling of tightness settled into her chest, the same feeling she'd had since she stepped into this new life.The woman who'd been assigned to teach her, Mara, had a patient look in her eyes as she went over the instructions, but her tone was firm, showing this wasn't just a lesson-it was a command. Emerald made herself listen.She was a healer, a doctor for the pack, Mara began. Gentle with everyone, especially children; never raising her voice, she had this calming effect on the most anxious souls. Mara paused, her gaze razor-sharp as she looked at Emerald. Joel expects you to be just like that: kind, calm, sweet.Emerald nodded resentfully but swallowed it. She wasn't here to quest
Secrets in the ShadowsAs Joel turned and walked away, leaving her alone by the river, Emerald watched his back disappear as a searing pang hit her chest. A wretched, hollow smile worked its way onto her face, the mocking of her own foolishness. She had let herself believe, even if only for a moment, that she could be someone meaningful to him. But the truth had settled in with one word: "Lena."Emerald wrapped her arms around herself, small and lost, until a soft bump against her hand brought her back into focus. She looked down to see the little rabbit she had been stroking, its small nose twitching as it peered up at her with large, innocent eyes. Other animals surrounded her ducks waddling near her, small birds chirping nearby, each one seeming to trust her, being drawn to her. It was as if they sensed her sadness, cuddling close to her as if to comfort her.Feeling a wave of warmth, Emerald sat back down on the grass, her heart lightning. She spoke to the animals in a soft voice
Freedom: You Are Safe!All chaos was alive within the Dark Market. The noise was nothing but a constant; the voices shouted, bargained, and called out prices. The people crowded every corner, jostling for space. The stalls lined the market, selling everything from different corners with knives and weapons, while others with animals caged, crying, and scratching at their bars. But the darkest part of the market lay right at its center, where people were sold as slaves, in chains, and on display.Before a stand caked with filth, a young woman sat with her hands tightly bound in coarse ropes; the wrists were red and raw. Long hair fell uncombed about her face, shading her eyes as she stared at the ground. She was about twenty, but days of hunger had made her thin, far too thin. Her clothes were loose on her body, hanging in torn and stained tatters, but beneath the grime and exhaustion, her beauty was undeniable: eyes fierce, even bowed, as if holding on to her last shred of dignity.Her
Secrets in the ShadowsAs Joel turned and walked away, leaving her alone by the river, Emerald watched his back disappear as a searing pang hit her chest. A wretched, hollow smile worked its way onto her face, the mocking of her own foolishness. She had let herself believe, even if only for a moment, that she could be someone meaningful to him. But the truth had settled in with one word: "Lena."Emerald wrapped her arms around herself, small and lost, until a soft bump against her hand brought her back into focus. She looked down to see the little rabbit she had been stroking, its small nose twitching as it peered up at her with large, innocent eyes. Other animals surrounded her ducks waddling near her, small birds chirping nearby, each one seeming to trust her, being drawn to her. It was as if they sensed her sadness, cuddling close to her as if to comfort her.Feeling a wave of warmth, Emerald sat back down on the grass, her heart lightning. She spoke to the animals in a soft voice
Lessons in ShadowsEmerald sat stiffly, trying to listen as the woman in her room explained the details of Lena's life, but her mind kept drifting to the thought that with each word her own identity was slipping away. The room itself was quiet, peaceful even, but she felt anything but relaxed. Instead, a feeling of tightness settled into her chest, the same feeling she'd had since she stepped into this new life.The woman who'd been assigned to teach her, Mara, had a patient look in her eyes as she went over the instructions, but her tone was firm, showing this wasn't just a lesson-it was a command. Emerald made herself listen.She was a healer, a doctor for the pack, Mara began. Gentle with everyone, especially children; never raising her voice, she had this calming effect on the most anxious souls. Mara paused, her gaze razor-sharp as she looked at Emerald. Joel expects you to be just like that: kind, calm, sweet.Emerald nodded resentfully but swallowed it. She wasn't here to quest
Becoming LenaThose words seemed to ring in her mind, echoing on repetition, and went on: "You are here to be a substitute." Emerald stood there in a daze, her eyes enlarging on the man before her while her heart drummed in incredulity. A substitute? For what? For whom?She tried to comprehend what he had just spoken, but it was like her mind felt so greasy that the more she slid away. She had spent the last few hours working out in her head why he had bought her- why a powerful man like Alpha Joel would take her from the Dark Market. She had expected him to want her for work, perhaps some role in the pack. But to hear he wanted her as a substitute? Her hands fisted at her sides as her mind grasped for anything to make this all make sense.She finally looked up at Joel, sitting in the chair, face relaxed and detached. His body was loosely laid back in the chair; he was showing not even the slightest regard as if he were telling her about the weather. She couldn't conceptualize how he
Their BeginningThe ride was silent. Emerald's heart beat fast as they moved through the thick forest, the unknown stretching before her like a shadowed path. Free from the Dark Market, her mind was a whirl of questions. Who was this man who'd bought her without hesitation? What did he want with her? And what would life now be?Behind her, Alpha Joel sat lost in his thoughts, clenching the reins tight while the horse pushed them onward. This is madness, he thought to himself. No one can be Lena. The name bit into his mind with a lingering bitterness-a ghost of a memory. Yet, he had purchased this girl, a decision now weighing heavy upon him. There was no looking back; Emerald was his responsibility now.Hours of riding passed, and they neared the grounds of New Oak. Emerald's eyes began to widen as they approached. The place was huge, stretching toward every horizon she could see. Stone walls of high standing surrounded the grounds, silent sentinels. The main entrance loomed high with
Freedom: You Are Safe!All chaos was alive within the Dark Market. The noise was nothing but a constant; the voices shouted, bargained, and called out prices. The people crowded every corner, jostling for space. The stalls lined the market, selling everything from different corners with knives and weapons, while others with animals caged, crying, and scratching at their bars. But the darkest part of the market lay right at its center, where people were sold as slaves, in chains, and on display.Before a stand caked with filth, a young woman sat with her hands tightly bound in coarse ropes; the wrists were red and raw. Long hair fell uncombed about her face, shading her eyes as she stared at the ground. She was about twenty, but days of hunger had made her thin, far too thin. Her clothes were loose on her body, hanging in torn and stained tatters, but beneath the grime and exhaustion, her beauty was undeniable: eyes fierce, even bowed, as if holding on to her last shred of dignity.Her