Chapter 7

I kept my head down, gripping the package containing my dress tightly as Sybil and I made our way back to my room. The weight of it felt heavier with every step, but I didn't dare show it. When the door finally closed behind us, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"See?" Sybil said, offering me a reassuring smile. "That wasn't so bad."

I managed a small nod. "Thank you, Sybil. For everything."

She waved a hand dismissively. "It's my pleasure. Now, let's get that dress hung up. You'll want it to look perfect for the big day."

I swallowed hard at her words. The big day. The one that was supposed to change everything, but would also somehow remain the same. The whispers, the stares, the hostility—it would all be temporary, I reminded myself. I just had to endure it long enough to leave this place behind forever.

But as I hung up the dress in the closet, a small voice in the back of my mind wondered if it would ever really be that simple.

The pack house was quieter than usual, the late afternoon lull settling over everything. I had just finished unpacking the few things I had brought with me when a knock at the door made me jump.

I hesitated. Who could it be?

Before I could answer, the door opened, and a woman stepped in. She had long blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and a beauty so striking it almost hurt to look at. She could have been a model—tall, with perfect tanned legs and elegant clothes that somehow made her presence demand attention. Her wolf was as intimidating as hers, and I could feel her eyes piercing through me. Her gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that made me stiffen.

"My name is Aida," she said, her voice smooth, but there was a sharp edge to it. "I thought I'd introduce myself. I am Cassian's girlfriend—and the mother of his child."

I blinked, caught off guard. This was not what I had expected. Something in the way she spoke made it clear that she was not here for a friendly chat. She felt threatened by me. And I couldn’t quite figure out if it was because of who I was or who I was about to become.

"I also thought I'd come check on you," she continued, her voice colder than before.

I stepped back, unsure of how to react. "I'm fine," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her gaze swept over me, narrowing as if she were trying to assess my every flaw. "Is that so? You look... comfortable."

I bit my lip, not sure how to respond. The tone of her words made my chest tighten, and I didn't want to make things worse, but it was clear she wasn’t here to make peace.

Aida crossed the room slowly, standing just a few feet away from me now. "I need you to understand something, Wren," she began, her voice low and steady. "You may be marrying Cassian, but you're not one of us. You're a fox. And here, that means you're nothing more than a... temporary solution."

I fought to keep my breath steady, but my heart hammered in my chest. "I know my place," I said, trying to keep my voice calm and composed.

"Do you?" she asked, taking a step closer. "You see, I'm not one to share what's mine. And Cassian, for all his talk of duty, is mine. He always has been."

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay even. "I am just here to do what's necessary," I said, feeling the weight of her gaze bear down on me. "I won't overstep."

Aida’s lips curled into a thin smile, but it held no warmth. "I don't care about your little plans, your 'escape' once this is all over. I'm telling you now, Wren—never, ever forget your place in this house. You will stay in your room, stay quiet, and don't try to get too comfortable. Because if you do, you're going to regret it."

My hands clenched into fists, but I kept my face neutral. "I don't want any trouble," I said, the words tasting bitter. "I'm just here to do what I have to do, and nothing more. The Alpha has given me an agreement, and I intend to sign it. After your child is born, I will leave this place."

Aida stepped closer, her eyes locking onto mine with a cold, dangerous intensity. "Good," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Because if I hear of you stepping out of line—even once—I won’t hesitate to talk. I know people who still hunt foxes like you for their tails."

My blood ran cold at the thought, but I stood my ground. "I understand."

"Do you?" she asked, her smile sharp, cutting through the air. "Because I can make your life here very, very difficult. I have the resources, Wren. Don't think I won't use them. I'll be watching you. You're not welcome here, and neither is your presence. You stay out of my way, and everything will be fine."

I nodded, my throat tight, words stuck. The fear bubbling inside me threatened to choke me, but I couldn't let her see that.

Aida turned for the door but paused just before leaving. She glanced back over her shoulder with one last icy stare.

"Remember, Wren," she said, her voice low and dangerous, "there's always someone watching. And I’m always watching you."

The door clicked shut behind her, and I stood frozen in place, trying to steady my breathing. My pulse raced in my ears, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. I knew Aida wouldn't let me forget my place, but now it was even clearer. This was no longer just about surviving the pack house; it was about surviving her.

But I wasn't about to let her break me. I had survived worse. I had been sold like chattel, treated like property. I had made it through that, and I would make it through this.

The end was near, I reminded myself. One million dollars. That was the promise. When the moment came, I would leave.

Until then, I had to keep my head down and endure.

I sat down by the window, staring out at the moonlit forest, my mind racing with thoughts of what Aida had said, what this life had become. It wasn't the first time I'd been forced into a corner, but it was the first time I'd felt like the walls were closing in.

Then, there was a knock at the door. My heart jumped. It was late—who could it be?

"Come in," I called, my voice hesitant.

The door creaked open, and Cassian stepped inside, holding a stack of papers. He looked tired, but his expression was calm. I quickly sat up straighter, unsure of what to expect.

"Wren," he said, closing the door behind him. "I have something for you."

I raised an eyebrow, nodding toward the papers in his hand. "What's that?"

He pulled a chair over and sat down across from me, placing the stack of papers on the small table between us. "It's the agreement we talked about," he explained. "Everything we agreed on is written here—your freedom, the compensation, and the terms of this... arrangement."