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The chirpings of birds who flew up to the tower made loud noisy chorus that woke all of the slaves up, Beth stood by the side of the window her eyes narrowed outside still grinning from ear to ear about the intimate encounter she had with her mate last night while Akira stood in serving the royals in her place.

Her lips pressed together forming a thin smile, her eyes narrowed outside while her hands kept caressing the pendant he gave her. Happiness tied her stomach in knots. She pressed her fingers against the cool glass tracing the outline of the pendant again. She's head over heels for him.

As she gazed outside her grin widened. The memories of last night are etched into her memory. But amidst her joy, a sudden chill started to creep in as she caught sight of the sky– the full moon.

The full moon has appeared in the sky in the northern pack. Beth swallowed hard the realization hitting her. She turns and Akira is still lying on her bed. She didn't wake her up; she concluded she had overworked herself last night trying to fill in for her.

But right now everyone is out and it's just the two of them. She must wake her or they'll have to face Madam Estelle.

Next, a cough and a groan grabbed Beth's attention and when she turned it was Akira.She's awake and her eyes narrowed trying to grasp where she was. Apparently she had come to knock on the senior slave's quarters last night after they locked her outside. It was quite intentional after Lyra met her outside last night. That was a small token of punishment hoping she'd sleep outside on the very night more than half of the men in the northern pack were drunk and would fuck animals as long as their holes fit their cock.

Akira’s eyes blinked open into a haze of pale lights streaming in from the window.For a moment, she forgot where she was–then the stiff ache in her neck and the tight pull of the thin blanket around her reminded her all too quickly. She was in Beth's room, not her room. Of course, the slaves’ quarters would have been smelling the stank of Thalia and her dirty co-horts. But here, the air was conducive for breathing. The beds were soft enough not to give an ache unlike after sleeping on the mat over the stone floor.

She stretched her legs, joints popping quietly,she stood for too long serving Dominus and his family.

She squinted her eyes towards the other bed; they were all empty–she could tell without a doubt– she had overslept. Then next she narrowed her eyes too. The window where Beth is standing.

As if in sync Beth turned immediately with a wide smile still plastered over her face.

Her fingers continue to linger on the pendant, her lips curling up in a dreamy smile..

She tilted her head towards Akira,she strode forward to Akira who was still sprawled on the bed with her arms draped over her eyes..

Akira narrowed her gaze and caught the shiny object on her friend's neck..” he gave you that?” she guessed right.

“Yes, he did.” Beth rushed and settled to the side of the bed.” Yes, he did. Beautiful it is.”

“This isn't just any pendant this is like saying I am his official.”

Beth gave a little twirl and her cheeks glowed pink..

Akira finally cracked her second eye open, her lips twitching into a tired but genuine smile.” Congrats girl”

Beth laughed.” You should have seen him last night” She stopped her lips curving into a smile without permission. She pressed the pendant to her chest leaning closer.” Goodness Akira ..you could have seen him yesterday, he was everywhere….. his arms, his mouth… I thought I might melt right there in his arms all over…. He kept saying I was the most beautiful woman ever, he couldn't keep those hands to himself.”

Akira chuckled softly, pushing herself up onto her elbows. “Sounds like someone’s in deep. In love here”

Akira turned her head, studying Beth’s flushed, glowing face. There was no envy in her expression, just a quiet warmth. “I’m happy for you,” she said simply. And she meant it.

Beth grinned widely, rolling onto her side to face her. “When it happens to you, you’ll understand. It’s… everything. I pray you meet your mate soon”

Akira only smiled, she wished to meet her mate but she prayed daily to the moon goddess that it would be someone good, someone who would protect and take care of her. Most importantly she prayed that she doesn't meet her mate in this shit hole called the northern pack..

With that Beth turned to her.” Seems last night was hectic for you. You do not wake up this late.” She pointed out carefully.

“How was it serving them..”

Akira sighed. “Trust me you don't want to know Beth”

“I met lord Ragnar.” Akira announced and Beth, disgusted, rolled her eyes immediately..she knew what Akira's experience would have been with the old womaniser..

“ You need to stand up. We are already late and the full moon is up. It'll be chaotic downstairs and I'm sure Madam Estelle would be searching for us right now.” Beth moved to the bed to help her friend..

Beth helped Akira, tugging her up from the mattress with a little grunt, her hands firm around her friend's wrist. Akira's knees wobbled, she wasn't sure if it was just the stress of serving that made her so exhausted. Once Akira stood up to her feet Beth reached for the blanket pulling it away to fold it back up.

Her gaze slid back towards the bed, at first Beth didn't understand what she was seeing.– The pale sheets that were once white were now darkened in patches, the entrance a drenched blood that was on the bed. There were nice stains of fresh wounds or bruises but the sticky blood that was on the bed. Beth sniffed using her wolf scent and she could tell– it's blood from Akira's body.

Her lips parted, a small, unintentional gap forming between her front teeth as her eyes locked on the stain. Confused and shocked at the same time Beth couldn't speak..

Akira, still half-turned toward her, frowned. “What’s the problem?” she asked, turning.

Beth didn’t answer. Her eyes flicked up from the sheets to Akira’s face, searching, then back to the blood, then back again. There was no fear there – just the shock of someone stumbling onto a truth they weren't prepared for.

Akira followed her gaze, and the instant her eyes landed on the bed, a chill raced down her spine. She inhaled sharply, the sound loud in the room. For a second, she froze – both in shame, confusion, shock and fear all at the same time.