5

Xenia was led to a more spacious room with a bed, a slight improvement from the cell. Reyna gestured to a small bathroom and a pile of tattered clothes. The garments were a dull brown color, resembling sacks more than clothing. Xenia's eyes widened in distaste as she imagined herself dressed in such rags.

Xenia's curiosity got the better of her, but she refrained from asking any questions, knowing that Reyna's responses would be laced with venom. Instead, she stood silently, her eyes fixed on the door as Reyna slammed it shut with a force that made Xenia flinch. The sound echoed through the room, a harsh reminder of her captivity.

"Is she crazy?" Xenia whispered to herself, shaking her head as she headed for the bath. She desperately needed to wash away the grime and stench that clung to her body. Her hair reeked, her skin felt grimy, and her entire being seemed to radiate a pungent odor. It was almost surreal, considering all she'd done was host a gathering to find her mate. Now, she was a captive, at the mercy of the volatile Reyna.

Xenia eyed the hairbrush on the counter warily, hesitant to use it for fear of contracting lice or some other unwanted pestilence. She was lost in thought when a soft, tentative knock on the door broke the silence. A tiny, melodious voice followed, floating into the room like a gentle breeze.

"Come down for dinner," the tiny voice called out, the words laced with a hint of forced brusqueness, as if the speaker was trying to mimic Reyna's harsh tone, but couldn't quite manage to conceal their natural gentleness.

"Dinner," Xenia scoffed, incredulous. Who did they think she was, that she'd willingly sit down to eat with strangers, in this place, and her current state? The very idea was laughable, and yet, her stomach growled in protest, reminding her that she hadn't eaten in who-knew-how-long.

The soft voice took on a slightly firmer tone, "You shouldn't waste any time, come with me." The words were still gentle, but laced with a hint of urgency, as if the speaker was trying to convey that Xenia's presence was required, and delay would not be tolerated.

Xenia rolled her eyes, her voice laced with disdain. "I'm not hungry," she said, the words dripping with dismissal, as if the very idea of eating in this place, with these people, was utterly repugnant to her.

The soft voice took on a note of warning, "The Alpha won't like that." The words were spoken with quiet gravity, as if the speaker was conveying a threat, however subtle, and Xenia's refusal to eat would have consequences that were best avoided.

"Like I care what he likes," Xenia rolls her eyes. 

The soft voice lingered for a moment, "Down the stairs to the left, that's where we eat. Just in case you change your mind." The words trailed off as the speaker's footsteps receded, growing fainter until they disappeared into the silence, leaving Xenia alone once more.

Xenia let out a frustrated sigh, ruffling her hair as she collapsed onto the bed, her back flat against the mattress. She stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind reeling. "What's going on?" she whispered to herself, desperation creeping into her voice. "Oh, goddess, what's happening to me?" The words tumbled out, a plea for answers, for rescue, for some semblance of control in a world that seemed to be spinning wildly out of her grasp.

*

Akira, a gentle omega with a submissive demeanor, made her way down the stairs, her footsteps quiet on the wooden steps. As a lowly omega, she was accustomed to blending into the background, avoiding attention whenever possible. Her earlier encounter with Xenia still lingered in her mind.

Akira settled onto the floor, her eyes cast downward as she began to eat her dinner. "She refused to come," she murmured, her soft voice barely audible over the clinking of utensils and muted conversations of the others. The room fell silent, with all eyes turning to Akira, awaiting further explanation, but she offered none, simply continuing to eat in silence.

A girl with a messy bob and a mouthful of food snickered, "What do you expect? An Alpha's daughter isn't exactly going to jump at the chance to eat with omegas." She shoveled another bite into her mouth, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she glanced around the room, seeking validation from the others. The atmosphere was tense, but the girl's careless comment seemed to diffuse some of the tension, earning her a few chuckles and nods of agreement.

Another girl, with a pinched expression, spoke up, "She should be grateful that she was invited to eat with us tonight." A chorus of nods and murmurs of agreement followed, before a third girl chimed in, "Yeah, she's supposed to eat with the slaves, not us." 

Akira's brow furrowed in concern, her voice tinged with unease, "Slaves?" The room fell silent, with all eyes turning to Akira.

Another girl nodded in agreement, "Exactly, aren't the slaves people like her, members of other packs that were... acquired?" Her voice trailed off, but a third girl picked up the thread, "But I heard she's the Alpha's mate," she said, her tone dripping with intrigue. 

Akira's voice was barely audible, a whispered secret amidst the din of conversation and clinking dishes. "But I heard she's the Alpha's mate," she repeated, her words hanging in the air like a challenge, or a warning. The room seemed to hold its breath as if waiting for someone to confirm or deny the rumor.

A girl with a knowing glint in her eye spoke up, "The Alpha doesn't regard her as his mate, she's just here to fulfill a prophecy." 

Akira's eyes darted around the room, her voice taking on a cautious tone, "Even so, I think we should all be careful around her. The Alpha will not be able to reject her, remember." The room fell silent, as if Akira's words had reminded everyone of the delicate balance of power within the pack, and the potential consequences of underestimating the mysterious stranger.

A girl with a sly smile spoke up, "He's going to manipulate her into rejecting him. If she's the one who rejects him, nothing will happen to the Alpha." 

Akira's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with concern, "And if she doesn't?" The room seemed to hold its breath as if everyone was waiting for the answer to Akira's question. The air was thick with unspoken implications, and the weight of the prophecy hung heavy over them.

A stern-faced older girl, her eyes blazing with intensity, turned on Akira, "Akira, you seem to be forgetting that she's our enemy, nothing more. Alpha Obed would rather die than acknowledge her as his mate. And let's not forget, her father was the one who killed our late Alpha. Don't be swayed by her, Akira. She's a foe, and we mustn't show her any quarter." The older girl's words were laced with venom, her tone a stark reminder of the deep-seated animosity between their pack and Xenia's family.

"Enough gossiping," The room fell silent as Ariel appeared behind them, her presence commanding attention. 

The girls flinched, their eyes darting downward in unison as they cringed beneath her gaze. Embarrassment flushed their faces, and they couldn't meet Ariel's eyes, fearful of being reprimanded. A collective sigh of relief whispered through the group; it could have been much worse if Reyna, their ruthless superior, had overheard them gossiping about the Alpha's affair. Ariel's stern expression seemed almost benevolent in comparison, and the girls counted themselves fortunate to have escaped a more severe punishment.

Ariel's gaze swept the room, her eyes lingering on each girl before coming to rest on Akira. "She refused to come down, I presume?" Ariel's voice was calm, but laced with an undercurrent of authority. She bent to pick up a plate of food, her flowing gown rustling softly as she moved. 

Akira swallowed hard, struggling to find her voice. "Y-yes," she stuttered, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"I see," Ariel murmured, her expression unreadable as she turned to head back up the stairs, the plate of food balanced delicately in her hand. 

One of the girls let out a disgruntled mutter, "That was my food..." she grouched. 

"You should be grateful she didn't scold you, you can go get another," the older girl in their midst said to her. 

*

"Coming in," Ariel announced her voice firm but polite, after knocking for several moments without receiving a response. She twisted the doorknob and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room to find Xenia standing motionless in front of the mirror, her gaze fixed on her reflection. The air was heavy with tension, and Ariel's presence seemed to barely register with Xenia, who didn't flinch or turn away from the mirror.

Xenia's mind was a maelstrom of thoughts, her emotions tangled in a knot of anxiety and uncertainty. Yet, as she gazed deeper into the mirror, her attention shifted to the figure standing behind her. Ariel's reflection came into focus, her elegant features and poised demeanor a striking contrast to Xenia's turmoil. For a fleeting moment, Xenia's thoughts stilled, and she allowed herself to appreciate the quiet beauty of the woman behind her.

Ariel bent down, her movements fluid and deliberate, as she carefully placed the plate on the stool beside the bed. Her voice was low and soothing, but laced with a subtle hint of warning. "Mena won't spare you once she arrives to perform the ritual. No one will care if you've eaten or not. But you need to stay alive. Whatever it takes." Ariel's gaze locked onto Xenia's reflection in the mirror, her eyes sparkling with a gentle intensity. "I'll be annoyed if you don't eat after I went to the trouble of bringing it to you," she added, her tone relaxed, but her words infused with quiet concern.

Xenia's gaze lingered on Ariel's reflection, a pang of wistfulness echoing through her mind. She couldn't help but think of her mother, and how thrilled she would have been to have a daughter as poised and beautiful as Ariel. The thought was a bittersweet one, and Xenia's expression remained stoic as she turned to face Ariel, who was now standing by the door.

 "It shouldn't get cold," Ariel said, her voice firm but polite, as she nodded toward the plate of food. Xenia's eyes met hers, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other. Then, Xenia's voice broke the silence, "What's your name?"

The lady paused like she was contemplating whether to tell her that. "Ariel," she spoke above her shoulder before exiting the room. 

Xenia's eyes drifted toward the plate of food, and for a moment, she simply stared at it. Something about Ariel's words had struck a chord within her. She felt a sudden surge of determination, a realization that she needed to fuel her body for the unknown challenges that lay ahead. With a newfound sense of purpose, Xenia walked over to the stool and sat down, her eyes fixed on the plate as she lifted the cover and inhaled the savory aroma. She picked up a fork and began to eat, the flavors dancing on her tongue as she savored each bite, her body slowly beginning to feel a sense of renewal and strength.

As Xenia ate, she wondered if the food was healthy. Her mind drifted to Obed, whom she hadn't seen since he brought her here. She recalled the girl's words: "The Alpha won't be happy if you don't eat." Xenia's curiosity was piqued, and she wondered what Obed was up to, and what he planned to do with her next.

Xenia soon drifted off to sleep, her full stomach and weary body finally surrendering to exhaustion. But a few hours into her slumber, she began to feel a strange, unsettling sensation. She writhed on the bed, her body twitching as if she were trapped in a vivid, disturbing dream. It felt as though something was stirring within her like unseen forces were shifting and awakening.

The sensations coursing through her body felt eerily familiar, like a long-forgotten memory. It was the same feeling she'd experienced a few days before her 18th birthday, the same feeling she and her mother had desperately prayed would return. But it had vanished, leaving her feeling lost and incomplete. Now, it was back. Xenia's heart skipped a beat as she realized the truth: her wolf had awakened. She could feel its presence, stirring within her, and it filled her with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

Xenia sat up with a jolt, panting heavily as her eyes scanned the dimly lit room. The single flickering candle cast eerie shadows on the walls, making it seem like the darkness itself was moving. Her heart racing, Xenia's gaze locked onto a figure standing in the shadows. At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but as she strained to see more clearly, her blood ran cold. The figure was real, its presence seeming to fill the room with an unsettling energy. Xenia's eyes widened in fear as she took in the woman's intimidating appearance.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Xenia's terrified scream pierced the night air, echoing through the entire pack's quarters.

Obed's eyes scanned the pages of the ancient tome, his mind devouring the secrets of power and immortality. But his focus was shattered by a sudden, ear-piercing scream. His scowl deepened as he wondered who dared to shatter the night's silence. And then, a jolt of pain struck his chest, making his heart thud wildly. He arched his back, his hands instinctively flying to his chest as if to calm the furious beating of his heart.

A low, rumbling "Roof" echoed through the night, and Obed's senses came alive. The sweet, intoxicating scent of the mate bond wafted into his nostrils, and he knew. He didn't want to be drawn in, but his feet seemed to move of their own accord, carrying him to the window. There, he froze, transfixed by the magnificent wolf before him. Her fur was a dazzling mix of silver and violet, shimmering in the moonlight. 

Obed's gaze lingered, drinking in the sight of her beauty. Wolves in his pack were rough and menacing, but this one... she was a work of art. 

"Is this a curse or a blessing?" he silently asked the moon goddess, his eyes still locked on the wolf.