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Once Akira got outside, she heaved a deep sigh of relief,finally, she was out of there before she did something stupid.

She could take anything else, but she drew the line when it came to her family. Besides, you can't speak ill of the dead.

Her family was the best,she believed they were brutally murdered. This whole conversation she just listened to helped her come to conclusions. But if only Zain would tell her what really transpired when she was born. If only he'd explain why the Grand Alpha King gave the order to burn down everyone in her pack and kill their loyal subjects.

She leaned against the cold wall. It was late already, even though the pack still bustled with different activities, waiting for the full moon to appear while they performed their rituals. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders as the condescending words they said about her family came back,she could still hear the murmurs in her head.

Pressing her palms to her temples, she tried to ease the pain, but that didn't work. The laughter and chatter echoed through the hall, making her head ache even worse. She thought of going back to the slave quarters to sleep; most of the slaves were already in bed, except for those who wanted to partake in the rituals. But she chose to go back to Rex's room first to make sure everything was fine—apparently to see what mess he had created so she would know how hectic her day was going to turn out tomorrow.

As she walked, she thought, “Why won't Uncle Zain just tell me what the hell Dad did?” Frustration flickered across her face as she continued to walk. She wanted him to be open with her. He had done worse for her,he had staked his life to aid her escape. What was the use of hiding the secret anymore? He should have never gone that far if he was going to hide something as important as that from her.

Akira took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn’t let her emotions cloud her judgment—not now. But the more she thought about her family, the more her anger surged. They were innocent, loyal to the end, and she would never forgive those who had killed them.

As she quickened her pace to Rex's room, the noise from the pack only increased. Rituals in the East were usually sacred and silent, but it seemed the North was all about merriment and nothing more. Everyone was drinking and telling tales they had told before.

Once she curved into the hallway leading to Rex’s room, she paused mid-step when she heard his voice.

“My father didn't tell me that he had changed the other slave. Why are you here?” she heard Rex ask in his usual rude tone.

From the voice, Akira knew it had to be Rex; she could recognize that entitled arrogance anywhere.

“Oh dear, seems like your father didn't tell you,” came the sweet reply. It was a female voice, a little coy and too nice to be Madam Estelle.

Akira’s brows furrowed. She pressed her back flat against the wall just beside the door, her ears straining.

“I thought he told you I was helping you now… temporarily, just for tonight to keep you company since all of the slaves would be asleep,” the voice continued. “You know, with the rituals and stuff. You can call me Lyra, by the way. Why don’t we have a stroll, Rex?”

Lyra. Of course, it was Lyra. That name always tasted bitter in Akira’s mouth. Once she heard it was Lyra, she frowned, hoping Rex would decline her request. She knew what she was doing—trying to get herself closer to the child so as to get closer to the father.

There was an obvious silence,she didn't hear Rex's voice anymore, and she wondered what had happened.

Then came a loud scoff that made her blink, and her curiosity piqued at once, waiting for his reply. From the scoff, she could tell it wasn't a good one.

“Since when do I tell you that I need company or who to stroll around with?”

“Oh, come on,” Lyra certainly was not giving up anytime soon. She giggled, brushing off the condescending tone. “Everyone needs a friend, you know.”

“I don’t,” Rex replied coldly. “You slaves have really got some nerve coming in here and telling me you want a stroll with him.”

“Do you know who I am?”

Akira covered her mouth to stop a laugh from slipping out.

Lyra forced a chuckle, even as pain shot through her chest. “Oh, little lord, I am not a slave. As I said earlier, my name is Lyra. I am Madam Estelle's assistant in the kitchen of the whole Northern Alpha house.”

“Little lord?” Rex blurted angrily. “Get the hell out!”

Akira’s hand clenched. She felt the thick bass of his voice; she wanted to barge in and see Lyra's face.

Inside the room, Lyra gave a soft chuckle, clearly refusing to back down.

“Sorry, my lord. That was a little slip of the tongue… it just felt awkward calling your father my lord and also calling you the same thing.”

“Whatever,” Rex hissed. “Fuck off my quarters. I don't like slaves hovering around here except for Nia, who comes to clean up.”

Lyra's lips twitched. “I am not a slave. Nia is a slave, but I am not one.”

“Let's stop arguing, my lord. The night is still very young. I brought one of the best wines. I thought maybe we could share a drink and talk while waiting for the full moon.”

Lyra still kept her fake poise and smiles, hoping the little lord would drink with her and become friends. Maybe that way she'd get Prince Dominus's attention.

“Madam Estelle is a fucking slave, so are you. Now get the fuck out of here before I call someone to drag you out!” Rex roared.

“I could clean your room?” Lyra offered with a soft smile. “Seems Nia isn't doing a good job here.”

“Nia is doing a perfect job. Now get the hell out of here and go back to talking with the other slaves.”

With that, the door creaked open, and Lyra stumbled outside, her face flushed with a mixture of rage and shame. The first person she encountered was Akira, and a deep wave of shame washed over her. She quickly let out a long sigh and walked off without uttering a word.

Akira suppressed her laugh as Lyra walked away, stomping her feet on the floor. She knew not to laugh out loud; Lyra already hated her, and she wasn't trying to make it worse.

Taking the hint that Rex was pissed, Akira resigned herself to returning to the slave quarters for her nap.

But upon reaching there, she realized it was locked up. She had come back too late.