Chapter4

Layla's POV

Preparations for the alliance ceremony set the entire clan buzzing.

At the elder council, Kael generously promised to distribute a portion of "Blackrock's special tranquility incense" to each core family as an alliance gift. He said it was precious stock from his castle's treasury.

Only I knew what that was.

It was incense I made with my blood, mixed with rare herbs, that could greatly ease werewolves' full moon frenzy and mental trauma after battle.

Production was extremely limited. I only made it for Kael and a few critically wounded warriors.

So where would his stock come from?

"You need to make enough incense for fifty portions, Layla." Kael found me in the storage room and issued the order directly. "It must be finished before the ceremony. I'll have someone deliver the materials."

I looked at him, my wounds still aching faintly.

There was the answer.

He chose to directly command me to make it. I was his "stock."

"Kael, that incense requires..."

"Requires what?" He interrupted impatiently. "I know it needs your special handling. So? The clan needs it. I need it to show my sincerity. Do what you're supposed to do."

He turned to leave, adding, "Work day and night. Don't disappoint me."

What I was supposed to do.

I watched his retreating back, my nails digging into my palms.

Resistance was pointless. I began making it.

The delivered herbs piled into a small mountain. I shut the door and took out my silver knife.

Each time I cut my wrist to draw blood, I remembered that trace of dark corruption that had burrowed into my body at the border. It made my healing slow and the pain persistent. Exhaustion wrapped around me like soaked fur, but I didn't dare stop.

On the final night, I needed to process the last batch of mixed materials. My vision blurred, my hands trembling.

I was too tired, empty from body to soul.

Weighing the moondew grass powder, I zoned out for a moment. The proportion was wrong.

By the time I noticed, it was too late to redo it.

On the ceremony day, the incense was distributed. Soon, warriors reported that several portions had weak effects, barely noticeable calming.

Kael's expression darkened on the spot.

Selena gently tugged his sleeve, whispering just loud enough for nearby people to hear:

"Maybe she was too tired. After all... making something this important, mood is also crucial. If someone's harboring resentment, what they make might lack that 'sincerity.'"

"Layla!" Kael's roar echoed across the square. He strode over, grabbing one of the ineffective portions and throwing it at my feet. "Explain!"

"I was too tired, my hands shook, I got the proportion wrong..." I tried to explain, my voice hoarse.

"Tired? So you cut corners on the clan's alliance?! Do you know how embarrassing this is for me in front of the Ironclaw emissary?! You did this on purpose because you're unhappy with your assignment, didn't you?!"

"I didn't..."

"Shut up!" he barked, his gaze sweeping the onlooking clansmen. "Layla Moonshadow, negligent in duty, sabotaging important ceremonial materials. As punishment, during the alliance ceremony, you'll be responsible for cleaning all trash and filth in the celebration area. You may not participate in any official activities. Go now!"

His words fell like cold stones. Eyes turned on me with surprise, sympathy, disdain.

I lowered my head, avoiding those gazes.

All afternoon and evening, while the clan immersed itself in the joy of alliance, while Kael and Selena accepted everyone's blessings, I wore my oldest hemp dress, bent over cleaning the square's mess of meat bones, wine stains, and vomit.

The pungent smell of food scraps mixed with cheerful laughter was especially sharp.

I mechanically swept, my palms raw and red.

Each time I squatted and stood, my wounds throbbed.

But colder than the wounds was the dead ash in my heart that had completely extinguished.

I couldn't clean this filth all over the ground, just like I could never polish his dust-covered eyes.

The incense needed my blood, but my blood, along with my whole being, was already worthless in his eyes.