Chapter 29 Chapter 29
ANNA’S POV
The moment my stepmother said those words, something inside me broke.
"You’ve been chosen!"
For a long time, I’d always done what she said. When she yelled, I bowed. When she insulted me, I stayed quiet. When she humiliated me in front of others, I bit my tongue and let her win, but this time…
This time, she went too far.
“I’m not doing it!” I snapped, my voice trembling as I spoke. My hands balled into fists even though they were shaking. “I’m not dancing for those arrogant bastards.”
The kitchen went silent.
You could hear the fire crackle, the spoons clink faintly in pots, and the air itself freeze around us as soon as I disobeyed her instruction.
My stepmother blinked once, then slowly turned her head toward me. “What did you just say?”
I lifted my chin, facing her in defiance. “I said I won’t do it. I won't dance for the Alpha Kings like a stripper. I won't do it, mother.”
Her lips parted slightly in disbelief, and for the first time, I saw real shock in her eyes. She wasn’t used to me talking back at her.
I wasn’t used to me talking back at her either.
Then her face twisted—anger, rage, and humiliation. “You will do as you’re told!” she hissed, stepping closer. “You worthless little—”
“I’m not your slave!” I shouted, stepping back. “You can force me to clean, to cook, and to scrub your disgusting floors, but you can’t make me dance for those men!”
The maids gasped quietly. Some stepped away, while others stared at us like they were watching a fire spread.
Her hand shot out, grabbing my arm so hard it hurt. “You think you have a choice?” she snarled. “Do you think I raised you all these years just so you could shame me in front of the kings?”
“You didn’t raise me!” I spat. “You ruined me.”
Her eyes flashed. “You ungrateful brat!” She slapped me so hard my cheek burned. My head turned with the force, and for a second, everything blurred. The maids flinched, but no one dared move.
Tears burned in my eyes, but I didn’t cry. I wasn't going to show her I was weak. I straightened up slowly, my jaw trembling but my voice becoming louder. “You can hit me all you want. I’m not going to dance for those men.”
Her nostrils flared. “Guards!” she screamed.
Two guards appeared behind her instantly, tall and armored, their expressions unreadable. They didn’t even look at me. They just waited for her command like trained dogs.
“Take her to the hall!” my stepmother ordered coldly. “If she refuses, drag her there!”
“No!” I screamed out, backing away in fear. My hands trembled as my back hit the kitchen table. “Don’t touch me!”
The guards stepped forward.
Something in me snapped, and I shoved the table hard toward them. Pots clattered, bowls shattered, and soup splashed across the floor. Steam hissed as hot stew hit the ground.
The guards stumbled slightly, surprised.
That was my chance.
I turned and ran.
“Stop her!” my stepmother screamed out in horror.
I didn’t look back. My bare feet slapped against the floor as I dashed through the narrow halls. The castle smelled of wine and roasted meat, the sound of drums and laughter echoing faintly from the great hall where the Alpha Kings were already feasting.
They were waiting for me—to dance, and to humiliate myself for their entertainment.
Over my dead body.
I darted into a side corridor, my heart pounding so hard it hurt. My dress caught on a sharp corner, tearing at the hem, but I didn’t stop.
I just kept on running.
Guards shouted behind me. Their boots thundered against the floor, and I could hear my stepmother’s furious voice faintly.
“Don’t let her escape!”
Tears blurred my vision as I sprinted past the servants’ quarters, past the linen rooms, past the grand staircase where candles were all over the walls. I didn’t even know where I was going—I just knew I had to get out of the castle and escape.
At the far end of the corridor, I saw a small door half-hidden behind a tapestry. I remembered it—it led to the back courtyard. It was where the maids used to sneak leftovers to the dogs.
I pushed the tapestry aside, my fingers fumbling with the latch. It was stiff, rusty, and my heart raced faster with every shout behind me.
Finally, it gave way, and I stumbled outside. I continued running again—across the courtyard, through the garden. My lungs burned, my feet ached, but I didn’t care. I could almost see the outer gates in the distance, promising freedom.
If I could just make it there, maybe I could hide in the woods. Maybe I could find another pack, another life.
Anywhere but here.
Then someone grabbed me from behind.
I screamed and kicked wildly. “Let go of me! Let go!”
The guard’s arms were like iron on my wrists. “Stop fighting!” he grunted, holding me tight as I struggled. My nails scratched his armor as I tried to twist free, but he was too strong.
Two more guards ran up. My stepmother followed moments later, her face covered with anger.
“You stupid, foolish girl!” she spat, marching toward me. “Do you know what you’ve done?!”
“Let me go!” I shouted, still trying to break free.
She slapped me again, this time harder. My head snapped to the side, and I tasted blood on my lip.
“You’ve embarrassed me before the Alpha Kings!” she hissed. “You think they’ll forgive me for losing the stupid maid who’s meant to dance for them? You think they’ll spare you? You’ll dance, Anna. Even if I have to drag you there by your hair.”
I stared at her, breathing hard. “You disgust me!”
She raised her hand again, but the guard holding me spoke softly, uncertainly, “Ma’am, maybe we shouldn’t—”
“Shut up!” she snapped. “She’s mine to discipline.”
My chest heaved. “I’d rather die!” I shot back.
For a second, silence fell.
The breeze stirred the leaves, cold against my tear-streaked face. My stepmother froze—her eyes wide, her hand still in the air. Maybe she thought I was bluffing. Maybe she saw something in my face that scared her, because for the first time, she hesitated.
I didn’t move. I just stared at her, trembling, but unbroken. “You can beat me, lock me up, and throw me in front of those monsters—but I’ll never dance for them.”
Her lips curled into a cruel smile. “Then you’ll learn the hard way.”
She turned to the guards. “Take her to the cell below the hall. Keep her there until the kings are ready. If she screams, gag her. If she fights, tie her hands.”
“No—!” I started, but the guards grabbed me again.
“Please!” I shouted, thrashing against their grip. “Don’t let her—please, I can’t—”
They didn’t listen. My feet dragged against the gravel as they hauled me back toward the castle. I couldn't believe that freedom had been right there.
And I lost it.
The guards pulled me inside the castle again. The heavy doors closed behind us with a thud that felt like a final sentence. My stepmother walked ahead proudly, her back straight, her anger turning into smug satisfaction.
The corridors were quieter now. The music and laughter from the feast echoed faintly above us, mocking me. I could almost hear the kings’ drunken voices, their laughter rolling through the walls.
The guards stopped before a small iron door.
“Open it!” she ordered.
One of them shoved the key into the lock, and the door creaked open, revealing a small, dark cell.
“No,” I pleaded, shaking my head. “Please, don’t!"
My stepmother smiled faintly. “You should’ve obeyed me when you had the chance, Anna.”
The guards threw me inside, and I stumbled to the ground, the floor biting into my knees. Before I could stand, the door slammed shut behind me.
The lock clicked.
I pressed my hands against the cold metal bars. “You can’t keep me here!” I shouted. “You can’t!”
Her voice came through the door, calm, almost sweet. “You’ll thank me when you finally learn your place in this Pack.”
I slammed my fists against the door, screaming. “I’ll never thank you!”
Her footsteps faded away.
The torches outside flickered once and went dark. I was left alone in the cold, heavy silence—my cheek still stinging from her slap.
For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t just scared.
I was angry enough to fight back, no matter the cost. Because if I stayed silent in this cell, she’d win.
And I’d rather die than let that happen...