Chapter 3

Selene Ashcroft arrived the next day.

She wore a red gown and polished leather boots, every step a declaration of ownership.

As the Ashcroft pack’s golden daughter and Kael’s soon-to-be marked mate, she had everything a wolf-born noblewoman was supposed to have: beauty, ambition, and the cunning of a viper.

"Kael.” She hooked her arm through his, her voice dripping sweetness. “Our Marking Ceremony is set for next month. Every pack in the region will attend.”

Kael nodded, his expression indifferent. “Do whatever you think is best.”

I carried the tea tray into the parlor and set the cups on the table one by one.

Selene’s gaze slid over to me. Something cold and fleeting passed through her eyes.

"So you’re the maid.” She looked me up and down. “Pretty enough, I suppose. No wonder Elowen says you have ideas above your station.”

I kept my eyes down and said nothing.

"Come. Pour me some tea.” She beckoned with a languid wave.

I stepped forward and tilted the pot.

The instant the tea was about to hit the cup, her hand shot out in a perfectly timed “accident”—

Tea splashed across her gown.

"Ahh!” She shrieked and leaped to her feet. “You idiot! Do you have any idea what this dress cost?!”

I stood frozen. Before I could react, Elowen was already at her side.

"Kael, you saw that! This woman is scheming—she did it on purpose!”

"It wasn’t—”

"Don’t you dare!” Selene cut me off, the mask of sweetness gone, replaced by something sharp and vicious. “Kael, as your future mate, I think a servant like this needs to be punished. Otherwise, how will you keep the pack in line?”

I looked up at Kael, wanting to explain.

But he only glanced at me with cold disinterest. “Deal with her by pack protocol.”

"No—”

Before I could finish, the Betas were already hauling me away.

Back in the isolation chamber.

This time it wasn’t just the cold. It was hunger.

Selene ordered them to cut off my food and water. To help me “reflect.”

The first day, I huddled in the corner, pressing myself against the wall for whatever warmth it held.

The second day, someone slid a stack of portraits under the door.

I picked them up and felt my heart seize—

Portraits of Kael and Selene.

At a pack gathering, his arm around her waist. At the Marking Ceremony rehearsal, exchanging tokens. Before the Moonlit Sanctum, his head bowed to kiss her.

On the back, someone had scrawled in red ink:

"Seraphina, you were nothing but a stand-in.”

"He forgot you ages ago. What are you still dreaming about?”

"Get out of Blackmoor territory. There’s no place for you here.”

I wanted to leave Blackmoor territory. But Kael—even with no memory—had people watching me at all hours and refused to let me go.

I knew this was Elowen’s handiwork. Twenty years of jealousy over the identity I’d “stolen,” and now she could finally lash out without restraint.

I tore the portraits to shreds and dropped them on the floor.

Then I closed my eyes and counted my breaths.

One. Two. Three…

Just one more day.

Lucian was coming for me.

I would leave this place and return to the pack where I truly belonged.

And the people who’d done this to me—

Magnus. Isolde. Elowen. Selene.

And Kael, who’d reduced me to a maid.

I would make every last one of them pay.

The chamber door finally opened on the third day.

Sunlight stabbed my eyes. The Betas practically had to drag me out.

"Miss Selene is going shopping. You’re to attend her.”

I staggered to my feet, my body so weak I could barely stand.

Three days without food. My stomach had long since given up cramping, and my limbs were useless from the cold and starvation.

But I knew: today was day three.

Lucian had promised. Three days, and he would come to take me out of this hell.

I just had to hold on a little longer.

"Move it!” A Beta shoved me. “Keeping the future mistress waiting—how many lives do you think you have?”

I drew a deep breath and followed him out.