CHAPTER 1

= Shekinah's POV =

His gaze is boring through my skin and down my body as I stand in front of the closet, patiently waiting for what he has to say. My luggage is beside me and I've never felt more nervous my entire life.

He stands up from his seat and walks to the front of the bed. He starts pointing at things and talks, instructing me where things are and where or what I can and cannot touch.

"You don't go out when it's past 6pm and when I say go out, I mean out this room. You will not eat any-"

As he continues to ramble, I can't help but feel uncomfortable at his lack of relatability and sheer arrogance. Why does he think he can control me like I'm some kind of pet of his?

"What do you mean I can't go out of the house?" I ask with a raised brow.

"Exactly what I mean." I notice he's staring everywhere else but my eyes.

"How can you prohibit me from moving around as I want?"

"Because I'm your mate." He says flatly.

"But you're not my husband.."

"I heard your landlord has kicked you out of your house so you're basically homeless now. If you don't want to be out in the streets, I suggest you keep shut and obey all the rules and regulations I set for you." He says so and puts his hands on his hips.

My voice is quiet, "I still don't want to be treated like hay."

He doesn't seem to respond or move. The way he's averting my gaze upsets me so I curiosly ask,

"Are you blind?"

"What?"

"Why don't you want to look me in the eyes as you speak?"

He glances at me then quickly looks away, "Stop asking me silly questions…Take." I'm thrown a nightgown that I catch and examine it in my hands. "Wear this and join me downstairs in 10 minutes. Dinner will be ready soon."

Before I can ask anything, he walks away and closes the door behind him.

+++++

= Almando's POV =

"I honestly don't want to know…please, just spare me the details, Hendrid." We all laugh.

"It would interest you to know that young Buck over here is slowly climbing the ranks." Stefan says through his yellowed teeth with a grin.

"I see…he's really taking after our man over here." I say and shrug Hendrid's shoulder.

"You think?! Ha! His father even tells me he takes after me more than he does him. Ha!" Hendrid always acts like he's high; we've all agreed that he has the most energy out of all the generals in the army.

"I can now tell why Commander Itchidor placed you closer to the king during the Elrnan Tributary diplomacy visit last month. He sees your doings…well done, Hendrid."

"Oh brother, it's all hard work paying off you know. When I'm done molding this son of a Buck, he'll be the new star of the army." Hendrid shoulders the young man with bright eyes. He really does resemble the lad; doe eyes, ruffled brown hair and a stub.

I turn to Buck, "Continue being a champ, kid. Your mentor's a crazy hat but he means you well."

"Ha! He knows very well I am!" Hendrid hits Buck in the arm playfully.

"Speaking of which, Buck, how's the training program shaping up? Any breakthroughs?" Stefan asks.

Buck grins, eager to share, "We've been focusing on endurance drills lately, and we've got some promising results. The recruits are holding up better, even in harsh conditions."

"Excellent. And what about that new batch of recruits from the outskirts? They were pretty raw when they arrived," Stefan continues his inquiry.

"They're getting there. It's been tough, but we're seeing potential. They've got that determination," Buck explains.

"So tell us about your new mate, bud." Hendrid interjects their conversation with a sly grin on his face. He never seems to get enough.

"I rather not talk about her…" I clear my throat and drink a glass of water on the table.

"Why? Don't tell me you're still hung up on-" I give Hendrid a look which makes him cut his sentence short, "Sorry, sorry, forgive me. I just want you to be happy, you know?"

"Appreciate it. I think it's better we discuss the trade agreement plans already." My tone gets serious.

"Okay, let's mull it over for a sec." Stefan adds.

"True, true, good point." Hendrid finally calms down

"So, back to the topic at hand. We were discussing potential trade agreements with the neighboring packs, which could significantly benefit our resources and security." I start the conversation. "Those negotiations are critical for our pack's prosperity. We have to ensure we secure the best terms possible."

"Agreed, but we must also consider the concerns raised by some of the elders. They worry about the long-term consequences of forming such alliances." Stefan makes a point.

"Valid point. We need to strike a balance between immediate benefits and the preservation of our pack's traditions." Hendrid adds. "And that's what we ran over with Chief Holland before we decided to come here to you, brother."

"We're stuck at a dead end." Stefan says and gulps down a glass of beer on the table.

"The elders don't want to compromise our traditions but the Hanonians and Sinains don't want to agree to an alliance that will put their own customs in extinction too." Hendrid says.

There's a brief silence as we contemplate the complexities of this situation.

Suddenly, a female's voice cuts through the silence. "I have a suggestion."

We all turn back and I see Shekinah standing by the stairs.

"What if we establish a separate tribunal of elders to oversee these agreements? This way, we can ensure our traditions are upheld while benefiting from these alliances. And you can also take a more direct approach in those negotiations. You can use your growing influence to your advantage, perhaps by offering a joint training program to strengthen ties with the neighboring packs. This way, you'll foster trust and cooperation from the ground up."

Everyone is quiet.

I am as shocked as I am irritated.

I can already imagine what my friends are thinking now…I can hear Stefan whispering, "Isn't that the accursed wrench?" There are subtle gasps.

Hendrid fixes his gaze on her and remarks with a sardonic smile, "An eloquent woman daring to share her thoughts amidst a gathering of battle-hardened generals. Quite a pleasant surprise, I must say."

Stefan remarks, "A surprise indeed."

I gulp my throat as I try to curtail my irritation.

Hendrid asks me, "I see you've brought a new guest into your home, brother. Who's this delicate looking snack?"

They all chuckle but still maintain their disgust.

I take my eyes off her and turn to the men. Hendrid holds my hand and whispers, "Do not tell me the accursed wrench is your second chance mate, brother?"

Stefan adds, "Dear Goddess, isn't this too unfair on you, lad…"

I am clearly vexed. I take my hand away and stand up, "If you'll excuse me…" I walk to Shekinah and shout at her, "Follow me now!"

She doesn't move. She looks terrified, shocked.

The others seem to gasp and marvel at the scene as I hear their faint exclamations.

"I said out, now!"

She's still not moving. Annoyed, I walk to her and drag her to the kitchen then bang the door close behind her.