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 🤍

...

Hannah stopped.

Her breath came out uneven, and too fast for someone who has a maid stationed for her every need.

She pressed a hand to her chest, and coughed twice.

The scent of damp earth clung to her nose, mixing with the sharp edge of her own nerves.

She swallowed hard, and her fingers trembled for a second qnd then, she clenched them into a fist.

She had taken a risk, a big one but it wouldn’t be for nothing. It couldn’t be for nothing.

When the news came. When Aire’s death spread through the castle, it would all make sense, and all be worth it.

Hannah exhaled slowly, then crouched.

Her fingers dug into the soil. She scraped through the ground, rough and impatient. Thw dirt packed under her nails, but she didn’t care.

She cleared a small space, just enough as she wanted, then she reached into her cloak, and pulled out a small bottle.

The botte was almost empty.

Her lips curled slightly. She smiled lightly as she lowered it into the hole, and covered it quickly.

A hand landed on her shoulder before she could finish.

Hannah froze. Her claws came out instantly with no hesitation, and she turned. She struck fast, but it didnt connect with anyone.

The person behind her caught her wrist mid-air.

Hannah’s breath hitched, then she looked up. She relaxed slightly when she saw who it was.

"Michelle." She called, as her claws slid back in. "What do you want?"

Michelle maintained her frown. Her grip tightened slightly before she shoved Hannah’s hand away.

Michelle looked around. "What were you thinking?" she questioned. Her voice came out low. "I told you I would take care of it."

Hannah rolled her eyes. "You were taking too long."

Michelle’s jaw clenched. "And because of that, you decided to give the job to a child?"

Hannah scoffed. "Oh please." She stood fully now, brushing dirt off her hands like this conversation bored her. "It was just a delivery."

Michelle stepped closer. "You used a girl that comes to me for food."

Hqnnah paused, and Michelle thought she’d realize what she just did. However, Hannah shrugged. "She’s an errand child. They all run around for scraps. It’s not that deep."

Michelle’s eyes darkened. "It would be that deep when she knows my face."

Hannah’s lips twitched. "Then maybe you shouldn’t have made yourself memorable." She mocked.

Michelle’s fist clenched. For a second, it looked like she might actually hit Michelle. She shppm her head, then she just exhaled.

Mitchelle tapped her feet twice kn the floor. She shook her head in thoughts. "You’ve made a mess."

Hannah tilted her head. "Did I?"

Michelle laughed. It was a disbelieving smile. She couldn’t believe Hannah to be as arrogant as she was.

"Aire didn’t drink it." She deadpanned.

Hannah froze. Her smirk woed off her face immediately. "What?"

"The Alphas intervened." Michelle’s voice dropped. "They smelled it before it even touched her lips."

Hannah’s expression shifted to annoyance. She clicked her tongue, irritated.

She crossed her arm over her chest, and lifted her cleavage. "So what?"

Michelle stared at her, trying to hold back from giving her a sound slap. For the sake of her mother, she held back, and said. "Instead of dying, she took the girl."

This actually made Hannah still. "What?"

"She took the girl in."

Michelle stepped closer. "She defended her. In front of everyone. Do you know how many wolves would accept her even if shes cursed?"

Hannah’s brows pulled together slightly. That wasn’t part of the plan. "Why would she do that?"

Michelle’s laugh this time was sharper. "Because she’s not like you." She replied without hesitation. "Now the girl would live in the castle."

Silence dropped between them, heavy, and uncomfortable.

Hannah’s stomach twisted slightly.

"What if she recognizes me?" Michelle asked. "I now work there."

Hannah didn’t hesitate. "Then kill her."

Michelle’s head snapped up. "That’s a child. A child I almost raised."

Hannah’s expression didn’t change. "And you weren’t thinking about that when you made me use her."

Michelle opened her mouth, then closed it. Her jaw tightened. Michelle stepped closer again.

"You wanted Aire dead." She said. "Now fix this and let me do my job."

.....

The carriage ride back to the King territory was silent.

Aire sat still. She sat completely still with a blank expression. She had a lot in her mind.

The little girl lay across the lap of one of the maids, her small body trembling faintly even in unconsciousness.

Every now and then, a soft whimper slipped past her lips.

Aire heard it everytime. The girl fingers rested on her lap, and stayed still.

The moment the carriage stopped, Aire stepped down first. The maids followed quickly behind her, careful with the girl.

Aire didn’t slow down.

Her jaw tightened. Her stomach turned violently, and she continuously heaed the sick crack.

Her fingers curled slightly. Nate and his brothers didn’t even hesitate. Would it be so wrong if she accepts King Elijah’s offer?

Aire swallowed.

The walk to her wing felt longer than usual. It made her sin crawl when she remembered they gave her the sot in the wing as punishment.

By the time they reached her room. The door was already open, prepared, and waiting.

The maid carrying the girl hesitated. "My lady... where should I place her?" she questioned politely.

"My bed."

The maid blinked slightly, but obeyed, carefully laying the girl down on the soft sheets.

The girl barely moved. Her face was pale, with her breathing uneven.

Footsteps approached the room, and a man rushed in fast.

The doctor moved immediately to the bed. He bent to the girl, and with his hands steady as he examined the girl’s legs.

Aire stepped back slightly, to give him space. She turned slowly, and her gaze landed on Madam.

Madam calmly stood at the side, and it infuriated Aire. Her eyes immediately sharpened.

She glanced once more at the girl, and then back at Madam.

"Come."She ordered, her voice calm.

She walked toward a corner of the room, and didn’t wait to see if Madam followed.

Madam followed. She stopped a few steps behind her. "Aire—"

"Where were you?" Aire cut her off.

Madam paused for a second. "What?"

Aire eyes locked onto Madam’s. "Where were you," she repeated slowly, "when she brought the drink?"

Madam didn’t answer immediately.

And that.... That was enough. Aire’s chest shifted. And darkened. "You left." She noted, her voice dropping slightly. "You were supposed to be with me."

Madam’s brows pulled together. "I stepped away for a moment—"

"A moment?" Aire cut in. "A child walked up to me. Handed me a drink. And you weren’t there."

Madam inhaled slowly. "Aire, I—"

Are interupted her again. "You told me to come there. You insisted." Aire paused, as if to think. Then, she added. "And then you disappeared."

Madam’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Aire took a step closer. Her gaze didn’t waver nor soften. "Should I believe that’s a coincidence?"

Madam straightened slightly. Her expression shifted. Her gaze moved from confusion to realization. "You think I had something to do with this?"

It wasn’t a question.