Secret

The air wafted with the rich aroma of meat and spices as the broth in the large pot boiled over, the crackling of the fire beneath it growing louder with the fresh logs added moments ago atop the burning charcoals.

"Have the vegetables for the stew been peeled yet? We're running out of time!" a loud voice rang from the doorway, making Feyre glance up from her chopping board where she was slicing vegetables to see Madam Augusta, the woman in charge of the Omegas working in the pack house standing there, her sharp eyes sweeping over Feyre before landing on Helena, whose hand reached for another log.

"Careful, Helena! You'll set the whole place ablaze," she scolded, her voice cutting through the rhythmic chop of knives, and the hum of overlapping conversations in the bustling kitchen.

Feyre went back to cutting the vegetables, wanting to finish before she got another earful about lazing around. Beside her, Jennie, who was also holding a knife, glanced around before leaning in and speaking in a low voice.

"How are you so good with a knife? If you were staying here, you might've been her favorite."

"She just glared at me," Feyre replied, glancing at Jennie while her hands continued their steady motion on the chopping board.

"Trust me, that was a look of complete approval," Helena chuckled softly as she came to stand behind them, her tone teasing.

Feyre furrowed her brows, shooting them both a puzzled look. Jennie and Helena simply shrugged in unison before bobbing their heads toward the far side of the kitchen. Following their silent cue, Feyre's gaze landed on Madam Augusta, who stood with an impassive expression, watching two girls near the cupboards while the two Omegas were stealing side glances at Augusta, clearly nervous under her scrutiny.

Out of the corner of her eye, Feyre noticed three girls in the corner casting sidelong glances at her with their faces twisted into sneers. She sighed and returned her attention to her vegetables as it wasn't anything unusual. Not surprising that even Omegas, the lowest ranked in the pack hierarchy, sneered at her, a wolfless deviant. Helena and Jennie, however, were different. They were Omegas too, but what set them apart was that they had been rogues before joining Shadowmoon Pack five years ago. Perhaps that's why they weren't hostile toward her and treated her like a normal person instead.

"Now, let's not get caught gossiping. I'm in no mood to get on her 'let me deal with you' list," Jennie muttered, nudging Helena with her elbow before turning to Feyre with a smile "The vegetables are done. Let's go set the tables,"

The land was bathed in a silver glow as the full moon adorned the clear sky, casting vivid shadows that stretched across the ground. A cool breeze brushed against Feyre's face as she walked through the mansion's hallway, heading toward the backyard beyond which lay a vast forest. The halls were quiet, with everyone gathered either in the front garden or the main hall. Finished with her chores, Feyre decided to step outside for a breather as it would still be some time before the meal was served. Just as she approached the last pillar of the hallway, a sharp male voice broke the stillness, making her halt mid-step.

"How many times have I told you to keep your paws to yourself?"

Feyre froze, recognizing the voice as coming from the backyard. She strained to listen, her heart skipping a beat when a familiar voice responded.

"But you haven't found her yet, so why?"

Without meaning to, Feyre stepped behind the pillar, instinctively hiding herself from view. She peeked out slowly as her curiosity got the better of her and from where she stood, she could see the broad back of a man standing near the bushes. In front of him stood Annie with a tense posture. Feyre couldn't make out her expression, but the desperation in her voice was unmistakable.

"So what? Does that give you the right to make advances on me?" the man snapped, his tone cold and unyielding. "For the sake of our childhood friendship, I'm telling you nicely—don't forget your boundaries."

Annie's hand rise toward the man's arm, her voice trembling with emotion. "But I love you! Can't you see?" Annie pleaded, stepping closer to him. "You haven't found her after all these years. Maybe she doesn't exist, or she's dea—"

A low, menacing growl cut through the air, silencing Annie mid-sentence. Feyre flinched as she saw the man's hand dart out and his fingers wrapped around Annie's neck with startling speed.

"Don't you dare," he growled, his voice laced with fury. "Touch me again, and I'll make you regret it—Beta's daughter or not."

With that, he released her and stepped back. Annie stumbled slightly but didn't say another word as the man stepped aside and walked toward the forest, disappearing into the shadows of the trees.

Feyre leaned back against the pillar, exhaling a quiet sigh of relief. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop but had accidentally stumbled upon a secret that could cause more trouble than she cared to deal with.

Thinking Annie must have left as well, Feyre stepped out from her hiding spot, brushing her hands against her dress. But the moment she rounded the corner of the mansion, she froze.

Before she could react, Annie closed the distance between them in an instant, slamming Feyre against the pillar making her gasp as the impact rattled her spine.