ARIEL'S POV
The next morning, Ravenna woke me up and said it was time for breakfast. I felt so tired and wanted to sleep longer after being awake most of the night. But I didn't dare say a word. Somehow, those few hours of sleep felt better than many nights at the Moonshade pack.
Ravenna waited while I took a bath. When I stepped out, I was surprised to find a purple gown neatly laid on my bed with a curvy handwritten note that said, "Wear this, girl."
I blinked quickly, my heart pounding.
The dress smelled new. I wondered if Ravenna had worn it before. Why were they being so kind to me? It scared me.
Rhyder was nice before he threw me to the rogues.
What would happen when this "kind" phase ended? His betrayal had taught me that nothing lasts forever... especially good things.
I took the alpha's coat with me, hanging it on my bent elbow as we left Ravenna's house. I thanked her quietly for the dress. I hoped to return the coat when I met him for my punishment.
My heart skipped a beat at the thought.
"Please, what time is it?" I asked, hoping I still had time to finish breakfast before 7 a.m.
Ravenna checked her phone and smiled. "6:45 a.m."
I was starting to think she never spoke without smiling.
Fifteen minutes. That was all I had. I prayed to the goddess that I made it. The alpha had said my punishment would multiply if I was late.
Ravenna led me into a huge hall near the end of the massive compound. I was shocked by the crowd inside. It was so busy. Several long tables filled the space. People sat eating, some were being served. Happy chatter buzzed all around. It looked like a restaurant.
I glanced at Ravenna, confused.
"Pack members getting ready for work," she said as we approached a free table. "Some work in pack hospitals, warriors, craftsmen, farmers... all by choice," she added, noticing my expression shift.
Choice? What about the slaves? Were they here? No. These people looked too free, too happy to be slaves.
But why hadn't I seen any since yesterday? Maybe the alpha kept them somewhere else. That had to be it.
After my food was served, Ravenna stood up. My eyes followed her.
"You know your way out when you're done, right?"
"Are you going somewhere?" I asked quickly. I didn't want to be left alone. I didn't know anyone here.
"The alpha called. Yeah," she winked.
"I'll follow you. I still need to see him by 7," I said, standing.
"No. Stay and finish your breakfast. He'd be furious if you met him on an empty stomach."
She didn't wait for my answer before walking away.
I swallowed hard and looked down at my food. Nervousness tightened in my stomach making me lose appetite.
Just then, three girls came to join me at the table. I didn't say a word. I wasn't going to, until one spoke up.
"Hey, good morning."
I looked up to see a dark-haired girl with freckles smiling at me.
"Good morning." I forced a smile back.
"Seems like you're new here. I'm Rosalie. What's your name?"
I swallowed again, noticing the other two girls watching me closely. Their eyes weren't as friendly as Rosalie's.
I hesitated, then murmured, "Ariel."
"Table manners, girls," the raspberry-haired girl said with a mean look, like we were children.
I frowned but said nothing.
Rosalie rolled her eyes.
Just as I was about to go back to minding my own business, the bully spoke again.
"Is—that the alpha's coat?"
They all stared at the folded cloth beside me with shock, but the girl who asked looked more angry than surprised. How did she even recognize it? Maybe the scent?
"No, it's not," I replied flatly. I didn't like her tone at all.
"How could she possibly get hold of the alpha's coat, Isabella?" The girl with the short haircut sneered, trying to belittle me. "Even you have a hard time getting close to the alpha, remember? Not to mention a greenie."
I didn't know if she meant my eye color or that I was new to the pack. Either way, I didn't like her. I knew their type—men-chasers with too much lip gloss and too little sense, desperate for attention.
Rosalie shook her head again, clearly uncomfortable.
Remembering my meeting with the alpha, I quickly stood up, pushing my chair back. My heart pounded. I hoped I wasn't late yet.
"You're leaving?" Rosalie asked quickly.
I nodded. "Yeah. Do you have a phone? Can you check the time for me?"
Isabella's 'mini-me' chuckled, nudging her and muttering something I didn't care to catch.
"It's 6:56 a.m.," Rosalie said, and my heart dropped.
I thanked her and hurried out. As soon as I stepped outside the hall, I broke into a run toward the main building at the far end of the compound.
It hadn't seemed far when Ravenna and I came together, but now I wished the compound had cabs. The place was huge—houses spread far apart.
I'd never seen a pack compound this big, with so many homes inside. Did everyone live here, or were some still outside the walls?
I kept running, ignoring the few eyes that followed me. I was glad I wasn't wearing the alpha's coat anymore. I would've looked like a clown.
When I finally reached the main house, panting, I asked one of the guards at the door where Alpha Viktor's gym was.
He hesitated but finally pointed me in the right direction after I explained it was him who had called me.
I dashed into the grand building and followed the hallway until I reached what looked like the gym. Various equipment filled the room.
When I peeked inside, I saw two shirtless men, muscles ripped and glistening with sweat. I instantly recognized one — the man from yesterday, Drake, the one who had suggested the alpha throw me in a dungeon. But I didn't see the alpha anywhere.
Had Ravenna lied to me?
Before I could turn away, Drake's eyes locked onto mine and my heart skipped. He looked... cold. Just like his alpha.
"Hey," he called out before I could run off.
I froze, pulse racing, but forced myself to stay calm. I remembered my Luna training — it was okay to be afraid, but never show it to your enemy.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, stepping closer while the other guy ran on a machine, not bothering to spare a glance.
"I... was looking for the alpha," I said, trying to steady my voice.
Drake paused, studying my face like he was trying to place me. When he did, his gaze sharpened.
I swallowed hard. Was he remembering how he saw me yesterday? I wished I could disappear.
"The alpha already left the gym," he said finally, voice softer now. "He should still be on the porch if you hurry."
His sudden change in tone confused me, but I didn't have time to think. I turned and ran toward the place Ravenna had taken me yesterday.
The clock must've passed seven by now. I could only hope the devil would see how stressed I was and show mercy.
When I reached the porch, I found him sitting back in a singlet that showed off his toned arms and shorts revealing veiny, hairy legs. He was smoking a cigar, and I swear, he looked hotter than the flames.
He snuffed it out as soon as I stepped in and glanced up with a lazy smirk.
He ignored my heavy panting, glanced at his phone, then murmured without looking at me, "You're late."
I swallowed hard and hurried to explain, "It wasn't my fault, I went—"
"By fifteen whole minutes," he cut me off, his gaze meeting mine, sharp and intense.