Minnie

Vienna instantly softened, slipping into a fake innocence I found disgusting. She turned to him with tears in her eyes, her voice trembling. "Kearn, she disrespected me."

She made herself look weak and delicate, but I could see the satisfaction lurking at the corner of her lips.

Kearn’s eyes slid back to me, sharp as blades. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "She is merely a slave. If she disrespected you, then put her in her place."

Vienna’s smirk returned. Slowly, like a cat toying with a mouse, she pulled a chair out and sat down. She lifted her foot, pointing it at me. "I didn't know that. Why don't you start your slave job by rubbing my feet, Lianna."

Heat rushed to my face. My pride screamed at me to refuse, but Kearn’s eyes darkened in warning. If I said no, I would pay for it in ways I couldn’t even imagine. My hands shook with rage, but I lowered myself to the ground.

The stone floor was icy against my knees. Vienna watched me with a wicked smile, tilting her head back like a queen.

"Good," she whispered.

I forced my hands to move, touching her ankle. She shifted suddenly, kicking the table beside her. Plates and cups crashed to the ground, shattering across the floor. The sound echoed in the silence, and she laughed, her eyes shining with cruel delight.

"How clumsy of me? Clean it up when you're done," she said mockingly.

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek. My blood boiled, but I said nothing.

Kearn didn’t stop her. He only watched me, as if studying whether I would break. I refused to give him that satisfaction. I lowered my head and continued, though every fiber of me wanted to rip her smug smile off her face.

That night I lay awake in the cell, my fists clenched, my jaw sore from grinding my teeth. The humiliation replayed in my mind again and again. The feel of her skin under my hands, the sound of her laughter, the way Kearn had stood by without a word.

No. They would regret this. Both of them.

The next day, it got worse.

That morning, Kearn paraded Vienna through the halls as if she were his queen. She walked beside him, her arm looped through his, her head held high. Servants lined the sides, bowing as they passed.

"Look at her," Kearn said to the crowd, his deep voice carrying. "See her beauty. This is Vienna, the jewel of my pack. The one I adore."

He brushed a strand of hair off her face with a gentleness I had never read about from him. She blushed, playing her part perfectly, though her eyes flicked to me with pure triumph.

I stood at the edge of the hall, fists curling at my sides, my body shaking with the effort to stay still.

Then his voice cut through the noise. "Lianna, come here."

Every head turned. My feet felt heavy, but I forced myself forward. The crowd began to mutter.

"Isn't that the Luna?"

"Why is she dressed like a slave?"

"I heard the Alpha himself took her down from being a Luna to being a slave. If that was me, I'd die the second time to save myself from the embarrassment."

That twisted something in my chest.

When I stopped before Alpha Kearn, his gaze locked onto mine. "Kneel."

My stomach dropped. My knees hit the ground.

"Kiss her feet. Show your honor to your sister."

The words struck harder than any slap. My throat burned. My pride screamed. In the presence of everyone, I would be kissing a traitor's feet. Vienna’s smile spread wide as she lifted her leg toward me, her eyes glittering with victory.

I wanted to spit, I wanted to scream, but Kearn’s stare cut into me like a blade, and I knew I couldn’t refuse. This was not the time.

Slowly, I leaned down. My lips touched her skin. Dust and sweat filled my mouth, bitter and sour. The hall erupted in whispers and gasps.

Vienna’s laughter was soft and satisfied.

I lifted my head, swallowing the bile rising in my throat. My face was calm, but inside, I was already plotting their downfall. Kearn would fall, and it would be because of me. As for Vienna, I will humiliate her so much she will have no choice but to follow her sister into the grave.

How do I intend to do that?

By starting tonight. Alpha Kearn had asked me to come wash him before he goes to bed. I didn't have much clothes but I could do something with what I was given.

A few moments later, I was walking to his room, all dressed up, gown cut so high it turned the heads of everyone I passed by. I had worn my hair up in a tight high ponytail, letting my long blonde hair dangle behind me. My makeup was light but it made my eyes pop, looking daring and defiant.

"I don't remember telling you slaves are allowed to dress like that." Kearn had said when I entered, eyes fixed on the ground.

"I don't remember you telling me they are not allowed to."

Faster than lightning, Kearn's hand wrapped around my throat as he slammed me against the wall, knocking wind out of me. I struggled to breathe.

"What the hell are you trying to do, Lianna?"

The bravado I thought I had began to diminish when I saw his eyes were glowing red, and his claws were digging into my skin.

"What are...what are you doing to me?"

He leaned into me, sniffing my neck and running his tongue over my skin. That shouldn't have tickled my insides but it did, and I found myself exhaling softly before I could stop myself.

I don't know what is happening or what I was doing to him, but my plan had been set into motion and this just made it easy. Slowly and steadily, I held on to his arm, but not to ease his grip. I let my fingers softly graze his skin, feeling bumps form on his body. All the rage and fear I felt began to dissipate as something warm passed between us. A red glowing ring formed around my wrist and slowly morphed into a curly rope that traveled around his arm too.

Confusion set on his face as he looked at me. "Why am I being bound to you again?"

Wait. What the fuck does that mean?