Chapter 13

Sylvia’s POV

At the sound of Marshall’s voice in my head, my entire body shook. I should have known he wouldn’t leave me alone, even after I left his pack. I was still connected to the Moon Veil pack until I could break those ties during the full moon. He could still mindlink me whenever he wanted.

The thought made my stomach recoil.

I could hardly sleep throughout the night because occasionally I would hear his voice again. He would continue to taunt me, telling me that I couldn’t hide behind the King forever and that the Ironclaw Pack couldn’t protect me.

The false sense of security I felt for a brief moment was long gone, and now all I felt was open and exposed. I didn’t want to wake Grace, though, and tell her what’s been happening. I was just glad that he wasn’t mindlinking her as well and sending her threats like he was doing to me. He kept telling me that he was going to do unthinkable things to Grace right in front of me before gutting me alive.

The next morning, after we dressed for the day, Grace had to leave for her duties. She hugged me tightly, promising to come see me soon. I didn’t want her to leave; I was exhausted, and the bags beneath my eyes showcased that.

Alpha Marshall made it impossible for me to sleep last night.

I was glad that he was quiet now, though; perhaps he had exhausted himself to sleep.

I went into the kitchen to grab some food this morning; I had every intention of avoiding the royal family. After last night's performance during dinner, I wanted little to do with them. Any of them.

There were plates of food set up for workers who wished for a quick meal, and when I entered, one of the chefs pointed at the dishes.

“Help yourself, Miss Rowan,” he said with a polite nod.

“Thanks,” I said, grabbing one of the plates.

I decided not to eat in the kitchen, where I was wildly aware of others staring at me.

As I walked past, intent on leaving and eating somewhere else, I heard someone whispering to another, “That’s her… the girl from the Moon Veil Pack.”

“She’s not what I expected,” the other replied, her eyes following my every move. “Are you sure she’s as weak as they say?”

“Worse… I heard she can’t even read.”

They both giggled at my words, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

How had the word about that already traveled to the ears of the palace staff?

My first thought was that Lucian was spreading gossip about me, and anger quickly replaced the embarrassment I felt.

I left the kitchen and traveled down the corridors; more servants wandered the halls as well, their eyes finding mine and then quickly turning direction as if they feared I might bite them at any moment.

As I rounded the corner, my feet taking me further into the palace at a quick pace, as though I was running away from the whispers that followed me, I ran into a hard body.

I stumbled back, almost dropping the plate I held, but then a pair of strong hands steadied me and the plate.

“Why the rush?” A familiar and deep voice asked, making my entire body freeze.

I looked up to see Lucian standing over me, his brows pinched together as he assessed my face,

“I just need to get some air,” I told him, my voice coming out breathier than I had intended. I stepped back, forcing his hands to release me. The warmth from his touch still lingered, but I chose to ignore it.

He examined me with his eyes, searching for something… I just wasn’t sure what it was. His eyes shifted to my plate, and his expression softened.

“I am glad you are eating something,” he noted. “I was worried when you hardly touched your meal last night.”

“I ate the food that was brought up from the maid last night,” I told him, my eyes fixed on my plate; I refused to look him in the eyes.

“That is good to hear. Did you have a good evening with your friend?”

I pressed my lips together.

“Do you care?”

I was aware of how rude I sounded, but I was aggravated, tired… and hurt that he had told people of my reading problems.

“Of course I do…”

“Funny way of showing it,” I muttered.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means exactly how it sounded,” I replied. “If you cared, you wouldn’t have spread gossip about me.”

He raised his brows, and for the first time since he had known him, he looked genuinely confused by my words.

“I’m not sure what you are talking about, Sylvia,” he retorted, his eyes studying me.

“Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes. “Everybody is talking about the fact that I can’t read. How could this pack know of such a detail if you weren’t the one telling them?”

He stepped closer to me unexpectedly, invading my space entirely.

“I assure you, Sylvia, I did no such. I do not partake in the gossip mill, nor would I tell others of such a delicate matter in your life.”

I stared at him for a long moment, trying to decipher his meaning and to tell if he was lying or not. I detected no lies or deceit, which bothered me even more. I couldn’t get a good read on him. My fingers trembled as I clutched the plate even tighter, willing all the emotions that had been pent up inside me to subside. I didn’t want to release them right now in front of him.

“Then, how did they know?” I asked.

“Perhaps they know someone who was from your former pack,” he suggested. “Word travels around these packs quickly. I’m sure you're already aware of that. Just because this is a royal pack doesn’t make it any different.”

My cheeks flushed because I knew he was right; the gossip train went on for packs. Everybody knew everybody’s business.

“I wouldn’t betray your trust,” he said softly, almost a whisper.

I wasn’t sure I believed him, but I also had no reason not to. I wasn’t sure what more to say, so I decided to remain silent, my eyes fixed on my untouched plate.

“You haven’t slept,” he assessed.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I tell him, not wanting to tell him the full truth. “A lot on my mind.”

“I’m sorry if I was the reason behind that. It wasn’t my intention,” he murmured. “Get some food in you. Rest for the day. We will figure out more duties for you at a later time… something that doesn’t involve reading. I was serious about the tutor, though. I will provide one for you, without judgment. You are safe in this pack, Sylvia. I want this to be your home, and once you agree to it, your mother’s heirloom will become yours.”

My cheeks flushed; I hated that he was throwing the last thing I had of my mother in my face.

“It’s not fair that you are blackmailing me,” I told him, shaking my head at him. “I deserve to have her heirloom even if I go.”

“You do,” he agreed. “But for reasons, you cannot.”

“And you won’t tell me these reasons?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Not yet,” he said softly. “But soon.”

“That’s not good enough.”

“And I’m sorry for that,” he replied. “Tomorrow, we have a meeting with the council. Both you and Grace are meant to attend. You’ll dress appropriately. I’ll have a maid come get you in the morning.”

With that, he stepped around me and walked away.

All the appetite I mustered this morning was completely gone.

Later that night, Alpha Marshall’s voice continued to taunt me.

“You’re still mine, Sylvia. No king, no palace, no new name will change that. I’ll drag you back. And when I do, you’ll want to end it.