Chapter 29 CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ALORA
"Happy almost birthday," Sarah says, setting down my breakfast tray. "Three more days until you're eighteen."
I stare at the food, my stomach churning. Three days. Three days until the anniversary of my first shift—the shift that revealed blood-red fur and changed everything.
Three days until my powers become even harder to control.
"You don't look excited," Sarah observes, sitting on the edge of my bed.
"I'm a slave. Birthdays don't mean much."
"Still. Eighteen is important. You're officially an adult in wolf law." She pauses. "Though I suppose that doesn't change much for you."
If only she knew. For blood-wolves, eighteen marks full maturity. When the healing abilities strengthen. When the scent changes, it becomes sweeter, more noticeable. When control becomes nearly impossible to maintain.
My mother warned me about this. Told me that after my eighteenth birthday, everything would be harder. The suppression, the hiding, the constant vigilance.
"Alora?" Sarah's hand touches my shoulder. "Are you okay? You've been different these past few days. Distant."
"I'm fine. Just tired." I force myself to eat a bite of toast. "The attack shook me more than I thought."
It's not entirely a lie. Five days since the Northern Pack's assault, and the pack house still feels tense. Guards everywhere. Patrols doubled. And Alpha Stone watching me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.
After Sarah leaves, I move to the bathroom and check my reflection. My eyes are brighter than usual, holding that subtle crimson undertone I've been fighting to suppress. My skin seems to glow slightly, and there's a faint sweetness to my scent that wasn't there before.
The signs are starting already. Three more days, and my blood-wolf nature will be impossible to hide.
I have to leave. Have to run before my birthday arrives and exposes everything.
A knock on the connecting door makes me jump.
"Alora. Training with Master Kane in ten minutes."
Alpha Stone's voice carries through the wood, as cold and distant as it's been all week. Ever since the attack, he's been treating me like any other slave—formal, detached, impersonal.
It should be a relief. Instead, it makes me more nervous.
"Yes, my Lord," I call back.
Training is torture. Master Kane runs me through the usual protocols—proper serving positions, correct responses to commands, appropriate behavior in the Alpha's presence. But my mind is elsewhere, planning escape routes, counting down hours.
"You’re absent-minded today," Master Kane observes, his cane tapping against the floor. "Where is your mind?"
Counting down the hours until my birthday destroys everything. Wondering which border has the weakest patrol. Trying to calculate how far I can run before they catch me.
"Here, Master Kane. My apologies."
"Apologies don't serve the Alpha well." He circles me slowly. "You've been distracted for days. The Alpha has noticed. He's... displeased."
My heart sinks. "I'll do better, Master Kane."
"See that you do." He consults his tablet. "You'll serve him dinner tonight. In his study. He has guests, council members discussing border security. You're to be invisible. Perfect. Any mistakes will reflect poorly on both of us."
"Yes, Master Kane."
After training, I return to my quarters and continue packing my escape bag. Food from the kitchen that won't spoil. A warm cloak. The small amount of money my parents gave me. It's not much, but it might be enough to get me far away.
The border patrols change shifts at midnight. If I can slip out during the transition, I might have a twenty-minute head start.
I'll head east, toward the unclaimed territories. It's dangerous—rogue wolves and worse—but it's my only option.
A soft knock interrupts my planning. I quickly hide the bag under my bed.
"Come in."
Sarah enters, looking worried. "Have you noticed the increased patrols? There are guards everywhere now. Even in sections that were never patrolled before."
My stomach drops. "Maybe it's because of the attack?"
"Maybe. But Alora..." She lowers her voice. "Some of the guards are watching this wing specifically. Watching your quarters. I heard Marcus tell them to note everyone who comes and goes."
They're watching me. Specifically me.
"Did they say why?" I try to keep my voice steady.
"No. But everyone's talking. Wondering why the Alpha has guards on a wolfless slave." She sits on my bed. "What's going on? What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing. I'm just a slave—"
"You're not just anything." She grabs my hands. "I've been your friend since you arrived. I know when you're scared. And you're terrified right now."
I want to tell her. Want to trust someone with the truth. But I can't put her in danger.
"I'm fine, Sarah. Really."
She doesn't believe me, but she doesn't push. After she leaves, I move to the window, watching the guards below. They're everywhere. More than usual. And their patrol patterns are tighter, more organized.
It's like they're preparing for something.
Or preparing to stop someone from leaving.
That evening, I serve dinner in Alpha Stone's study. He sits with Marcus and three council members, discussing reinforcements and strategy. I move silently around the room, refilling glasses, clearing plates, invisible.
"The Northern Pack has been quiet," one council member says. "Perhaps they've given up?"
"They haven't given up." Alpha Stone's voice is cold. "They're regrouping. Planning their next move."
"What could they possibly want that badly?" another asks. "We have nothing of value they don't already possess."
Alpha Stone's eyes flick to me for just a second before returning to his guests. "Intelligence suggests they're searching for something specific. Someone, actually."
My hands shake slightly as I pour wine. Does he know they're looking for me? Has he figured it out?
"A wolf?" Marcus asks.
"Possibly. The reports are vague." Alpha Stone leans back. "But whatever it is, they believe it's in our territory. And they won't stop until they find it."
"Then we should conduct a full territory sweep. Find whatever they're looking for before they do."
"No." Alpha Stone's voice carries finality. "We'll wait. Let them make the next move. I want to understand what we're dealing with before we act."
The conversation shifts to other matters, and I finish my duties, preparing to leave.
"Alora." Alpha Stone's voice stops me at the door. "A moment."
The council members file out, and suddenly I'm alone with him. He doesn't speak, just studies me with those piercing silver eyes.
"Your birthday is in three days," he says finally.
"Yes, my Lord."
"Eighteen. An important milestone." He stands, moving to pour himself another drink. "I trust Master Kane is preparing you adequately for your duties?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good." He turns to face me. "I may have special tasks for you after your birthday. Tasks that require... discretion."
I keep my eyes down. "Of course, my Lord."
"You've been a satisfactory acquisition so far. Obedient. Careful. Exactly what I require in a personal slave." His voice is emotionless, businesslike. "I expect that to continue."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Dismissed."
I flee to my quarters, my mind racing. Special tasks? What does that mean? And why specifically after my birthday?
Through the connecting door, I hear him moving around. Then his voice, speaking to someone—Marcus, probably.
"Increase the guard rotation around her quarters. I want eyes on her door at all times."
"You think she'll run?"
"I know she'll try. The question is when." Papers rustle. "The border patrols are ready?"
"Yes. Every exit is covered. If she tries to leave, we'll know within minutes."
"Good. I want her contained until after her birthday. After that..." A pause. "After that, we'll see what she really is."
My blood runs cold. He's been preparing for this. Watching me. Waiting for me to try to escape so he can... what? Catch me? Study me?
I sink onto my bed, staring at the small bag hidden underneath. Running is impossible now. The borders are locked down. The guards are watching.
I'm trapped.
Three days until my birthday.
Three days until my blood-wolf nature manifests fully.
Three days until Alpha Stone discovers the truth—whether I want him to or not.
And I have no idea what he'll do when he finally has proof of what I am.