Rachel’s POV
My breath hitched sharply in my throat as a deluge of memories craised over me, all centered around my mother Marie’s harp. It was of a similar design to this one, though hers was smaller.
Every night before 1 drified off to sleep, she would play it for me, the gentle melodies lulling me into peaceful slumber.
As my fingers made contact with the smooth wood of this new four harp, tracing the elegant curve of its frame, they trembled uncontrollably,
An overwhelming wave of longing and grief weled up inside me, so tense that I felt the pricking of hot tears behind my eyes. It had been an eternity since I’d last played any instrument. The day Mem died, a part of me that was connected to music died with her.
ing this harr
But now, seeing
myself.
harp, it was as if a spark had ignited within my soul, awakening something I had long since buried deep within
It can’t hurt to try.”
ry,” I whispered, settling onto the golden bench beside it.
My fingers hesitated over the strings before I plucked one experimentally. The sound resonated through the empty room, pure and clear. It took only minutes before muscle memory returned, my fingers remembering what my mind had forgotten.
Soon, I was lost in the music, playing a melody my mother had taught me. It felt like reuniting with an old friend–that instant connection regardless of time apart.
I paused, letting my hands rest in my lap. Despite everything–being sold to the most feared Alpha in the territory as nothing but a breeder–this was still my life.
And not everyone in the Ironjaw Pack had been cruel to me. Emma had nursed me back to health with genuine care. Victoria had shown me kindness when she had no reason to.
“I’ll miss them,” I realized aloud, thinking about when I would leave this place. After six months and one child, Nathan would please me
My thoughts drifted to him–Nathan Blackwood. The most intimidating and handsome man I’d ever encountered.
My owner.
I closed my eyes, unable to stop images of him from forming: his long, strong fingers brushing across my skin, his deep voice in my ear, his cold pine scent surrounding me, those eyes piercing into mine…
The melody slowed as reality crashed back. He was always distant, cold. I could never understand what went on behind those eyes He would be the only man to touch me, but to him, I was merely a tool, a vessel. Bitterness coated my throat,
But in six months, none of this would matter, Six months, one child, then freedom
Without realizing it, I began pleasure.
gan to sing. The joy of singing–something else I hadn’t done in years–rushed through me
me like a forgotten
“I closed my eyes, feeling the music and lyrics flow through me with more emotion than I d allowed myself to feel in so long. A small
smile touched my lips.
Yes, I thought. I’m ready to be a breeder… and then to claims my freedom.
1/3
Chapter 16
Nathan’s POV
I was trapped in the nightmare again. The scent of damp earth filled my nostrils as wet grass squelched beneath my feet. The sky was dark, and a strange smell bng in the air–one I couldn’t lentily Fear and loneliness gripped me in the darkness,
“Is anyone there?” I called softly.
“Nathan?” My father’s voice gradually reached me from somewhere tant.
“Father?” I called back. Tather”
Iran toward the forest, searching for the source of his vice. He stood at the edge of the trees, and relief flooded through me.
“Father!”
As his smiling face became clearer, I noticed a shadow emerging from the darkness behind him. Before I could comprehend what was happening, before I could warn him, a blade swept across from behind, cutting him down.
“No! Father!” I screamed.
Then I heard it–an angelic voice in the distance. A voice that reminded me of moonlight and the peace my wolf Telt beneath it. A heavenly song unlike any I’d heard before.
The owner of that voice must be an angel.
1 looked around as the terrible memories began to fade. This isn’t real. You’re dreaming. Wake up, Nathan.
My eyes snapped open, scanning my room. I realized immediately–Rachel was singing. That beautiful voice was pulling at my soul, awakening a part of me I’d longed for but thought destroyed.
Tyler hadn’t reported their visit to the music room last week, but I’d happened to pass by.
remembered how the afternoon sunlight had bathed Rachel in golden light, her copper hair almost fiery in its glow.
She’d worn a simple dress that blended with the white harp, as if she’d been born to play it.
Since that day, I’d occasionally heard Rachel singing in the Luna Suite. She probably thought no one could hear her.
But with my Alpha bloodline came exceptionally acute senses, allowing me to hear her clearly. I would sit and absorb her lyrics, letting them wash over me.
I knew I couldn’t allow myself down this path. The more her voice moved me, the harder it became to control myself.
I needed to make her stop… even though she soothed me in ways no one else could. The last thing I needed was another
distraction.
War was brewing, and the longer we waited, the stronger our enemies in the Western Territory would grow, and the greater danger
we’d face.
Tyler, I called through our mind link.
es, Alpha?” He refponded immediately.
“Come here.”
My thoughts were firm; the sooner she was gone from here, the better.
2/3
Chapter 16
As her singing continued, I figned. The song was muffled, like a whisper near my ear. I could imagine her sitting by the window, could sense her emotions: lonely but calm, sad yet lunpeful,
Shouldn’t a fragile soul like her be free?
I had to admit that whatever she was singing was beautiful.
“Alpha7” Tyler opened the door and stepped in.
“Tyler, did you increase our patrol teams?” I asked.
“Yes. I met yesterday with security personnel from the attacked pack and sent reinforcements. A full investigation will take some time, of course.”
“Good,” I replied, considering everything. “I want to make sure this handled properly. Make sure you send Ryan there to handle everything.”
Is there anything else you need? Tyler looked af me, slightly confused.
Typically, I wouldn’t call him at this hour without a specific task.
“No, I just wanted to confirm.” I took a sip of water. This wasn’t like me, and I blamed it on that damn nightmare.
Tyler hesitated. I frowned, “Do you have something else to report?”
Then I noticed Tyler’s colorful scarf.
“Tyler,” I said firmly, looking directly into his eyes. We’d grown up together, we knew each other too well. Tyler had something to say, “Speak, Beta, I don’t have all night.”
Finally, Tyler said, “It’s about Rachel…
