Lucy ran with every strength she'd got, crashing through the bushes and tall grasses of the forest, stumping on dried leaves and branches so that they made some creaking sounds. She peeked behind her, constantly as she made an effort to lose the guards that ran after her. She gasped and breathed heavily, holding on to the wish to outrun them.
It was either to stop and be captured or run and stay alive. She could hear the sound of their footsteps which became more audible as she ran. The sound of their growls was scary enough to make her quiver and made her have thoughts of what might happen if she was to be caught
She merely escaped from the Moonshine pack where she had to labor as a handmaid in the Royal residence of Alpha Eric and Luna Ava. Though she didn't work directly for them but for their daughter, Isabella.
Though Isabella was not the biological daughter of Alpha Eric. She was the daughter of his Beta who died alongside him with his mate during a war. Alpha Eric had to take her in and nurtured her like his own.
Isabella was the pompous kind of girl that would do anything to remind anyone who she was so they would know their place. And that was the case of Lucy and Isabella. Lucy has always been criticized by Isabella countless times and probably insulted. There was a time when she was ordered by Isabella to transport a box filled with clothes to the residence of Luna Ava.
Without hesitation, Lucy made haste to execute her order. She carried the box, grunting, and strived to regain her balance. She strode, impatiently along the path that led to Luna Ava's residence. Being lost in her thought, she became startled by the sudden appearance of a guard who bumped into her. The box fell off and the clothes were strewn all over the ground. The guard was harsh enough to blame her and walked away without apologizing since she was just a handmaid.
She hurriedly packed a few of the clothes and piled them together inside the box, leaving them scattered but eventually, was caught by Isabella who happened to stroll by. She was slapped thrice before she was questioned about how it happened. Lucy could not lift a finger as it was against the law of the pack. She would be severely punished if she was to make an attempt and probably be killed.
"I have to run, I can't go back there, ... I can't see her face," She grinned, swirling her hands back and forth
She soon hit her leg against a dry wood that was on her path through the course of her peeking at what was behind her. She tripped and fell, rolling down from high ground like a slope, and eventually hit her head against a rock.
Blood gushed out of her head effusively and soon noticed her palm filled with blood after which she touched the side of her head. She whimpered in a low tone but covered her mouth so she wouldn't have to give her location off to the guards. She groaned in pain as her leg hurt. Blood dripped down from her forehead, she look dizzy and her eyes blurry but she shook her head swiftly and endured to get up on her feet.
"If only I have my wolf," She sniffed and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. She felt weak, a difficult moment for her. She had regrets about why she was wolfless. Lucy was already nineteen but yet, her wolf didn't show up. She had no idea who her mother was. The only one left for her was her Father who was an Omega but died when she was fifteen.
She lived a comfortable life through the course of her Father being alive but her world came crumbling when she lost him.
Her Father, Mason who was a guar, though a lower rank, has always gone out of the pack to get supplies for the Royal residence. He never came back one night when on a tour. His body was later found a few days later. Lucy wept for days as she thought of no one to rely on.
The only one to console her was Katherine. Katherine was a close friend of her Father. They met at the Royal residence since she was a handmaid but would always come to see Lucy and bring gifts sent by Mason since Lucy had to live amongst the pack, away from her Father. Katherine was thrice the age of Lucy but her face was as young as Lucy, making it obvious that she was her age mate
Sometimes, the thought of Katherine being her Father's mate would cross her mind but she could not ask him why Katherine would always look after him. But then again, she had always received unearned respect from Katherine, including Mason before she lost him. She had always wondered why they would do that to her but could not challenge their actions, so she kept it to herself.
After her shortcomings, she had no choice but to contest for the place of a handmaid in the Royal residence, knowing it was the only way to survive. Katherine herself was not capable and in no position to help since she also had to work in the Royal residence. Lucy went through some harsh and cruel trials before she was selected to live in the Royal residence as a handmaid.
"I have to survive... I have to," She gasped and felt her heartbeat as her chest lingered upward and downward.
She paused for a moment and glanced around the forest with her head. The forest sounded so silent. Looked like she was all alone, not until the thunderstruck with a resounding noise in the clouds. She raised her head slowly to notice the clouds that looked like it was going to rain.
It took her back to the time when Marie would run to her whenever lighting struck the clouds with a deafening sound. It was like a trauma she experienced when she was young and ever since was always scared of lightning. Marie was the only friend she had. They were both handmaids at the Royal residence. Marie had always worked for Isabella but was dismissed from her post to work for Luna Ava a few weeks after which Lucy was brought to the Royal residence.
They have always stayed together in a room after working hours and soon became fond of each other. Though at first, they never really exchanged words not until Marie got into trouble with a guard during working hours. At that time, she mistakenly poured a bucket of water containing the dung of horses she packed on a werewolf guard. She was scolded and slapped numerous times until Lucy yelled with a high-pitched sound at the werewolf with a slightly aggressive stance.
She made fun of him, using the fact that it was only a girl he could beat up and not a werewolf guard like him. The werewolf felt belittled by Lucy's attitude towards him and rushed at her but Lucy was too fast to dive away and dodge his blows. It went on for a while but the werewolf was unable to deal with Lucy not until he called out to the rest of the other werewolves watching over the slaves and beat her up till she bled from her nostrils and mouth.
Marie became fond of Lucy since then as she thought of her, as a strong and brave girl not to talk of her beauty. Marie seemed to be the only friend she had ever since then.
"You have to run, Lucy... If you don't, you'll be captured and be returned to the pack and that's the last thing you want," She whispered, advising and talking to herself.
She strived and eventually stood upright. Her ankle seemed to be fractured, causing her to wail. She immediately shut her mouth and took a deep breath, her eyes closed. Dozens of birds flew out suddenly from the trees, startling her, and causing her to open her eyes. She knew at that moment she had to run. She lingered forward but wasn't fast enough. She rasped when she noticed the guards already surrounding her.
She fidgeted constantly on the spot, every instinct of her body telling her to run for her survival but she could not, well aware that there was no escaping from their grasp.
"You know you will never escape... why did you run," One of the guards voiced out in anger.
Lucy wagged her head sideways and uttered her word indistinctly. "Please, don't take me back there... You could just kill me,"
"He wants to see you and you have to meet him," The guard cut her off.
"No, no... I will rather die here than go back to..."
"You have no say in this, handmaid," The guard hurled back at her with a sharp tone, interrupting her.
He propelled his head slightly forward so that one of the guards rushed at her, incapacitating her, and finally knocked her out.
Lucy opened her eyes which were still blurry. She shook her head swiftly as she endeavored to notice all that surrounded her. Being oblivious to her surroundings, it took her a while before she detected the iron door that was fixed to the wall, keeping her from breaking out, and the dried leaves that were strewn all over the ground. She was struck with fear when a rat squeaked by, climbing over her back. She moved with great rapidity and with a sudden sharp scream. Her legs dangled, scattering the leaves as she crawled hurriedly and leaned her back against the wall. She gasped for breath as it took a toll on her. "Hey, Katherine... You're here," She whispered, her heart racing faster than usual, and maneuvered hastily to where Katherine was. She was unconscious, she tilted her head swiftly so she opened her eyes but it was all in vain. Her head bleeds and there were spots on her face, so obvious that anyone could tell she received an intensified beating. Katherine was the one who as
Lucy walked under the fiery sun, sweating profusely as she made her way to the room where she was kept with Katherine. She hurried away without stopping not until she bumped into Isabella who was already standing in her way. She shrugged and immediately bowed her head. "Where are you off to in such a hurry," Isabella smirked and dared to reach out for her jaw, lifting her head slightly upward so she would make eye contact with her. Lucy struggled as she didn't want that but received a resounding slap that weakened her, causing her eyes to become fuzzy. "You look at me when I'm talking to you," Isabella vocalized with a sharp tone. Lucy slowly raised her head high up and stared at Isabella, solemnly with a straight face. She was angered, every instinct of her body telling her to fight back but she decided to keep her calm. Her eyes caught Marie who stood behind Isabella. Marie fixed her eyes on her for a moment but then, Lucy was smart enough to read the look on her face as it gav
"How could I perceive this scent, how is this possible," Lucy said in a low tone with her lips partly apart. "I don't even have my wolf yet," She pondered as she trod along the path which the scent she perceived had taken her to. She watched back and forth to see if anyone was following her trail as she could not be found roaming about in such a restricted area. The scent became stronger and soon sensed it must be Leo. She was brought to a stop when she got to a balcony that looked like an abandoned site. She sighted no one but yet, it was the place the scent stopped. She proceeded stealthily without her foot, making a slight sound. "Leo,' She uttered with a soft voice when she sighted him, standing only a few strides away from her. He looked fit in his black jacket and black jeans as he seemed to stand in a stance. "Lucy, you are here, how come," Leo said as he turned around to notice her. Lucy didn't get what he meant by his words, rather, she rushed at him and embraced him firml
Lucy walked sluggishly along the path that led to the meadow where she was stationed. Uncontrollable tears rolled down her cheek as she could not fathom what happened between him and Leo but yet, strived to put on a smile on her face when a few guards passed by. Thought of Leo rejecting her pestered her mind, having a nostalgic recollection of the plans she made after figuring out he was her mate. "I'm lost, why did he do it… Like he was scared of his Father," She whispered, silently and rubbed the tears on her face. She bowed her head and strolled away hurriedly when a guard approached her. "Father, I don't know what to do… I'm never getting out of here," She shut her eyes and gulped. Her heart raced, chest lingering upward and downward, so apparent that anyone could notice her restlessness. She was oblivious to her surroundings and didn't see Isabella already standing in her way. She walked into her and at that instant, apologized for not being watchful. She was about to take
The sun lurked around the clouds as it dimmed its light and was about to settle down. Marie grunted and raised her head slightly to notice Lucy whose back was also bent, with a spade in her hand, packing horse dung into a bucket and disposing of them in another spot a long distance away from where they were. They'd been there for hours as the guard who ordered them to follow him decided to punish them both for disobeying his command. Marie had been taking a brief look at Lucy but she wasn't looking her way and didn't notice her. Marie had been waiting for an opportunity to speak with Lucy but couldn't find the right time as Lucy was busy all through without even making a sound. Marie stood upright and yawned her back behind her back, stretching herself. She whimpered as she felt a slight pain right in her lower back. She stared at Lucy who wouldn't even raise her head and take a break from working endlessly for hours. She took a few steps towards Lucy but discontinued when she sig
Lucy rubbed her eyes aggressively with the back of her hands and soon opened them wide. She pressed her gaze on Marie at first but soon took a few steps forward to get closer to her. Marie immediately backed away and stretched her hand at her so she would stop walking. "What was that," Marie questioned, her chest lingering. "I don't know… you could see that I was rubbing my eyes a few seconds ago," She said with a high-pitched sound, flipping her hands in the air. "How is it, is it gone?" She asked with curiosity. "Yeah, it's gone," She responded after replying with a grunt. Lucy bowed her head and fell to her knees. She raised her hands slowly and widened them both, directing them to her face. She started for a while and soon scratched her hair. "What's happening to me, I felt a surge of energy running through my veins a while ago," She whispered, her lips partly apart. "Lucy, don't tell me you've been hiding your wolf from everyone,"Lucy unhurriedly lifted her head in respo
"Now I've got so many questions… I knew it, what has Katherine been keeping from me?" She muttered, silently, questioning herself, her chest lingering upward and downward."I have got some answers no matter the cost," Lucy whispered, talking to herself as she trod down the hallway of the Royal residence with haste in an attempt to see Katherine. Her hands moved swiftly back and forth on either side. She rattled on with a few words in a low tone as she pressed on. The sweat on her face dripped down from her face and dropped on the cloth. It looked so dirty since her face was already caked in dust. Her whitish shirt was already stained and becoming brown. Her hair already changed its color like they were grey. Yet, she was less concerned about that. All she thought about was getting answers from Katherine. She turned her head a little bit and directed her eyes on the miles of wall that surrounded her. She noticed the shadow of one who seemed to be stalking her and since it was sunny
Marie held Lucy's hands and shook her consequently. "What's going on, Lucy, say something," Marie asked, her voice soft but filled with genuine concern.Lucy blinked, as if snapping out of a daze, and offered a weak smile."No, no, you don't look good… Your face, they look pale," Marie muttered, placing her hand on Lucy's arm while her other hand was behind her back."I'm just feeling a bit lightheaded," Lucy mumbled, her words tinged with uncertainty. Before Marie could question her and respond, Lucy's eyelids fluttered and her body slumped to the side, unconscious.Marie's heart raced as panic surged through her veins. She knelt beside Lucy, gently shaking her and calling her name, hoping for a response. She had nostalgic recollections of what might have caused her unconsciousness. She took a brief look at her face when she could not think of something and could see her face was already pale. "She must have passed out after stressing her wolf… since she forced it to show up, the
The tension in the air was fierce even after the fight had come to an abrupt halt. Dust from the scuffle lingered in the breeze and the faint murmur of the dispersing crowd hummed in the air. Leo's hand was still stiffened in the air as he looked up. All focus shifted to the one who had stopped the fight. Alpha Eric stepped in the training ground, his presence commanding immediate attention. Eric strode forward with long, purposeful steps, his silver edge clock billowing slightly behind him. His guards flanked him, their expressions stoic and beside him walked Ethan. Ethan has been the one to deliver the news of the escalating fight. Ethan's eyes scanned the ground, his sharp gaW noting every detail, from the guards to the pack members.Leo straightened the moment he saw his father approach, wiping the sweat from his brow as he quickly stood to his full height. Aiden, however, didn't move right away. Sitting on the dusty ground, he tilted his head slightly, spitting blood to the sid
The training ground buzzed with tension, the air thick with anticipation as Lucy hurried down the dusty path, Marie trailing close behind her. The sun hung high, casting sharp shadows over the guards and the few pack members who had gathered to witness the spectacle. Lucy's heart pounded in her chest, her feet barely touching the ground as she weaved her way through the throne of armored figures.“Excuse us,” Marie muttered, pushing past a particularly burly guard.Lucy didn't stop, her eyes scanning the clearing until she caught sight of the center. A small crowd encircled the two figures at the heart of the commotion, the tension radiating off them like waves. She stepped forward, ignoring the murmurs around her, and found a spot just close enough to get a clear view.She barely noticed the guards muttering about their presence or Marie's standing slightly behind her. Her attention was fixed entirely on the two figures in the center.Aiden stood in a composed stance, his hands clas
The question struck Lucy like a blow and she stumbled under the weight of it—not physically but emotionally. Her breath hit her and she blinked rapidly, trying to compare herself. Love Leo? The words echoed in her mind, unwelcome and painful.Lucy stared at the ground, her grip tightening on her clothes on either side. She didn't answer immediately. Her thoughts were a mess, tumbling over each other in disarray. Why is she asking me this? Why now? And what am I supposed to say?After a long, tense silence, Lucy finally spoke, her voice measured but laced with bitterness. “Leo rejected me with his own mouth,” she said, each word carefully enunciated, “and he told me to forget about him… and that's what I did exactly. Or, how can you expect me to love someone that doesn't love me, huh?”Isabella raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of skepticism and disbelief. She gestured with one hand, a small, sharp flick of her wrist, as if physically brushing aside Lucy's words. “You didn't answ
The sudden impact threw her off balance, causing a few clumps of dung to fall from the bowl. The heavy bowl wobbled precariously and she scrambled to steady it.“Oh no!” she gasped, her heart pounding. She set the bowl down hastily, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Her gaze darted up, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the person she had bumped into.It was Aiden.He stood there, his piercing gaze fixed on her. His swift reflexes had saved him from most of the mess, but a smear of dung stained the sleeve of his dark shirt. He looked at it briefly, his expression unreadable, before his eyes shifted back to her.Lucy's fear spiked instantly, her pulse thundering in her ears. Her thoughts raced, chaotic and panicked. Why him? Of all people, why him?Aiden's eyes flicked to the bowl on the ground and back to her. His tone was calm, yet there was an undercurrent of authority. “Why are you carrying that by yourself?”His question was simple but it felt like a challenge.
The early days of the sun were faintly breaking through the cracks of the heavy curtains in Leo's room when he pushed open the door. The air inside was still, carrying the faint scent of cedarwood and smoke from the fireplace he hadn't lit in days. He exhaled heavily, shutting the door behind him and moved to the center of the room. He shrugged off his jacket, hanging it on the peg by the wall, before tugging his shirt over his head.The cool air kissed his bare skin, drawing out a soft sigh as he stretched his shoulders. His muscles ached from the night's relentless training—he’d spent hours in wolf form, rubbing and fighting to exhaust the emotions that had been clawing at him since yesterday. But the ache was nothing compared to the battle in his mind.Turning to grab a clean shirt, his eyes caught the faint rise and fall of a figure on his bed. He stilled, narrowing his eyes, his wolf instantly alert. It took only a moment for him to recognize the brown hair spilling over his pil
The words struck her like a blow. She felt her knees weaken momentarily, but she quickly steadied herself, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. How dare he? she thought, fury and disbelief tangling in her mind. He even has the audacity to call Lucy his mate right in front of me. Her composure wavered for only a moment before she regained her footing, glaring at Leo with newfound resolve. “And exactly are you planning to do that?” she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “She's a maid, Leo. She has no standing here. Why make you think you can claim her? Not when your father is here.”Leo didn't back down. If anything, her defiance only seemed to stoke the fire within him. He took another step forward, closing the distance between them. “Because I'm going to be Alpha soon,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “And when that happens, you'll see. I don't need your permission.”The determination in his voice sent a chill down Isabella's spine. She narrowed her eyes, stud
The heavy wooden door closed behind them with a low cream and Isabella found herself standing in the dim warmth of Leo's room. The space was simple yet deeply personal, an extension of its owner.The air was scented faintly with pine and leather, and the faint bluish light of the moon filtered in through the narrow window. Her eyes immediately fell on the intricate carvings etched into the walls—images of wolves mid-run, trees swaying and the crescent moon. Each one was unique, bearing the unmistakable mark of Leo's careful hand.She stepped closer to one of the larger drawings, tracing the grooves with her fingers. “You carved these yourself,” she murmured, her voice reverent.Leo, standing a few places behind her, crossed his arms over his chest and kept mute, his eyes following her movements closely.Isabella inhaled deeply, her eyes roaming the room. It had been so long since she'd last stood here. She took in the sturdy wooden bed, its frame hand-carved to match the alls, the sta
The hallways were long and the stone floors echoed with the sound of Lucy's soft footsteps as she wandered aimlessly, her mind lost in a haze of confusion and turmoil. Her thoughts kept circling back to the words Isabella had said, echoing in her head like a constant drumbeat.“Aiden's ruthless, cruel… he won't care about you. He's never cared about anyone…”Lucy's head throbbed with the weight of those words, the uncertainty about what lay ahead heavy in her chest. She could barely hold onto the fragments of her thoughts, let alone understand the difficulties that surrounded her.Her temperature had spiked again, and she felt dizzy but that was the least of her worries.She had to focus. I have to get a grip, she thought. I can't let this affect me…But before she could lose herself again, she heard her name—soft, yet urgent—calling out from behind her.“Lucy,” Marie's voice broke through the fog.Lucy didn't respond at first. She kept walking, one foot in front of the other, her min
Lucy blinked, looking up into Leo's familiar face. His eyes were sharp, but there was a flicker of concern beneath his furrowed brow.“Lucy,” he said, his tone softening. “Are you alright?”Her lips parted but no words came out. She felt his hands tightened slightly on her shoulders, anchoring her as she swayed, her gaze fixed on the ground.Her silence gnawed at him, but before he could press further, Ethan, who had been following closely behind, cleared his throat.“Leo,” he began, his voice low but insistent. “You can't be seen like this with her. Especially not by your father.”Leo tensed, nodding his head. “I know,” he replied curtly, glancing at Ethan.“Do you?” Ethan pressed, stepping closer. “Because if your father sees you—”“I said I know!” Leo snapped, his voice echoing down the corridor. He took a breath, his frustration barely contained.Ethan fell silent, his gaze flicking to Lucy, who was only staring but seemed oblivious to their exchange. He sighed. “I'm just trying t