Annie only recognized her now—Aria Darrin, the alpha's personal mistress. She had been with the alpha throughout their period of slavery.

Aria looked so different now, dressed in a beautiful gown, her face no longer smudged with soot.

Her black hair was elegantly tied atop her head, and her lips were no longer chapped but as red as a blooming rose.

"She can't wear something like this!" Annie protested, refusing the item inside the paper bag that Aria handed her.

"Why can't she? She's no longer the alpha's daughter. She's a slave now," Aria scoffed, her eyes full of disdain. "Or would you prefer she wear nothing at all, since you don't like the dress?"

Annie stiffened. She knew they could do that to Aurora now—she was nothing but a slave. No longer the alpha's daughter, her status was even lower than that of an Omega in this pack.

"You can choose for her, seeing how worthless she is," Aria said with a sneer, glancing into the room again but still unable to catch sight of Aurora.

Annie could do nothing but clutch the fabric tightly in her hand.

"Tell her, if she wants to survive, she needs to get rid of her attitude and start to think what she can do to keep herself alive. That's what all the slaves in the Howling Wolf pack did when your alpha enslaved us."

With that, Aria turned and walked away.

Now, Annie dreaded the task of breaking the news to Aurora.

What those people didn't know was that her little Missy had never felt so liberated in her life—not even when her father was still the alpha.

=====================

"We will unite the land of the two packs and merge them into one. The Blue Moon pack no longer exists and we will move the center of economy and power to the Howling Wolf pack. Our old packhouse and land will be restored and serve as the heart of this new pack."

Cris adjourned the meeting, having identified those who were capable of holding key positions and hearing his announcement. The room erupted in cheers as they learned that they would ground this packhouse and reclaim their packhouse, revitalizing the old grounds that Alpha Gerald had reduced to a brothel

Of course, they were thrilled to know that they would return to their land, full of glory. Not only had they managed to free themselves from slavery, but they had also taken down the tyrant, reclaimed their land, and even seized the Blue Moon pack's territory.

"We'll head to District Six. I need to check on something there," Cris said to Joan, his beta, as they exited the room after the meeting.

"Tonight?" Joan frowned slightly.

Cris had been incredibly busy since taking on the title of alpha. There were still many matters that required his attention, as danger continued to lurk in the shadows. Several packs were displeased with the merging of the two packs, as it would make this the largest pack in the realm, disturbing the balance of power—a prospect that those in power despised.

"Yes, I want this problem resolved immediately." Cris didn't slow his pace as Joan walked beside him.

Joan considered reminding Cris that tonight he had ordered Annie to bring Aurora to his chambers, but seeing how the alpha was in a hurry and with nightfall approaching, he decided to stay silent. After all, the slave could wait. She wasn't a priority.

=======================

"You need to endure this, Miss Aurora. It will be over soon if you don't resist." Annie cupped Aurora's face and made her look at her, so she could read her lips. "Don't do anything, or they will hurt you even more."

Annie knew that this was inevitable and in this kind of situation, all she could do was to advise her how to not anger the alpha and make it less painful for her.

"You need to survive this. I will be waiting for you here, okay?" Annie wiped the tears streamed down her face. This was not the first time she wiped her tears and surely, it wouldn't be the last either. "Oh, my child..."

Annie pulled Aurora into a tight hug. Her heart ached very badly to know what Aurora had to go through tonight.

Aurora wore the set of lingerie Aria had given her, covering it with a cloak so no one would see her in such a degrading outfit.

However, once she was in the alpha's presence, there would be no hiding.

"I'm so scared, Annie..." Aurora whispered through her tears, resting her head on Annie's shoulder as she clung to her tightly. She didn't want to let go. This was her safe place, and Annie was her person—the only one who had stayed with her since childhood.

Annie released her body and looked into her eyes.

"It will pass, and a new day will come. You will find your happiness," Annie said with a trembling voice as she fought to hold back her tears.

Aurora had seen Annie say those words for the last fifteen years, ever since she was assigned to be her personal maid. A new day would surely come, but happiness had always eluded her.

With tears in her eyes, Aurora was told she couldn't afford to keep the alpha waiting—she had to go now.

With heavy steps, a guard escorted her to the alpha's chambers, the very room her father once occupied.

This was the room where her father would bring countless women to satisfy his desires. The very thought of it made her stomach churn.

"The alpha is away. You can wait inside," the guard said as he opened the door, his expression indifferent.

‘The alpha isn't here?'