Chapter 3

Ella's POV

I returned to the servants' quarters.

Ruby sat on her bed mending clothes, and when she saw me enter, she looked up with concern. "Ella, are you alright? You look terrible."

I sat down on the edge of my own bed, silent for a moment.

Ruby set down her needle and thread, moving to sit beside me on my bed.

"Want to talk about it?" she asked gently.

I hesitated, then finally spoke. "Ruby, that Victoria Vane... what does she look like?"

Ruby paused, then understood what I was asking. She sighed and lowered her voice. "Miss Victoria is very beautiful—silver hair, emerald eyes, tall and athletic. They say her wolf form is even more stunning, pure white with eyes like rubies. The pack calls her the 'Silver Fang War Princess.'"

"Silver Fang War Princess?" I repeated the title.

"Yes, she inherited that name from her mother," Ruby continued. "During the war between our packs, General Vane's wife—the previous Silver Fang War Princess—severely wounded the Blood River's Crimson Flame Warlord in battle. But she paid a price too. Half her face was destroyed, and after that, her temperament changed completely. She became violent, unpredictable. Growing up in that environment, Miss Victoria..." Ruby paused with a bitter smile. "They say her temper is even worse than her mother's—more willful, more tyrannical."

My heart sank deeper.

How could such a woman of noble birth and formidable power possibly tolerate someone like me remaining by Kane's side?

Ruby watched my silence, then suddenly changed the subject. "You know, Ella, we've known each other all this time, but I've never seen your wolf form. Someone as beautiful as you must have a gorgeous wolf, right?"

I froze.

This secret—besides Kane, no one else knew.

Ruby noticed my reaction and quickly said, "Sorry, if you'd rather not say—"

"I don't have a wolf," I cut her off.

Ruby's eyes widened. "What? But your scent clearly—"

"Kane gave me a concealment stone." I pulled out the smooth, warm stone from beneath my collar. "As long as I regularly anoint it with a special herbal solution, it allows someone without a wolf to mimic a wolf scent."

Ruby stared at the stone for a long moment.

Finally, she gently squeezed my hand, her voice full of sympathy. "Wolfless, an enemy captive slave... Ella, your days here are going to get much harder."

I smiled bitterly and nodded, tucking the stone back beneath my collar.

Night fell, and I lay in bed unable to sleep. Ruby's breathing became steady from the neighboring bed, while I closed my eyes and dreams invaded.

I saw a scene of slaughter, blood flowing like rivers. Dozens of powerful wolf warriors were killing, the air thick with blood and desperate wails.

A small version of myself huddled in a narrow corner, trembling, fear nearly consuming me.

Suddenly, someone embraced me from behind.

I turned and saw the young Kane. His eyes were gentle, his lips moving as if saying, "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

But the next second, General Marcus's humiliating words tore through this tender illusion—"enemy filth," "bed slave," "tool."

From the depths of memory, a lone wolf with crimson fur appeared. She was bound by heavy chains yet still held her head high. She lifted her gaze, eyes like wildfire, flames surging as if to burn across the entire wasteland.

I jolted awake, gasping.

Then I realized someone was holding me from behind.

Kane.

His breath fell warm against my neck, his arm tight around my waist.

This position was so familiar—in Blood River, whenever I had nightmares, he would hold me just like this.

My body relaxed for an instant, nearly surrendering to this long-missed warmth.

"You're awake?" Kane's voice rumbled low near my ear.

I didn't answer, though my body stiffened involuntarily.

"Ella," he continued, his voice carrying a certain weariness, "I have things I must do now that I've returned to the pack. Only by seizing power can I do as I please. By rights, I should have been the Alpha's primary heir—I'm brave, intelligent—but because of the hostage exchange, the position of heir went to Julian instead."

He paused, his fingers lightly tracing my wrist. "Victoria commands the warrior units. Her family controls military power. Becoming her mate..."

He didn't finish, but I understood.

He needed Victoria's backing, needed the warrior forces' support.

"You know," Kane's voice dropped lower, carrying suppressed anger, "the current Alpha's Luna was originally supposed to be my mother. But Julian's mother stole my father away. My mother endured tremendous suffering to give birth to me, then died."

His arm tightened, making it hard to breathe. "So I need you to wait a little longer. Wait until I have absolute authority."

I closed my eyes, tears falling silently.

"I understand," I heard myself say, my voice hollow and terrible.

Kane seemed about to say more, but in the end only held me tighter.

The next morning, he slipped away quietly.

I rose alone, mechanically washing and dressing. When Ruby woke, I was already preparing to leave.

"Ella, where are you going so early?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"To gather herbs," I said. "The concealment stone's potency is fading."

Ruby immediately became alert, frowning. "But the herb-gathering place is by the cliffs—it's dangerous—"

"I'll be careful."

I didn't wait for her to protest further, taking my basket and leaving.

The cliffs lay on the northern edge of the estate, where many rare herbs grew. The herb I needed only grew in crevices along the cliff face.

I climbed carefully, fingers gripping the rock tightly. Just as I reached for the herb, the stone beneath my feet suddenly loosened.

I lost my balance, my body tilting backward.

Just as I thought I would plummet from the cliff, a powerful force caught me.

A magnificent gray wolf appeared beside me, blue eyes gleaming in the sunlight. He steadied me with his body, then gracefully brought me back to safe ground.

Before I could thank him, the wolf shifted into human form before my eyes.

I instinctively turned my face away—he was naked, his muscles perfectly defined, skin glowing healthy in the sunlight.

Just then, several guards rushed over, one immediately removing his coat and respectfully offering it to the man.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

Your Highness?

I looked up in shock, finally seeing clearly who had saved me.

Golden hair, blue eyes, features beautiful to the point of perfection, every movement carrying an innate elegance and authority.

"Thank you for saving my life, Your Highness." I hastily bowed, lowering my head, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Lift your head," his voice was gentle. "Let me see if you're injured."

I hesitantly raised my head, meeting those azure eyes.

"You're the slave Kane brought back from Blood River, aren't you?" he asked. "Ella?"

I froze.

The current Alpha heir—Julian Argyle—how did he know my name?