Chapter 5: I Want to Stay by Your Side

Kane's POV

Claire seemed startled. Almost instinctively, I wrapped an arm around her slender waist and gently pulled her into my embrace.

The moment my hand touched her, the sweet scent emanating from her body nearly shattered my self-control. Her warmth seeped through the thin fabric of her dress, awakening a deep, primal desire within me. I wanted to hold her tighter.

I rarely lost control of my emotions, but with her, it seemed to happen every time. Yet, her frame felt so fragile, as if she might break at the slightest pressure—like paper.

Did Ethan have a habit of starving the servants?

She quickly wriggled out of my arms, her expression flustered.

“I’m fine, Alpha. Sorry for worrying you,” she said softly, bowing her head. Her cautious demeanor remained unchanged.

In my mind, Collin paced back and forth impatiently. “Kane, she looks terrified. She’s not fine at all! You have to help her!”

“What’s she afraid of?” I wondered. “Is it because she, a mere servant, sat beside an Alpha for breakfast? Could such a small thing truly make her that anxious?”

“Or maybe it’s because of your nephew,” Collin growled in frustration. “Haven’t you noticed how tense she gets around Ethan?”

Perhaps Collin was right—there was something strange about her dynamic with Ethan.

Were they… involved?

Last night, when I went looking for her, I caught a faint trace of Ethan’s scent on her. The thought stirred discomfort and a vague irritation within me.

Standing silently before me, Claire’s petite and frail figure was wrapped in a loose maid’s uniform, making her appear even more delicate and pitiable.

I frowned. “Your injuries need proper treatment. As far as I know, you didn’t see the healer last night.”

I had asked Amelia specifically, and she confirmed that Claire hadn’t stepped foot in the treatment room.

“I’m sorry,” Claire said, her gaze dropping. “I can handle my wounds on my own.” She clearly didn’t want to continue the conversation.

“Come with me to the treatment room,” I commanded, my tone leaving no room for argument.

“No, Alpha,” she refused again, her eyes darting away. “I still have work to do.”

“Claire,” I said, my voice dropping lower, more authoritative, “you’re not the only servant in this castle.”

Perhaps my firmness startled her, as she suddenly looked up. Her amber eyes, wide with panic, locked onto mine. A second later, she relented with a soft whisper, “Alright, Alpha.”

Her obedience and docility stirred something warm and strange in my chest—an odd sense of satisfaction.

But it was quickly replaced by confusion. Why was I so affected by this fragile Omega? Why did she evoke such emotions in me?

I almost wondered if she was the Luna fate had chosen for me. But logic quickly dismissed the idea. My Luna was supposed to be the daughter of the Dark Shadow Pack’s leader, not this weak and sorrowful maid.

The hallway leading to the treatment room was silent and empty, just the two of us. I had deliberately left Ethan in the dining room—this was my chance to get answers.

“Claire,” I asked abruptly, “has Ethan ever hurt you?”

Her body froze, and she trembled slightly before shaking her head quickly. “No… Alpha, he’s never hurt me.”

Her words were unconvincing. Her breathing quickened, and her fingers nervously twisted the fabric of her dress.

“Then why do you seem so distressed?” I pressed, my gaze fixed on the pale curve of her profile. “What are you afraid of?”

She hesitated, as if weighing her response, then finally spoke carefully. “Because you’re all powerful Alphas, and I’m just a lowly servant. I’m afraid of making mistakes.”

It sounded like a reasonable explanation, but something in her tone made me feel she was hiding the truth.

I tried to reassure her. “Relax. We’re not monsters.”

She forced a faint smile, but the fear lingering in her eyes was undeniable. My attempt to comfort her felt like a failure, and a wave of frustration rose within me. Was my reassurance coming across as coercion instead?

“I won’t force you,” I said, suppressing my irritation and softening my tone. “Think of this place as your home.”

“Yes, Alpha,” she responded, nodding like an obedient automaton.

Her compliance only heightened my annoyance. But then, she suddenly looked up, her amber eyes timid yet filled with determination.

“Alpha… may I stay by your side and serve you?”

Her cautious, almost pleading gaze melted some of my frustration.

“Say yes,” Collin urged eagerly in my mind. “Her scent is as sweet as candy. We need her!”

I couldn’t resist my own inner longing. “You may.”

When we reached the treatment room, I handed Claire over to Amelia. “Her wounds seem serious. Make sure they’re properly treated,” I instructed.

“Leave it to me,” Amelia replied with a cheerful smile.

Claire, however, stood frozen in place, her expression a mix of fear and helplessness. Her eyes clung to me with a faint trace of dependence that struck a chord deep within me.

“Don’t worry,” I said softly. “You’ll be fine. If you need anything, come to me.”

“Thank you,” she said, bowing once more.

The more she acted so cautiously, the heavier the weight on my chest became.

But I had other matters to attend to—I needed to have a serious talk with Ethan.

When I returned to the dining room, Ethan was still there, leisurely finishing his breakfast.

He looked up at me, his expression warm and composed. “Uncle, how are Claire’s injuries?”

“The healer is tending to her,” I said bluntly. “Ethan, is there something you’re not telling me?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, his tone calm and innocent.

“Why have the servants in our household changed so frequently? These aren’t the same ones we had a few months ago.”

“They couldn’t handle the work, so I let them go,” he replied nonchalantly.

“And where did they go?”

“I’m not sure,” he said, his smile unwavering. “They’re just Omegas. I didn’t feel the need to keep track of them.”

His response was flawless, yet my instincts screamed otherwise.

I couldn’t shake the memory of Claire’s frightened eyes. “Ethan, she seems afraid of you.”

“Claire?” Ethan’s lips curled into a strange smile. “Maybe. But, Uncle, did you know? She has the sweetest scent. Perhaps she’s my Mate.”

His words sent a shock through me, and Collin roared angrily in my mind. “Impossible! That scent belongs to us!”

The irritation within me surged. I took a deep breath and fixed Ethan with a steady gaze. “From now on, I’ll be taking personal charge of Claire. I assume you have no objections?”

Ethan’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before returning. He shrugged casually. “Uncle, everything here belongs to you. Why would I object?”

“There’s something I need you to do,” I said, my tone firm. “I want a complete population report for Blood Moon Pack. Include the prisoners we took from other packs—list them separately.”

The smile vanished from Ethan’s face entirely.