Chapter 1 Behind These Walls

My knees ache against the cold stone as I scrub the entrance hall floors. Beta Marcus's words from this morning still ring in my ears: "Every inch better shine for Alpha Jason's return ceremony, or you'll be sleeping in the dungeons." Another servant rushes past, deliberately knocking over my bucket. Water spreads across my half-finished work. "Oops." Sarah's mock sympathy drips like poison. "Better hurry, cursed one. Beta Marcus is inspecting in ten minutes." I bite my tongue until I taste blood. Seventeen years of this treatment has taught me silence is survival. Even the lowest-ranked wolves look down on me – the abandoned omega, the pack's shame. "Fynn!" Beta Marcus's voice booms through the hall. Too soon. My heart slams against my ribs. "Beta, I—" The words die in my throat as his boot leaves a muddy print on my clean floor. "What's this?" He gestures at the wet mess. "Slacking off again?" "No, Beta, I—" His hand strikes fast as a snake. The force sends me sprawling into the puddle. "The Alpha returns tonight with the Raven Pack's princess." He leans down, voice dropping to a growl. "If you embarrass this pack before our guests, you'll wish you'd never been born." "Yes, Beta." I keep my eyes down, shoulders hunched. "The kitchens need help." He turns away. "Clean yourself up first. You look disgusting." I wait until his footsteps fade before touching my stinging cheek. The servants around me pretend not to notice, as always. The kitchen chaos hits like a wall of sound. Pots clang, orders fly, and the air burns with spices and tension. "You're late!" Head Cook Mary snaps. "Start on those dishes. And don't you dare break anything this time." My hands plunge into scalding water. The steel sink holds more dishes than I've ever seen – the Raven Pack's entire delegation will feast here tonight. "Did you hear?" A kitchen maid whispers too loudly. "Princess Ava's father is negotiating her mating with Alpha Jason." "Finally, a proper Luna." Another joins in. "Strong bloodlines, not some weak omega." The words shouldn't hurt anymore. But they do. A commotion erupts outside – vehicles arriving, doors slamming. The Raven Pack delegation. "Places, everyone!" Mary shouts. "And you—" She jabs a finger at me. "Stay out of sight. Don't ruin this for the pack." I shrink deeper into the kitchen's shadows as wolves in fine clothes sweep past the doorway. A woman's laugh cuts through the noise – cruel and confident. "What a quaint little pack." The voice drips with disdain. "Jason darling, you simply must let me renovate once we're mated." My hands tighten on a plate. Princess Ava. Even without seeing her, I can feel the power rolling off her in waves. The plate slips. I lunge to catch it. *Crash*. Silence falls like a blade. "What was that?" Princess Ava's voice turns sharp. "Jason, don't tell me you keep incompetent servants?" Heavy footsteps approach the kitchen. My heart stops. I dive behind the pantry door just as shadows fill the doorway. From my hiding spot, I catch a glimpse of the Alpha's broad shoulders, Princess Ava's perfectly manicured hand on his arm. "Probably just a cat." His deep voice resonates through my bones. "Come, the feast awaits." They leave, but I remain frozen. That voice... something about it... "Girl!" Mary's harsh whisper breaks through my daze. "Clean up that mess before someone sees it!" I gather the broken pieces with trembling hands. Tonight's feast will change everything – I can feel it in my bones. I just don't know if that's a blessing or a curse. What I do know is this: I need to stay invisible. Stay silent. Stay alive. If only fate would let me.