Chapter 3

• I sat in the car of the Nocturne team, the rough headgear rubbing against my cheeks.
• In the darkness, I held onto my mother's cold hand tightly, afraid that she would disappear if I let go. After driving for who knows how long, the vehicle finally came to a stop.
• Soldiers pressed us down from the car. As the headgear was pulled off, the glaring light made me instinctively close my eyes.
• When I opened them again, my mother was no longer by my side.
• "Clean her up and bring her to my office," Kade's voice came from above. I looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of his black cloak fluttering as he turned away.
• "Wait! My mother—" My voice was drowned out in the empty hall.
• "She has been taken for treatment." The soldier who had searched us before replied without looking back, quickly following his Alpha as they left.
• The maid silently led me through the dark corridors, and thankfully, she allowed me to be alone in the bathroom.
• The hot water washed away the mud and blood on my body, but it couldn't wash away the dull pain in my heart. As I dried myself off, I found a silk nightgown prepared by the maid.
• The ivory white silk fabric was cut modestly, but it subtly revealed the skin at the waist, and the delicate lace trim at the neckline added a hint of ambiguity.
• "Alpha is waiting for you." The maid's voice sounded emotionless as I emerged in the nightgown.
• I tried to ask for a change of clothes, but she had already turned and led the way.
• The torches on either side of the corridor cast our shadows on the stone walls, eventually stopping in front of an oak door carved with a wolf's head.
• The maid silently retreated into the shadows, leaving me alone to face the warm light leaking through the crack in the door.
• My fingers hovered in front of the study door, about to knock on the oak door carved with a wolf's head, when the sudden outbreak of argument inside froze me in place.
• "Are you out of your mind? Let her carry out that plan? She's the daughter of the Alpha of the Grey Hollow tribe! The cunning bloodline of that treacherous Alexander!" a female voice shouted sharply.
• I held my breath, feeling sweat forming in my palms involuntarily.
• "That's exactly why she's the perfect choice." Kade's voice carried a hint of mockery, "Just think about it, having the enemy's daughter do it herself—"
• "Knock, knock, knock." I deliberately emphasized the knocking, interrupting the dangerous conversation inside.
• The door opened, and Kade leaned against the door frame, his reddish-brown eyes shimmering with a dangerous light.
• "Eavesdropping is not something a lady should do." His gaze lingered on the ambiguous nightgown I was wearing, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
• The beautiful woman standing behind him, upon seeing Kade's expression, grew even more grim.
• "I didn't mean to." I forced myself to meet Kade's eyes, cheeks burning, "But I want to know, what do you want me to do?"
• Kade elegantly turned towards the desk, his black robe trailing behind him in a smooth arc. "You promised to help us reclaim the silver mine, offer the wealth of Grey Hollow, in exchange for your mother's life."
• His slender fingers lightly tapped the desk, "But according to our investigation, you are not favored in your family, how could you have access to your father's secrets?"
• "And those things, I could have done without you."
• I bit my lip. He was right, I was just bluffing earlier.
• "So what do you want?" My voice steadier than I imagined, "What value do I have that's worth your trouble?"
• He brought me back, hid my mother away, clearly I had some leverage.
• Kade suddenly chuckled, "Smart girl."
• He stood up, his tall figure looming over me, and I realized just how towering he was, at least 190 centimeters, casting a shadow that completely enveloped me, forcing me to look up at him.
• "I want you to pledge allegiance to me from tonight onwards, become my most special female warrior."
• A female warrior? Me? A defective product without a wolf soul? The absurd title almost made me laugh out loud.
• But thinking of my mother's uncertain fate, I could only feign calmness, "What exactly do you want me to do?"
• Kade lazily beckoned me with a finger, as if summoning his pet, "Come here."
• As if pulled by an invisible thread, my legs moved uncontrollably towards him.
• It was only when his chair turned that I noticed a bizarre altar hidden behind him, with a black stone inscribed with runes, completely out of place with the elegant decor of the study.
• "Place your hand on it, yes, just like that..." He held my wrist, his grip gentle yet irresistible.
• The moment my palm touched the stone—
• "Ah!" A searing pain exploded from the point of contact, as if millions of red-hot needles were piercing my veins.
• Something deep inside my soul was violently torn out, replaced by a scalding, unfamiliar presence.
• I collapsed, but was caught by Kade.
• His breath surrounded me, strangely easing some of the pain. It took me a while to regain consciousness from the intense agony, only to find myself drenched, as if just pulled out of water.
• "What...what was that?" I weakly asked.
• Kade's eyes flickered with fervent flames, even the lady was shocked and covered her mouth.
• "Did you see that?" Kade's voice trembled with excitement, "I told you she was the perfect choice."
• This time the lady didn't argue.
• Fed up with these riddles, I mustered up my last strength to demand, "What are you planning? Who am I to you? Where is my mother?"
• But weakness hit me again, and my vision started to blur.
• Before completely falling into darkness, I felt Kade scoop me up horizontally, passing through a long, dim stone corridor.
• In a haze, I was placed on a soft bed.
• Kade's palm gently touched my forehead, his voice sounding distant, "So many questions, young lady."
• "Sleep now, tomorrow...you will receive new guidance."