Autumn POVThe soft colors of gold and amber filled the room as the morning light slowly seeped through the thick curtains. I remained motionless with my eyes shut, holding onto the final traces of slumber. I briefly imagined myself back in my own bed, at home. The past few weeks have been nothing but a strange, unsettling dream.But dreams fade, and reality always returns.A gentle knock at the door shattered the illusion. "Miss Autumn? Are you awake?"Mrs. Potts's voice is kind but insistent. I sighed, pushing myself up. Another day in this gilded cage. Another day of pretending."Come in," I sent through the mind link, the words echoing in my head.Mrs. Potts bustled in, arms laden with fabric. Her face brightened when she saw me. "Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?"I agreed by nodding, unsure if I could deceive even through the connection. Sleep was hard to come by, as dreams of endless corridors and constant searching plagued the night."We have a lot on our agenda for toda
Autumn POVBy noon, I was very tired. The uncomfortable shoes caused pain in my feet, while the constant strain of communicating through the mind link made my head throb. I felt a wave of relief when Mrs. Potts recommended we stop for lunch.We moved to a compact living area, where a simple meal had been prepared. Upon the closing of the door behind us, I immediately sat down in a chair with my shoulders drooping."You're doing great, my dear," Mrs. Potts complimented while pouring tea. "Don't allow them to affect you." "They will eventually change their minds."I nodded, not believing her for a second. How could they come around when I couldn't even speak to them? When was every interaction filtered through someone else?As I picked at my food, a thought occurred to me. A dangerous thought, but one that wouldn't let go.I caught Mrs. Potts's eye, then sent a message through the mind link. "I need a favor."Mrs. Potts raised an eyebrow. "Of course, dear. What can I do for you?"I hesi
Kavan POVI left the pack house before the sun rose. The cool air bore the fragrance of pine trees and fresh morning moisture. I took a deep breath, allowing the chill to refresh my mind. The world remained hushed, holding onto the final remnants of darkness.Marcus and Darius stood at the outskirts of the forest, anticipating my arrival. Decent males. Devoted. No questions were asked when I invited them for a dawn jog. Sometimes, they realized an Alpha must break free from the burden of duty, even if just briefly."Alpha, good morning," Marcus said with a respectful nod. Out of habit, he scanned the treeline with alert eyes.Darius simply let out a grunt. He didn't speak much, especially in the early morning hours. His enormous body was tight, prepared for combat.I took off my shirt, sensing the chill of the cold air against my skin. The cold provided a relief from the worries that had consumed me throughout the night. " I said, 'Let's go,' without waiting for a reply."We moved tog
Kavan POVI walked into the dining room; the wooden chair creaked slightly as I fell into it, and my gaze flittered through the toom acknowledging my father before settling on her.Autumn, the girl who claimed to be mute, but I swear she could talk. I had heard her speak that morning, and no one could tell me any different. Why she would continue with the act even when I knew confounded me; I needed to find out why.The room was well lit; the warm glow from the light source cast a golden hue over the long mahogany table.My father, Mathias, and the former Alpha, now elder of our park, sat at the head, his presence commanding as always. Across from him, Autumn was seated, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her eyes darting nervously around the room as she tried to evade my gaze.I smirked as I watched her squirm in her chair.“I am very glad, Kavan, you could take time out of your very busy schedule to grace us with your presence.” My father said, smiling at me, before turning to face
Autumn POV I held my breath, my body tingling as my senses heightened, causing goose bumps to riddle my skin and the pounding of my chest in rhythm with the incoming steps.I try to struggle out of Kavan’s hold, but his hands do not bulge as they press against the wall beside my head, trapping me between his body and the cold stone. During the punishing kiss, Kavan had guided me away from the banister and into a corner hidden from view of the stairs; his broad shoulders covered my view of the outside world, but still my heart pounded in my chest, my breath quick and shallow. I try once more to escape his hold, terrified of the possible repercussions of our actions.Kavan stood still unmoving as he waited. In panic, I pleaded, “Let me go; please, I have to leave.” His breath was warm against my ear, and I could feel the tension radiating off him as he stared at me. “It's too late to leave; be patient.” My mind raced, and panic surged through me as I looked at his calm gaze. Could
Autumn's POVThe faint rustle of leaves in the breeze was the only sound on the quiet, tranquil night. Perched on the balcony, I could see the starry grounds below. The air was cool and clear, a welcome respite from the stifling conditions inside the packhouse.I watched a shadow slink across the night. My heart stopped, hammering in my chest. Was someone there? Friend or foe?A calm, gentle voice asked, "Autumn?"I couldn't identify who it was. The individual stayed hidden in the shadows, their face obscured. Still mute, I did not want to expose myself."Autumn?" the voice asked, a trace of frustration seeping in. "It's me."I still did not reply. I wanted no chance of blowing my cover. Thankfully, I remained quiet. Nobody ever insisted on a response from me.The man emerged from the shadows, his face brilliantly lit by the moon, highlighting his ideal features. Though not any less beautiful, he was older.Mathias!Again he said, "Why are you out so late?"I answered in his head this
Autumn's Point of ViewWith my heart thumping in my chest, I felt a chilly terror. Had Kavan honestly told his father? Was my charade about to come apart? My eyes jumped from shadow to shadow as I hurriedly looked around the room.I then found him. Kavan stood far away, his face a mask of apathy. For a brief instant, our eyes locked, and a shiver ran down my spine. He turned aside, but I could hear his words in my head—a terrible whisper.Kavan's words rang in my head like a lighthouse among the turbulent sea of my anxieties. *I won’t turn on you.* I felt a flood of relief, almost vertigo-inducing in strength. I had to grab the balcony railing to keep from buckling at my knees. He had not turned on me. Not now.*When the time is right, I will do it in front of you.* His second message sent a shiver down my spine of a different sort. Though also a threat, it was a promise. On his terms, he would expose me. When he was ready.I inhaled deeply, the clean night air filling my lungs. I had
Kavan’s POVWith my heart a whirl of contradictory feelings, I rushed from Autumn's chamber. The door closed behind me, sounding like a gunshot across the still hallways. Not with the aroma of her still clinging to the air, a seductive reminder of the forbidden fruit she represented, I could stay there a moment longer.Seeking comfort in the cool night air, I neglected to go back to my own room. A mute observer of my inner struggle, the moon hung weighty in the heavens. I cursed and let out a primitive yell of frustration and uncertainty. I tore off my garments, shedding human skin like a snake sheds its old scales.I let my beast loose with a last terrible scream. Rising from the bottom of my spirit, he was a towering beast with midnight-colored fur. Shaking himself, he sent watery droplets flying through the air before launching himself into the darkness, his strong legs chewing up the ground under him.I started till my muscles hurt and my lungs burned. I ran till the basic urge of
All did not sit well with me seeing Autumn become so flirty with my dad. I knew she had to be up to something, but I could not quite wrap my fingers around it yet.After my dad and she left, I was worried, and I decided to follow my instincts to go check up on her. I knew something bad was happening, and I could not just stay by and think about it.“Sunny, I have to go now. I will be right back,” I said. “Where are you going, Kavan?" She asked. “No, you don't have to worry; I will be right back in no time,” I responded. “Okay, I will be waiting for you here. Do not take too long,” she added. I faked a smile and left, heading to my dad's room.I could hear someone screaming and shouting from his room, and I knew all hell has finally broken loose; he must be trying to force himself on her again.I banged at the door, and I slammed the door open. My hunch was right. The sight in front of me was so gruesome, as I could see my dad on top of Autumn, trying to force himself on her.“What do
MATHIAS’S POV Autumn was being flirty with me, and she made it so obvious to everyone. I was sure she did not know if Kavan was being serious about Sunny or not, but I believed him either way."Mathias, can we go to your room, please? I feel like spending the night with you,” she said. Kavan looked stunned when he heard her say that and was looking at her for some sort of explanation; she ignored him and was persistent in going with me to my room.I took the opportunity and grabbed her waist, gesturing her to my room and leading the way. Oh yes, finally!” I said. I was filled with excitement as I beamed with smiles all plastered on my face. Autumn was trying to make Kavan regret his decisions by getting him jealous of me. Either way, I was enjoying it, so I did not bother to think much of it.“Kavan, I think we should go too. We have told dad what we came here to say,” Sunny said, almost dragging Kavan away. Kavan did not want to leave as he continued staring at Autumn, waiting for h
AUTUMN'S POV Marcus dragged me by my hair and forcefully started kissing all over my body. I felt so disgusted as I struggled to pull him off me. His grip on me was too tight, and I was unable to get him off. At this point, I was screaming and shouting, hoping someone would hear and come to my rescue. This was not the first time Mathias had tried forcing himself on me.The last time was when Kavan luckily came to my aid. Mathias had dragged me from Mrs. Potts room to his room and tried molesting me. I was trying to fight my way out, but his grip on me made it so difficult and hard to leave. I could hear banging at the door, and Kavan suddenly slammed the door open. He came to my aid again, and I knew he had a hunch about this earlier because he knew I would not willingly go to Mathias’s room unless I had a plan. “What do you think you are doing, dad?” Kavan said, pushing his dad off me. “Why are you here?” Mathias responded. “Shouldn't you be with your pregnant wife?” he added. “W
AUTUMN'S POV I was being flirty with Marcus, and I made it so obvious to everyone. I did not know if Kavan was being real with the pregnancy with Sunny, but I suspected it to be only an act to get his dad deceived."Mathias, can we go to your room, please? I feel like spending the night with you,” I said. Kavan looked stunned when he heard me say that and was looking at me for some sort of explanation. I ignored him and was persistent in going with his dad.Mathias took the opportunity and grabbed my waist, gesturing me to his room and leading the way. Oh yes, finally!” Mathias said. He was filled with excitement as he beamed with a smile all plastered on his face. This was part of my plan and also to make Kavan feel a bit jealous about it. I could see the jealousy all over his face, and he was very terrible at hiding it.“Kavan, I think we should go too. We have told dad what we came here to say,” Sunny said, almost dragging Kavan away. Kavan did not want to leave as he continued st
MATHIAS’S POV “You have always been selfish, Mathias; you have never truly cared about me or my feelings,” she said, trying to gaslight me. “Me selfish? How dare you say that to me?” I responded. “That is the truth; why don't you want to accept that fact?” she added, trying to instigate me to respond. I knew all she was doing and just played along with her tricks.“You are lucky, Autumn, that I am in a good mood, or else you know what I would have done to you,” I responded. “What haven't you done, Mathias? I still remember vividly how you raised your hands on me,” she said. “I cannot believe you would do such to me,” she added. “I did not mean that, Autumn, and you know that, you keep pushing me to the wall,” I responded.She was about to respond back at me, but then Sunny and Kavan suddenly showed up and told me that they had something to tell me..Kavan saw me and Autumn already there; it was as if she wanted to leave, but I was stopping her from leaving. Kavan and Autumn looked at
AUTUMN’S POV “You have always been selfish, Mathias; you have never truly cared about me or my feelings,” I said, trying to gaslight him. “Me selfish? How dare you say that to me?” Marcus said. “That is the truth; why don't you want to accept that fact?” I added, trying to instigate him to respond. “You are lucky, Autumn, that I am in a good mood, or else you know what I would have done to you,” he responded. “What haven't you done, Mathias? I still remember vividly how you raised your hands on me,” I said. “I cannot believe you would do such to me,” I added. “I did not mean that, Autumn, and you know that, you keep pushing me to the wall,” he responded.I was about to respond back at him, then Sunny and Kavan suddenly showed up and told Mathias that they had something to tell him.Kavan saw his dad and I already there; it was as if I wanted to leave, but he was stopping me from leaving. Kavan and I looked at each other briefly before we avoided each other's eye contact. We had to ma
KAVAN'S POV Sunny and I went to look for my dad. We had gone to his room after revising for the plan I told her already. “You know what to do, right?” I asked her. “Yes, I do,” she responded. "Okay, give me an example; express yourself,” I added.“No, it is not needed. I will do that when I see your dad,” she said. I did not argue with her and just nodded in response to her. We first went to my dad's room to see if he was there, but he was nowhere to be found."Dad,” I said, knocking softly on the door. “Are you in there?” I added. “Maybe he is not in the room,” Sunny said. “I guess too; let's go to the balcony or the dining hall,” I added. “Let us go to the balcony first,” she responded, and we both left and headed to the manor's balcony.There we saw my dad and Autumn already there; it was as if she wanted to leave, but he was stopping her from leaving. Autumn and I looked at each other briefly before we avoided each other's eye contact. We had to make it look like we got betrayed
MATHIAS'S POV “Did he catch you hiding?” Kavan asked her. She responded and told him that I did not, but I noticed her presence. “He did not see me; I made sure to hide very well,” she responded to him. “So when they both left, I came out of my hiding spot and quickly went to Mrs. Potts room, and then, I think, after a few minutes, he also came by to check up on her,” she added.“Did you try leaving when you saw him?” Kavan asked her. "Yes, I did try to leave, but he held me back,” she replied. I was spying on Kavan and Autumn and also listening to their conversations. After some while, I got bored of it and went to the library to cool my head off. After some minutes there, I asked a guard to request for Marcus to come to the manor. “Hey you, come here,” I said, sighting one of the guards I saw. "Yes, sir,” he responded. “I want you to call Marcus for me, get in touch with him, and tell him that I want to see him at the manor right now,” I said. “Okay, sir,” he responded and left.
AUTUMN'S POV I do not owe you any reply, Marcus.“ I responded to him. “Why can you not get that you are just a tool for Mathias? He is never going to trust or actually love you like his son; you are just doing this for nothing. Are you blind to see that?” I added.“Shut up,” he said. “You are working so hard for him, but when he is done using you, he is going to leave and dumb you without even looking back at all,” I responded. “Who asked for your opinion, Autumn? Why can you not just keep your mouth shut?” He fired back at me.“You don't own me, so I can speak and give my opinions whenever I want to,” I said. “You are not the boss of me, and you cannot control me, scumbag,” I added. I have had it enough with both him and Mathias; people have been calling me names, but I have just decided to keep calm all this while, but now I am so tired of it, I cannot take it anymore.“Since you are done barking Marcus, how about you leave?” I said. “I already told you to mind your business,” he r