A Slave for the Alpha King

ALIYAH

After I neatly folded up my clothes in the wooden dresser, I carefully arranged my medical books on the polished wooden shelf. Seeing them lined up neatly helped me feel more at home in our new room.

Grandma Estelle paused from making our beds and asked, 'Darling, why did you bring all these heavy books?"

I turned to her and smiled. "Even if I have to stop school this year, I can't just give up on learning."

Grandma sighed, then crossed the room to wrap me in a tight embrace. "If your father hadn't passed so soon, you wouldn't have to worry about schooling or working for the Connors. I'm so sorry, Aliyah."

I bit my lower lip, preventing myself from tearing up. The sadness in her voice made me accept the reality of our new life ahead. Grandma was right. If only Dad were still here, things would be different. Perhaps my bachelor's honors degree was hanging on the wall, and I had already graduated from college. To be honest, Grandma didn't know that I brought my books with me, both so I could read them in my spare time and to make myself feel better about not being able to march across the graduation stage.

"You don't need to apologize. I'm twenty-two already. It's time for me to take care of you, not the other way around. And even if Dad were still here, I would've wanted him to stop working eventually too." I whispered, wiping away her tears. "I promise you that once we've saved enough money, we'll leave the Connors. We'll go back to our ranch house, and I'll continue my studies. We deserve better than just being servants our whole lives."

Grandma Estelle said, "You've always been wise beyond your years. I just wish things were different for you, my dear. But we'll make the best of what we have."

"Of course. I can do anything if you are by my side."

Grandma nodded and reached out to cup my face in her hands. Her touch was warm and comforting, and I couldn't help but close my eyes.

A knock on the door broke the silence between Grandma and me. I wiped my eyes fast and opened them to find Brenda Connor standing there. She had an air of authority that made me apprehensive, but I tried to keep my cool.

"Miss Connor," I began, my gaze drawn to her steel-blue eyes. "H-how can I help you?"

She crossed her arms, saying, "Bring breakfast to my brother Brayden's room. He's not feeling well and needs something to eat."

"Of course, Miss Connor. I'll take care of it right away," I replied without hesitation. Despite being flustered by her presence, I needed to please her and secure my position in their household.

"He doesn't really come to breakfast with us. He sleeps during the day and stays out late." She looked through the door into our room and spun around to leave, her long blonde hair swishing behind her. But before she left, she added, "Oh, whatever you see in his room, don't say anything. Act like you didn't see anything."

Brenda's warning made me feel even more scared. What does she mean by that? With a glance at Grandma Estelle, I could tell that she shared my unease. But she motioned for me to do what the sophisticated woman said instantly as if there was no time to waste.

***

With a tray of food in my hands, I reluctantly climbed the grand staircase. Although there was an elevator available, I preferred to use the steps, hoping to familiarize myself with the mansion I would be working in for months. Or should I say, years?

As I walked along the balcony overlooking the grand hall below, my mind raced with curiosity about Brenda's cryptic warning. What could be so strange? Does the Connor family have some bizarre tradition or routine that new maids must participate in? Or is Brayden hiding an unusual collection of items in his room? The thoughts only served to heighten my anxiety, but I reminded myself that I was here to perform a simple task: bring breakfast to Brayden's room. I couldn't afford to mess this up. I needed this job to save for medical school.

I steadied my breathing and knocked gently on Brayden's door before turning the handle. As the door creaked open, the smell of cleanliness filled my nostrils. It was inviting, almost as if the room itself was welcoming me inside. Brayden must be a meticulous guy, I thought, feeling slightly more at ease.

"Brayden?" I called out softly, stepping into the room with the tray of food. My eyes scanned the well-organized space, searching for any signs of life.

But then the small smile I forcefully curved across my face began to fade as I spotted a moving object by the bed. Panic bubbled up within me as a massive ball of fur, glistening in the dim light, gradually transformed into a tall, muscular man.

"W-who are you!" I shrieked, and the tray slipped from my trembling hands. It had crushed to the floor and shattered into pieces, scattering food everywhere. "What did you do to Bray-"

"Shut up, will you?" the naked man commanded, moving toward me in a flash. His hand clamped over my mouth, cutting off my scream.

Terror coursed through my veins, and my pulse pounded in my ears. I stared into the deep blue eyes of the man who had been a wolf moments ago. But then I realized he was the guy I was going to serve breakfast to. He was Brayden because he had the same eyes as Brenda. But this guy's features were sharp and angular, contrasting with the softness of his sister. His jawline was sharp and angular, and his dark hair looked messy as if he had just come back from a wild expedition. He even smelled like earth and pine. I couldn't believe that a massive and savage wolf could be a good-looking, rugged human being as well. And, given that he was naked, I could only look at his face, which was the safest place to look.

"You seem shocked." He slowly took his hand away and frowned. "Are you a freakin' human?"

"Yes, I am human, and you're not," I yelled, stating the obvious.

He made a lopsided grin and tilted his head to the side, revealing a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Aren't you a little spitfire?"

I could feel his grip tightening around my arms, and the little courage I had left began to fade away. So I said, "I'm... I'm begging you. Please don't hurt me."

He leaned forward, so close that I could feel his hot breath against my face as he stared at me. "You cannot reveal to the outside world what you have seen here," he growled, emphasizing every single syllable through gritted teeth. "... or else you're dead meat in the morning. Understood?"

As much as I wanted to nod, I couldn't even move. All I knew was that my body weakened like a melting candle until my senses were numb and my sight turned pitch black.

***

When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in bed. Panic kicked my body as I examined myself, making sure that everything in me was still as intact as a rosebud. But then I jerked as a deep voice filled the room. "Don't make any noise! Don't shout or scream if you want to stay alive."

Before I knew it, I was locking gazes with Brayden. His blue eyes sharpened as if he was returning to a wolf again. But I was relieved that he was in a gray shirt and sweatpants this time.

"What do you expect? I just dreamed that you have shifted into a beast, and..." My cheeks felt ice cold as I realized something. Well, that wasn't a dream at all!

Before I could scream again, his large hand covered my mouth immediately, making it difficult for me to breathe. He might have guessed that all I wanted at this moment was to scream until there was no sound coming out of my lungs anymore.

Then I remembered Brenda's cautionary. This was the secret she was talking about. Brayden was a beast hidden within this seemingly normal family. My instincts screamed at me to run, to get out of this house and away from these people. But then another voice reminded me that I needed this job, I needed the money for my future.

"Brayden, I promise I won't tell anyone about your... condition. But please, don't fire me," I pleaded. Now I regret being sarcastic a few seconds ago.

"You act as if you've never seen a werewolf before." Brayden chuckled. He leaned back in his chair, gazing at me as though I were an entertainment show. "Relax. I won't fire you." But then his laughter died down as he leaned forward, pointing his finger to the door. "Now get out of here!"

Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled out of Brayden's room. My hands shook uncontrollably, and the memory of what I'd just witnessed was still fresh in my mind. I sprinted down the hallway, barely avoiding a collision with an ornate vase that decorated the Connor family's lavish home.

"What's the rush?" Brenda's crisp voice echoed through the grand lobby as I nearly tripped down the last few steps of the sweeping staircase.

"Sorry," I managed to choke out between sobs, feeling my face flush with embarrassment. "I just... I need to get back to my room."

"Is everything alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I've just seen a werewolf! I screamed inwardly as I desperately tried to keep my composure. "N-nothing, Miss Connor," I lied, forcing a weak smile onto my trembling lips. "I just got a little overwhelmed. But it won't happen again, I promise."

Brenda walked over to me slowly, and every echoing click of her shoes made my heart race faster. "You must remember that we have no use for maids who can't keep their emotions in check."

"I'll... I'll keep that in mind."

She then turned around and walked away, leaving me a frightened mess.

ALIYAH

"Grandma," I choked out as I stumbled into our room. Everything was thrown off when I abruptly entered, and clothes spilled into a disorganized mess on the floor. "Brayden... he's a beast. I saw him change from a wolf into a human!"

I stared at her, expecting her to be as shocked as I was. But she remained quiet, continuing her task of transferring the clothes from the luggage to the dresser. I tilted my head in confusion, unsure of how to interpret her lack of response.

"Did you hear me?" I asked softly, reaching out to touch her arm. "He's a monster, Grandma. And not just because of how he acted toward me."

Grandma Estelle paused, lowering herself to sit in front of me. Her eyes held an odd calmness. "I know, Aliyah. The Connor family, including the servants, is not ordinary."

"N-no way..." My mouth parted as I gazed at her. "Are you saying that the entire house is full of... of werewolves? And we're living among them?"

It was a fact that I was curious as to why Grandma Estelle seemed so unbothered by what I'd just told her. But the confession itself made me even more uneasy and terrified. So all the Connors were unordinary, and that was in a bad way. It was as though anytime soon, there was someone who would attack our door and hurt us. Or perhaps someone was actually listening in and watching us right now!

I wrapped my arms around my body as goosebumps formed on my arms. The idea that we were literally trapped in this mansion with potentially dangerous secrets was making it hard for me to breathe.

Grandma Estelle nodded gently. "Yes, dear. I know it's a lot to take in, but this is the world we now live in."

Feeling dizzy, I stumbled over to the small water station in the corner of the room and poured myself a glass. The cold liquid did little to quench the fire of confusion burning inside me. Taking a deep breath, I sat down again in front of my grandmother, my questions bubbling up like a pot about to boil over. "Grandma, how can this be real? I mean, werewolves, supernatural creatures... It all sounds like something out of a storybook."

"Oh, Aliyah," Grandma Estelle said, reaching out to hold my hand. "I know it's hard to believe, but there are many things in this world that we don't fully understand. And sometimes, those things find their way into our lives, whether we're prepared for them or not. Okay, let me enlighten you a little..."

I just stared at her, not knowing what to say. I kept my mouth shut, but I did listen as she continued to disclose the secret about the Connor family and the world of wolf shifters.

"Alpha Theon and Luna Layla are the leaders of this pack, and their children, Brayden and Brenda, are Betas. But soon, Brayden will take his father's place as Alpha, and Brenda will be arranged to marry another Alpha. She will marry another Alpha from a different pack. It's preferable if her husband is also her mate."

"Mate?" My confusion deepened, and it felt like my head was about to explode. "What does that even mean?"

"Ah, that's a bit more complicated," Grandma Estelle said with a small smile, patting my hand reassuringly. "But for now, just know that it's an important part of their culture and traditions."

"Grandma, this is all so... so overwhelming. I don't understand any of it. And to think we're here because of Dad's hospital bills, I just can't imagine how we're ever going to pay off such a huge debt."

The sharp sting of reality settled in my chest like a cold, heavy weight, and I couldn't help but feel that life was cruel and unfair. Why do the less fortunate always bear the brunt of life's hardships? And why did those in higher positions do nothing but push us further down, exacerbating our struggles?

"Grandma, I can't believe the Connors would require us to pay off this debt. Dad worked for them for years, and they never mentioned it before. They must know how much we're struggling. How are we ever supposed to repay such a massive debt?"

Grandma Estelle's face softened as she hugged me close, her warm embrace somehow brought me enough comfort to ease my nerves. "Aliyah, don't blame yourself or the Connors for our financial situation. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes hardships are unpreventable."

I reluctantly pulled away from her hug. "But Grandma, how can you say it's not their fault? They're forcing us to live among these strange people. It's terrifying and surreal!"

"I know it's difficult, Aliyah, but the Connors are actually good people. Your father chose to work for them because he believed in their cause. The outer world is not safe, especially for someone like you. The Connor pack is our safest haven."

"Someone like me?" I echoed, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. But instead of pressing further, I chose to wrap my arms around her again, looking for comfort in her warm embrace.

As we continued to sort through the mess of clothes and belongings that now cluttered our room, Grandma Estelle paused for a moment and squeezed my shoulder, saying, "Remember, Aliyah, you must call Theon 'Alpha Theon' and Layla 'Luna Layla.' Sir or Ma'am won't do here. And don't forget to address Brayden and Brenda as Beta."

I nodded reluctantly, though my unease only grew. "Okay, Grandma. I'll try to remember all of this. But please, promise me that we'll find a way out of this debt someday. I can't stand living like this."

Grandma Estelle's eyes filled with determination as she took my hands in hers. "I promise, Aliyah.

***

That night, I was expecting to be working in the grand lobby since I wasn't yet familiar with the kitchen. But to my surprise, Beta Brenda assigned me to serve in the upscale dining area as the other servants were already occupied with their tasks. Preparing for the evening made me feel both nervous and excited. And when I entered the dining area for the first time, the upscale atmosphere and the aroma of delectable food filled the air.

I tried my best to move efficiently around the Connors' dining room, acutely aware that their eyes were on me. It was as though my breaths were being counted as well as my every step. The room's luxurious atmosphere seemed to increase my nervousness, making me hyper-aware of the delicate china that adorned the table. I was careful not to spill anything or make any sudden, clumsy movements as I served each dish. My hands were shaking a little.

Calm down, Aliyah. I kept reminding myself. There is no way they will eat you. The food on their plates is much tastier than you.

Alpha Theon sat at the head of the table. His dark hair was slicked back, and his chiseled features held a stern expression, making me feel even more self-conscious. Luna Layla, on the other hand, exuded an air of poise and grace, her auburn hair falling in loose waves around her delicate features.

Brenda, sitting quietly and mostly unnoticed, appeared lost in her own thoughts. She seemed to be doing her best to ignore the tension that crackled around us, her eyes downcast and lips pressed into a thin line.

And Brayden...

The guy's eyes seemed to follow me as I worked, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. His gaze made me feel exposed like he was trying to pry open the thoughts that swirled inside my head. I couldn't help but wonder if his curiosity in me stemmed from my being a human girl or our earlier encounter when he had shifted from wolf to man before my very eyes.

"Is your name Aliyah?" Alpha Theon's deep voice broke through the silence, causing me to nearly drop the serving dish I was holding. I felt my nerves heighten as every pair of eyes turned towards me. My posture stiffened, and I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond to his direct question.

"Y-yes, Alpha Theon. My name is Aliyah Martin."

To my surprise, he softened slightly. "I'm sorry for your loss, Aliyah. Your father, Ruben, passed away only a month ago. His untimely death has left us all heartbroken."

"We will always remember Ruben Martin as a kind and honorable member of our pack. You are not alone in your grief, Aliyah. We are here for you during this difficult time," Luna Layla added as she placed her tea cup back on the saucer. "If there's anything we can do to support you, please don't hesitate to ask."

I blinked back tears, trying to compose myself. Despite the Alpha and the Luna's intimidating presence, I hadn't expected them to have such a tender and genuine side. They seemed to really care. Guilt washed over me for feeling so much anger towards them earlier.

"Thank you, Alpha Theon, Luna Layla," I murmured, gazing down at the table. "I appreciate your kindness and willingness to help. It means a lot to me."

"You're welcome," Luna Layla said with a smile. "You are now free to leave and prepare your own meal. We'll call you if we need anything else."

Lowering my head slightly, I couldn't help but think about how wrong my first thoughts about them had been. It made me realize that I should never judge someone by their cover.

As I retread back to the kitchen, I could feel my cheeks flushing. Seriously, why was I assigned to the dining hall when there were so many maids in the mansion? And why was Brayden staring at me as if I were food in his mouth? I took a few deep breaths as I prepared a vegetable salad for me and Grandma Estelle.

Bloated by my thoughts, I jumped when someone entered the kitchen. Expecting it to be Alpha Theon or Luna Layla, I turned and forced a smile, only to find Brayden leaning against the doorway, his gaze locked onto mine.

"We need to talk, Aliyah."

I felt a chill in the air as he strode toward me. His piercing blue eyes sparkled, and he seemed to radiate a constant source of power from within. I trembled for a split second before our eyes met, and his enchanting smile seared my entire body.

"I'm so sorry," he said knowingly, seeing my surprised expression. "But, before you storm out of here again, let me say this-friends?" He extended his hand. "Come on, I know it's unbelievable, but we have to put our differences aside and try to be friends instead. So, can we start over?"

"Y-you want us to be...friends?"

'Why is he befriending me right now?' Aside from our awkward first meeting, I was just one of their maids.

"Am I hard to treat as a friend?"

I was taken aback by his question, but I appreciated his effort to make me feel comfortable. "No, it's not that," I replied with a smile. "It's just that I never thought someone like you would want to be friends with someone like me."

He chuckled and said, "Well, you never know. Maybe I'm just pretending to be nice so I can lure you into my lair and eat you alive like a big, bad wolf."

We both laughed and the next thing I knew, I was accepting his gesture of friendship. "Friends, it is." I beamed, feeling my heart rate slow as I realized he meant no harm.

"Cool." He flashed a charming smile, placing the plate on the counter in front of me. "And as my first friendship offering, I made dessert." He gestured toward the pasta.

I couldn't help but be suspicious, wondering what his hidden agenda was. But then I remembered Grandma telling me about the Connor family being werewolves with their own code of ethics and honor.

"Thank you," I said gratefully, reaching for the plate and taking a bite of the creamy food. It was delicious; the flavors mixed on my tongue, leaving me wanting more. "This is really good."

Brayden's face broke out into a grin at my words. "Thanks," he said, looking pleased with himself. "I love cooking. It helps soothe my wolf side."

"Wolf side?" I repeated it, still struggling to come to terms with the fact that werewolves were real.

"Yeah," he elaborated, leaning against the counter next to me. "We're not just humans; we're also wolves. We have two sides to us, and sometimes it's hard to balance both."

"That's so interesting," I said, genuinely intrigued. "So, do you feel like a wolf all the time?"

Brayden chuckled, showing off his dimple on the right cheek. "Not all the time. Only when the moon is full or when my emotions get too heightened. It takes practice and control to keep it at bay."

His answer left me with even more questions, but I didn't want to pry too much. His unique situation genuinely intrigued me, and couldn't wait to learn more about it.

"Well, you're really good at cooking." I complimented him, feeling a strange sense of companionship with him despite our initial tension.

"Thank you," he said, locking his gaze on mine that made me feel like I hadn't felt before. "And welcome to Pack Connor."

We stayed there for a while longer, chatting idly about nothing in particular as we finished our meal. I realized that my initial fears about living among werewolves were slowly dissipating. Perhaps this house wasn't so bad after all.

ALIYAH

"Such a lovely day," Grandma Estelle commented as she wiped her brow. "Perfect for working in the garden."

"It is." I nodded, sniffing their calming scent that filled the air. We were spending the morning renovating the garden into a tranquil haven. Our activity helped to calm my rushing thoughts, but Brayden's smile from our previous encounter still distracted me.

It had been a week since he offered me his friendship, but that didn't mean we spoke every day. In fact, I hadn't seen him at all since then. His absence left me yearning to know more about him. And now, as I worked alongside Grandma Estelle, I couldn't help but wonder if our paths would cross again soon. Would he remember our brief conversation and seek me out? Or was it just a brief moment that held no worth to him? He was the first one to make a move and offer friendship, wasn't he? It might be stupid of me, but I was clinging to that small hint of hope.

As I snipped off a few extra twigs from the rosemary bush, I asked Grandma again. "Grandma, how old is Brayden?"

She paused at her work and looked at me with a raised brow. "Brayden is twenty-five now. He just became a beta after extensive training from Alpha Theon a few months ago. Now he's still under training, but it's much more serious."

"What's the next training about?" I asked.

"It's for him to become the next alpha. Why do you ask, dear?"

"Nothing," I whispered, avoiding her gaze and getting back to trimming the rosemary bush. "It's just that he seems too young for such an enormous responsibility."

Grandma smiled knowingly and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Well, that's because werewolves mature at a faster rate than humans. Brayden has already demonstrated his strength, which is why he was selected for this important role. Age is not the only factor considered when determining leadership within their pack."

"Is the son of the alpha automatically his beta?" I inquired again, curious about their hierarchy.

Grandmother Estelle shook her head. "In some other packs, a beta is not related by blood, and the title is earned because of their abilities and skills. But since Alpha Theon didn't want to give the rank to others, he trained Brayden when he was eight. That's what I know since Ruben, your dad, worked with the Connors."

"Are humans in a pack always made into low servants?" I wondered aloud, seeking more understanding of my place in this world.

"Actually, not always," Grandma Estelle explained. "If there is a human in the pack who is very capable and intelligent, they might be chosen to be a consultant or mediator between the pack and the human community."

Her words brought some comfort to my conflicted heart as I tried to find my place in this new life. Would I and Grandma be servants all our lives, or was there a chance for us to contribute in a different way? I couldn't help but wonder if there were other roles we could fulfill within the pack, ones that would allow us to showcase our unique skills and talents. Would I be able to practice my medical skills here and help heal injured pack members? Perhaps Grandma could use her knowledge of herbs and plants to assist in the pack's healing rituals. I have actually read about how some wolf packs have individuals known as "healer wolves" who play a crucial role in tending to the health and well-being of the pack.

I was lost in deep thought when I noticed Grandma Estelle's labored breathing and the sweat on her brow, so I rushed to her side and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's it. Grandma, why don't you go take a rest in the room? I can finish up the gardening for today."

"Alright, dear," Grandma Estelle agreed, giving me a warm smile. She hugged me tightly, whispering in her ear, "Take things easy, okay? And tell me, are you beginning to like Brayden?"

"Um, no," I stammered, avoiding eye contact with her. I could feel my cheeks heat up at the question. "But you can't blame me for being curious, though. This is the first time I've lived with werewolves."

Grandma Estelle chuckled softly, patting my back. "Oh, dear, there's no need to feel defensive. It's natural to be curious and take your time adjusting to new surroundings. Just remember not to fall in love with him. He could become an obstacle to your goals in life. Keep your head clear."

"I will, Grandma. I promise," I replied, feeling a rush of guilt in my chest as I watched my grandmother leave.

Alone now, I continued pruning the roses, but my thoughts drifted to Brayden. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't help but seek out Brayden's presence, his laugh, and the way his steel-blue eyes seemed to see right through me. Why couldn't I stop thinking about him? No. It couldn't be love since I had only seen him a few times. And to think that he was not a human but a black ball of claws and fur was just impossible!

But maybe it was just a crush since Brayden was handsome, and I had always been drawn to good-looking guys. It was normal to feel this way, wasn't it?

I just couldn't entertain the thought of being in love-not now. I needed to focus on my goal; once we have paid our debt, we're out of here, and I will forget about Brayden. Plain and simple. I couldn't let myself get distracted by these feelings, especially when there was so much at stake. Besides, Brayden and I came from completely different worlds, and it was unlikely that anything could ever come of it.

As I continued my work in the garden, I suddenly heard a low, rumbling sound from the distance. I looked up from the roses and squinted into the fading sunlight. My eyes widened at the sight of men running in my direction. They were shirtless, sweat glistening on their torsos as they raced towards me.

Anxiety bubbled up inside me, so I grabbed my basket and started walking away, trying to put some distance between myself and the approaching group. Unluckily, I stumbled as a thick vine tangled around my feet and brought me to a sudden halt.

"Oh, no. No. No." I struggled to free myself, all the while keeping my eyes on the herd of men. But they seemed not to notice me. And then my stomach clenched when they shifted into growling huge wolves right before my eyes.

Though I had seen Brayden transform from wolf to human form, witnessing these men change made my body cold with dread. I wanted to scream for help, to make them stop and see me, but my voice failed me, and I remained silent, mentally blocked by fear.

Just when I thought the pack of wolves would trample me to death, a massive black wolf lunged forward, blocking their path. The familiar figure growled aggressively at the other wolves, causing them to stop in their tracks and back off. As I felt like I might throw up, the black wolf turned its gaze toward me. I realized it was trying to communicate, but I couldn't understand the message.

The black wolf seemed dismayed as he roared at the others once more, and they all retreated into the woods.

My hands were trembling as I looked down at my trapped foot, and the sight of a little cutter blade glinting in the sunlight caught my eye. I choked out a sob as I reached for it. Why on earth didn't it show up when I needed it the most?

"Useless cutter!" I gritted, cutting the vine that had ensnared me. The blade sliced through the thick vegetation effortlessly, freeing my foot.

Trying to regain my composure, I stood up and glanced back. But then my heart jumped when Brayden appeared next to me in a bare, sweated torso and pants. His nose seemed to be flaring as he glared at me and yelled. "You've almost killed yourself. What the hell are you doing here in the first place?"

"Were you... the massive werewolf who saved me from getting hit?" I managed to stutter.

"Of course I was!" he scolded, baring his teeth. "But you shouldn't have been here in the first place. This is the werewolf runway, and I can't always be here to check if someone's blocking the way." He glanced down at my bruised foot and I caught his eyes softened. But he immediately regained his stern expression as his chin jutted out defiantly. "I was kilometers away, shouting for you to move over... but then I remembered that you're just a human girl who can't hear me from that freakin' distance and has no particular skills at all!"

My heart ached as Brayden's harsh words echoed in my ears, and I couldn't help but feel like my entire world had come crashing down as he turned away from me. How could he speak to me like that? I thought we were already close friends, but his hurtful words made me question everything. Clenching the basket firmly in my hands, I suddenly hurled it at him, watching as it collided with the back of his head. I knew it wouldn't hurt him, but the anger bubbling inside me demanded some form of release.

"What the fu-"

"Thank you for saving my life, Brayden. But you have no right-no right-to insult me just because I'm human. I can do a lot of things. I'm literate, and I knew how the world worked until I stumbled across you wolves!"

I turned away from him, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill, and walked away. The pain in my foot only intensified, both physically and emotionally. It was as if his insults had seeped into my very being, leaving me questioning my worth and place in this world.

"Okay, wait..."

To my surprise, Brayden was quick to reach out and grab my shoulder before I could get far. His touch startled me, causing me to freeze in my tracks. I hesitated, unsure if I should give him another chance to speak. But when I turned and looked up at him, the way his blue eyes dilated made me pause and listen.

"I'm sorry, Aliyah. I didn't mean to lash out at you like that. I was just having a bad day at training."

It was then that I remembered that he was being trained to become the next alpha. It must have been challenging for him. Undergoing such drills must have taken a toll on his emotions.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded slowly. "I accept your apology, Brayden. And... I'm sorry for screaming at you," I whispered, feeling a pang of guilt for my own outburst.

A small, tense silence settled between us before Brayden suddenly took my hands in his, causing my heart to skip a beat. His frown deepened as he noticed my trembling. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I assured him, attempting a smile. "You should go back to your pack training."

But Brayden shook his head. "I won't leave until I know you're okay. Let me show you around, so you don't end up in trouble like this again."

I hesitated, worried that Beta Brenda might scold me. But Brayden quickly reassured me, saying, "I have a higher command since I'm next to my father-no one will question us."