"Come in," Valex said.
Odesse stepped in cautiously, standing still, her eyes darting around the large room. Fear and confusion tangled inside her. She wanted to ask why she was there, but her voice trembled. Gathering courage, she finally said, "Why am I here?"
Valex smiled faintly and took a step forward. "You're here because you bear my mating mark, which is quite odd, considering you're human."
Odesse's hand flew to the mark on her neck. "I want to go home," she whispered.
Valex chuckled, his tone dark. "It seems you don't understand, Odesse." He walked closer, his presence overpowering, his body heat brushing against her. "You have my mark. You can't go anywhere. You're mine."
Odesse met his gaze fiercely. "I'm no one's... especially not yours."
Valex laughed softly, running a hand through his dark hair before turning sharply toward her. "Do you even realize what would happen if you went back? You'd be killed."
"And if I stay here," Odesse shot back, "I'll die anyway... being bound to you."
"How much esteem do you carry for yourself, Odesse?" Valex's smirk deepened. "You really think I'd mate with a mere human? Pathetic."
Odesse's eyes glistened with anger. "Then why am I here? I want to go home, to Miss Miris, to Cara, to Aron... everyone. What do you want from me?"
Valex's expression darkened. "You, a human, bear a mating mark. That's highly impossible."
"I don't understand," she said softly.
"You don't need to," he replied coldly. "From now on, you'll serve as my personal servant."
Odesse's eyes widened. "But I don't want to! I just want to go home!"
Valex stepped forward again, his tone low and commanding. "You have no choice." He lifted his hand and brushed his fingers across the mark on her neck. A rush of heat surged through her body, a fire she couldn't control. Her breath hitched.
"This mark," he murmured, his voice deep, "can only be seen by werewolves, not humans. Do not tell anyone about it."
His eyes locked with hers, sharp and hypnotic. "Is that understood?"
"Yes... sire," Odesse replied weakly.
A knock interrupted the tension. Valex dropped his hand and stepped back.
Kael entered, nodding briefly to Valex as he passed Odesse.
"You may leave," Valex said.
Odesse bowed slightly and left the room, closing the door behind her. Once outside, she exhaled sharply. "Ugh, I hate it here," she muttered. "And I hate him."
She wandered down the corridor, her thoughts swirling. I wonder how Cara and the others are doing. The palace walls gleamed with golden light, and curiosity soon replaced fear.
"I might as well look around," she murmured.
Outside, the palace courtyard shimmered under the moonlight. Flowers glowed with silver hues, and butterflies fluttered lazily in the air.
"Wow... it's beautiful," Odesse whispered. "At Silverclaw, everything was always gloomy and cold."
As she turned, lost in the view, she bumped into someone.
"Oof... sorry!" she said.
The man turned quickly. "Oh! I'm sorry, are you alright?"
"Yes," she smiled. "Thank you. And you?"
"I'm good," he said, returning her smile. "You must be Master Valex's new personal servant."
Odesse's smile faded slightly. "Yeah... I guess."
"I'm Eryx," he said, holding out his hand. "I take care of the horses."
"Odesse," she replied, shaking his hand gently. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
Eryx carried a wooden bucket across the courtyard.
"Can I come?" Odesse asked, walking up to him.
"Of course," he replied with an easy smile.
"Where are you going?" she asked, falling into step beside him.
"I'm going to wash the horses for Master Valex," Eryx said.
When they reached the stables, Odesse gasped. There were dozens of horses, white, brown, black, each one sleek and strong.
"Wow..." she whispered, eyes wide. "They're so beautiful."
Eryx laughed softly as he began washing one of the horses.
"In Silverclaw," Odesse said, "there's only one color of horse... black. And they're never cared for like this."
She wandered a bit farther and noticed one horse standing apart in its own stall.
"Why is that one over there?" she asked.
Eryx glanced up. "That's Master Valex's special horse. He used to ride it to war. But one day it got badly injured, and he stopped riding it. Still, he checks up on it."
Odesse glanced at Eryx and asked softly, "Do you like it here in the Moonlight Palace?"
Eryx smiled faintly. "Yeah, I do. I've been sold to different packs before, and the Moonlight Pack is the best so far. Master Valex isn't as bad as people think. He's strict, sure... but deep down, I know he's cool."
Odesse rolled her eyes slightly, muttering under her breath, "I doubt that."
Eryx caught the tone and chuckled, glancing at her. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Odesse said quickly, pretending to study a nearby horse.
Eryx smiled as he lifted the bucket again. "Come on."
Odesse followed him, still glancing around in quiet wonder, her eyes drinking in every corner of the Moonlight Palace stables.
Odesse glanced around. "The palace looks so calm here at Moonlight. The sky, the air... it's... peaceful."
Eryx nodded. "Master Valex hates disorder. He likes things perfect. You should see the town, it's even more beautiful. Though for a wolf who can spill blood, he really hates dirt."
They both laughed softly.
Meanwhile, in the upper chamber, Valex turned to Kael.
"So... about this Odesse girl. What have you found out?"
Kael replied, "It seems her parents died when she was young. Their deaths were by burning."
Valex's eyes narrowed. "Burned to death?"
"Yes, sir," Kael said. "Her father was the royal shoe cleaner, Jarek. Loyal and dedicated to the royal wolf clan."
"And her mother?" Valex asked.
Kael hesitated. "Her identity... was erased. No records, no trace."
Valex's gaze sharpened. "Find everything about her mother. Immediately."
Kael nodded and turned to leave, but laughter drifted up from outside. Valex walked to the window. Below, Odesse stood smiling at Eryx.
Valex's jaw tightened.
"She smiles for someone else," he muttered.
A smirk touched his lips, dark and possessive.
His scent filled the air, heavy with jealousy.