Morning of chaos

Leah's POV 

Before I could process his words, he spun me around and grabbed me by the ear. A sharp, stinging pain shot through me as he began to pull me out of the kitchen.

“Alpha, please!” Rosa’s voice echoed behind us, but he ignored her.

“Will you shot up your mouth,” he barked without looking back. “All of you—stay exactly where you are unless you want things to get worse.”

He dragged me through the packhouse, his grip firm. I struggled to free myself from him, holding back the tears threatening to spill out. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

“Let go of me!” I shouted, fighting against his hold, but he only tightened his grip.

“You don’t have the right to give me orders,” he shouted. “Not here, not ever.”

When we finally reached my room, he swungbthe door open and pushed me inside. I stumbled, catching myself on the edge of the bed as he slammed the door shut behind him.

He loomed over me, his chest rising and falling heavily as he looked at me. “You think you’re stubborn, don’t you? Challenging me like that in front of everyone.”

I stood up immediately, meeting his gaze despite the fear churning in my stomach.“I think someone needs to stand up to you.”

His jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. Then, without a word, he began unbuttoning his shirt.

My heart raced. “What are you doing?” I asked, stepping back.

He didn’t reply, his actions was deliberate as he shrugged off his shirt and tossed it to the side.

“Stop it,” I said, my voice shaking despite my attempt to sound firm. “You don’t want to do this.”

Still, he said nothing, his hands moving to the waistband of his pants.

“Please,” I pleaded, my voice cracking. “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t—”

And then, just as suddenly as he’d started, he stopped.

For a long moment, he stood there, his chest exposed, his breathing heavy. His eyes pierced into mine, and for the first time, I thought I saw something other than anger in his gaze—something that almost looked like… conflict.

Then, without saying a word, he turned away. And grabbed his shirt, pulled it back on, and walked straight to the door.

He paused for a moment, his hand on the doorknob. “You think you’ve won?” he said, his voice low. “But I promise you, you haven’t. This isn’t over.”

With that, he yanked the door open and disappeared into the hallway, leaving me alone in the room.

The first rays of morning had barely broken when a sharp knock resonated through my door. I had barely begun to shake off the restless sleep that troubled me all night when the door swung open, and Aria, Alpha Keal's sister stepped Inside.

“Good morning Leah, the Alpha sent me,” she said without delay. “He said you should snd attend to his wounds.”

I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden entrance. Aria had the same striking features as her brother, but the way she approached people was different. Her tone lacked the sharp comnand that Alpha Keal wielded like a sword, and her expression didn’t carry the usual disdain I’d expected from anyone in his family.

“Okay,” I repeat, standing up from the mattress.

When we arrived at the Alpha’s quarters, Keal was seated on a grand chair, his posture stiff despite the bandages wrapped around his torso. The deep cut along his side, it was healing slower than expected.

My stomach churned immediately I sighted the cooks, the same ones who had been shaking under Alpha Keal’s wrath last night, were kneeling on the floor, their hands raised above their heads. Their faces were pale, their eyes hollow with fear.

Standing before them was Delta Terrian of the Golden Fields community. He was holding a pen, signing a paper laid out on a wooden table. Behind him, was a line of human slaves standing outside the door entrance, shackled  with chains. Their heads droooed, and their shoulders sagged, as if the weight of their shackles was nothing compared to the burden they carried in their souls.

I turned to Aria, who appeared just as anxious as I was, but neither of us said a word.

“Delta Terrian,” Alpha Keal said, his voice calm but commanding. “Everything is in order, I trust?”

The delta straightened, placing the pen into his coat pocket. “Yes, Alpha,” he replied, his voice steady. “The count matches the request—eighty human slaves for the upcoming farming season. Your efficiency never fails to impress.”

Keal smirked faintly. “And your obedience is what that keeps you alive.”

Terrian laughed, though it sounded forced. “A delicate balance, as always. Rest assured, they will be put to immediate use. The harvest is vital,  and these... tools will serve their purpose.”

Alpha Keal stepped closer, as he continued. “Remember this, Terrian. These slaves are not to be coddled. No kindness, no mercy. If any of them proves stubborn, remind them of their place. Break them if you must.”

Terrian nodded quickly, the initial amusement vanishing from his expression. “Understood, Alpha. I’ll ensure there are no... Issues. And if any of them misbehaves, I will do exactly what you've just said.”

Keal’s eyes narrowed. “See that you do. I don’t need distractions from your end.”

“Of course,” Terrian replied smoothly. He gestured to the slaves outside, who shuffled nervously under the watchful eyes of his soldiers. “We’ll be on our way then. I’ll send word once they’ve settled into their tasks.”

Alpha Keal gave a curt nod. “Do that. And Terrian?”

The delta paused, looking back at him. “Yes, Alpha?”

“If even one of them steps out of line, I want to hear about it. Personally.”

Terrian’s lips tightened, but he nodded. “Understood Alpha.”

With that, the delta turned and walked out of the hall. His soldiers barked orders, and the slaves began moving, their chains clinking softly as they shuffled away.

The hall fell silent once more, but the air was thick with tension. Keal turned his attention back to the cooks, who remained frozen in their kneeling positions.

“Do you think I’ve forgotten what happened last night?” he asked, his voice deceptively calm. “You thought you could fool me by lying to me. You thought you could lie to my face, huh.”

The cooks remained silent, their silence a mix of fear and frustration.

Keal’s expression darkened. “Are you people ready to say the truth now?!” he barked, his voice resonating through the hall.

One of the cooks, an older woman with streaks of gray in her hair, finally raised her head. “Alpha, please, we didn’t lie to—”