Constance's Power

Chapter 9. The Alpha's Secrets

The following day, Constance woke up before sunrise. The cold, hard stone beneath her felt like a constant reminder of just how far she had fallen. Callum's torn gift was a pillow and a blanket, but it was supposed to be thrown away. Relentless labor and ever-present fear had drained her both physically and mentally. Although she'd gotten used to the daily grind, the threat of danger loomed overhead like a dark cloud that refused to disperse. Every day felt like the start of a countdown—an unseen clock ticking away to something she couldn't see coming, and that made her chest clench with horror.

As usual, the guard arrived in silence. His face was as hard as the stone she was sleeping in. Constance followed him in silence. Her heart was heavy with the doubt that had become her ever-present ally. Their footsteps echoed through the empty halls. Her everyday symphony of loneliness and captivity.

Today, the packhouse was unusually still. The early hour kept most of the wolves at bay. But even in the calm, Constance felt something in the air—a tension that prickled at her skin.

She knew why. She had felt it since Alpha Aiden first took an interest in her. The pack had grown colder, their hostility sharper, as though her mere presence threatened them. No one liked outsiders, least of all one without a wolf.

She focused hard on her tasks, avoiding eye contact, but the creeping sensation that someone was watching her didn't leave her. Although she was used to the curious looks of the wolves watching her, today, their gazes were even sharper. They were waiting for something. Each glance brought her a surge of fear, as if a predator was creeping closer. And she was the prey.

While she scrubbed the floor near the entrance, the sound of steady footsteps caught her attention. They were deliberate, and before she turned, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

It was Alpha Aiden

He was strong. Even the grass under his feet felt the firm grip of the Alpha in this pack. He could strangle any wolf just by being near them. His silence was louder than any words.

When Aiden broke the calmness with "Constance," her spine shivered. His voice was cool and authoritative. "Come with me."

She wanted to refuse, but a loud "No" stuck in her throat. That would be an immediate death sentence. Taking a deep breath, she straightened up and wiped her hands on her apron to steady herself.

Aiden locked his dark eyes on hers and looked over her face so closely that she felt like he could uncover every secret she kept hidden. His expression remained as unreadable as ever.

Without a word, he turned and started down the hallway toward his room. Constance followed, her knees feeling heavy. Her mind was full of questions.

When they reached his quarters, Aiden opened the door and stepped aside. He gestured for her to enter. For a moment, Constance hesitated. Her feet were glued to the floor. 'No,' her mind screamed again. Within his quarters, the air was thick with the smell of leather and pine, and the dim lighting made it feel like the room was holding its breath, waiting for her to walk through the door. Gathering her courage, she stepped inside. Though the room was large, it felt smaller now, the walls seeming to close in as the door clicked softly shut behind her. Aiden moved slowly across the room, keeping his back to her as he went toward the fireplace. The flames cast dancing shadows across his imposing figure.

He looked at the fire and remained silent about anything for a long time as if lost in thought. A thick, smothering silence lingered on, intensifying her nervousness each moment.

Finally, Aiden turned, his gaze locking onto hers with the same unsettling focus. "Constance, do you know why I've kept you alive?"

Constance swallowed hard. It had been plaguing her for weeks, but hearing it out loud triggered a fresh burst of terror. She had no real answer, only fragmented guesses. "Because of the prophecy," she whispered, so quiet that no one could hear her. It felt true—or at least part of the truth.

Aiden's lips curled into a faint, sorrowful smile. "That's part of it," he said in a cold voice. He moved toward her, and his eyes never left hers. "But there's more."

Constance gulped. Her heart was racing. She said again, "What do you mean, Alpha?"

Aiden's slight smile disappeared. "You're not merely an outsider without a wolf. You're more than you realize. You'll understand why I've kept you alive when the time is right."

The cryptic nature of his words twisted her stomach into knots. Constance had to ask more. But before she could speak, Aiden raised a hand, silencing her.

"Remember this, little rogue, you are alive because I allow it. Don't mistake my tolerance with mercy." His eyes flashed dangerously, filling her with a chilling sense of fear.

Constance stood frozen. She felt trapped under the weight of his words; they hung over her like a sword ready to fall. She was on a guillotine, and he held the lever. He owned her life in his hands, and at any moment, he could decide to take it away.

Without saying another word, Aiden turned and walked out of the room, leaving her alone in the dim light. The room was dead quiet as the door shut behind him with a soft thud.

Trying to process what had just happened, Constance sank to her knees. Her hands started to shake. More than she knew. What did that mean? What was he hiding from her?

She had thought the prophecy was the key to her survival, but now it seemed something far darker was at play. Something that could destroy her if she wasn't careful.

Obviously, her time in the Nightshade Pack was running out. The lever was on an hourglass. She might not make it to the end of this crazy game if she doesn't find answers soon.