Amia's POV
Another day had gone by of sleeping fewer hours and asking myself if he was coming to my room tonight.
Obviously, he was not going to. Not any time soon.
Why would he come to my room when he clearly had his mistress waiting for him?
A few days had gone by, and there was no sign of him or his scent. Not even close to my room.
A mistress.
That word alone made my grip tighten into clenches.
The moon goddess was just.
That was what we were always told.
That whoever she chose was the best match. That mates were destined, perfect, and unbreakable.
But if that were true…
Then why did mates reject each other?
Why did they cheat?
Why did they hurt one another?
"They were wrong," I whispered under my breath.
A knock came from the door.
I paused, then straightened up and walked toward it. When I opened it, Serai stood there with her usual gentle smile, her lower body coiled neatly beneath her.
"Morning, my lady," she greeted with a bow and her hand on her forehead.
"Serai," I said softly, my gaze falling to the basket in her hands.
"This is a little gift from me," she said, extending it toward me.
I hesitated for only a few seconds before taking it.
When I looked inside, my brows furrowed.
Cookies.
The exact same ones.
The same shape. The same golden color. The same faint sweetness drifting up to my nose.
I wanted to ask her. Who was it this time? Was it the general or the lord?
Why did it feel like she was hiding something from me?
But I held back.
"Thank you," I whispered instead, turning and walking back to the table.
I sat down slowly, picked one up, and took a bite.
My heart sank.
It tasted exactly the same.
"Serai… did the lord ask you to bring these to me this time?" I asked, my voice steady but low.
I couldn't hold back anymore. I really needed to know.
"Oh my lady, did I finish telling you about our ranks?" she said quickly, her tone slightly louder than before.
I stilled.
She was avoiding it.
"As I said, the lords and ladies have many loyal subjects under them and a way of convincing others to do their bidding," she continued.
I didn't interrupt her.
If she didn't want to answer… then forcing her would only make things harder.
"Then there is the second rank, which is the most appreciated. However, only a few are born into this rank as well."
She shifted slightly, her tail curling as she spoke.
"Although those in the second rank are as amazing as the lords in wielding their magic, they have a unique ability to see and tap into hidden things that are invisible to the normal eye. Thus, they are called Oracles."
I listened quietly.
"Their predictions are based on tapping into the distant future… through dreams or visions."
"However, their visions are not always accurate because they see multiple possibilities. Different paths. Different outcomes. They explore them to find the best one."
That explanation matched exactly with the elder who came to our pack with the lord.
"So… you only have one Oracle?" I asked.
"Yes, Lord Lucian."
She answered with a smile, then continued.
"Then there is the third rank," she continued. "They are weak magic users but strong in will. They defend the nests and are often called warriors."
"And finally… the fourth rank."
Her voice softened.
"They serve."
"They have no magic. No strength. And are often ignored by the others."
She paused.
"That is the rank I belong to."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
"But in some sense… we are needed," she added quietly. "We take care of the high ranks. We keep things running."
I looked at her.
And for a second… I saw myself.
"Serai, thank you so much for telling me this. But… you can leave. You've already done more than enough," I said.
Her smile faded.
I knew I sounded cold.
But I couldn't help it.
Getting close to her…
Would only make her a weakness.
And I already had one.
That was enough.
She gave a small nod and turned, her tail sliding smoothly across the floor as she moved toward the door.
"Thank you," I whispered before she left.
Once I was alone again, I stood there for a moment, glancing at the door.
It was still morning.
There was time.
Whether he would come or not… I didn't know.
But one thing was clear.
He wanted an heir.
The past nights we spent proved that much.
A sudden sound made me jump.
The doors opened.
"It's just me, my lady. I apologize for startling you," Serai said quickly.
I let out a breath of relief.
"It's okay," I replied.
"Why are you back?" I asked, noticing the small box in her hand.
She moved closer and handed it to me.
I hesitated, then took it.
"Open it," she said softly.
I glanced at her, then slowly opened the box.
Inside was a small sealed bottle.
"In that bottle is medicine," she explained. "It helps ease pain from bruises and speeds up healing. Just one drop for small bruises… more for larger ones."
Her tone turned serious.
"But do not overuse it. It becomes poison. And never use it on open wounds."
I looked up at her.
"Why would you give me this?" I asked.
She pointed gently.
"It's because my lady still has bruises on her arms."
My breath caught.
I raised my hand and touched them.
I hadn't even noticed.
Everything that had happened…
The pain.
The exhaustion.
It had all blurred together.
"The lord must have been hard on you," she added quietly.
I tightened my hold on the box, ignoring her words.
"Thank you… Serai. I'll treasure it," I said sincerely.
She gave a small nod.
"Also… I will try to ask the mistress to show mercy," she added.
My body tensed.
"The least she could do is allow you to dine with the lord and move around freely… especially if you are to carry the heir."
I swallowed.
"Thank you, but don't," I whispered.
She looked surprised by my response, but gave a final bow and left.
The room fell silent again.
My wolf growled loudly in my mind.
I closed my eyes.
I knew what she meant. She was angry at me for staying quiet.
For accepting everything.
For letting him treat us this way.
He was my mate.
And whether he liked it or not…
I had a place.
"I'll talk to him," I whispered.
Even if it ended badly.
Even if it hurt.
I was done staying silent.