THE GAME OF WOLVES

urt her sore knees, but the Alpha's house remained unforgi

in tight circles, back and forth. The rough surface scraped a

on the floor. They had learned to make themselves invisible. Invisibility was a skill here. Those who had n

work!" the Head Omega's v

s was her reality, not just today or this moment. Ever since she had been old enough to hold

mo

tched across

first. Polished black. Ex

nd her stomach sank wh

The Alp

im. Backs straightened. Voices faded. He stood with the confidence of someon

away. She had learned one

Caden. Don't s

oor, waiting for his

did

words, the devil's daughter. She moved with complete confidence, carrying the pride of someone born into wealth and power.

owed in her eyes. Their eyes met for only a moment before Lina looked away

d. Pain spread across her cheek as she reached out to steady herse

lted. She blinked through t

is

e it was

aist, her face perfectly calm. It was c

" she asked with a sc

wering her head again. "I wasn't

aring," Keis

ould never..."

ng me a liar?"

he truth. It was about reminding Stella of her place, and it was working. Shame settled over her, heavy and hard to

arm around his waist, making it clear to everyone th

nough for everyone to hear. "Wolfl

eople c

nd took a step back. Without saying

d anything.

nd. There was no warmth in his gaze, but there was no cruelty either. Just an unreadable loo

at, he w

ooked down at Stella. Her expression held no pity

peared at the center of the hall, and spoke

-five l

face-down on the thin mat she shared with Lina. Her cheek rest

not to thi

throbbed with every breath, and each small movement brought the

n't eaten. Then again

softer than anyone would expect. But her hands were shaking. Every now and then, Lina stopped, trying

a whispered, her voice

a answere

in

but a weak sob escaped her

dim light coming from the window. Lina's eyes were red. Her l

oftened ins

ore than I am,"

red, quickly wiping he

aised an

the one who got beaten i

ut an offe

ng," Lina sai

ou soaking my b

e oil," Li

in

rs shaking. For a few seconds, she let herself cry before sitting upright aga

voice still shaking. "Ma

nds on her back. Still, the sound filled the small room and ma

tared

hed? Right now

y face when you

darkness, the cold, and the soaked cloth still

fidently, "I'll cry so lou

d. "I'd rather switch rooms

gh not to carry through the walls, but warm

mega's voice sudden

hts

down beside Stella, resting her

f them sp

na's shoulder was warm beneath her head. That night, for the first time in longer than she

ving. The metal clang broke the silence before dawn. It echoed through t

o sleep too deeply here. Deep sleep meant being slow to wake, and be

vement. She pressed her lips together and forced herself to keep going. Around her, the other Omegas were already on the

ies of her dress in the darkness. Lina quickly came over and h

ella mumbled qu

aid with a smirk, then winked

a always had a way

's arms no longer

ast meat, fresh bread, and something warm and sweet she couldn't quite

bs, tight and heavy. No matter how hungry they were, Omegas never ask

ne task after another, until the afternoon ligh

garden when she

e. The air smelled of soil and greenery, and if she kept her eyes on the ground an

m the base of a low hedge

fted h

the flat expression of someone who thought the task was beneath

wants to see you,