Lesson to learn

Leah's POV

And then, mercifully, a sound reverberated from further down the corridor—a soft clatter, like a cup dropping on the floor.

The soldier’s head snapped to the side, his attention shifting. "What the hell was that?" he mummured, stepping away from were I was hiding, heading toward the sound.

I didn’t dare waste a second. As soon as he was out of sight, I crept out of the alcove, my body moving on pure instinct. My heart raced, every sound in the hallway now feeling deafening in my ears. I moved swiftly, quietly, knowing that even the smallest misstep could cost me everything.

When I finally reached my room, I paused outside the door. The weight of what had just happened—of how was nearly caught—hit me all at once. My body was shaking, my breath ragged as I tried to calm myself.

I pressed my hand against the door, the cold wood grounding me for a moment. And then, with a sharp breath out, I pushed it open, slipping inside as quietly as I could.

I leaned against the door, panting heavily, my body trembling from the sheer relief of having made it back. My chest rose and fell with each breath, my hands slick with sweat.

I had barely managed to escape.

The next day, I was back in Alpha Keal’s chambers, preparing the herbal paste for his wounds. His broad shoulders were stiff, and his jaw was set like tightly. The room was heavy with unspoken tension, but I didn’t care. He had called for me, and I’d come—reluctantly.

As I approached him, I steadied my hands despite the fire in his stare, I noticed the slightest flicker of annoyance n in his eyes. As usual, he didn’t say anything at first, simply observing me with that commanding presence that made the air feel heavier.

“This might sting,” I stated plainly, not bothering with pleasantries.

The moment the paste came in contact with his wound, he hissed, gripping the edge of the bed so tightly I thought he might break it.

“Damn it, Leah!” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

I didn’t flinch. “Stop moving,” I replied, applying more paste onto the deep gash on his shoulder.

“Moving?” he snapped, his head snapping to face me. “This feels like you’re rubbing fire into my skin! What kind of herbalist are you? A cruel one?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m the kind of herbalist who gets the job done, whether you like it or not.”

He let out a low growl, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “You’re unbelievable. A herbalist who doesn’t even tell her patient sorry! I’ve been sitting here groaning like a dying man, and you haven't for once show a hint of sympathy.”

I paused, meeting his gaze directly. “My job is to treat you, and not to pamper you. You’re an Alpha, not a child. If you want someone to pat your head and tell you it’ll all be fine, you’ve got the wrong person.”

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I feared I’d gone too far. But I couldn’t hold back. He was always so demanding, so used to people bending to his will. I wasn’t one of them.

“You really don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?” he said, his tone sharp enough to cut.

“Maybe if you stopped complaining too much, I wouldn’t have to say anything,” I shot back, placing the jar of paste down with a bit more force than necessary.

“Conplaining?” he repeated, his voice rising. “Do you have any idea who you’re talking to like that?”

“An injured Alpha who should be thanking me instead of complaining,” I said, crossing my arms.

He leaned forward, his imposing figure towered over me while deated. “You’ve got some nerve, Leah.”

“And you’ve got some patience left, apparently, because I’m still standing here,” I short back, matching his intensity.

“You’re nothing more than a human with no strength, Leah. Do you even realize who you’re talking to?”

I didn’t back down. Instead, I lifted my eyes to meet his, unbothered by his towering presence. “Oh, I know exactly who I’m talking to,” I said, my voice cold and sharp. “An Alpha who couldn’t find a single healer in his pack to tend to his wounds. Yet here you are, seeking help from humans you’ve turned into slaves to heal you.”

For a moment, there was silence, a tense standoff between us. His eyes searched mine, and I could tell he was trying to decide whether to laugh or throw me out of the room.

Finally, he leaned back, his lips twisting into a mischievous grin. “You know, Leah, you’re quite amazing. But you’ve pushed me too far today.”

I frowned, my heart racing at the abrupt shift in his demeanor. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He stood, towering over me, his face cold and unyielding. “It means I’m going to teach you a lesson. You need to understand your place in this pack.”

I bristled at his words, but before I could respond, he continued.

“Here’s the deal,” he said, his voice steady but filled with authority. “You’re going to choose how you want to be punished. Either you kneel down with your hands raised until noon, or you get flogged like the cooks were yesterday.”

“I would have had the soldiers flog you like they did to the cooks yesterday,” he said coldly. “But I’ll start with something smaller. For now.”

My mouth fell open in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I’m very serious,” he replied, his gaze unwavering. “And you’ve got only ten seconds to choose.”

I hesitated, my thoughts racing. Kneel with my hands up until noon? That was hours away. But being flogged? The memory of the cooks’ punishment flashed in my mind, and my stomach churned.

“I’m waiting,” he said, his tone mocking.

I swallowed hard, my pride clashing with my instinct for survival. “I can’t…” I finally replied, but my voice faltered.

He raised an eyebrow. “You can’t make a simple choice? Maybe I should choose for you, then.”

“Wait—”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words faltered in my throat as his body began to shift. His muscles twisted beneath his skin, his features sharpening, his eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

“Alpha…” I shouted, my voice faltering as his wolf form began to emerge.

“Enough,” he snapped, his voice resonating in the room. “Go to the dining room and kneel. With your hands up. Now.”

The finality in his tone left no room for argument. My stomach sank as I realized my stubbornness had landed me in this mess. His dark gaze pierced though me, and I understand he wasn’t joking.

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked toward the dining room, my legs feeling heavy.