Alright... let’s make this fun for all of us. 😌

Here’s how I’m rewarding you my special readers, and the ink to my pen.

1. Hit a top ranking for a week straight → mass release of 3 Chapters.

2. Send a super gift → mass release of 5 Chapters.

Now for the real mischief, these are the rewards. Also, this is where the real chaos lies.

1. Top interactive reader in a week → gets a shoutout

2. One-time super gift → gets a Chapter dedicated to you.

3. Repeated super gifts → you start getting little spoilers + future hints.

4. Highest Golden Ticket sender of the month (20–30 range) → you get a permanent role in the book

Yes, an actual role. 😅🥹 Immortality secured.

Let’s build this story together 🤍

........

Madam rushed to the maids’ quarters the moment she sent Aire to the breakfast hall.

She grabbed a hand towel from a waiting maid, wiped her hands briskly, and pushed through the doors into the kitchen.

The entire space was alive with movement.

Steam rose from pots. Platters clattered against marble counters. Maids hurried back and forth with trays heavy with fruit, bread, roasted meats, and honey cakes.

Madam clapped her hands twice.

"If you’re sitting idle, you’re wrong. Get to work, everyone." She ordered.

The room snapped into an even faster motion as everyone hastened their walks, moving briskly to their positions.

Her eyes swept across the space sharply, then they stopped.

Someone was standing near the far wall. Half-hidden in the shadow between the shelves of herbs and sacks of grain.

A young girl with her head bowed. She stood still. Too still.

Madam narrowed her eyes.

"You." She pointed and began walking toward her. "Why are you standing?"

The girl was startled.

Quickly, almost too quickly, she slipped a small bottle into the pocket of her apron before raising her head.

Madam noticed the motion. But she also noticed something else that took her mind off the little movement she noticed.

The girl looked pale.

"You look like you’ve seen a ghost," Madam said slowly, studying her.

"I—"

"Who are you," Madam cut in sharply, "and what are you doing among my maids?"

The girl pressed her lips together.

Then she lifted her chin slightly.

"I am Michelle of Blackfen Park," she said. "I work for Miss Adele Blackfen."

Madam paused.

Adele Blackfen.

Of course.

Several noble daughters had brought personal maids with them.

Madam exhaled through her nose.

"And what exactly are you doing in my kitchen?" she asked.

Michelle lowered her gaze again. "Miss Rowanfall asked me to assist with the serving this morning."

Madam studied her for a moment longer.

The girl looked nervous, but that was hardly unusual. Most servants trembled in Madam’s presence.

Finally, Madam waved a hand dismissively.

"Fine."

She turned away.

"If you want to be useful, take a tray and follow the others into the breakfast hall."

Michelle bowed quickly.

"Yes, Madam."

Madam had already moved on, shouting orders at two maids struggling with a platter of roasted quail.

Michelle remained still for a moment.

Her fingers slid slowly into her apron pocket.

She felt the small bottle there, and her grip tightened around it.

Then she lifted a tray of fruit and pastries and followed the others toward the breakfast hall looking as invisible as she could.

......

The breakfast hall was already loud.

It was too loud for a meal that had only just begun. And too loud for the Alphas presnet in the hall.

The long table stretched across the center of the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs carved with wolf sigils.

Several Alphas were already seated. Alphas Aire had never set her eyes on. The familiar Alphas from last night weren’t present.

They were talking.

Aire sat at the lower end of the table with her back straight.

Her hands rested carefully in her lap.

She had not touched the food in front of her. She could feel their eyes. All of them rested their gaze on her.

Now, she regretted not doing something about her hair.

The daughters of noble houses sat along one side of the table in bright fabrics, jewels, and perfume thick enough to choke the air.

Adele sat closest to the triplets. Her gown was pale gold. Or what little there was of it.

The neckline of the gown was plunged so low it barely concealed anything at all. Her chest was pushed forward like an offering.

Her father had been very clear that morning to her. He made sure she knew that her daily mission would be to capture Nate’s attention.

Adele had taken the instruction seriously.

She laughed softly at something someone said, and leaned forward just a little more.

Across the table, Nate glanced up. His gaze slid over her, paused, moved to her face then moved away again.

The glance was brief but Aire saw it.

Her stomach twisted for no reason.

At the head of the table, Xanden was speaking quietly with his father, Alpha Elijah.

Their voices were low, focused, and political.

Xanden didn’t look in Aire’s direction once.

Alaric sat beside them. But he might as well have been somewhere else entirely. His gaze was distant.

His fingers drummed slowly against the table as if he were listening to thoughts no one else could hear.

Which left Aire alone.

Completely alone.

"Well," a voice said suddenly.

Aire looked up.

The speaker was a tall Alpha with greying hair and a smug expression. "Is this the cursed girl we’ve been hearing about?"

A few people chuckled.

Aire’s fingers tightened slightly in her lap.

Another Alpha leaned back in his chair. "I expected someone... less fragile."

"Oh, she looks fragile enough," someone else said. "Look at those shoulders. So slender and lean."

Their laughter grew louder.

Aire felt heat creep slowly into her face. She lowered her eyes.

Across the table, Violet of House Ashmere watched her carefully.

Violet was beautiful in a sharp, delicate way. Her smile was small, and polite. She was so ladylike. Ladylike in a poisonous way.

"How fascinating," Violet said lightly. "I had always heard the Moon Goddess marks traitors with something ugly."

Her gaze drifted over Aire’s silver hair.

"But this is almost... pretty."

She paused, then she tilted her head slightly. "Though I suppose curses can be deceptive."

More laughter erupted from the table.

Aire’s throat tightened. For a brief moment, her eyes moved instinctively toward the triplets.

Her eyes moved toward Nate.

Toward anyone who might be looking.

Unfortunately, Nate was pouring wine. Xanden was still speaking with his father. Alaric hadn’t even noticed the conversation.

None of them looked at her.

Something cold settled quietly in Aire’s chest.

Servants began entering the hall with trays of food.

Michelle walked among them.

Her steps were careful, and her gaze stayed lowered. However, every few seconds, her eyes flickered toward Aire.

The small bottle was hidden in her sleeve now.

She only needed a moment. Just one moment.

At the end of the table, Violet leaned forward again.

"You must find this very overwhelming," she said softly to Aire.

"Being surrounded by real noble houses."

Aire said nothing. Adele had her eyes fixed on Nate and seemed to have no real interest in the conversation.

Mabel was nowhere to be found.

"Miss Aire."

Madam’s voice cut cleanly through the room.

She had entered the hall without anyone noticing. Her sharp eyes went straight to Aire and she walked over calmly.

Then leaned slightly toward her.

"Your hair is coming undone," Madam said quietly.

Aire blinked.

Madam’s expression didn’t change. "We should go upstairs to fix it."

For a moment, Aire didn’t move.

Then she rose slowly from her chair. Every eye in the room followed her.

Madam turned toward the door without another word.

Aire followed her out of the hall. Behind them, the noise of the breakfast resumed.

Michelle watched them leave.

Her fingers tightened around the hidden bottle.

The opportunity... had just slipped away.

But not for long.