Daphne's POV

“What the fuck are you still doing here?” The sharp growl penetrated into my dream and I jerked up in shock. I blinked my eyes wondering where I was and why I was here. I knew it was obviously Alpha Kian's room but I have never slept off here before.

“Alpha Kian, I'm—”

“Get out!” he roared and I jumped off the bed in fright, my pulse racing. I was completely naked and scrambled for my clothes, my only thought being to escape. But just as I passed him, his grip yanked my hair back sharply.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he snarled, his breath hot against my ear. “Running out like this? What will they think when they see you?” His fingers tightened painfully before shoving me forward. His words were harsh, but there was something in his voice, anger, yes, but was there something else? Frustration?

“I'm… I'm sorry” I cried. My heart hung in my chest, my throat tightened as I wondered if today I would receive lashes for being so reckless as to sleep in the Alpha's bed.

“Get those clothes on immediately and get out. You have 12 seconds” he pushed my head forward leaving my hair before slapping my naked ass.

“Yes, yes sir”

Without wasting time, I began to dress up as fast as I could not caring if I was wearing the clothes right or wrong. The moment I saw done, I rushed out of the room not even daring to look at his face but I knew very well that his eyes were on me.

Alpha Kian was a ruthless Alpha and if he wasn't careful, he might cause Alpha Merlin's hard work to be in vain. He wasn't as good as his Father and it made me wonder why he had left for the Alpha's training school if he didn't learn anything there.

Alpha Merlin was a better example for him to follow than going to some school. Alpha Merlin led his people selflessly and with patience. Alpha Kian, he kills at every chance he gets and we now have more slaves than freeborn in this pack.

“Daphne!”

My eyes widened and I slowly turned to come face to face with Mrs. Rein. My heart sank as I watched her walk towards me angrily. I tried to brace myself but it was useless because the slap landed on my right cheek anyway.

“You think I am stupid? Huh?” She asked, slapping me over and over again as she asked, “Where have you been since yesterday? Where did you go to? How dare you leave the work I asked you to do for something else?”

The slap continued even after I fell on the floor until I heard someone say,

“That's enough, Rein” I didn't know if I should bless the goddess for sparing me or continue the prayer of help because the voice I heard was the voice of the queen Luna, Alpha Kian's mother.

Mrs. Rein bowed in respect, “Queen Luna”

I didn't bother to get up or look at the Queen Luna's face, I prostrated on the floor with my face to the ground.

“Let her be for today. We have a lot we are preparing for and we need her and her strength. Do not beat her any further.” Her voice was gentle but I knew better than to believe that gentle voice.

“My future daughter-in-law and the next Luna of Ironstone Pack is coming soon,” Queen Luna continued, her voice laced with unspoken authority, “We have a lot of work to do. We cannot make Alpha Kian’s mate uncomfortable. Do you understand?”

Her words struck like a blade causing my chest to tightened, and breath shallow. Mate? The word echoed in my mind like a cruel joke.

No... but I am his mate. The realization sent a wave of nausea through me.

I dared not speak. My nails dug into my palm as I clenched my fists, forcing myself to swallow the pain. Did she know? Did Kian tell her? Or was she simply erasing me, as if I had never mattered?

“Rise, omega,” the Queen Luna ordered.

She took her time, her gaze sweeping over me like she was inspecting damaged goods as I scrambled to my feet, my legs trembling beneath me.

“You look tired,” she mused, her voice deceptively soft. “It must be exhausting, you know, always working, always trying.” Her lips curled into a smile that did not reach her eyes. “But I’m sure you’ll manage. After all, a future Luna deserves only the best from her people.”

The words were gentle, but the meaning behind them was razor-sharp. Stay in your place.

“Do I make myself clear?” She asked again, ever so gently as if she was as gentle.

“Yes, yes Queen Luna” I bowed my head. Then came the sharp order from her,

“Get out!”

It was the same with her son's, same audacity, same aura, same hatred in their eyes. I wonder what I ever did to upset them.

I rushed out of the passage and made my way to the servant's quarters to search for Roxanne. When I saw her amongst the other servants, I pulled her away from them.

“Daphne, are you okay?” She asked, her brows gathered in a frown. I sniffed, without looking at her, I answered,

“Alpha Kian is bringing home a wife”

Roxanne fell silent and I wasn't expecting anything more than that. We were walking to the laundry room quietly in thoughts when I heard the voice of someone I just didn't want to come across now,

“If it's not the omega and her unknown friend” It was Anita. I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breathing.

“How is my wolfless omega doing?”

“What do you want, Anita?” Roxanne asked quietly. The news I had just dropped, made her weak as it made me.

“I wasn't speaking to you. The wolfless omega has a mouth to respond. Or has she lost her speaking ability? Ah, you are really unfortunate”

“I can speak and I am not wolfless” I replied. I had a lot I need to do and speaking to Anita and her minors isn't one of them.

Anita smirked, her voice dripping with mock concern. “Oh, you poor thing, I almost feel sorry for you.” She turned to her friends, laughing. “Almost.”

I kept walking, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. But then, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path. Her eyes gleamed with cruel amusement.

“You claim you’re not wolfless,” she said, her voice turning cold. “Then prove it. Shift.”

The hallway grew quiet. Servants who had been working nearby paused, their eyes flickering toward us. I felt Roxanne tense beside me.

I swallowed hard, keeping my face blank. “I don’t need to prove anything to you, Anita.”

“Oh, but you do.” She took a step closer, close enough that I could see the malice dancing in her eyes. “Unless, of course… you’re lying.”

“Go on, girl. Shift.”

The girls behind me sneered, their taunts biting deeper than I cared to admit. I shouldn't have spoken up, I didn’t want trouble today, especially with so much work to do before the new Luna arrived.

“I don’t have your time,” I muttered, turning away.

“You don’t?” Anita scoffed. “Or you can’t shift?”

“Let her be, Anita. Go find something else to do instead of flaunting your stupidity,” Roxanne shot back.

“Says the servant’s servant girl,” one of Anita’s friends snickered. Roxanne’s fingers formed a fist before she scoff

“As if she’s any better,” Roxanne clicked her tongue but I could see the pain in her eyes. The insult landed, making Anita’s group bristle with anger. They looked ready to start a fight, so I tried to defuse the situation.

“Mrs. Reins gave me work to do. If you’ll excuse me—”

“Admit it,” Anita challenged, stepping closer. “Say you’re a wolf-less wolf, and we’ll let you go.”

I glanced at Roxanne. She shook her head as if telling me ‘don’t say it.’

I knew the truth. I had never met my wolf. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I willed it, nothing ever happened. But as always, I still tried.

Closing my eyes, I reached deep inside, hoping—just once—to prove them wrong.

Silence stretched.

Anita and her minions watched with wide, expectant eyes.

“You never give up, do you?” she mocked before shoving me roughly. I stumbled, barely keeping my balance.

“What’s taking you so long? Is your wolf as slow as a centipede?”

Laughter rang in my ears. I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them see the hurt, but my silence only fueled their cruelty.

“Weak and lazy ass,” Anita sneered before turning away with her friends.

I watched them go, my fists tightening at my sides. Roxanne sighed and reached for my hand, helping me up.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“It’s alright. But you know Anita’s going to spread this all over the pack, right?”

“Let her. I don’t care.”

“I’ll never understand how some people find joy in tormenting others,” Roxanne huffed.

I let out a dry chuckle. “It’s a wonder.”

****

A loud bang on the door jolted me awake.

“I’m coming!” I shot up from my mattress, heart pounding. Roxanne was still asleep, meaning it was early—too early. It couldn’t be Mrs. Reins. She never knocked.

I had my answer the moment I opened the door.

“The Alpha wants you. Now,” the guard ordered.

I nodded quickly. “Sure. I—”

Before I could say more, he grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. I barely had time to process it as we walked in silence toward Alpha Kian’s quarters. My stomach churned with nerves.

I was still in my faded blue night gown, my hair a tangled mess. But freshening up wasn’t an option. If I delayed, I’d be beaten or worse, thrown into the dungeon.

At his door, one of the guards shoved me forward. “Go in.”

I hesitated before knocking lightly and stepping inside.

Alpha Kian sat on the edge of his bed, shirtless, his piercing gaze landing on me the moment I entered. I dropped my eyes to the floor.

“Good morning, Alpha,” I murmured. “You sent for me.”

“Word reached me that you fought with some of the servant girls.”

My breath caught. My body tensed. How did he already know?

I pressed my lips together, staring at my feet. My fingers twisted nervously. His shadow loomed over me as he rose from the bed, slow and deliberate.

“You’re so useless that you have time to start fights now?” His voice was ice.

“No, I didn’t start the—”

The slap came fast, sharp, and cruel. Pain exploded across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. I swallowed it down, refusing to cry.

Tears welled in my eyes despite myself. My nose ran, my face burned, but I forced my body still.

“Do you know what you are?” he hissed.

I could feel his gaze cutting into me like a blade, even without looking up. He yanked my hair, dragging my head back as he whispered, voice dripping with venom,

“You’re a worthless wolf that I use whenever I like. You are lower than a slave. You have no right to fight back. You have no right to speak. You are a wolfless, barren omega.”

His words sliced deeper than his hands ever could. My chest tightened. Rage simmered beneath my skin, burning me alive. He finally released my hair, shoving me backward.

I lifted my head, my teeth clenched. My fists trembled at my sides as I whispered, “Reject me then.”

His eyes darkened.

“If I’m so useless, so worthless, so barren, reject me,” I spat. “Let me go.”

Another slap. Then another.

“You do not tell me what to do,” he growled. “I own you. I decide whether to reject you or kill you. Your life belongs to me.”

I tried to shield my face, but he always found a way to land his blows. The pain blurred into one agonizing haze. I couldn’t hold back the sob that tore from my throat.

He grabbed me then, yanking me toward the bed.

Terror rooted me in place.

No. No. Not again.

He tore at my clothes, his grip bruising.

“I don’t need to reject anything,” he sneered. “You are not my mate, and you never will be.”

Tears streamed down my face.

“My Luna is coming soon,” he continued, his voice mocking. “And you—you pathetic bitch—will attend to her like the lowly servant you are.”

A sob wracked my chest.

He didn’t care.

Not as he took what he wanted, as he always did.

Not as I lay there, unmoving, tears soaking into the sheets.

When he finally finished, he shoved me off the bed like discarded trash.

I scrambled to my feet, clutching what remained of my torn dress as I rushed from the room.

It happened again.

It would happen again.

And no one would save me.

Because no one cared.

As I hurried out to start my chores, his final words echoed in my head, sealing my fate like a death sentence.

"Get ready. My wife arrives tonight."

Daphne's POV

I forced myself to run out of the room with my heart beating so fast. The day was already so bright and I could see everyone so busy as they prepared for their Luna's arrival. So I joined in the preparation without speaking a word to anyone, not even Roxanne whom I hadn't seen all morning.

It was suddenly time and we all waited outside the mansion for Alpha Kian's Luna who came into the compound in a convoy.

Doors opened and the guards that came with her stood in front of each door until Alpha Kian went ahead to open one of the doors then a slender leg appeared. Her shoes was worth my entire life by just looking at them. Even though we were all asked to look down, I couldn't help but fix my eyes on her feet, those shoes.

"How was your flight?" Alpha Kian asked

"Stressful but I'm glad I could make it here in time" she replied. I raised my head to see what she looked like and my eyes landed on my mate kissing her. I quickly shifted my eyes back to the ground and my fingers clenched. My wolf groaned in pain, and I felt my heartburn. I shouldn't have looked.

Roxanne's hand grabbed mine and we both intertwined our fingers together, it was her way of comforting me but it only worsened the situation as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

"My dearest daughter-in-law, we have been waiting for your arrival. Welcome, welcome" The queen Luna smiled as she hugged the lady.

"You're more beautiful in person than in the picture I saw online." She added and I wondered if I'll ever be treasured this way. It was a dream that would never come true.

"Hello, mother-in-law" Her voice was calm and her accent was fluent and classy. There's no way I could have beat her, no way Alpha Kian would have chosen me over her, no way. What the hell was the moon goddess thinking to mate me with an Alpha's son that had gone out of this pack, this country, and had seen the world and so many girls in it?

After a while, the royals went inside while we were ordered to prepare the table for the feast while the couples went for their mating ceremony. Servants weren't allowed to go into the hall where the mating ceremony was done. But when Alpha Kian accepted her, my wolf felt it and my heart sank. I felt the wave of depression swipe through my body. It was horrible, it was painful and I just wanted to stay away and cry.

Two hours later, while the eating and drinking were going on, Mrs Rein ordered me to check the Alpha's room if it was well arranged for the newly mated couples to go in and have their first intercourse.

I went, of course, the room was so different from how I left it this morning. It was beautiful and flawless and words could not express how romantic the atmosphere was. I made my way to the bed, reached for one of the petals on the bed and placed it under my nose to smell it. It smelt nice.

Just as I was about to drop it back on the bed, the door burst open with the two couples kissing each other hungrily and I froze.

"What the fuck is a servant doing here, in my matrimonial room?!" Came the sharp words from Alpha Kian immediately he saw me and broke the kiss. My eyes widened, now he was pretending not to know anything about me.

"I... I... I'm sorry, I was asked to check if--"

"Get the fuck out of my room, bitch!" He roared and I quickly ran past them with the new Luna laughing at me. Her eyes followed me until I was out the door. I held my chest and rushed back to the hall to join the servants to clean the place up.

***

"You! The Luna wants to see you" One of the guards pointed to me and my brows furrowed.

"Me?" I asked to be sure and he nodded.

"Yes, you"

That was strange. The Luna and not the Alpha. I looked at Roxanne who shrugged and asked me to go with them which I did. I was taken to the garden at the side of the mansion. I saw the Luna sitting on the bench, she was dressed so beautifully, her skin kept glowing and her moves were flawless as she looked at me. She waved her hand at the guards to leave and they did.

"What's your name?"

"Good morning my Luna, my name is Daphne, ma"

"Daphne" she repeated, tasting my name on her tongue, "I used to have one Daphne as a colleague back then. Do you know what happened to her?"

"No ma" I shook my head, how was I supposed to know?

"She disappeared. She disobeyed me and suddenly disappeared" She raised her shoulders like she didn't know how Daphne disappeared and I gulped in fear.

"Same thing can happen to anyone that decides to double cross me, Daphne" The way she stressed the Daphne, I could tell that she hated the name because of the Daphne she had once encountered. I didn't say a word, I didn't know what to say.

"I have heard a lot about you. I won't say anything since it's all in the past but I do not want to hear anymore as from today" She finally looked from the flower she had been staring at,

"Stay far away from the Alpha. The next time the same news I heard today, I hear them again, I'll make you disappear. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes ma" I blinked at how bold she was, her threat sent shivers down my body, I clearly was seeing goosebumps on my skin.

"Good. Now get out!"

I turned away and quickly began to walk back into the mansion. My heart was racing, and my fingers trembling from the threat.

I just gotten into the mansion when I was stopped by one of the alpha's personal guards who was always sent to call for me.

"You!" I froze and gulped as I looked at him, "The Alpha seeks your presence now!"

I suddenly began to feel pressed and sweat trickled down my forehead.

I'm doomed.

Daphne's POV

Slap! Slap!

Two resounding slaps rang in my ears, jolting me awake. My eyes shot open in shock, landing on the guards standing in my room. How did they get in?

Before I could ask what was happening, rough hands grabbed me, yanking me from the bed,

"Where are you taking me? What did I do?" I kept yelling in pain as they pulled me without allowing me to walk on my own. This already gathered an audience because I saw the servants pause their work as they watched me getting dragged. They didn't just stand to watch, they followed us until I was thrown to the cold ground.

I didn't need to look up to know whose feet I was kneeling before. The pink, high-heeled shoes told me everything. Luna Cynthia. Her shoes were always the classiest.

"Rise," she commanded.

I scrambled to my feet, my knees wobbling.

"We both had an agreement yesterday, didn't we?" She asked and I suddenly fell back on my knees.

"My Luna, it was-"

"Answer my damn question!" she snapped.

"Yes. Yes, my Luna"

"And yet, you still had the audacity to disobey me."

"No, my Luna! It was the Alpha who-"

Smack!

Her hand struck my face before I could finish. Her sharp nails tore across my cheek, sending a searing sting through my skin. My eyes welled with tears as I felt the warm trickle of blood.

"Beat her until she can no longer move."

Terror seized me. "No! No, My Luna, I didn't do-"

A heavy boot smashed against my ribs, cutting off my words.

"I didn't do anything!" I sobbed, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

They didn't just beat me. They delivered kicks, punches, and relentless blows down on me like I was a traitor, an outcast.

The servants watched, unmoving. Not one of them intervened. Not one of them could.

By the time they were done, I lay crumpled on the ground, my body throbbing with indescribable pain. Every breath I took felt like knives slicing through my ribs. My vision blurred, the world around me tilting. As the guards walked away, I remained there in the pool of my own blood.

"Help..." I whispered, barely able to move, my voice cracked.

No one made a move. No one dared to help.

Darkness crept in, and I slowly embraced it.

When I woke, my body was heavy, my limbs refusing to obey me. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils, I didn't have to look, I knew I was in the pack hospital.

"Shit..." I cussed as I raised my hand and tried to massage my head. I hissed in pain and finally dropped my hand. My face and hands were covered with bondages. I sighed as I recalled what happened that landed me here

A soft shuffle of footsteps pulled my attention toward the door. The doctor entered, her expression unreadable.

"You're awake."

"I am." My voice trembled.

"How do you feel?" she asked gently.

"Weak."

She carefully lifted my hands, removing the bandages. "Your wolf must be weak too. You aren't healing as fast as you should, which is why I had to wrap you up." She smiled faintly. "But you're strong, Daphne."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Strong? I was nothing but a battered omega.

She continued working in silence, peeling off the last of the bandages. The pain was gone. The wounds had healed. Physically, at least.

"That's better," she said. Then, after a pause, she added, "I have news."

I barely had the strength to care. The only thing I wanted was to ask if she could help me escape. If she could hide me in the hospital until I found a way out of this hell.

But her next words erased every thought from my mind.

"You're one month pregnant."

Everything inside me froze. The words echoed in my skull, over and over.

Pregnant.

Me? A barren omega? Carrying his child?

I struggled to process it as my hand trembled as I reached for my stomach. Alpha Kian's heir...

"Doctor," I breathed, my voice barely audible, "what did you say?"

"You're pregnant, Daphne. One month gone."

A strangled sound tore from my throat-half gasp, half laugh. I was pregnant. Tears welled in my eyes. I had thought I was worthless, unwanted, but... but this changed everything.

The doctor continued speaking, explaining things I barely registered. My mind was spinning. Excitement and fear tangled inside me, an intoxicating mixture of emotions. Would he be happy? Would he accept me?

Of course he would. Alpha Kian would be overjoyed. He had to be.

The doctor placed another IV in my arm, and soon exhaustion overtook me. As I drifted to sleep, only one thought remained.

I have to tell him.

The next morning, excitement bubbled in my chest as I made my way to his wing of the mansion. My steps were quick, my heart pounding; not with fear, but with anticipation.

I barely noticed the absence of guards by his room door and worse, I didn't even think to knock.

"Alpha Kian, I have news-"

The words died in my throat.

My world shattered.

There, tangled in the silk sheets of his bed, was Luna Cynthia.

Beneath him. With him.

Their bodies pressed together in a way that left no doubt. Their heated breaths filled the air.

My breath caught. The room blurred.

They turned to me, their gazes sharp, filled not with surprise, but hatred.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!"

I opened my mouth, but no words came. I couldn't speak or think.

Tears burned my eyes. My hands trembled. Why did it hurt so much?

I knew. I knew.

He was the Alpha. He was bound to sleep with his Luna. Why was I so stupid to think it would be any different?

I turned and ran.

Blindly.

Desperately.

My chest burned with every gasping sob. My vision blurred, but I didn't stop.

I couldn't stop.

Until I slammed into a guard.

"I'm sorry," I choked out, trying to push past him.

But he didn't let go.

"Please... please, let me go..." I begged, but his grip tightened.

Terror flooded me. He wasn't just stopping me-he was dragging me back.

Back to them.

The door swung open again, and I was shoved inside.

I barely had time to process before a vicious slap cracked across my face.

Pain. Sharp. Instant.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

Alpha Kian's voice was like ice.

"Lock her up in the dungeon. No food. No water. Five days."

I gasped as I looked at him. "No, Alpha Kian, I didn't mean to! Please, I didn't mean to!" My voice cracked as the guards tightened their grip on me.

Luna Cynthia's angry gaze remained on me, but I didn't have a choice, I had to beg, "Please, please, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry!"

"Get her out of my sight!" The Luna yelled and I tried to pull away with all my strength.

"Alpha Kian, I came with some information. I just wanted-"

"Out!" she barked, her face filled with disgust.

The guards dragged me away like a ragdoll, my heels scraping against the polished floor. No one came to my aid. My cries were swallowed by the silence of the grand hall. Then, a voice cut through the air.

"What's with the noise?"

We had reached the living room when I saw Queen Luna standing at the bottom of the staircase, her sharp eyes assessing the scene.

"She wronged the Alpha and the Luna so we were asked to throw her in the dungeon," one of the guards explained to the queen Luna before I could.

"My queen, it was a mistake"

"Shut up." Her voice was smooth, dangerous. She stepped forward, eyes burning with disdain. "You've been nothing but a disgrace since the moment you stepped foot into this mansion. Everywhere you go, trouble follows. And now?" She scoffed. "Now, Cynthia has finally decided to put you in your place."

I trembled as she leaned in closer.

"I heard you spent some time in the hospital," she whispered. "Now it's the dungeon. Look at your pathetic life. You, your wretched father, and that whore of a mother-you're all filth." She straightened, her expression unreadable. "Take her away. And make sure she's whipped."

My stomach dropped.

"Please," I whispered, my hands trembling. "No, no, no, please!"

But my pleading fell on deaf ears. The guards yanked me down into the suffocating darkness of the dungeon. The heavy door slammed shut behind me. I crawled to the iron bars, gripping them with shaking hands. "Please, I can't stay here!"

The guards ignored me until one of them turned back, a coiled whip in his hand.

"No, no, no," I gasped, backing away. My body collided with the damp stone wall.

"The audacity to challenge the new Luna," he sneered. "Do you feel no shame?"

I barely had time to react before two other guards stormed in, grabbing my arms.

"Hold her down."

"Wait-!" My words were cut off as my body hit the cold floor. One guard pinned my arms, another restrained my legs. I thrashed, panic clawing at my chest.

Then, the first lash struck.

I screamed.

The whip tore through my dress, my body trembled and burned. I jerked violently, my skin scraping against the rough ground. Blood trickled down my spine.

"Please-!"

Another strike.

Then another.

The pain blurred into something unbearable. My screams faded into hoarse gasps. I lost count of how many times they hit me. I only knew that when the last lash fell, I could no longer move.

I lay motionless, my cheek pressed against the cold stone, my breathing shallow.

Darkness consumed me.

I didn't know how long I lay there, or how many days had passed but I felt the cold liquid slash on me.

I flinched, my body too weak to jerk away.

"Get up, you slut. You have a visitor."

A visitor?

My head lolled to the side, my vision blurred, but when I focused on the figure outside the cell, my breath hitched.

"Roxanne?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"Daphne..." Roxanne gasped with her hand covering her mouth, she shook her head in shock. I crawled toward her, my hands shaking as I gripped hers.

"How did it come to this?" she choked out.

A guard's voice cut through our moment. "Three minutes."

I didn't have time to explain everything. I swallowed down my pain and said the only thing that mattered.

"Help me, Roxanne."

"How?" Her hands tightened around mine.

"I can't stay here," I struggled to swallowed, "I haven't had food or water for days. I'm pregnant, Roxanne."

"What?!" Roxanne asked with wide eyes and agape mouth, "You're what?!"

"A month gone," I whispered. "I can't let my baby die in here. Please, tell the Alpha. Beg him. I never meant to interrupt him.... I was just so excited to tell him he was going to be a father." My voice broke. "Please, Roxanne, he has to let me out."

She swallowed hard, "I will. I'll do everything I can. I promise."

I nodded weakly. "And don't tell the Luna."

"I understand."

. Her fingers still intertwined with mine, her forehead against the cell as we both cried together.

"That's enough," the guard barked. "Get out before you join her."

Roxanne wiped her face and stood. Before leaving, she looked at me one last time. "We'll be okay. I promise."

I watched her walk away until she disappeared. Then, I slumped against the cold stone, closing my eyes.

Day one.

Day two.

Day three.

No sign of Roxanne. No sign of the Alpha. No sign of help.

Hunger gnawed at my insides. My body was weak, my movements slow. The only relief came from the morning dew-I pressed my trembling fingers through the high window, gathering tiny drops of water to keep my lips from cracking.

I was ready to eat anything, even the rats that scurried by. I had given up hope.

Then-on the fourth night-the cell door creaked open.

I tried to lift my head, but my body refused to cooperate. Because of how weak I was, I could hardly open my eyes, my throat was dried and my lips cracked.

A shadow moved toward me.

"Who's there?" My voice came out as a whisper, hoarse and filled with pain.

Silence.

Then, a familiar voice.

"Daphne."

My heart clenched.

It was him.

Alpha Kian.