Chapter 2 ALPHA KLAUS'S ARRIVAL

PENELOPE

**Two days later**

The morning sun filtered through the cracked window as I woke up in my worn-out bed, feeling like a real being. Thankfully, I was able to sneak in some food last night, unlike the previous night, when Freya got in the way. Today, I felt stronger and... different.

"Ohhhh, finally. It's my eighteenth birthday," I murmured with a stretch, my limbs tingling with unusual energy. My body felt... alive.

I headed to the bathroom and took a quick bath, letting the cold water wash away the remnants of yesterday's weariness I think I worked my hardest yesterday; it was so hectic because apparently, Alpha Klaus will be arriving today.

No one knows what time he will be showing up, and honestly, I was less bothered, unlike Alpha Atlas and Amira, who are so tense, the maids and guards are feeling the heat off of it.

I dressed in the servant uniform that Freya insisted we all wear. Normally, I was the exception; because I was the cursed girl, whatever her reasons may be, Freya made it mandatory.

I adjusted the uniform and checked my reflection in the cracked mirror; a few spots were still intact enough to show me what I needed to see.

The fabric fit my body well.

I prepared to head out the door when a slight dizziness hit me. I paused for a moment to avoid losing my footing. I held the wall for support and slowly rested my shoulder and back, before sliding to the ground.

As quickly as the dizziness hit, so did a strange relief. My heartbeat slowed and I could hear it pounding in my ears, but the rhythm was different. It was two hearts beating at the same time.

Then it finally made sense, that one last strike, the hair on my body stood up as if on alert, and the emotions and energy swirled in, I could feel her.

My wolf.

A tear slipped out of my eye, "Thank you, Goddess," I whispered, clasping my hands in silent gratitude.

I felt stronger than ever before, and I knew it was time to take the risk, no matter the consequences.

"I could go with Alpha Klaus, without his knowledge. They won't even realize I am hiding in the trunk." I pondered aloud.

But then a thought struck me. "How would I even get in without being noticed?" I asked myself quietly.

I needed to be extremely cautious. I could feel my wolf whispering in the back of my mind:

"Leave... Leave..."

Yes, I will leave and maybe then, I will finally know peace.

**Knock**

Who could that be?

I walked over to the door and opened it, only to find Freya standing there.

"Good morning," I greeted, forcing a smile, but she immediately raised a hand to silence me.

"The entire pack is buzzing in preparation for Alpha Klaus's arrival, and here you are, wasting time in this dump," she snapped, glancing disapprovingly through the narrow opening.

With a small sigh, I shut the door behind me and stepped out a bit from the door with my eyes looking downward.

"Get your foolish self to work," she added before turning away.

I slipped back into my room quickly and took another look at myself.

I didn't look great but my silver hair was starting to grow back, and I needed to dye it black again.

It must be confusing, I know. My hair was originally black, but ever since I turned fifteen, streaks of silver-white had started appearing. I didn't know what it meant, but whenever it grew too prominent, it would somehow revert to black again. But this is still manageable.

"I will get put in here soon," I whispered, smiling faintly as I ran a comb through my hair.

Every time I imagined leaving this pack, starting a new life, somewhere no one knows me, no one knows I am cursed. I felt a sliver of hope. Maybe, I will finally have my worth.

I combed and neatly packed my hair. The other servants would be shocked to see me putting effort into my appearance.

Once I was satisfied, I stepped out to join the others.

Freya was right, the entire pack was alive with activity. Maids bustled around, polishing, cleaning, and decorating. Everyone was working hard to make the pack house look immaculate.

"Wow. I don't know who this Alpha Klaus is, but he must be a real authoritarian," I whispered to myself as I walked with newfound confidence.

As I passed the hall, I saw Alpha Atlas pacing nervously. His face was tight with worry.

"Selfish bastard," I muttered under my breath. "Why is he so anxious? It's not like he's committed a crime against the Alpha."

I tore my eyes away and continued walking until I reached the kitchen, where I found Freya.

"Go and join the others in the dining room. It must be spotless, or you will be punished," she snapped, inspecting the maids as they worked.

I nodded and walked to the dining room, where several servants were already clearing and cleaning. I joined them.

**Hours Later**

We had just finished scrubbing the long dining table and were now decorating it with fresh flowers.

"Beautiful," Freya praised unexpectedly as she walked in and looked around.

"Well done. Elara, Helen, Aurora, Penelope, and Serafina, you five will head to the kitchen to prepare dinner. I have just received word that Alpha Klaus will arrive any moment now. You are to cook, serve the food, and officially welcome him and his subordinates," she instructed.

"Yes, ma'am," they chorused enthusiastically. I blinked, realizing my name was included.

Freya turned to leave. "Follow me, all five of you."

The other girls followed behind her, smiling. I quickly caught up, not wanting Freya to notice if I lagged. I didn't want to be embarrassed, not today when I finally felt my wolf stirring inside me.

We entered the kitchen, and Freya immediately began assigning tasks to Aurora and Helen while the rest of us waited on the side.

Once the instructions were given, she left, and Aurora and Helen began preparing the meal.

**Evening**

Dinner was ready. Aurora and Helen finished packaging it when two servants burst into the kitchen.

"Alpha Klaus and his men have arrived," one of them announced.

"Really?" Elara gasped.

"Yes," the second one confirmed.

"Hurry up, you three are in charge of serving. That's Freya's instruction," Helen added, handing out the trays.

"The Alpha himself said dinner should be served immediately," the first servant emphasized.

"You should have led with that," I muttered, surprised to hear my voice in the middle of their discussion. They all stared at me, wide-eyed.

"Hurry, hurry," Helen urged, gesturing for us to take the meals.

Elara picked hers. Serafina picked hers. I grabbed the last one, and together, we made our way to the dining hall.

As we approached, we could already hear laughter echoing from within.

Suddenly, I felt my wolf stir, my bones reacting, tingling from within. My mate... The bond snapped into place deep in my soul.

Not now. Please, not now.

I carefully set the tray down on the table and stepped back, trying to steady myself as the sensation grew stronger like a storm rumbling inside me.

Elara and Serafina were busy plating the meal, unaware of the war breaking out inside me.

"Mate!"

I didn't know where those words came from; all I knew was that I heard them.