Chapter8
844 Words
Chapter Eight: The Offering
Ronald's POV
It was three in the morning when we finally got Anna back to her apartment. Marcus had already arrived, standing guard in the hallway like a silent shadow. He was a massive wolf with dark hair and serious gray eyes.
"Alphas," he said, then his eyes shifted to Anna. "Miss Russell."
Anna looked at him for a long moment. "You can just call me Anna."
Marcus's expression softened slightly. "Anna, then."
Ryker and I didn't want to leave her. Every instinct in my body was screaming to stay, to protect, to guard. But Anna needed space.
"We'll be back in the morning," I told her quietly.
She nodded but didn't meet my eyes. She was still shaken from the brick.
We left her there with Marcus standing watch.
Back at the palace, we went straight to the dungeons. The guards let us through without question. Down the stone stairs until we reached the last cell.
Derrick was sitting on a bench, looking smug despite his bruised face.
"Come to kill me, Alphas?" he sneered.
Ryker moved fast. He reached through the bars and grabbed Derrick by the throat, slamming his head against the wall.
"You paid someone to terrorize our mate," Ryker snarled.
Derrick's face turned purple, but he managed to choke out a laugh. "She's nothing. She's wolfless trash."
I put my hand on Ryker's shoulder. "Let him go. He's not worth it."
Ryker released him with disgust. Derrick collapsed on the floor, gasping.
"You're going to rot in this cell," I said coldly. "And if you ever try to hurt Anna again, there won't be enough left of you to bury."
We left him there in the dark.
I couldn't sleep that night. I kept thinking about Anna alone in that apartment with a broken window. She should be here. In the palace. Safe.
But I knew she wasn't ready yet.
At seven in the morning, I went to the palace kitchens. The head chef looked surprised to see me.
"Alpha Ronald? Can I help you?"
"I need breakfast," I said. "Something warm. And coffee. Strong coffee."
The chef smiled. "For the young lady?"
"Yes," I admitted.
Thirty minutes later, I was carrying a bag filled with fresh pastries, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a thermos of hot coffee. I also grabbed wooden boards and nails from the maintenance shed. Her window needed fixing.
I drove to Anna's building. Marcus was still standing guard, looking alert despite being up all night.
"Has she come out?" I asked.
"No, Alpha," Marcus said. "But she's awake."
I went upstairs and stood outside her door. I could hear her heartbeat. Steady but fast. She knew I was here.
I knocked gently. "Anna? It's Ronald. I brought breakfast."
Silence.
"I also brought supplies to fix your window," I continued. "I can't leave knowing you're living with broken glass everywhere."
Still nothing.
I took a deep breath. "Listen, I know you're scared. I know you don't trust us yet. The pack failed you. Derrick betrayed you. You've been hurt over and over."
I pressed my palm against the door.
"But I need you to know something. Ryker and I are not going anywhere. We're going to fix this pack. We're going to root out every corrupt wolf who ever hurt you."
I could hear her breathing closer now. She was standing on the other side of the door.
"And we're going to prove to you that the mate bond is real. That we're different. That we see you, Anna. Not as a burden. But as our equal. Our queen."
My voice dropped lower.
"But we can't do any of that if you won't let us in. So I'm going to leave this food here. And these supplies. And when you're ready, we'll be waiting."
I set the bag down in front of her door. Then I placed the wooden boards and hammer beside it.
"The coffee is still hot," I added. "And the pastries are from the palace chef. He makes the best croissants in the territory."
I waited one more moment, hoping she might open the door.
But she didn't.
I turned and walked down the hallway. Each step felt heavier than the last. My wolf was howling inside me, begging me to go back.
But I kept walking.
I had just reached the corner when I heard it.
Click. Click. Click.
The sound of locks being undone.
Then the soft creak of a door opening.
I stopped. I didn't turn around. I didn't want to spook her.
I heard the rustle of the bag being picked up. The scrape of wood as she dragged the supplies inside.
Then her voice, so quiet I almost missed it.
"Thank you."
The door closed softly.
I stood there for a long moment, a smile spreading across my face.
It was a start.
I pulled out my phone and texted Ryker.
She took the food. She said thank you.
His response came immediately.
Progress. Meet me at the palace. We have plans to make.
- Writer
