CHAPTER 15.Memories

>>>>>Memories.

Later that night, after Akira returned to the slave quarters, she felt relieved when she checked and found everyone still fast asleep. There would be no questions, no suspicions, and no reports to Madam Estelle.

She quickly lay down on her cold mat, coiling her body together as her mind wandered back to Uncle Zain.

He knew it all, but he had refused to tell her a word. She sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. Why was no one willing to tell her the reason for her family's death? What could a family do that would warrant the wiping out of all of them, from the Alpha and Luna to all the children? Some said they burned down the city,others claimed they cleared all the highborns and hand-picked new ones who would worship them loyally and never say no to them for any reason, unlike the late Alpha Edward and his family who were stubborn and strong willed.

Akira curled tighter on her mat, the chill of the night air seeping into her bones, but it was nothing compared to the coldness squeezing her heart inside her chest right now.

Memories of her family rushed back all at once—laughter shared over breakfasts and dinners, how her parents, the Alpha and Luna, loved her.

The stories her mother told her, the tales her brothers spun around the fire after hunting, the weekly hunts with her hounds. Each memory stabbed deeper into her chest, raising numerous questions. What was everyone hiding? Why didn’t they want to tell her everything that was happening? She was no longer a kid,she was an adult she-wolf now, and they were still keeping it all from her. Even Captain Zain wouldn’t tell her a word.

Tears began to roll down her cheeks,The weight of unanswered questions bore down on her, making her feel weak. She thought of Captain Zain, his stern face and how he told her she could never avenge her family. Since she had seen him at the Southern pack when Dominus carried her there, she had thought he was a protector. Apparently, he had always been a protector, but right now, he felt like he was locking her away from the truth.

She sobbed quietly so none of the other slaves would hear her. The cries barely escaped her lips. Everyone said the Eastern pack betrayed the Grand Alpha King, but she knew her father, Alpha Edward. He was the most loyal servant in the four axes of the werewolf kingdom. She believed he wouldn't have done that; perhaps he was framed. Akira sobbed for a few more minutes before she finally fell asleep. She had just a few more hours—two or three—to sleep before the bell rang, summoning every slave back to the kitchen to avoid a whipping for being late.

Soon morning came, and Akira felt weak on the bed. She watched as the other slaves left the quarters in a rush, trying to meet the demands of the day. Thankfully, from today onward, she wouldn’t be fully working in the kitchen anymore,she would be working as Rex’s caregiver.

Next, Beth rushed into the slave quarters, her eyes darting around in search of Akira. Once she found her, she hurried over.

“Fuck, Nia! I heard what you did!” she exclaimed, nudging Akira’s arm playfully, a wide grin plastered on her face that couldn’t be ignored. “I heard Thalia has a broken lip. I can’t believe you did that… I can’t believe you actually stood up to her!”

Akira forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah, well… it just happened,” she replied, her voice lacking the enthusiasm Beth radiated. Beth noticed but, for Akira, that was normal being kind and distant to people she was just getting to know.

“I just heard the news this morning and couldn’t help but rush down to congratulate you, friend.”

As Beth's eyes darted to Akira's face, her grin faltered. She studied her friend’s expression. As much as Akira was always cold and distant, Beth noticed that the usual fire in her eyes had dimmed. She didn’t look like she used to; looking intently, she noticed tear streaks on her face.

“What’s wrong, Nia?” Beth leaned in closer and asked softly, concern etched across her face. “Did you cry?”

Akira looked down, her heart heavy. “It’s nothing, really,” she lied, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her. “You don't need to worry about me; I will be fine.”

“Come on, Nia. I know you better than that. You can’t fool me,” Beth said, sitting down beside her. “If something’s bothering you, you can talk to me. You know that. We are friends.”

Akira bit her lip, fighting back the emotions that threatened to spill over once more. She appreciated Beth’s concern, but sharing her pain felt like lifting a weight she couldn’t bear. If she asked any questions regarding the Eastern pack, that would raise even more suspicion, and she could tell that Beth would connect her to it. She wasn't willing to spill any information that would give her away. She still didn't trust Beth.

Beth’s expression softened. “I’m so sorry,” she said gently, placing a comforting hand on Akira’s back. “I need to get to the kitchen to take care of some things before Madam Estelle barks at me.”

Akira nodded, grateful for the empathy. She stood up and followed Beth out; it was time for her to meet Rex. They both strolled out of the slave quarters and took the hallway leading down to the palace kitchen.

But a few minutes into their walk, Beth froze, her head bowed as soon as she saw Dominus.

“M-my…….”

“You can go,” Dominus commanded, and Beth walked away, giving her friend a farewell glance.

Meanwhile, Akira stood there, taken aback by Dominus standing in front of her.

“You're late,” he said, his eyes fixed on her face. The first thing he noticed was the dark circles under her eyes from her cries last night. He swallowed hard, his jaw tightening, he wanted to ask her what happened so badly, but he restrained himself.

“I’m sorry…” Akira responded curtly.

“M-my—lord.”

“I’m sorry, my lord. I overslept.”

Dominus stood staring at her for a few seconds,even with the dark circles under her big shiny eyes,she reminded him of someone.