Claimed By The Ruthless Alpha Beast

4

CHAPTER 4: ELOWEN

“Finally, safe for tonight at least.” I sighed the minute I clicked the door behind me.

The iron hook on the stone wall groaned as it took the weight of my waterlogged cloak. I leaned against the door, closing my eyes as the silence of the room wrapped around me. I kicked off my muddy leather boots, letting out a long, shaky sigh as my bare feet touched the dry, stable stone floor. I was finally here. I was safe from the rain, the mud, and the terrifying eyes of the other cruel rogue wolves.

I opened my eyes and looked around at the place where I would be spending my nights until I figured out my next move.

The room was tucked into the very peak of the spire. One wall slanted sharply upward, following the line of the roof, and featured a large, circular window that looked out over the misty valley. A small bed was tucked right beneath the windowsill. It was barely wide enough for one person, but that was fine by me. I wasn’t looking for company. The mating game had never really worked out for me back south—mostly because I was too busy hiding my true nature to ever let a man get close.

I left my heavy travel bag by the door and walked across the room. The floorboards were old wood laid over stone, and they creaked softly under my weight but it felt like a kingdom compared to the damp caves I’d slept in during my journey. A small stone hearth sat on the opposite wall, and a tiny washroom was tucked behind a wooden screen. There was no running water like in the human cities, just a large ceramic basin and a pitcher.

As minimal as it was, I didn't hate it. In fact, I loved it. It was better than living with a pack where everyone knew your business. I had always been an outsider, even in my birth pack. I had worked my fingers to the bone, studying ancient scrolls and learning the history of wolf relics, just so I could become a professional appraiser of sacred items. It was a rare job for a woman, and even rarer for a rogue. But I had claimed my title, and I wouldn't let anyone take this fresh start away from me.

The room was warm, heated by a small fire that had been lit before my arrival. I felt the dampness of my clothes clinging to my skin, making me shiver. I looked out the window.

There were no curtains, but I was so high up in the spire that only the clouds could see me.

I began to peel off my wet tunics, dropping them in a heap on the floor. It felt amazing to be out of the cold layers I had traveled in. The firelight flickered against the wall. I reached back to unlace my leather corset, flinging it across the room with a sense of pure freedom.

A sudden movement out of the corner of my eye made me gasp. I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat as I scrambled onto the bed, pulling the thin wool blanket over my chest. My wolf inside me snarled, her fur bristling at the intrusion. Someone—or something—was in the room with me!

“Oh, Moon Goddess,” I whispered, my eyes darting around the shadows.

A large, dark raven hopped across the floorboards. Its feathers were as black as midnight, and its eyes shone with light. It c****d its head to the side, looking at me as if it were judging my lack of clothing.

I let out a shaky breath, my shoulders relaxing. “What on earth are you doing here?” I asked, my voice still trembling.

The bird let out a sharp caw and hopped onto the windowsill. It tapped its beak against the glass, staring out at the darkening sky.

“You want me to let you out?” I asked, leaning forward. “I suppose this is your lookout point, isn't it?”

I reached out and unlatched the glass pane. The second the window cracked open, a rush of freezing mountain air whistled into the room. The raven didn't hesitate. It spread its wide wings and dove out into the mist, disappearing into the gray clouds that circled the spire.

“Safe travels, little messenger,” I murmured. I watched it go, wondering if it belonged to the Alpha of this territory or one of his spies. Everything in this territory felt like it was watching you.

I closed the window quickly, trying to save the warmth of the fire. The sudden burst of cold air had made my skin prickle, and shyness washed over me, even though I was alone. I stepped away from the window and hurried back to my bag. I needed a thick sweater, a warm pair of leggings, and a hot drink to celebrate my first night in the sanctuary.

Once I was dressed in dry clothes, I turned my attention to the small iron stove near the hearth. It was an old-fashioned thing, meant for boiling water and heating small meals. I searched through the nearby cupboards, finding drawers filled with old iron spoons, dried herbs, and more wooden bowls than I could ever use. Finally, I found a small tinderbox.

The smell of burning flint and woodsmoke filled the room as I got a small flame going. I filled a metal kettle with water from the pitcher and set it on the stove, watching the orange flames lick the bottom of the pot. There was something so relaxing about the simple act of making tea. It made me feel like a woman in her own space, where no one could demand anything from me. I felt like I could finally breathe.

The water began to hiss, and I sat on the edge of the bed, watching the steam rise. I was already dreaming of the work I would do here. Maybe I could find a lead on the legendary Blood-Moon Vault. If I could be the one to appraise the items inside that vault…a lot of things could change..

But my daydreaming was cut short.

A firm, heavy knock echoed against my door. It wasn't the polite tap. It was the loud, commanding strike of someone who expected to be let in immediately.

I froze, my hand hovering over my tea mug. I wasn't expecting any guests, and in a place like this, a knock at the door usually meant trouble was standing on the other side.