Chapter 34 Respect is fragile

Chapter 34 Respect is fragile
Cjapter 34

Annie’s POV

The night did not bring rest.

I lay on my bed, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. The room felt smaller than usual, like the walls were slowly closing in on me. The silence was heavy. Even the wind outside sounded careful, like it didn’t want to disturb my thoughts. My chest felt tight, like someone placed a stone on it and refused to take it away.

Respect is fragile, I realized.

It takes years to build.

Only minutes to break.

I turned on my side and hugged my pillow, pressing my face into it. Memories flooded my mind without mercy.

I remembered the first day I stepped into this pack. I was covered in dust and blood from training, my clothes torn, my hands shaking from exhaustion. Wolves had stopped what they were doing just to stare at me. Their eyes were full of doubt. Some were curious. Most were suspicious.

Outsider.

That word followed me everywhere.

I remembered how I ignored them. How I trained longer than everyone else. How I woke up before dawn and slept after midnight. I remembered falling during training and getting up again, my knees bleeding, my muscles screaming. I remembered holding my tears back because warriors do not cry in front of others.

I earned this life.

So why does it feel like it’s slipping through my fingers?

I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling again. My heart felt tired. Not my body—my heart. Fighting enemies was easier than fighting whispers.

By morning, my body moved before my mind was ready. I washed my face and looked at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes looked tired, but there was still fire in them. That fire had not gone out yet.

I straightened my shoulders.

I will not hide.

I walked out of my room and headed toward the dining hall. The smell of food filled the air, but my stomach twisted. I already knew what waited for me inside.

Wolves sat in small groups, eating, laughing, talking freely.

The moment I stepped in, everything changed.

Voices lowered.

Laughter faded.

Silence spread like a shadow.

Too many eyes turned toward me.

I walked slowly, pretending I didn’t notice. My steps felt heavier than usual. I picked up a plate and stood in line. The maid serving food avoided my eyes. Her hands shook slightly as she placed food on my plate.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

She nodded quickly and turned away, like my voice scared her.

My fingers tightened around the plate.

I walked to a table and sat down.

Alone.

I ate, but the food tasted like ash. Every bite felt heavy in my mouth. I could feel eyes on me. Not open hatred.

Something worse.

Fear.

Doubt.

Whispers floated around me like poison in the air.

“…Caleb…”

“…trouble…”

“…outsider…”

My heart clenched painfully.

Celeste.

I didn’t need to see her to know she was behind this.

Later that day, I walked past the servants’ corridor. I was about to turn the corner when I heard her voice. Soft. Calm. Caring.

“I’m only worried,” Celeste said gently. “This pack has known peace for so long. Annie’s past is… complicated.”

Someone answered quietly, “But she saved lives. She fought for this pack.”

Celeste sighed, like she was carrying a heavy burden. “Yes. She did. I respect her strength. But danger follows her. Caleb will never stop looking for her. I don’t want this pack to suffer because of one person.”

I stepped back before they could see me.

My hands shook.

She was not lying.

That was the worst part.

Caleb is danger.

My past is heavy.

But I never brought war here.

I walked outside, needing air. The sky was covered with dark clouds. The wind brushed my face, cold and sharp. I welcomed it. Pain was easier than this quiet rejection.

A young wolf passed me and bowed quickly, then rushed away like he was scared to stay too long near me.

I stopped walking.

Is this how they see me now?

A threat?

A curse?

My wolf stirred inside me, restless and angry.

They are forgetting who you are, she said.

“I know,” I whispered.

My fists clenched at my sides. My nails dug into my palms.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to storm into the hall and confront Celeste. I wanted to ask her why she smiled at me in private but slowly destroyed me in public.

But I didn’t.

Because warriors choose their battles.

And this one… this one hurt too much.

By evening, the change was impossible to ignore.

Guards no longer stood close to me.

Maids avoided my path.

Some wolves stepped aside when I walked by—not out of respect, but fear.

Even the walls felt colder.

I walked through the pack house like a stranger in a place I once called home.

When I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. My breathing shook. My chest ached.

“I did everything right,” I whispered.

My voice broke.

“I did everything right.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away fast, angry at myself.

I will not cry for whispers.

But deep inside, a painful truth settled in my heart.

This pack loved me for my strength.

Now they feared me for my past.

And Celeste… she didn’t need claws or fangs to hurt me.

She only needed words.

Soft.

Careful.

Deadly words.

I stood up slowly and walked to the window. I looked out at the pack grounds, at the wolves moving around, laughing, living.

I placed my hand over my heart.

If they think I will break…

They don’t know me at all.

Because I am still a warrior.

And warriors do not fall quietly.