I stood frozen, my heart racing, as Axel's piercing gaze bore into me. His expression was unreadable, but his tone was detached, devoid of warmth.


"Vanessa," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "I expect you to focus on your tasks, not get lost in thought."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I struggled to find a response. How did he always seem to see right through me?

"Yes, Alpha," I stammered, my eyes cast down.


Axel's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned and walked away, expecting me to follow. I hesitated, my mind racing with questions. What did he want to show me? Why was he being so...distant?

But something about his tone, his demeanor, kept me in check. I followed him, my footsteps echoing in the silent hallway.


We walked through the winding corridors, the sound of our footsteps the only noise. Axel led me to a small room tucked away in a corner of the castle, a room I had never seen before. The door creaked open, revealing a space filled with books and artifacts.

"This is where I come to think," Axel said, his voice still detached. "I want to explain something to you, Vanessa. About the event, about your role in the pack..."

I listened intently, my eyes fixed on him, as he spoke in a measured tone, his words devoid of emotion. I felt like a servant, a subordinate, not someone worthy of his trust or friendship.

As we spoke, I felt a distance between us, a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge. And when we finished, Axel dismissed me with a curt nod, leaving me to wonder if I would ever be more than just a servant to him.

Axel's gaze was cold and detached, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke. "Vanessa, you've been with the pack for a while now. I expect more from you. Your focus has been lacking, and your work has been subpar."

I felt a surge of defensiveness, but I pushed it aside and kept my eyes cast down. "I apologize, Alpha. I'll do better."

Axel's expression didn't change. "See that you do. I don't tolerate failure. You'll need to improve your performance, or you'll be out of the pack."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination rise up within me. "Yes, Alpha. I understand."

Axel's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned and walked away, dismissing me. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I followed him out of the room, my heart still pounding in my chest.

As we walked through the winding corridors, Axel's silence was oppressive, his cold demeanor a reminder of his position as my superior. I knew that I had to prove myself to him, to show him that I was worthy of my place in the pack.

We reached the study, and Axel gestured for me to enter. I did, my eyes scanning the shelves of books and artifacts. Axel followed, his presence commanding attention.

"Your task is to help prepare the palace for an event next week," he said, his voice cold and detached. "I expect a detailed report by the end of the week."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination rise up within me. "Yes, Alpha. I'll get it done."

Axel's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving me to my task. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I began to work, my focus solely on the task at hand.

Axel's gaze was cold and detached, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke. "Vanessa, I have a task for you. I want you to clean the floors in the great hall. And polish the silverware. And ensure that the windows are spotless."

I felt a surge of disappointment, my heart sinking at the menial tasks he had assigned to me. "Yes, Alpha," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Axel's expression didn't change. "I expect it all to be done by the end of the day. And I'll be checking to make sure it's done to my standards."

I nodded, feeling a sense of resentment rise up within me. I had hoped for something more, something that would challenge me and allow me to prove myself. But instead, I was relegated to maid-like tasks, tasks that were far beneath my capabilities.

As I set to work, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. I was a member of the pack, a member of the family. But Axel treated me like a servant, a mere mortal. I knew that I had to prove myself to him, to show him that I was worthy of my place in the pack. But how could I do that when he wouldn't even give me a chance?

I worked tirelessly throughout the day, my hands scrubbing the floors and polishing the silverware until they shone. I cleaned the windows until they sparkled, and I made sure that every surface was spotless. But no matter how hard I worked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being held back, that I was being kept in a box and not allowed to reach my full potential.

As the sun began to set, I finished my tasks and made my way back to Axel's study. He looked up from his desk, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in my appearance.

"Very well," he said, his voice cold and detached. "You've done adequate work, Vanessa. But I expect more from you in the future."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination rise up within me. I would prove myself to him, no matter what it took. I would show him that I was worthy of my place in the pack, and that I would not be held back by menial tasks.

He looked at me with a familiar expression on his face. I felt my breath hitch coming closer to him. He always found a way to make me loose my breath.

He smirked and walked away.