Serena's POV
The next morning came far too soon, jolting me awake with a sharp intake of breath. I grunted, grabbing my head that felt like it was being hit by a serrated bat and an anvil at the same time. The remnants of the nightmare I had endured clung to me like cobwebs.
The huge auburn wolf and the warlock fighting again. I had been having this same recurring dream ever since I got here but the question is…why? And strangely enough, their presence felt both foreign and strangely familiar. It was a confusing situation.
“What does this mean?” I pressed my fingers on my forehead, trying to push the images away.
For a moment, I considered seeking out a seer. They might have answers or some mystical insight into why I was having the same nightmare for two nights straight. But then, reality dawned on me.
Seers didn't come cheap but not only that, I doubted I would be granted permission to step out of the Alpha Palace to go in search of one. Even if I was allowed, I didn't have a single coin to spare. I hadn't even begun earning anything here, and I wasn't about to waste what little dignity I had left by begging someone for charity.
Groaning, I swung my leg over the side of the bed. My thoughts shifted to last night's ordeal with Liana, and I was furious.
That bitch could have clawed my face off if that hot guard hadn't come to my rescue in time.
She'll pay for that. Somehow, someway, she had to pay for putting her hands on me.
I trudged towards the bathroom. The image of Liana’s smug face, her claws ready to strike, played in my mind on repeat.
Reaching the mirror, I leaned forward, tilting my head to get a good look at the spot on my cheek where her slap had landed. I expected to see a nasty bruise—angry and purple from the sheer force of it—but my brow furrowed when I saw… nothing.
What the hell?
I pressed my fingers against my cheek, feeling for any soreness. Nothing. My skin was smooth, unblemished, and completely free of any mark. It was like the slap had never happened.
I stepped back from the mirror, my mind racing. This couldn’t be right. Back at the Valkar pack, even the smallest injuries would take ages to heal. I’d always needed a healer for anything more than a scratch—being wolfless had ensured that. But now, less than twelve hours after taking a full-force slap from a deranged maid, there wasn’t a trace of it left?
“What the actual fuck,” I muttered, staring at my reflection like it might suddenly offer me some answers. My heart thumped in confusion and… anger. I’d planned on testing the waters with this. I was going to let Alpha Kaidon see the mark, let him connect the dots, and then watch as Liana squirmed under his scrutiny. It was a perfect opportunity to start getting even.
And now? Gone. Ruined.
I clenched my jaw, gripping the edge of the sink as frustration bubbled up in my chest. I didn’t know whether to be grateful for this bizarre new development or furious that it had cost me my first shot at revenge.
My mind was whirring with thoughts on how I could exact revenge when a soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I realized that it was time for my morning maid duties in the kitchen.
I stomped over to the door, yanking it open.
Lily stood there, bright-eyed. “Good morning!” she chirped, hands clasped in front of her.
For a second, I just stared at her, blinking.
She tilted her head, her smile faltering. “Uh… Serena? Are you okay? You look a little… off.”
I snapped out of it, forcing a tight-lipped smile. “Morning, Lily,” I muttered.
She perked back up. “Good! Anyway, I just came to tell you that Cassie wants you in the kitchen. Remember, you’re in charge of cooking Alpha Kaidon’s meals now, so she says you need to be there early. You know how she is—‘no excuses.’” Lily chuckled, mimicking Cassie’s stern voice.
I barely registered what she was saying. My mind was still stuck on the slap, the missing bruise, and the ruined opportunity. But as I stared at Lily, an idea began to take shape.
A wild, crazy, reckless idea.
Before I could second-guess myself, I grabbed Lily by the arm and pulled her into the room.
“Whoa! Serena, what are you—?”
I slammed the door shut and locked it. Turning to face her, I felt a strange mix of determination and desperation settle in my chest.
Lily looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Okay… seriously, what’s going on? You’re acting weird.”
“Lily,” I began, my voice steady despite the erratic pounding of my heart. “I need you to do me a favor.”
She blinked, her confusion deepening. “Uh… sure? What kind of favor?”
I stepped closer, meeting her gaze head-on. “I need you to slap me.”
Lily’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“As hard as you can,” I continued, ignoring her shocked expression. “Right here.” I pointed to my cheek. “I need it to leave a mark.”
“Serena, have you completely lost it?” she asked, taking a step back.
“No, I’m serious!” I grabbed her hands, holding them tightly to keep her from bolting. “I need this, Lily. Just trust me, okay?”
Her mouth opened and closed as if she couldn’t decide whether to argue or scream. Finally, she blurted, “Why would you want me to—? No! I can’t do that!”
“Yes, you can,” I insisted, my grip tightening. “And you will.”
Lily crossed her arms, her eyebrows shooting up in exasperation. “Serena, you’re not making any sense. If you want me to do something this insane, you at least owe me an explanation. What’s going on?”
I huffed, running a hand through my hair. “Fine. You want the short version? Liana—our lovely coworker—lost her damn mind last night. She slapped me so hard, I saw stars. And I was going to use that to get back at her. I figured if Alpha Kaidon saw the bruise, he might care enough to question her. Maybe even put her in her place. But now?” I gestured to my flawless cheek. “It’s gone. Like it never happened.”
Lily frowned. “What did you do to make Liana pissed off at you?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea, but perhaps she heard that I spent a tad too much time inside Kaidon's dining hall when I went to answer his call.”
“That makes sense.” Lily sighed. “But what does this have to do with me slapping you?”
I leaned closer, my voice dropping. “I'm not sure you've noticed, Lily, but I'm wolfless. Injuries don’t just disappear for me. Back in the Valkar pack, even a paper cut needed a healer. But now? This thing healed itself overnight, and I don’t have a clue why. It’s freaky, and honestly, it’s messing with my plans. I need that mark back, and you’re the only one I trust to help me and not try to kill me in the process.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re wolfless?” she whispered, like I’d just confessed a dark family secret.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, congratulations on cracking that one. Now can we focus on the matter at hand?”
Lily sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Serena, this is crazy. You’re risking your neck over a slap? What if Kaidon doesn’t care? What if this just makes things worse?”
“I’ll take my chances,” I snapped, crossing my arms. “But I’m not letting Liana get away with this. Not when there's a chance to put her in her place.”
Lily looked at me like I’d grown a second head. “This is still insane, you know that, right?”
“Sure,” I said with a shrug. “But insane works for me. Now stop stalling and just slap me already.”
Lily groaned, rubbing her temples. “You’re impossible, Serena.” She raised her hand hesitantly, her fingers trembling slightly.
I braced myself, standing tall.
Her slap landed… and it was laughable. A light tap at best. I didn’t even flinch.
“That was it?” I asked, blinking at her. “That was your big slap? Are you a wolf or a butterfly?”
Lily glared, her cheeks reddening. “I didn’t want to hurt you!”
“Well, you failed spectacularly,” I shot back, grinning. “Come on, Lily. You’re a wolf. Use your strength. Don't be a pussy.”
She scowled. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”
“Maybe, but I’m also right. Now hit me like you mean it.”
Lily clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. Her eyes began to shift, the faint glow of her omega wolf sparking to life. Her features sharpened slightly, her fingers elongating just enough to hint at claws.
“Careful what you wish for,” she muttered, her voice low and gravelly.
I raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Bring it.”
Her lips curled into a half-smirk, and she pulled back her hand. Power surged visibly through her arm, and as the tension in the air thickened, I suddenly questioned whether I’d pushed too far. Well it was already too late to back out now.
Lisa’s hand whipped forward and I closed my eyes, bracing myself for impact.