_Astrid’s POV_The smell of lavender swirled lightly through the room, wafting into my nostrils.Somewhere close by, birds chirped like the world hadn’t collapsed around me.My eyelids fluttered open with much difficulty than ever and a groan tore from my throat.Light poured in through the beige curtains, and the first thing I noticed was the pain, still dull, still there, but not as harsh as I remembered. My throat was dry, my body sore, but somehow, I was… alive.How was that possible?A jumbled memory of mine brought back the menacing way that guard had shoved silver down my throat forcefully, wanting to end my miserable life for me.But somehow, I managed to survive. Just when I turned my head slightly to the side, I realized I wasn't alone in the white room. I caught sight of her.The she-wolf with wild, curly brown hair tied back in a messy bun. Her skin was warm-toned, her eyes wide and shining with disbelief and hope as they locked on mine.“Astrid?” she breathed.I blinked
_Astrid’s POV_It had been a week since I woke up in this gilded prison.A week since Zarek and Zade pulled me from the brink of death… and left me to rot all over again.Lady Cassia made sure of that.Each day bled into the next, an endless cycle of servitude and scorn. Yes, I was their personal maid, but Cassia took immense pleasure in reminding me of it—loudly, publicly, and cruelly.Ever since Zarek and Zade had asked her to give them sometime while they come to a conclusion of their next course of action towards getting a Luna. She had refused to leave the Obsidian Fang Pack.I hated her so much. The way she walked, talked and carried herself.Yes, she was a Lycan, but she acted like she was the moon goddess herself.She tossed her gowns at me, made me scrub her floors twice just to watch me crawl, and once, when I was too slow to clean her muddy shoes, she ground them into the rug and made me scrub that too—with a toothbrush.Zarek and Zade had approved of it when she complaine
_Astrid’s POV_The silence that followed the slap was louder than the sound of the laughter had ever been.My cheek stung. Not just from the impact, but from the deep humiliation I was feeling.From the way Cassia looked at me like I was something she scraped off her shoe. From the way no one said a damn word.Not even Zade, nor Zarek.I didn’t cry, even though the tears was clouding my features. Not this time. I just stood there, gripping the silver tray until my fingers ached.“I’m so sorry, Lady Cassia,” I murmured, my voice hollow. This was the least I could do before everyone.“Oh, you will be,” she spat. “This is pure silk from Marathen. You just ruined it, you dumb bitch!” She raised her voice because she knew the twins wouldn't do anything to stop her.Her dress wasn’t even that soaked. Just a little splash. But to her, it was a reason to unleash everything she’d been holding back. This woman hated me for no reason.She stood up sharply from her seat and ordered in a harsh vo
_Astrid’s POV_I woke up with the taste of salt still on my lips.My eyes burned, lashes slogged together from the tears I hadn’t bothered to wipe away the previous day.My little room was quiet now, Oriana must’ve left sometime during the night. She always did, before Esme made her wicked rounds each day.I sat up slowly, feeling like every bone in my body had aged ten years overnight. My cheek still throbbed, very tender to the touch. The bruise was probably darker now.But there was no time to check.I had work to do.Even if my soul was crawling toward the edge.I needed to serve the Alphas, even though I hated seeing Zarek. Both of them. Three of them!Thankfully, Gideon wasn't always around for breakfast. I hated him because Oriana told me he was the one who suggested that Lady Cassia come to the pack and take care of the mess the Alphas made.And now I also have to see her today. With a heavy sigh, I went about my personal hygiene and when I was done, I got dressed.I dreaded
Zade’s breath was uneven.His hand was still in Astrid’s hair, fingers tangled in the strands he’d pulled moments before. His lips had already ghosted her skin, inching dangerously close to her mouth, too close to her lips. She should’ve been terrified, should’ve recoiled like she always did when a man so much as brushed her arm.But she wasn’t. She didn’t even flinch. Her breath got caught in her throat and her heart thundered, but her body or brain didn’t scream at her to push him away and run. Not even when his nose touched hers or when his lips hovered over hers like a threat.She didn't even recognize the look in his eyes because she felt a sudden warmth spread across her chest as she sucked on her bare neck.And just as something unspeakable was about to happen….BANG!The door flew open, slamming against the wall so hard the echo rattled her spine.Astrid gasped in shock, eyes wide and body frozen in Zade’s grip.But Zade himself didn’t move. Hell, he didn’t even flinch.Like
_Astrid’s POV_Alpha Zarek’s free hand slides up the collar of my maid’s outfit, subtly brushing his fingers against the skin of my breastbone as he sucked on my lower lips. I shuddered, my lips parting even more for him as I attempted and failed to subdue my reaction.If anyone had told me of a moment like this in the past, and that too with someone who has all power and control over me, I would never have believed them.Alpha Zarek of the Obsidian Fang Pack, the biggest werewolf pack in the city and wherever kissed me. This happened to be my first kiss, the one with Alpha Valerian wasn't even supposed to be considered anything but a kiss. Just the thought of it repulsed me to my bones.A growl left Zarek’s lips as he reached for my chest, his palm cupping one of my breasts in his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and earning a loud cry of something I couldn't quite place my hands on. This was the first ever time I sounded this way, and it sent a shiver down my spine.What the hell w
Zarek didn’t move at first.His chest rose and fell slowly as he stared at Astrid, still lying against the edge of his office table, her lips slightly parted and her cheeks flushed. His hands were still resting on either side of her, caging her in like a man who didn’t want to let go. But then….Knock. Knock.The sound made both of them freeze. Astrid sat up straighter quickly and tried to pull her dress into place.Zarek exhaled sharply and stepped back from her. His face was unreadable again. Cold and serious, like nothing had just happened. Like he hadn’t just had his hands on her, or whispered things that made her entire body heat up.“Cover up,” he said in a low tone, not even looking at her. “And stay right there.”Astrid swallowed hard and nodded. She felt embarrassed all of a sudden, even though a part of her didn’t want him to walk away.She wasn’t even supposed to like it at all.Zarek turned and walked to the door. He didn’t open it all the way, just cracked it enough to pe
Zarek slammed the car door shut the moment they arrived back at the pack house. His jaw was tight, and his brows were drawn together in a way that made him look even more dangerous than usual. Gideon stepped out behind him, not saying a word, but his expression wasn’t any better.They had just returned from the pack’s factory, where everything had gone to hell.A shipment that was supposed to leave tonight was missing, completely. The guards had been knocked out cold, and the warehouse had been ransacked. Whoever did it was good, too good. They didn’t leave any real trace, just a few broken crates and the pungent smell of fresh blood in the atmosphere.Zarek stormed into the mansion and headed straight to his office. He didn’t even greet anyone on the way in. Gideon followed close behind, still quiet.Once inside the office, Zarek collapsed into the chair behind his desk, running a hand through his hair. He was frustrated. No, more than that. He was pissed.“What the hell is going on?
Zarek didn’t say anything. He just let Astrid’s fingers keep moving slowly over his shoulders. The tension in his muscles had started to melt away, and even his wolf had gone quiet for the first time in days. It felt… nice and calming.She was good at this.Astrid didn’t speak either. She kept her head low, focusing on the way his muscles moved under her hands. She didn’t know why she was doing this. Maybe because he looked so tired. Or maybe it was something else she didn’t want to admit.“You’re good at this,” Zarek finally said, his voice low as he broke the silence.She blinked. “I… I used to do it for my father sometimes,” she muttered under her breath, wondering why she even thought of her wicked father now.That man didn't deserve to be in anyone's line of thought or memory.Zarek hummed quietly, then tilted his head back a little. “So tell me,” he said after a short pause, “why did you run away that day? The day Valerian caught you. You clearly told me you were willing to stay
Zarek slammed the car door shut the moment they arrived back at the pack house. His jaw was tight, and his brows were drawn together in a way that made him look even more dangerous than usual. Gideon stepped out behind him, not saying a word, but his expression wasn’t any better.They had just returned from the pack’s factory, where everything had gone to hell.A shipment that was supposed to leave tonight was missing, completely. The guards had been knocked out cold, and the warehouse had been ransacked. Whoever did it was good, too good. They didn’t leave any real trace, just a few broken crates and the pungent smell of fresh blood in the atmosphere.Zarek stormed into the mansion and headed straight to his office. He didn’t even greet anyone on the way in. Gideon followed close behind, still quiet.Once inside the office, Zarek collapsed into the chair behind his desk, running a hand through his hair. He was frustrated. No, more than that. He was pissed.“What the hell is going on?
Zarek didn’t move at first.His chest rose and fell slowly as he stared at Astrid, still lying against the edge of his office table, her lips slightly parted and her cheeks flushed. His hands were still resting on either side of her, caging her in like a man who didn’t want to let go. But then….Knock. Knock.The sound made both of them freeze. Astrid sat up straighter quickly and tried to pull her dress into place.Zarek exhaled sharply and stepped back from her. His face was unreadable again. Cold and serious, like nothing had just happened. Like he hadn’t just had his hands on her, or whispered things that made her entire body heat up.“Cover up,” he said in a low tone, not even looking at her. “And stay right there.”Astrid swallowed hard and nodded. She felt embarrassed all of a sudden, even though a part of her didn’t want him to walk away.She wasn’t even supposed to like it at all.Zarek turned and walked to the door. He didn’t open it all the way, just cracked it enough to pe
_Astrid’s POV_Alpha Zarek’s free hand slides up the collar of my maid’s outfit, subtly brushing his fingers against the skin of my breastbone as he sucked on my lower lips. I shuddered, my lips parting even more for him as I attempted and failed to subdue my reaction.If anyone had told me of a moment like this in the past, and that too with someone who has all power and control over me, I would never have believed them.Alpha Zarek of the Obsidian Fang Pack, the biggest werewolf pack in the city and wherever kissed me. This happened to be my first kiss, the one with Alpha Valerian wasn't even supposed to be considered anything but a kiss. Just the thought of it repulsed me to my bones.A growl left Zarek’s lips as he reached for my chest, his palm cupping one of my breasts in his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and earning a loud cry of something I couldn't quite place my hands on. This was the first ever time I sounded this way, and it sent a shiver down my spine.What the hell w
Zade’s breath was uneven.His hand was still in Astrid’s hair, fingers tangled in the strands he’d pulled moments before. His lips had already ghosted her skin, inching dangerously close to her mouth, too close to her lips. She should’ve been terrified, should’ve recoiled like she always did when a man so much as brushed her arm.But she wasn’t. She didn’t even flinch. Her breath got caught in her throat and her heart thundered, but her body or brain didn’t scream at her to push him away and run. Not even when his nose touched hers or when his lips hovered over hers like a threat.She didn't even recognize the look in his eyes because she felt a sudden warmth spread across her chest as she sucked on her bare neck.And just as something unspeakable was about to happen….BANG!The door flew open, slamming against the wall so hard the echo rattled her spine.Astrid gasped in shock, eyes wide and body frozen in Zade’s grip.But Zade himself didn’t move. Hell, he didn’t even flinch.Like
_Astrid’s POV_I woke up with the taste of salt still on my lips.My eyes burned, lashes slogged together from the tears I hadn’t bothered to wipe away the previous day.My little room was quiet now, Oriana must’ve left sometime during the night. She always did, before Esme made her wicked rounds each day.I sat up slowly, feeling like every bone in my body had aged ten years overnight. My cheek still throbbed, very tender to the touch. The bruise was probably darker now.But there was no time to check.I had work to do.Even if my soul was crawling toward the edge.I needed to serve the Alphas, even though I hated seeing Zarek. Both of them. Three of them!Thankfully, Gideon wasn't always around for breakfast. I hated him because Oriana told me he was the one who suggested that Lady Cassia come to the pack and take care of the mess the Alphas made.And now I also have to see her today. With a heavy sigh, I went about my personal hygiene and when I was done, I got dressed.I dreaded
_Astrid’s POV_The silence that followed the slap was louder than the sound of the laughter had ever been.My cheek stung. Not just from the impact, but from the deep humiliation I was feeling.From the way Cassia looked at me like I was something she scraped off her shoe. From the way no one said a damn word.Not even Zade, nor Zarek.I didn’t cry, even though the tears was clouding my features. Not this time. I just stood there, gripping the silver tray until my fingers ached.“I’m so sorry, Lady Cassia,” I murmured, my voice hollow. This was the least I could do before everyone.“Oh, you will be,” she spat. “This is pure silk from Marathen. You just ruined it, you dumb bitch!” She raised her voice because she knew the twins wouldn't do anything to stop her.Her dress wasn’t even that soaked. Just a little splash. But to her, it was a reason to unleash everything she’d been holding back. This woman hated me for no reason.She stood up sharply from her seat and ordered in a harsh vo
_Astrid’s POV_It had been a week since I woke up in this gilded prison.A week since Zarek and Zade pulled me from the brink of death… and left me to rot all over again.Lady Cassia made sure of that.Each day bled into the next, an endless cycle of servitude and scorn. Yes, I was their personal maid, but Cassia took immense pleasure in reminding me of it—loudly, publicly, and cruelly.Ever since Zarek and Zade had asked her to give them sometime while they come to a conclusion of their next course of action towards getting a Luna. She had refused to leave the Obsidian Fang Pack.I hated her so much. The way she walked, talked and carried herself.Yes, she was a Lycan, but she acted like she was the moon goddess herself.She tossed her gowns at me, made me scrub her floors twice just to watch me crawl, and once, when I was too slow to clean her muddy shoes, she ground them into the rug and made me scrub that too—with a toothbrush.Zarek and Zade had approved of it when she complaine
_Astrid’s POV_The smell of lavender swirled lightly through the room, wafting into my nostrils.Somewhere close by, birds chirped like the world hadn’t collapsed around me.My eyelids fluttered open with much difficulty than ever and a groan tore from my throat.Light poured in through the beige curtains, and the first thing I noticed was the pain, still dull, still there, but not as harsh as I remembered. My throat was dry, my body sore, but somehow, I was… alive.How was that possible?A jumbled memory of mine brought back the menacing way that guard had shoved silver down my throat forcefully, wanting to end my miserable life for me.But somehow, I managed to survive. Just when I turned my head slightly to the side, I realized I wasn't alone in the white room. I caught sight of her.The she-wolf with wild, curly brown hair tied back in a messy bun. Her skin was warm-toned, her eyes wide and shining with disbelief and hope as they locked on mine.“Astrid?” she breathed.I blinked