The soft creak of the wooden door echoed in the still air as Alpha Vlad stepped aside, gesturing for Casey and her daughter to step inside the modest cottage. Nestled just beyond the thick grove of towering pines near the pack house, it was small but warm. The scent of cedar lingered in the air, and the stone fireplace stood ready to be lit, its presence comforting despite the chill of the late afternoon breeze that crept through the open door.
Casey hesitated on the threshold, Lily's tiny hand wrapped in hers.
"You can stay here as long as you need," Vlad said, his voice calm but laced with unspoken authority. "You won't need to pay for it."
Casey blinked at him, stunned. Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but words failed her. Gratitude swelled in her chest, thick and overwhelming. She hadn't expected this from the Alpha, to total strangers.
"Thank you, Alpha," she whispered, lowering her head in a show of submission and respect, her eyes almost watery. 'Finally' she thought.
Before she could say more, Lily suddenly frees herself from her mother's grip and darts forward. Her small arms wrapped around Alpha Vlad's leg in a spontaneous, tight hug.
Casey's heart shot into her throat. "Lily!" she gasped, pulling the little girl back as if she had just hugged a sleeping bear, "I'm so sorry, Alpha. She didn't—
Vlad's expression didn't change, but he held a hand up to stop her, "it's alright. _
Casey swallowed, her pulse racing. It didn't matter how kind he seemed; he was still an Alpha. Powerful. Dangerous. One command from him, and she could be dead before she took her next breath.
Once he left, she allowed herself to breathe again. Only then did she truly look around the space he had given them. The cottage was simple—one bedroom, a small sitting area with an old sofa, a kitchen with basic supplies, and a narrow hallway that led to a bathroom. The bed was already made, the linens freshly laundered, and a fire starter kit sat beside the hearth.
The silence felt unnatural at first, but soon, it became a balm. For once after a while she felt safe.
Lily quickly claimed a spot by the table in the corner, crayons spilled out before her. Her little hands worked quickly, scribbling furiously on a sheet of paper.
Casey excused herself to freshen up. The Bathroom mirror reflected the toll the past few years had taken—dark circles around her eyes, bruised lips from biting back too many words, and a tightness in her jaw that wouldn't leave. She lets out a heavy sigh as she begins.
The warm water did little to ease her tension, but it was something.
When she stepped out, towelling her hair, she found Lily still at the table, her brows furrowed in concentration.
"I'm drawing Alpha Vlad," Lily said proudly, "He's strong and kind. I want to be a good leader like him one day".
Casey forced a smile. "That's sweet, Lily."
But deep down, it felt like a shard of ice had been lodged in her heart. She should have been happy—relieved even—that her daughter had finally found hope in someone. But all Casey could think of was Trent. His smile. His warmth. The man she had trusted with her soul. The one who had left her to be tried for attempted murder. The one who had left her wandering for the past few years.
Her smile faltered. She turned away, still towelling her hair.
A sudden knock on the door made her jump.
She opened it cautiously and found Luca standing on the porch. He was holding a large basket—steam rising from covered containers—and a bundle of neatly folded clothes balanced atop of it.
"These are from Alpha Vlad," he said without preamble.
The scent of warm stew and freshly baked bread filled the air, making Casey's stomach clenched in hunger.
She bowed her head slightly. "Please thank him for us, this is more kindness than I ever expected."
Luca didn't respond right away. Instead, his eyes scanned the interior behind her, lingering for a second Too long on Lily, who stood clutching her drawing like a prized possession.
The little girl tiptoed forward, shyly extending her art towards Luca. "Can you give this to Alpha Vlad?" she asked, voice barely above whisper.
Luca looked down at the paper, it was crude drawings—stick figures, mostly—but even Casey could see the effort. The Alpha stood tall, arms wide like a protector, and beside him was a smaller figure with pigtails.
Luca's jaw twitched, but then he nodded. "I'll make sure he sees it."
As he turned to go, he paused.
His voice dropped, his tone cool and sharp. "Casey...." She looked up the moment he got her attention, "Don't betray this pack," His eyes locked in with hers, hard as stone. "If you do, you won't even see the second that ends you."
With that, he disappeared into the path, his footsteps quiet against the dirt.
Casey stood frozen in the doorway long after he left, the basket growing heavier In her hands. The warning had been clear. No matter how kind the Alpha seemed, no matter how safe this cottage felt, they were not truly free, not yet.
She stepped back inside and closed the door behind her.