Chapter 2

They say the Shadow Fang Pack is cursed. I never believed in curses… until now I witnessed it.

Laying down there with exhausting pain from my stomach. I was exhausted, my battered body offering no resistance than for me to close my eyes. But then the scuffs round my wrist and dragged down to God knows where.

"Another rogue?" a deep voice sneered, jerking my weak face up.

The warriors surrounding me are huge.

My knees ached, I sustained bruises. I wasn't allowed to collapse. Instead I was held up by two soldiers and my knee crushed the floor.

The stories say no one enters these packs and leaves alive. I hold onto one desperate hope—they’ll kill me quickly.

When we reach the center of the pack’s stronghold, the warriors shove me onto my knees before a throne. The man who was seated upon it was no other than Killian Wolfe. The Lycan King.

He looked down at me and a smirk flashed across his face. "Another trespasser. Execute her." He ordered.

The command was so fast and final, that the warriors moved without hesitation.

A blade was drawn out, then two hands yanked back my hair, exposing my throat. It hurts. I only allowed the tears to drop uncontrollable down my cheeks.

Then Killian froze, like he was curious. His expression flashes for just a moment, too fast for me to understand what was up.

"Wait." He pointed.

The warrior holding me hesitates, pulling his blade down.

Killian stands slowly from the throne, his eyes piercing me as he approaches me. I wasn't comfortable with the look with each step he took closer to my heart.

"Your scent…" he murmurs. Standing before me.

I was shocked. Not knowing what he meant by that.

The warriors exchange glances, confused.

"She’s dangerous," he finally says. "But she is going to be useful to us. Take her to the lower chambers."

Before I can question my fate and contemplate what he meant that I am, I was yanked up and dragged away. Not to my death, but to something potentially worse.

The lower chambers reek of damp stone and old blood. The iron bars slam shut behind me. My body aches, my side still bleeding from the wounds Damien’s wolves left behind.

I curl up on the straw-covered floor, willing myself to stay strong. If I cry, it will only prove I’m weak. I won’t give them that satisfaction that I am weak.

I don’t know how long I will start here, before Killian will release me.

The two guards dragged me effortlessly into the dark cell. It was a cell created for spies caught. The cell was dark, filled with cobwebs, the bad scent suffocating me. The guards pushed me in with force, I fell but was lucky to crush with my hands. My stomach hurts badly, tears roll down my cheeks. My baby.

“Mommy will protect you always” I murmured under my breath.

The doors swing open suddenly, I quickly wipe off the tears which had soaked my face.

“ You are wanted,” the guard scoffed. Without getting a response from me, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me off. Shivers were running down my spine but I couldn't complain. The stress was becoming unbearable and the thought that I couldn't make it alive hit me badly. But I wasn't ready to lose my unborn child.

This is no ordinary packhouse. This is a palace.

Killian was waiting at the end of the long table, his piercing gaze fixed on me as we approached. I brace myself for whatever comes next. Maybe death.

The guards made me bow to my knee as we got where he was. Lowering my head to avoid the tears which had circulated in my eyes but was crushed by his next word.

"From now on, you belong to me," he says smoothly. "You will serve as my personal maid."

Shock flares through me. "What?"

He smirks. "You heard me. You should be grateful, rogue. It’s better than rotting in a cell."

Better? Maybe. But the way his eyes gleam tells me there’s more to this than meets the eye.

……The palace is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Whispers follow me wherever I go. I learn quickly that no one here is safe. The maids move like ghosts, avoiding eye contact. The warriors are brutal, their loyalty to Killian, absolute. And then there are the women.

His former lovers.

They watch me like vultures circling a dying animal. It doesn’t take long before one of them makes a move.

I’m cleaning the dining hall when a tray was placed before me. And a maid I did not know said. "You should eat before continuing with your tasks, per His Majesty's request."

Something isn’t right.

The other maids stop what they’re doing, waiting. Watching.

I glance down at the food, my instincts screaming at me to eat. The scent was wrong.

The thought of the food being poison struck me.

I scoop the meal, pretending to take a bite from it. Then, in a swift motion, I poured it to the floor. The tray crashed, spilling its contents over the floor.

Silent took over. The maid’s expression twisted into something cruel as she stared badly at me. “How could you waste the meal!"

I stepped closer to her, my voice was low. "Tell whoever sent you that they’ll have to try harder." I spat

She didn't answer, but the promise in her eyes is clear. This isn’t over.

Later that night, I collapsed onto the bed in my small quarters where Killian had ordered me to stay. My body is exhausted and in pain all over. From the beating received, the humiliation and now becoming Killian's personal maid with my pregnancy which he is yet to know about.

My mind was racing with questions.

Why did Killian spare me? What does he see in me that makes me ‘useful’? And how long before someone else tries to kill me?

I heard a sharp knock on the door, it swung open instantly Madam Yvette, the housekeeper walked in.

She leans against the doorframe, with her arms crossed. "I see you enjoying your stay already,” she spat. I was confused but remained quiet.

She walked closer to me, lowering her voice . “I was the mastermind behind you becoming the personal maid.”

My blood ran cold. Barely raising my head up, I wanted to speak but no word was formed.

“I can make him rip you in seconds so be careful”

With that she left the room, slamming the door behind her.

What does she mean?