Chapter 05

Michelle Morripin (or should it be Alesha Stokes?)  

Step 01 - Hunter or Prey?

The carriage swayed gently as we moved along the frozen road.  

I watched the path through a small opening on the side of the vehicle, seeing the wooden and stone houses fade into the distance as we passed through the villages.  

The carriage came to an abrupt stop, pulling me out of my thoughts.  

“We’ve arrived,” Marilyn said, adjusting her robes before opening the door.  

The palace loomed before me, like a monster waiting to be conquered.  

Its black iron gates seemed both inviting and forbidding at the same time.  

Guards stood watch at the entrance, but the commotion inside confirmed that the recruitment of servants was indeed taking place. Women, most of them humbly dressed, waited in line for evaluation. Some looked nervous, while others stood firm, radiating confidence.  

The old woman grabbed my arm, guiding me toward the entrance.  

“Stand tall. Speak only when necessary.”  

I nodded, pulling my dark hood lower, doing my best to remain unseen.  

As we reached the palace’s head housekeeper, Marilyn cleared her throat before speaking.  

“This is my granddaughter, Alesha.”  

The woman—a middle-aged she-wolf with sharp eyes—looked us over with skepticism.  

“And why should I accept her?”  

 Mary smiled, not missing a beat.  

“Because she’s a good girl. Strong, hardworking.” Marilyn cast a quick glance at me before continuing, likely noticing my stiff posture. “But she spent many years in the forest, so she’s still adjusting.”  

The housekeeper raised an eyebrow.  

“A wild one, then?”  

I swallowed hard.  

Marilyn held her smile.  

“A learner. You can shape her however you see fit.”  

The woman remained silent for a few moments, her sharp gaze scanning me as if trying to see beyond the dark dye in my hair.  

Finally, she scoffed.  

“Fine.”  

And just like that, I was in.  

“I’ll be back soon to check on you… but from now on, you’re on your own.” Marilyn’s voice was softer as she pulled me into a tight hug.  

We had only known each other for a few days, but somehow, it still felt like I was saying goodbye to someone important.  

She turned away after our farewell, vanishing into the snow along with the carriage.  

As for me, I stepped into the palace with the other new hires, listening as the rules and duties were laid out for us.  

---  

Life in the Palace 

The days that followed were a mix of exhaustion and observation.  

My work was basic, as expected for a new servant—carrying firewood, cleaning hallways, helping in the kitchen. Nothing that required much skill.  

Which gave me time for something far more important: gathering information.  

I needed to learn more about Matthew Dawolf, the Supreme Alpha.  

His appearance, his habits—anything.  

But to my surprise, he was a mystery even within his own palace.  

No one spoke about him directly. Only occasional whispers, conversations cut short.  

He didn’t appear in the hallways.  

He didn’t dine in the main hall.  

He was like a ghost, ruling from the heights of his tower.  

I knew I had to dig deeper if I wanted to uncover anything.  

But how do you get close to a wolf who seemed untouchable? Invisible?  

I was starting to question if he even existed or if he was just a distant figure, a name used to keep everyone in line.  

I sighed, exhausted at the end of the day, and decided I needed rest.  

I had just started changing for bed when, suddenly, something hit me hard.  

A scent.  

Strong. Metallic. Thick.  

Blood.  

My wolf instincts kicked in instantly.  

Someone was injured. Or worse…  

An invasion? An attack from within?  

Before I could think, my body was already moving on its own, pure instinct.  

I slipped out of my room in silence, following the unmistakable trail.  

With every step, the scent grew stronger.  

Something was wrong. Very wrong.  

I stopped in front of a door.  

The scent was coming from inside.  

My breathing was uneven. My heart pounded in my chest.  

And before any rational thought could stop me, I pushed the door open.  

A wave of hot steam filled the air, cloaking everything in a hazy curtain.  

And then I saw him.  

He stood there, peeling off clothes drenched in blood, his muscles taut under the flickering torchlight.  

Every inch of him looked like it had been sculpted by the God of Lust himself.  

He didn’t look at me right away.  

Instead, he removed the last piece of clothing with meticulous calm and stepped into the water, letting it cascade over his marked skin.  

My eyes followed the water’s path, trailing down his body until it disappeared down the drain.  

Heat crawled up my face.  

It wasn’t just the scent of blood filling the room. It was him.  

He exuded a raw, woody scent—something that hit me square in the chest with staggering force.  

Like a true predator, he lifted his head.  

And his eyes met mine.  

Red. Like burning embers.  

A shiver ran down my spine.  

But it wasn’t fear.  

The corner of his mouth twitched upward, as if amused to see me there, frozen like prey caught in a trap.  

He tilted his head slightly, observing me with a lazy yet razor-sharp gaze.  

His eyes roamed over me, slow and deliberate, lingering on every detail as if stripping me bare with just a look.  

“Hm…” He ran his tongue over his lips. “I don’t recall inviting anyone to watch.”  

My mouth opened, then closed again.  

He moved, stepping out of the thick steam, allowing me to see every inch of him without obstruction.  

Damp skin.  

Long, dark hair clinging to his face.  

A broad chest.  

Strong shoulders.  

Scars that told stories I would never hear from his lips.  

He was indecently perfect.  

But there was something even worse than that.  

He knew it.  

And he knew exactly what effect he had.  

He let out a slow, heavy breath, his deep voice vibrating through the heated air.  

“Are you just going to stand there staring at me…” He moved deliberately, as if enjoying my reaction. “Or are you going to tell me who the hell you are?”  

The sound of his voice slid over my skin like an invisible touch.  

Every cell in my body screamed at me to run.  

But my legs refused to move.  

Because, in that moment, I understood.  

I wasn’t standing before just any Alpha.  

I was standing before sin itself.