I jolted awake to the sound of an annoying scream, or perhaps it was an internal voice.
My breathing quickened as I tried to gather the fragments of a strange dream—no, it was the same dream.
My heart was pounding violently, as if it wanted to escape the cage of my chest.
I couldn't remember how I had reached the bed.
I sat on its edge while yesterday's memories wrestled in my head. I was pulled from my thoughts by a knock on the door, so I gave permission to enter.
"Good morning, Luna. Breakfast is ready; the Alpha is waiting for you."
"Alright, thank you,"
I said, heading to the bathroom to take a warm shower to soothe the unbearable pain in my body.
I finished getting ready, wearing a black dress as dark as his heart.
I was walking through the corridors, but my mind was elsewhere.
I was thinking about yesterday's conversation, the words I hadn't said, and the regret and helplessness I felt.
I didn't see the walls or the hanging paintings; I didn't hear the sound of my footsteps.
Instead, I heard my wolf's voice in my head, making threats against him.
Finally, I reached the breakfast hall, finding myself suddenly back in the present with the smell of fresh coffee and the face of a servant greeting me with a shy smile.
"Good morning, Luna."
I smiled back, returning the greeting.
I stopped at the entrance of the hall, my heart racing.
He was sitting at the table, holding a coffee cup, his fingers wrapped carefully around it.
His gaze was following something invisible; his eyes weren't looking at me, as if I were merely a passing being in his life.
He didn't change his posture or acknowledge my presence, making me feel transparent, as if my existence sparked no curiosity in him.
I sat at the table, watching his face as if reading a book in a language I didn't understand.
I started eating my breakfast, stealing glances at him.
His gaze was steady and devoid of any expression.
There was no movement in his eyes, no emotion, not even a flicker.
They were empty eyes, showing no trace of life.
When our eyes met, I felt as if I were facing a wax statue.
That look was enough to make me realize that I wasn't important to him and that my presence made no difference in his life.
It was enough to realize that his heart no longer beat, and that he had lost everything.
I wondered what he had gone through to become so cruel.
I lowered my gaze to my plate in confusion, trying to finish quickly.
I was about to leave the hall, trying to pull myself together after that empty look, when his voice stopped me.
His voice was cold.
"Did you sleep well?"
I froze in my place, my mind working at full speed.
I turned around slowly and looked at him. Was he trying to joke? No, his face showed no sign of humor.
Was he trying to test me? Did he want to see my reaction? Yesterday he was cruel, and today he pretends to care.
The words were simple, but they carried a hundred questions.
What does he really want? Is he insane? Or am I the one who has lost my mind? A bitter mockery etched across my face.
"That is none of your business,"
I said in a low voice, not devoid of sarcasm. But he was unaffected; instead, he smiled with similar mockery.
"It is my duty to ensure the Queen's comfort."
His words were enough to make me realize I was facing a conceited person; I couldn't understand his actions.
I ignored him and left the hall.
I was walking in the hallway with quiet steps, not knowing what to do or where to go.
The palace was massive and full of corners and secrets, which piqued my curiosity.
I thought to myself,
"Why don't I explore this palace?"
It looked stunning. I began checking the rooms one by one; each room carried its own scent and different furniture.
I reached a wing on the third floor and was about to enter when a very beautiful girl came out.
She looked like him—the same grey eyes and the same black hair.
Could she be his sister? She looked at me and smiled happily, holding my hands while dancing in place, adding:
"Welcome, my dear brother's wife!"
I felt a bit of warmth fill my heart, as if this girl was the hope I had been looking for.
"Hello,"
I feigned calmness and answered with a slight smile. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind her like a child dragging a doll.
"Let's go to the garden and talk,"
she said excitedly, not waiting for a response.
We reached the back garden of the palace, and it was like paradise.
Roses were blooming everywhere, and their fragrant scent filled the air.
We sat on one of the benches there, and the view was breathtaking.
The girl was looking at me, the smile never leaving her face, while I tried to gather my strength and understand what was happening.
She gestured with her delicate hand to a passing servant, who brought us two glasses of fresh juice.
Her smile remained, as if she didn't see the stark contrast between this charming place and the reality I was living.
"So, do you like the palace?"
she asked, her eyes shining with genuine curiosity—the kind I hadn't seen in his eyes. I nodded while scanning the place with my eyes.
I sipped the juice; it was sweet and refreshing, but it didn't wash away the bitterness in my heart.
The girl added, her enthusiastic voice piercing the wall of silence I had placed around myself:
"How does my brother treat you? Has he mistreated you? Tell me."
The words almost choked in my throat.
"Calm down, girl. He hasn't done anything; he only threatened me and barred me from my family and my pack,"
I said sarcastically, while her shocked eyes stared at me.
"Oh my god, I am sorry on his behalf... He isn't that bad, it's just the circumstances that made him this cruel, plus he has a trust issue."
The sadness appearing on her childish face didn't suit her at all.
"But I'm not just anyone, I'm his mate,"
I said, my eyes looking at her sincerely, as if trying to share my grief. She smiled a wide smile, as if she hadn't heard what I said.
"Let's forget about that fool,"
she said, the bright smile returning to her face.
"Tell me, what is your name?"
It was a simple question, but it carried a lot of curiosity and a desire to know me, away from everything that tied me to her brother.
"Sera,"
I answered, my voice calm and steady.
I looked at her, and a real smile appeared on my face for the first time since I arrived at this palace.
"And you, what is your name?"
I asked, my eyes looking at her with curiosity. She smiled widely and answered:
"Julia... Your name is beautiful, Sera."
The word was simple, but it carried a lot of warmth, and with that, our pleasant introduction ended.
I thanked Julia and asked to leave for my room.
I desperately wanted to sleep; exhaustion was taking over my body.
I was climbing the stairs, lost in thought, thinking about this strange day and the contradictions I had experienced.
Suddenly, I collided with something solid, like a wall.
I recoiled and almost fell, but a strong hand grabbed my waist and pulled me toward him. The shock was great when I looked at him—it was him, the person who made my day even stranger and more complicated.
His eyes were looking deep into mine, as if his gaze were piercing my soul. For a moment, I saw a golden flicker that soon disappeared, replaced by a cold void.
He let go of me, then said coldly:
"Watch where you're going. Can't you see, idiot?"
The words were harsh, but they weren't harsher than that empty look that extinguished all hope in my heart.
I continued my way to my room, whispering softly:
"You're the only idiot here."
Anger filled me, but I knew this anger wouldn't change anything.
I headed to the bathroom to take a warm bath to regain my energy.
The idea was tempting, but it wasn't as tempting as the idea of returning to train the novice warriors.
I decided to go to him after breakfast to discuss this matter.
I won't let anything stand in my way this time, not even that stone-hearted man.
I have lived under his cruelty long enough, and now it is my turn to impose my will.
I put on my sportswear and felt power flowing through my veins.
I tied my hair in a ponytail to keep it off my face and applied a bit of lip balm.
I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a determined woman who couldn't be stopped.
I left the room, ready to face anything that might stand in my way, even that arrogant man.