Hours passed, and Odesse was still asleep. Valex was seated on a chair in her room and had fallen asleep as well; he hadn't left since the elders departed. Odesse began to move slowly on the bed, gently opening her eyes. She looked at the ceiling, her eyes hurting and getting blurry as she tried to open them wide. Turning her head sideways to look around, she spotted Valex, who was sleeping in the chair.
"Master Valex," she called softly. Trying to get up from the bed, she struggled and nearly fell. Valex, hearing her, opened his eyes and rushed to her side, holding her upright. As she looked into his eyes, his expression widened in realization. He hugged her tightly.
"Odesse, my dear, you're awake!" he exclaimed. Odesse smiled and hugged him back. Valex gently pulled her back to look into her eyes. Leaning closer with an intense gaze, she touched his face and said, "Master Valex, I love you."
Valex's eyes widened in surprise. "Odesse..." he started, but Odesse interrupted him.
"I can't deny what I feel," she said in a shaky voice. Valex looked at her as she continued, "I know I'm just a servant, and falling in love with you wasn't supposed to happen. I didn't even plan it, I promise your Highness, but I have this feeling that I'm your queen—the Alpha's queen. I had a dream..."
Silence filled the room as Odesse looked down, suddenly remorseful. "I am sorry, your Highness. I shouldn't have said that; I've crossed the line." After a pause, Valex stood up. Odesse looked up and saw him gazing down at her.
"I shall send the servants to assist with your bath," he said, turning to walk away. Odesse looked surprised and called out, "Master Valex!" He paused and turned to her.
"Get it off your head, Odesse. You just woke up; you don't know what you're saying." She struggled to stand up again, nearly falling once more. Valex rushed to hold her up.
"You don't love me?" she asked, looking deeply into his eyes. Valex straightened her posture, holding her hands gently as she pressed on, "You don't love me?"
"Odese, sit down," he replied, gently placing her back in the chair and releasing his grip. She locked eyes with him, asking, "What are you doing? Do you love me?"
"What do you want me to answer to that, Odesse?" he replied, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"What about everything we've shared?" Odesse pressed, but Valex fell silent and walked away.
"Master Valex!" Odesse called out, tears streaming down her cheeks. Valex tightened his fist but didn't turn back. He opened the door and exited, shutting it behind him.
Odesse sat alone in her room, crying. "What just happened? What have I done? Why did I say that? Why did he act like that? What am I even saying? How can I expect a king to love me, a human?" She wiped her tears, but more kept flowing. "I don't know what I was expecting. The Alpha's queen? Why would I say that? I've ruined everything. Ugh! I shouldn't have woken up from that dream. The pain I felt in that dream doesn't compare to the pain I feel now."
Meanwhile, Valex walked down the palace corridor, his hands behind his back, lost in thought. "Love… What is love? I need to know its meaning, Odesse. I need to protect you, but from what? The outside world or myself?"
In the Silverclaw Palace parlour, Malrik shouted, "What? They didn't do anything about her? That is not right!" An elder replied, "Your Highness, what are we going to do?"
Malrik thought for a moment and then declared, "I'll go meet Elder Elias." An elder asked, "Shall we come with you, your Highness?" Malrik shook his head. "No, I shall go alone." He walked out of the palace and had a horse brought to him. The palace gates opened, and he rode out. A black bird flying from the gate let out a loud cry as Malrik made his way into the woods on horseback.
In the servant quarters, Cara sat outside, gazing at the dark grey sky. "Odesse," she murmured as tears began to run down her cheeks. "I wonder where you are. I miss you so much; we all miss you. Please come back." Just then, a voice interrupted. "What are you doing out here, Cara?"
Cara turned around to see Miss Miris. She immediately stood up and wiped her tears. "Nothing," she replied.
Miss Miris asked, "Are you crying?"
Cara remained silent.
Sighing, Miss Miris said, "You keep crying every day, but she's not coming back. She may be dead."
Cara opened her eyes in terror and exclaimed, "No!" Miss Miris smiled and replied, "It's been months, Cara. Don't be delusional. We live in a world of prey and predator—kill or be eaten. It's survival of the fittest. What do you think happened to her? Worse of all, the cursed Alpha took her. I always knew she'd cause trouble for herself."
Cara lowered her head. Miss Miris turned around, wiping the tears rolling down her cheeks, and said, "She's not the first and certainly won't be the last. So wipe your tears, Cara, and come inside. It's late, and there's no need to cry over stolen meat; it's never coming back." Cara lifted her head as Miss Miris walked inside, and she followed her.
Meanwhile, Malrik had reached the hut. He went inside and saw a pot on the fire, steam rising from it. "Elder Elias! Elder Elias! Where are you?" he called out. Elder Elias emerged and said, "King Malrik, my goodness! Why do you shout?" Malrik looked at him and replied, "I need your help."
Elder Elias smiled and pointed at the pot. "Would you like some soup?" Malrik, irritated, said, "No, I do not." Elder Elias responded, "What is it you need then, your Highness?"
Malrik replied, "I need that girl gone. I need her dead. She is interfering—an invincible character like her suddenly becomes important in the story I've planned." Elder Elias, sitting back in his rocky chair, asked, "What had you planned, your Highness?" Malrik began pacing and explained, "Months ago, during the mating ceremony, it was supposed to be the end of my brother, but that girl had to come and ruin it all."
Elder Elias hesitated and said, "Your Highness, if I may ask, you have already dethroned your brother as the king of the Silverclaw pack by causing the deaths of his five wives—what else do you want?" Malrik continued, "Elder, why do you act like you don't know? My brother is powerful. His reign is soon dominating. I cannot let him win, Elder. I cannot let that happen anymore. I should be more powerful. He was always my father's favorite because he transformed early and his wolf power is strong. It sickens me."
Elder Elias muttered under his breath, "Your ignorance sickens me too," then smiled and said, "So you want to kill the girl." Malrik confirmed, "Yes. It seems my brother has formed this forbidden bond with her. If she is dead, he will be weak. I am sure of it."
Elder Elias replied, "Then go ahead." Malrik said, "Do you think I haven't tried? Physical power won't work, so I need spiritual power from you, Elder."