Chapter 3
594words
Time passed. Hours or minutes. I couldn't tell.
The iron door creaked open.
Kane stood there. Two guards behind him. His face hard. His amber eyes flickering with something I couldn't understand.
"Get up," he ordered.
I stood. Legs numb. "Execution time?"
No answer. Just a gesture to follow.
We walked. Not to the execution grounds. To the great hall.
The Alpha sat on his throne. Cold. Distant. Gwen beside him, a smug smile on her face.
Then I saw them.
"Mom! Dad!" I broke free. Ran to them.
Mother's tears. Red eyes. Father aged overnight. Worry in every line on his face.
"Gina." Mom's hug. Tight. Desperate.
Dad's shaking hand on my hair. "We couldn't protect you."
"Enough." The Alpha's voice cut through our reunion. "Bring her forward."
Guards pulled me away. I faced the Alpha. Head high. No fear shown.
"Omega Gina." His voice echoed. "You attacked the future Luna. Death penalty."
I stayed silent.
"However, my son suggested another option."
Kane stood beside his father. Face serious. Eyes avoiding mine.
"Two choices." The Alpha said. "Death. Or become Gwen's personal maid until the marking ceremony."
Silence fell.
"Maid?" I couldn't believe it.
Gwen stepped forward. Victory in her eyes. "My personal maid. You'll obey every command. No complaints."
Kane still not looking at me. This was his help?
"And if I refuse?"
"Both you and your parents. Executed." The Alpha's simple answer.
My heart stopped. "My parents? Why?"
"Hiding a criminal." He shrugged. "They're responsible for you."
My parents' faces. Fear. Heartbreak.
"Not fair!" I shouted. Useless.
"My decision." The Alpha's final word. "Choose now."
Fists clenched. Nails in palms. Anger with nowhere to go.
"Thirty seconds." Kane suddenly spoke. "Let her talk to her parents."
Guards released me. I ran back.
"Don't sacrifice yourself." Mom begged. Hands gripping mine.
"I can't let you die." My voice broke.
Dad's tearful eyes. "We've lived our lives. You're young."
"I won't let you die for me." My mind made up. "I accept."
"Time's up." Kane behind me.
I turned. Faced them. "I accept. I'll be her maid."
Gwen's smile widened. The Alpha nodded.
"Wise choice." His cold approval. "Your parents stay in the kitchen. You escape or disobey? They die."
My jaw tight. A nod.
"Clean her up." Gwen ordered. "She stinks."
Guards reached for me. Kane stopped them.
"I'll take her." His tone final.
His grip on my arm. Firm but not painful. Gwen's angry eyes following us out.
In the empty hallway, Kane slowed down.
"This is your help?" I whispered angrily. "Making me her slave?"
"Best I could do." His quiet reply. "You're alive."
"Why do you care?"
He stopped. Turned. Eyes bright in torchlight.
"Your dream." Almost a whisper. "The red-eyed wolf. Not ordinary."
"What do you mean?"
He stepped closer. His heat reaching me. "Not the time. But remember—things are more complex."
His fingers brushed my wrist.
Heat spread. Sudden glow under my skin. A crescent moon shape. There then gone.
Kane's eyes widened. He saw it too.
"What was that?" My shocked whisper.
His nervous glance around. "Keep it hidden. Tell no one."
His face returned to cold mask.
"Remember your promise." His eyes dangerous. "Do what I want. Not just Gwen's orders."
Words hanging. A riddle.
He turned. Led me forward.
I followed. Questions burning. Fear present.
But something stronger—his nearness waking something inside me. A sleeping wolf opening its eyes.
My wrist still warm where the crescent had appeared.
