Chapter 10 9: The Alpha's forbidden sanctuary

The Next Morning

Dylia, the healer, worked diligently on Lena's legs, the cool touch of medicinal herbs stirring her awake. A sharp sting shot through her as the salve seeped into her wounds, making her wince.

Flashes of the previous night returned-the relentless run through the forest, the wolf carrying her, branches scraping against her skin.

She exhaled deeply and sat up.

Dylia immediately noticed. "You're finally awake." She offered a small smile, sitting on a stool beside the bed. "How do you feel?"

"Like I barely survived." Lena muttered, earning an amused chuckle from the healer.

"You're exaggerating. You'll be fine in no time."

Lena hesitated before asking, "Whose wolf brought me back yesterday?"

Silence filled the room.

Dylia's smile faltered. "Brought you back?"

"Yes," Lena said firmly. "A wolf saved me from those rogues in the forest. It carried me back here."

Dylia sighed. "You must have imagined it, Luna. The Alpha said he found you just outside his study window and brought you in himself."

Lena frowned, confusion tightening in her chest. That wasn't possible. She had felt the wolf's breath against her skin, its strength as it carried her. Had she been dreaming?

Dylia stood and smoothed out her robes. "Get some rest. I'll take my leave now."

As she opened the door, Milicent stood frozen at the threshold, unmoving.

Lena's lips curved into a relieved smile. "Milly, what are you doing out there? Come in."

Milicent immediately dropped to her knees. "I dare not step into the Alpha's chambers, Luna."

Lena sighed. "If you don't, how am I supposed to leave?"

Milicent hesitated.

Determined, Lena tried to stand on her own-only for her legs to give out beneath her. She collapsed back onto the bed with a sharp gasp.

Before she could protest, Milicent rushed inside, catching her just in time.

"I'm sorry, Luna," she whispered, guilt lacing her voice.

Lena shook her head. "It's fine," she reassured her. "Now, help me get out of here before your Alpha returns."

***

As they walked through the sunlit hallway, Lena took the opportunity to learn more about her maid.

"How long have you worked in the castle, Mili?" she asked softly.

Milicent blushed at the nickname but answered without hesitation. "Since I was a little girl of five."

Lena's heart clenched at that. She had been taken into slavery at nine. She still remembered the night her village burned-the screams, the smoke, the heat licking at her skin. She had escaped the man who led the massacre, only to fall into the hands of a slave trader. From then on, she had been passed from one packhouse to another, her freedom nothing more than a distant memory.

"Why haven't you ever tried to escape?" Lena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Milicent sighed, her grip tightening slightly on Lena's shoulder as they walked. "You can't escape slavery, Luna. Those who tried either ended up dead or burned alive. The only pack that treats slaves better than the rest is this one. And that only started after the Alpha woke up years ago... after he changed."

Lena frowned. "Changed?"

"The Alpha wasn't always like this," Milicent said, shaking her head. "He was reckless, violent-he fought anything that moved. He treated us worse than animals, burned villages, and slaughtered innocent humans just for amusement. The last time he caused trouble, he challenged the Park Leaders themselves. He was wounded so badly in that battle that he fell into a deep sleep."

Lena's fingers curled into a fist. "But he hasn't changed much," she muttered bitterly.

Milicent hesitated before speaking. "Forgive me, Luna... but if he were the same man he was before, you wouldn't be standing here today."

Lena fell silent, her mind drifting back to that night-the night she had dared to defy him. He had nearly strangled her to death, his grip like iron around her throat. She remembered the moment her body went limp, the fading light in his mismatched eyes as he assumed she had died. He had ordered his men to dispose of her, never knowing she was still clinging to life.

She exhaled slowly. "That means I need to learn everything about this pack if I ever hope to get away from them."

Just then, movement ahead made them both pause.

The Alpha was approaching.

Every servant in the corridor immediately froze, heads bowed in submission as he passed.

Only Lena dared to look up.

Her gaze locked onto his gold mask and mismatched eyes-one a deep, burning red, the other a piercing blue.

He didn't spare her a single glance. He walked past without acknowledging her presence.

Lena clenched her jaw, then turned to Milicent.

"Do you know why he wears a gold mask?" she asked as they resumed their walk to her chambers.

Milicent stopped outside a door, her head bowed.

"I'm afraid, Luna... I cannot speak about it."

Lena frowned, taken aback by the fear in her voice. She saw the way Milicent's eyes widened, how her fingers trembled slightly as they gripped the fabric of her dress.

"It's fine," Lena said gently, not wanting to push further.

Milicent exhaled in relief. "This is your room, Luna," she said quickly and pushed the door open.

The room was grand, just as Lena had expected. She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the high ceilings, the plush furniture, and the sheer curtains that billowed softly from the morning breeze. It was luxurious, almost suffocating in its richness.

She walked around, inspecting every corner, until she reached the window.

And what she saw knocked the breath from her lungs.

Beyond the glass was a breathtaking garden, bursting with colors-vibrant flowers swayed gently in the wind, their fragrance drifting up to her. The grass was lush, untouched. A grand water fountain stood in the center, its cascading waters glistening in the sunlight. But what caught her attention the most was the small cave nestled beneath the fountain.

"This is..." she whispered, her voice full of awe. "This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen."

She stared, mesmerized, her lips slightly parted.

"I'm glad you like it," Milicent said softly.

Lena turned to her, excitement flickering in her eyes. "I can't wait to explore it."

Milicent hesitated before shaking her head. "You can't go there. That's the Alpha's private sanctuary."

Lena's face fell. "The Alpha? So no one else is allowed?"

Milicent shook her head. "No one dares."

Lena exhaled and shrugged. "It's fine," she muttered, walking over to sit on the edge of the bed.

Milicent clasped her hands together. "If you need anything, Luna, please let me know. In the meantime, I'm supposed to bring your meal... and check on your dress."

Lena lifted a brow. "Dress for what?"

Milicent gave a small smile.

"The Blood Moon Ritual Festival."