The Rise of the Lost Lycan Queen

CHAPTER 9

Eliana POV

Eliana rushed through the swinging doors of the kitchen, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.

She leaned back against the cool prep table, trembling as she pressed her hands to her burning cheeks.

What is he doing? What is Valerius doing?

Her mind was spiraling. Why would he touch her hand? In front of the entire dining hall, right at the high table? If Alpha Silas or Lady Lyra had seen that small, lingering touch, they would have punished her terribly. He was playing a dangerous game, and she was the one who would pay the price if anyone noticed.

She took a deep, shaky breath and forced herself to move. Panic wouldn't save her; work would.

Joining the other omegas, Eliana returned to the main hall to clear the heavy silver platters and dirty plates. She kept her head down the entire time, intentionally avoiding the high table, keeping her distance from Valerius's intense gaze.

She had just stacked the last pile of dishes in the kitchen when a senior pack wolf stepped into the room.

"Eliana," he barked loudly over the noise of running water. "Alpha Silas wants to see you in his study. Now."

Eliana's stomach dropped into a cold abyss.

What did I do wrong now? Did someone see the wine spill? Did he notice Valerius touch my hand?

Dread weighed down every step as she walked down the silent corridor toward the study. She raised a shaking hand, knocked softly, and stepped inside when permitted.

Her breath caught in her throat.

It wasn't just Alpha Silas and Lady Lyra standing by the mahogany desk. Valerius and Commander Vance were standing near the center of the room, their towering presence filling the space.

Eliana instantly lowered her eyes, clutching her hands in front of her faded dress. "You called for me, Alpha Silas?"

"Yes," Lady Lyra spoke up first, stepping forward with a sharp, smug smile. "The Northern delegation has requested an omega to travel to their pack to help train their staff on guest care. They selected you."

Eliana's eyes snapped up in shock. She immediately looked over at Valerius, her dark eyes filled with deep suspicion.

Valerius stood completely still, his calm, dark eyes locking onto hers, holding her gaze without a single hint of apology. She looked from him to Lady Lyra, and finally to Alpha Silas, whose jaw was set in a tight, angry line.

"You will be leaving with them tomorrow morning," Lady Lyra added, watching her closely. "Do you have any objections?"

Eliana didn't hesitate for a single second.

"No, Lady Lyra," Eliana said, her voice quiet but remarkably steady. "I agree to go."

Whatever was waiting for her in the cold, unfamiliar North, it couldn't possibly be worse than the misery, abuse, and humiliation she endured every single day in this house.

Alpha Silas looked visibly shocked. His eyes widened slightly as he stared at her, clearly expecting her to beg, make excuses, or argue to stay in the only home she had ever known.

Commander Vance smiled smoothly, breaking the heavy silence. "Well, now that that is settled, you might want to get your things packed and ready for tomorrow morning, Eliana. We leave early."

"Yes, Commander," Eliana bowed quickly, eager to escape the suffocating room. She turned and practically hurried out the door.

Later that night, the pack house was dark and silent.

Eliana had finished scrubbing the last of the kitchen counters and was heading down the dim basement hallway toward her small room when a strong hand suddenly shot out from the shadows, grabbing her wrist.

She gasped, pulling back, but the grip tightened just enough to hold her in place.

She turned to see Alpha Silas standing in the dim light of the wall sconce.

"Eliana," he whispered, his voice laced with a strange, dark tension. "Are you sure you want to go?"

For the first time in two painful years, Eliana found herself standing alone with him. For two years, she had kept her mouth shut, endured his cold rejections, and taken the punishment his new mate threw at her. But tonight, looking into his eyes, something inside her finally broke.

She spoke quietly, her voice trembling with years of buried pain. "What would you have me do, Alpha Silas?"

He blinked, caught off guard by her directness.

"We used to be so close," Eliana continued, bringing up the ghost of their past that they both tried so hard to pretend didn't exist. "I was so happy when I found out I was mated to you. I thought we had a future. But you yanked that dream away from me. You rejected me for power, and you pushed me lower than even the lowest omega in this pack."

Alpha Silas flinched, his grip on her wrist loosening slightly, but he couldn't find a single word to defend himself.

"Now what would you have me do?" she asked, tears burning behind her eyes, though she refused to let them fall. "It is better I leave than stay here and suffer in a house where I am hated."

Heavy, approaching footsteps echoed from the top of the stairs.

Eliana pulled her wrist completely out of his grip, stepping back into the shadows.

"I have to go, Alpha Silas," she whispered coldly. "I have to get ready for tomorrow."

She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him standing alone in the dark corridor.