THE RISE OF THE WOLF KING

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

A Beautiful Cage

Anna did not speak to me on the walk back to the pack house.

She kept her hand inside mine, but the warmth that had flowed so freely between us beside the creek had withdrawn behind a wall I could not reach.

Carlos led the warriors through the woods. Two shifted wolves ran ahead of us while four more guarded our sides and rear. The bloody jasmine flower and the message had been wrapped inside a clean cloth and placed in Carlos’s possession.

The moon chose wrong.

The words repeated inside my mind with every step.

Whoever had written them had known where I would take Anna. They had entered the kitchens without drawing suspicion, touched the basket prepared for their Alpha, and remained close enough to watch us discover the threat.

They had watched me kiss her.

My wolf snarled beneath my skin.

Anna’s fingers tightened around mine.

“Your anger is hurting me.”

I stopped.

The warriors halted with us.

“What?”

“The bond.” She touched the center of her chest. “It feels like something is pressing against me.”

I forced my power down.

The pressure surrounding us eased immediately, but the rage remained inside me, burning for somewhere to go.

“I am sorry.”

“You keep saying that after you have already made the decision.”

“What decision?”

“To let your fear rule you.”

The warriors pretended not to listen.

Carlos did not bother pretending.

“She was threatened,” he said carefully. “His fear is not unreasonable.”

Anna looked at him. “I never said it was.”

“You asked me not to leave you,” I reminded her.

“And you stayed.”

“Because you were afraid.”

“I was afraid for a moment. That does not mean I want to spend the rest of my life being punished for it.”

“Protection is not punishment.”

“That depends on what your protection costs me.”

I released her hand and faced her fully.

Moonlight moved across her skin. Her curls had become tangled from the wind, and a faint smear of dirt marked the side of her dress. Only an hour ago, I had watched her sit barefoot beside the creek and believed the night belonged to us.

Now warriors surrounded her.

The pack house waited ahead like a fortress.

And I was considering how many locks it would take to keep her safe.

The realization disturbed me.

It did not change my mind.

“Someone placed blood in my basket and threatened you.”

“The message did not threaten me.”

“It said the Goddess was wrong to choose you.”

“That is hateful, not deadly.”

“Someone released a mare near you this morning.”

“You do not know that I was the target.”

“I do not intend to wait until they succeed before believing they are dangerous.”

Anna folded her arms.

“What are you going to do?”

“Move you into the Alpha house.”

“No.”

“You will have two guards with you at all times.”

“No.”

“You will not return to the servants’ quarters.”

“No.”

I stared at her.

She stared back.

Carlos rubbed a hand over his face.

“This is going well.”

“Stay out of this,” Anna and I said together.

His eyebrows lifted.

“I see the bond is strengthening.”

I ignored him.

“You are moving tonight,” I told her.

“You cannot simply move me.”

“I can.”

“Will you carry me?”

“If necessary.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And when I leave again?”

“You will be followed.”

“I will refuse the guards.”

“They will follow you anyway.”

“Then I will lose them.”

“They are warriors, Anna.”

“And I know every servants’ passage in that house.”

Carlos coughed to disguise his laugh.

I turned toward him.

“Do you have something to contribute?”

“Only admiration.”

“For me?”

“No.”

Anna looked toward the distant lights of the pack house.

“I will not stop working.”

The certainty in her voice made me pause.

“We can discuss your duties later.”

“There is nothing to discuss. I made a promise to my parents. I came here to earn my own money and learn a trade. I will not become a woman who sits in a beautiful room waiting for an Alpha to decide when she may leave it.”

“You are my mate. You do not need to work as a servant.”

“That is not your choice.”

“I can provide anything you need.”

“You cannot provide the pride I feel when I send my wages home.”

“I can pay you for the cooking lessons.”

“That is one hour every few days. I will keep my regular position.”

“Absolutely not.”

She stepped toward me.

The warriors nearest us shifted uneasily.

“You agreed to pay me for teaching you.”

“I did.”

“You said you would not take every piece of my old life away.”

“I said I would try.”

“Try harder.”

Our unfinished bond tightened between us.

Her anger was strong, but beneath it lived something more fragile.

Fear.

Not of the message.

Of me.

Anna feared that accepting the bond would mean surrendering herself one piece at a time.

First her name.

Then her work.

Then her room.

Eventually, every choice she had ever made.

I thought of the promise I had sworn before the sacred stone.

Their freedom before your pride.

Those words had seemed simple when I believed freedom meant defending borders and killing enemies.

No one had warned me it might mean allowing my mate to walk into a kitchen when every instinct demanded that I lock her inside my chambers.

I looked at Carlos.

“Take the others ahead.”

“Enrique—”

“I can protect her for the distance remaining.”

He studied my face, then nodded.

“Two warriors will wait at the eastern doors.”

I wanted to argue that no one should know which entrance we intended to use. Then I realized that was precisely the kind of thinking Anna feared.

“Fine.”

Carlos led the patrol toward the house.

We waited until the woods became quiet again.

Anna looked at me expectantly.

“I will compromise,” I said.

Her brows rose. “Do you know how?”

“I am about to demonstrate.”

“This should be interesting.”

“You may continue working in the kitchens.”

“I work throughout the house.”

“Then you may continue your regular position.”

“And?”

“You will teach me to cook, and I will pay you twice the wages of a kitchen servant for every lesson, as we agreed.”

Suspicion remained in her eyes. “What do you want in return?”

“You will move into the Alpha house tonight.”

Her mouth opened.

I raised my hand before she could refuse.

“You will have rooms of your own. No one will enter them without your permission, including me. You may continue working, sending your wages home, learning whatever position you wish, and walking anywhere inside Dios del Sol.”

“With guards.”

“With two guards.”

“One.”

“Two.”

“Enrique.”

“Two warriors at all times. Always.”

“I do not need two.”

“You are negotiating the number of people required to save your life. I am not.”

“One warrior can call for help.”

“One warrior can be attacked.”

“Two warriors will draw attention everywhere I go.”

“You are the Alpha’s fated mate. You drew the attention of the entire pack before I assigned anyone to you.”

“I do not want to feel watched.”

“They will maintain a respectful distance.”

“How respectful?”

“Far enough that they cannot hear ordinary conversation.”

“We have werewolf hearing.”

“Then speak quietly.”

She gave me a dry look.

I exhaled.

“They will be instructed not to interfere with your work, your friendships, or your privacy unless they believe you are in danger. You may choose the women assigned to you if that makes you more comfortable.”

“I do not know any female warriors.”

“Maggie does.”

“Your sister already likes giving me orders.”

“Maggie likes giving everyone orders. It is one of her more unpleasant qualities.”

Anna looked down, considering the offer.

I moved closer.

“This is the most freedom I can give you while someone inside our territory may be targeting you.”

“Freedom is not something you give me.”

“No. But protection is something I owe you.”

Her expression softened slightly.

I continued before she found another reason to refuse.

“You will not be dismissed from your position. Your wages will remain your own. The money from our lessons will be yours. I will not send anything to your family without your permission.”

“And I may leave the Alpha house whenever I choose?”

“With your guards.”

“Even if you disagree?”

“Yes.”

“May I visit my family?”

“With enough warriors to protect you on the journey.”

“How many is enough?”

“Twenty.”

Her eyes widened. “Twenty?”

“Perhaps thirty.”

“Enrique.”

“We can negotiate that number when the time comes.”

She fought a smile.

“You truly think you are being reasonable.”

“I am suffering greatly.”

“And where exactly will I sleep?”

“In the Alpha wing.”

“With you?”

My wolf surged forward at the possibility.

I silenced him.

“You will have your own bedchamber.”

“Near yours?”

“Yes.”

“How near?”

I thought of the adjoining room separated from mine by one interior door.

“Near enough that I can reach you quickly.”

“That was not an answer.”

“Beside mine.”

Her suspicion returned. “Does the door lock?”

“Yes.”

“From my side?”

“I will have one installed.”

“You promise not to enter without permission?”

“I promise.”

“Even if you can feel me through the bond?”

“Yes.”

“Even if you believe I am angry with you?”

“That seems likely to happen often.”

“Enrique.”

“I will knock.”

“And wait for me to answer.”

“I will knock loudly.”

“And wait.”

I clenched my jaw.

“Yes.”

Anna was silent for so long that I feared she intended to refuse anyway.

Finally, she held out her hand.

“I keep my work, my wages, and my lessons. You do not send money to my family without asking. I have a private room with a lock, and you do not enter unless I invite you.”

“And you move into the Alpha house with two guards at all times.”

“Two discreet guards.”

“Two dangerous guards.”

“Discreetly dangerous.”

“Agreed.”

I accepted her hand.

The bond warmed at the contact.

“Was that a real compromise?” I asked.

“It was close.”

“I should receive more recognition.”

“You are receiving cooperation. Do not become greedy.”

I lifted her hand to my lips.

Her breath caught as I kissed her knuckles.

“I have already warned you about my hunger.”

Something uncertain moved through her eyes.

For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke.

Then Anna tugged her hand free.

“We should return before Carlos sends the entire army after us.”

“He knows I can protect you.”

“He also knows you are an unreasonable man alone in the woods with a woman you want.”

“That has nothing to do with the army.”

“It should.”

I smiled despite the fury waiting beneath my skin.

She had not forgiven me entirely.

But she was walking beside me again.

For the moment, it was enough.

My mother was waiting in the eastern sitting room when we entered the pack house.

So were Father, Maggie, Ian, Lucía, and Carlos.

The remains of a hurried meal covered the long table between them. Warriors guarded both doors. Doña Isolde stood near the windows, examining the crushed jasmine flower beneath the light of an oil lamp.

Anna stopped.

“I thought we were returning quietly.”

“There is no such thing as quiet in this family,” I said.

Mother crossed the room before anyone else could speak.

She took Anna’s face between her hands and examined her from every direction.

“Are you injured?”

“No, Luna.”

“Did anyone touch you?”

“No.”

“Did you see the wolf clearly?”

“No.”

Mother pulled Anna into her arms.

Anna stiffened with surprise.

So did I.

“Thank the Goddess,” Mother whispered.

Slowly, Anna lifted her arms and returned the embrace.

The fear Mother had concealed through the pack bond finally reached me. It was stronger than I had realized.

When she stepped away, her eyes were wet.

“Tonight, you will stay here.”

Anna glanced at me.

“We have already discussed it.”

“And she agreed?” Carlos asked.

“Yes.”

Anna looked at him. “We compromised.”

Carlos stared at me with open disbelief.

“What?”

“I have served beside you since childhood. You have never compromised.”

“I compromise.”

“When?”

“I allowed you to become Beta.”

“That was not a compromise. I was the only choice.”

“Lucía was a stronger candidate.”

His mate smiled. “That is true.”

Carlos looked betrayed.

Mother guided Anna toward the table.

“You must be hungry.”

“We ate at the creek.”

“Did he actually cook?”

“No,” Anna answered.

“Yes,” I said at the same time.

Maggie laughed. “Which version are we accepting?”

“I attempted to cook,” I clarified. “Carlos replaced my food.”

“Then Carmen survived two dangers tonight,” Ian said. “The wolf and Enrique’s supper.”

“Anna,” I corrected.

Everyone looked at me.

Anna lowered her gaze, but I saw the smile she tried to hide.

Mother noticed it too.

“Anna?” she asked gently.

“She allows me to call her that.”

“Only him,” Anna said.

The warmth that entered me was immediate and embarrassingly strong.

Maggie’s eyes moved between us.

“Why only Enrique?”

“Because I prefer it that way.”

Maggie’s expression became far too knowing.

Carlos grinned.

I pointed toward an empty chair.

“Sit down before I dismiss you as Beta.”

“I would still know what happened.”

“But you would know it while unemployed.”

Father cleared his throat.

The room quieted.

He had remained near the fireplace, listening without interfering. His gaze settled on Anna.

“Carlos told us about the message.”

Anna sat beside Mother. “It could have been meant only to frighten me.”

“Fear is often the first weapon used by someone testing how close they can come,” Father said.

Her expression tightened.

I did not enjoy hearing my own concerns confirmed.

Father continued. “Enrique is right to increase your protection.”

Anna glanced at me. “He will enjoy hearing you say that.”

“I enjoy it already.”

Father’s mouth almost curved into a smile.

“But protection cannot become confinement,” he added.

My satisfaction disappeared.

Anna’s returned.

“I enjoy that part,” she said.

Carlos laughed into his cup.

Father ignored him.

“Tomorrow, I will question the council members who attended the coronation. Carlos will continue investigating the kitchens and stables. No accusation will be made without evidence.”

“I want every room searched,” I said.

“And what will you tell the pack when warriors tear through their possessions?”

“That I am searching for a traitor.”

“You will tell them nothing,” Father said. “You are angry, and anger makes a man confuse motion with progress.”

“I am the Alpha.”

“You are. That is why your mistakes will damage more than yourself.”

The room became silent.

Power moved restlessly beneath my skin.

Father no longer possessed the right to overrule me. Every person at the table knew it.

So did he.

Still, he held my gaze without lowering his head.

Carlos had pledged to challenge me in private. My father had apparently decided privacy included every member of our family and my mate.

Anna touched my arm.

The pressure inside me eased.

“What would you do?” I asked Father.

“Search the places connected to both incidents. Question people quietly. Allow the guilty wolf to believe the message frightened us but revealed nothing.”

“It revealed that they could enter our kitchens.”

“Then we change access to the kitchens without announcing why.”

“And if they try again?”

“They will find us waiting.”

I disliked patience.

Unfortunately, it was not the same as weakness.

“Fine,” I said. “Carlos will conduct the investigation. I want a written list of everyone who entered the main kitchen after midday.”

“I already ordered one,” Carlos said.

“And the stables?”

“Tomás is preparing it.”

My wolf bristled at his name.

Anna felt it.

She leaned closer. “You promised.”

“I have done nothing.”

“Your face has.”

Carlos smiled. “That is what I told him.”

I decided I required a better family.

Mother rang the small bell beside her chair.

A servant entered.

“Please tell Brianna I need her,” Mother said. “And ask the housekeeper to prepare the eastern room in the Alpha wing.”

“Not yet,” I said.

Everyone looked at me.

Mother’s brows drew together. “Anna needs somewhere to sleep.”

“She can stay in Maggie’s chambers tonight.”

Maggie nearly choked on her wine.

“Why mine?”

“Because the eastern room is beside me.”

Anna stared at me. “Is that not what we agreed?”

“It is.”

“Then why am I staying with Maggie?”

“Because the room does not have a lock.”

Understanding entered her expression.

“You remembered.”

“I remember every promise I make to you.”

The words quieted something inside her.

Maggie leaned back in her chair. “I suppose no one cares whether I want a roommate.”

“No,” Ian said.

She threw a piece of bread at him.

Mother shook her head. “The lock can be installed tomorrow.”

“More than the lock,” I said.

I had been considering the arrangement since we left the creek. The bedchambers inside the Alpha wing had been built for sleeping, dressing, and little else. My father spent nearly every waking hour in his study, council chamber, training fields, or among the pack.

I did not want Anna forced to sit inside a bedroom whenever she desired privacy.

“I want the entire wing renovated.”

Mother stared at me. “The entire wing?”

“My bedchamber, the eastern room, and the two smaller rooms beyond it.”

“What do you intend to build?” Father asked.

“A private residence.”

Carlos tilted his head. “Inside the pack house?”

“Yes.”

Maggie smiled slowly. “You want an apartment.”

“I want rooms that belong to us instead of a bed surrounded by stone walls.”

Anna’s lips parted.

I looked at her as the idea became clearer in my mind.

“A sitting room with a fireplace. A private dining area. Shelves for books. A bathing chamber large enough for two separate baths.”

Carlos made a sound of amusement.

I ignored him.

“A small kitchen,” I continued, “so Anna can teach me without every servant in the main kitchen watching me fail.”

“You mean without witnesses when you burn the walls down,” Maggie said.

“I did not burn a wall.”

“Only because it was made of stone.”

Anna was still staring at me.

“You planned all of this?”

“I began planning it while you were arguing with me in the woods.”

“That was less than an hour ago.”

“I think quickly.”

“You order quickly,” she corrected.

“Would you like something different?”

The question surprised everyone at the table.

Perhaps it surprised me most.

Anna looked down at her hands.

“A window seat.”

“What?”

“My grandmother had one beside her kitchen window. I used to sit there while she cooked.” Her voice softened. “If I am allowed to ask, I would like a window seat.”

“You do not need permission to ask.”

She looked at me.

“A wide one,” she said. “With cushions.”

“Done.”

“And shelves beneath it.”

“For books?”

“For anything I want.”

“Done.”

“A writing desk.”

“You said you wanted to read better.”

“And write better.”

“I will arrange a tutor.”

Anna began to object.

“You will pay them from the wages earned teaching me,” I added.

Her mouth closed.

“Is that acceptable?”

“Yes.”

Something almost shy entered her smile.

I turned toward Father. “The builders begin tomorrow.”

Mother laughed softly. “You have been Alpha for two days, and you are already tearing apart the house.”

“The house will survive.”

“I am less certain about the builders,” Carlos said. “He will stand over them the entire time.”

“I have responsibilities.”

“You will assign me those responsibilities so you can stand over them.”

“That is why I chose a Beta.”

Carlos looked at Lucía. “I knew becoming Beta would be enjoyable.”

The servant returned with Brianna.

She was a tall woman in her early thirties with deep brown skin and dozens of narrow braids decorated with small gold beads. I had seen her attending my mother since I was a child, mixing oils for her hair, preparing baths, and arranging the elaborate styles worn during ceremonies.

Brianna bowed to my parents, then to me.

“My Alpha.”

“Brianna, this is Anna,” Mother said. “She will be joining us for a family dinner tomorrow evening.”

Anna glanced at the table. “Is this not a family dinner?”

“No,” Mother said. “This is panic surrounding leftover food.”

Ian nodded. “Our family dinners have more meat.”

“And fewer weapons,” Maggie added.

I counted the warriors at the doors, the dagger at my hip, Carlos’s sword, Father’s hunting knife, and the smaller blade concealed in my mother’s sleeve.

“Sometimes,” I said.

Mother continued as though none of us had spoken.

“I would like Anna to have everything she needs before tomorrow evening. Send for the tailors at sunrise. Have them bring fabrics appropriate for every season.”

Anna straightened. “That is not necessary.”

“It is,” I said.

She gave me a warning look.

I remembered our compromise.

Mother intervened before we could begin another argument.

“Not because your clothing is shameful,” she told Anna. “And not because we intend to disguise you as someone else. But the Luna of Dios del Sol requires a wardrobe for ceremonies, council meetings, travel, training, mourning, celebrations, and ordinary pack life.”

“I have not accepted the Luna title.”

“No,” Mother agreed. “But whether you accept the bond tomorrow or in ten years, you are living in the Alpha house now. People will study every choice you make. Clothing can become armor when worn correctly.”

Anna looked down at her brown servant’s dress.

“I do not want to look like I am ashamed of where I came from.”

“Then do not allow the tailors to make you look that way.”

Mother reached across the table and took her hand.

“Choose colors you love. Choose fabrics that feel like you. Keep your servant dresses for work if that is what you wish. But allow us to give you choices.”

Anna’s grandmother had wanted the same thing for her.

Choices.

The resistance in her shoulders eased.

“I have never chosen fabric for a dress.”

“Then tomorrow will be your first time.”

Mother looked at Brianna.

“After the fitting, I want her hair and nails prepared for dinner. Bring the finest perfumes, oils, soaps, and creams in the house.”

Anna touched one of her curls self-consciously.

“Is something wrong with my hair?”

“Nothing,” Brianna said before anyone else could answer. “Your hair is beautiful.”

She stepped closer, studying Anna’s curls with the serious expression of a warrior inspecting a weapon.

“Thick, healthy, and thirsty. I have coconut oil, castor oil, jasmine water, shea butter, and a honey treatment that will make these curls shine beneath moonlight. I will not cut, straighten, hide, or change anything without your permission.”

Anna relaxed.

“And my nails?”

“Cleaned, shaped, and polished if you want color.”

“I have never worn polish.”

Brianna smiled. “Then we will try every color until you find one you love.”

“Purple,” Ian suggested.

“No one asked you,” Maggie said.

“Gold,” Lucía offered. “It would look beautiful against her skin.”

“Deep red,” Mother said.

Everyone began speaking at once.

Anna looked overwhelmed, but she was smiling.

I watched the women discuss fabrics, oils, hairstyles, perfumes, and colors as if the threat inside my pocket did not exist.

This was what I wanted for her.

Not simply guards.

Not locked doors or warriors searching corridors.

I wanted Anna surrounded by people who would make her feel that she belonged here so completely that whoever wrote the message would understand their failure.

Mother called for parchment and began arranging the following evening as though preparing for a royal visit.

Dinner would be held in the private family dining room rather than the great hall. No council members. No servants beyond those Anna already trusted. Maggie demanded music afterward. Ian requested honey cakes. Carlos requested enchanted wine and was denied by everyone.

Father remained near the fireplace.

He watched Anna laugh at something Lucía whispered to her.

Then he looked at me.

There was approval in his expression.

And warning.

This is how you protect her, his eyes seemed to say.

Not only with fear.

With belonging.

I looked around the table.

My mother held Anna’s hand while Brianna described a blue silk imported from across the sea. Maggie insisted green would be better. Lucía promised to remain through the entire fitting. Ian continued campaigning for purple nails despite being ignored.

Anna had entered the room trembling beneath the weight of a stranger’s hatred.

Now warmth moved through the bond.

Fragile.

Uncertain.

But real.

She felt welcomed.

I would tear apart every stone in the Alpha wing to give her a home.

I would fill her closets with fabric, her shelves with books, and her private rooms with anything that made her smile.

I would let her work, earn her wages, teach me, argue with me, and walk freely through my territory.

But she would never walk alone again.

The compromise had given Anna most of what she wanted.

It had given me the one thing I needed.

She would remain close enough for me to protect.

Close enough for me to hear her heartbeat through the wall.

Close enough that someday, when she no longer feared losing herself inside our bond, she might unlock the door between our rooms and invite me through it.

Until then, I would knock.

I would wait.

And I would learn that earning a woman’s trust required far more patience than conquering a pack.

Unfortunately, patience had never been one of my strengths.