Chapter 91: Chapter 91

"Mohandia, what are you doing?" the chief maidservant asked sharply, her gaze narrowing with suspicion.

"I’m just trying to understand where Kimberly is heading. I believe we have the right to know what’s going on with our friend. We can’t afford to lose her again after what happened last time," Mohandia replied firmly, her tone resolute as she stared directly into the maidservant’s eyes.

"Please, Mohandia, let me go. I’m only going to speak with Ma’am Elena, and I promise there’s nothing to worry about. Trust me on this," Kimberly pleaded, her tone gentle yet urgent, a faint smile trying to reassure her friends.

Mohandia hesitated but eventually loosened her grip.

"Fine. But if you’re not back within an hour, we’ll come looking for you ourselves. We’ll be waiting."

"Thank you, everyone. I’ll be back soon, I promise!" Kimberly said with a bright smile, giving them a wave before hurrying off with the chief maidservant.

As they walked through the quiet corridors toward Elena’s quarters, Kimberly turned to the maidservant with an apologetic expression.

"I’m sorry about earlier, ma’am. Please don’t hold it against my friends. They’re just protective."

The maidservant smiled gently. "No apology needed, Kimberly. Your friends are right to care about you. They’re like your family here, and it’s good to see them standing by you."

Kimberly blinked, taken aback by the kindness in her tone. "You’re... not upset? Even after Mohandia’s attitude?"

The maidservant chuckled softly. "I’ll admit, I was a little annoyed at first. But once I understood their intentions, I felt proud. You all care for one another deeply. That’s rare and precious."

Kimberly’s lips curled into a small smile. "Thank you, ma’am. That means a lot."

They arrived at Elena’s quarters, and the maidservant gestured for Kimberly to enter. "Go on in. I’ll leave you two to talk."

Kimberly nodded and stepped inside. Elena was seated gracefully on a plush chair, a warm yet authoritative presence filling the room.

"Good day, ma’am," Kimberly greeted, her voice polite and steady.

"Good day, Kimberly. How are you feeling today?" Elena asked, her sharp eyes scanning Kimberly with a hint of concern.

"I’m doing well, ma’am. Thank you for asking," Kimberly replied, bowing her head slightly.

Elena gestured for her to sit. "That’s good to hear. I wanted to speak with you about the upcoming events next week. Specifically, the run."

Kimberly tilted her head slightly. "The run, ma’am?"

"Yes. It’s a tradition here, and it’s important. This time, Alpha Derrick will be observing. I wanted to ask if you’ve participated in anything like it before, and if you feel comfortable doing so," Elena explained, her gaze steady but not unkind.

Kimberly hesitated, her thoughts swirling. ’Why is she being so considerate? Does she know something about me that I don’t?’

"Ma’am, I haven’t done anything like this before, but... if I feel it’s safe and right, I’ll join. I can’t say for sure right now, though," Kimberly answered cautiously, her voice measured.

Elena nodded approvingly. "That’s fair, Kimberly. Just know that no one here will force you into anything you’re uncomfortable with. You have my word."

"Thank you, ma’am. That means a lot," Kimberly said sincerely, a smile touching her lips.

"Very well. You may return to your friends now. Let me know if you need anything," Elena concluded, rising to signal the end of their conversation.

"Thank you, ma’am. I’ll see you soon," Kimberly said as she stood, offering a respectful bow before leaving.

As she walked back to the canteen, Kimberly’s mind raced with questions. ’Why is she so kind to me? And why was she so specific about the Alpha being there?’

***

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit chamber, Alpha Derrick stood, his presence commanding and intimidating. Mona, his second-in-command, stormed in, her eyes blazing with fury.

"What do you mean you want to monitor Kimberly during the run without me there?" Mona demanded, her voice sharp with accusation.

Derrick’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "Mind your tone, Mona. Do not forget your place."

Realizing her mistake, Mona softened her voice but not her stance. "I apologize, Alpha. But I don’t think it’s wise for you to be around her alone. She’s suspicious, and I don’t trust her intentions."

Derrick’s gaze hardened, his voice cold. "That’s precisely why I’ll be observing her. If there’s even a hint of betrayal, I’ll eliminate the threat myself. Having you there would draw unnecessary attention."

Mona crossed her arms, her lips pursed. "And what if she truly is a threat? What’s your plan?"

Derrick smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Simple. I’ll remove the threat before it becomes a problem. Permanently."

Mona’s lips curved into a sly smile, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "Good. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear."

---

When Kimberly arrived at the gates of the compound, she noticed her friends standing nearby. They looked anxious as if they had been waiting for her.

"Are you all seriously waiting for me?" Kimberly asked with a playful smile.

"Of course, we are! Why wouldn’t we? We’ve already lost too many people. We can’t let anyone disappear without knowing what’s going on," Kaitlyn said firmly, staring directly into Kimberly’s eyes.

Kimberly was touched and smiled brightly. "You’re all my family now, and I’m lucky to have you. I’m so grateful for your care and support. You have no idea how much it means to me."

"And we’re just as lucky to have you," Liza chimed in before pulling Kimberly into a tight hug. The rest joined in, creating a warm group embrace.

"Alright, everyone," Mohandia said as they stepped back. "Now that we know Kimberly’s fine, we can all head to bed. Let’s rest. Tomorrow’s another big day."

With nods and smiles, the group dispersed. Kimberly walked to her room, feeling lighter and happier than she had in days. As she closed the door behind her, she leaned against it and sighed contentedly.

’I’m so lucky,’ she thought as she collapsed onto her bed, a grin spreading across her face. ’These people are incredible. They’ve made me feel at home in a way I never thought possible.’

Her thoughts wandered to Elena’s words earlier. Why had she mentioned the Alpha’s interest in observing the pack’s activities? Especially the run? The question tugged at her mind.

"What could he be planning now?" she whispered, frowning. "Why does he hate me so much? And what have I done to Mona to make her despise me so deeply?"

The unanswered questions swirled in her mind until exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into a restless sleep.

---

In her dream, Kimberly found herself in a dimly lit room. Standing before her were two familiar figures—Alpha Derrick and Mona.

"Good evening, Kimberly," Alpha Derrick greeted her casually, stepping inside without invitation. His tone carried an air of authority, as if he owned the space.

Kimberly stood frozen in place, too stunned to respond. Mona followed closely behind, a smirk plastered across her face.

"I’m sure you’re surprised to see us here," Derrick said, seating himself in a chair opposite Kimberly. Mona perched on the edge of the bed, watching her with sharp eyes.

Kimberly closed the door slowly, her mind racing. ’What are they doing here? Are they here to mock me or...?’ She couldn’t finish the thought.

"Let me guess," Derrick began, his voice calm but laced with menace. "You’re wondering why we’ve come. Perhaps you’re even afraid."

Kimberly said nothing, her face betraying no emotion, though her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

"I know you don’t like us," Derrick continued, leaning forward. "If it were up to you, you’d probably have our heads on spikes by now. But you won’t act on your hatred, will you? You’ll do what’s necessary for the pack—even if it costs you everything."

Kimberly remained silent, her eyes narrowing as she met his gaze.

"Do you know why we’re here?" Mona interjected, her tone mocking. "It’s because you think you’re so special. But you’re not. You’re just a pawn in a much bigger game."

"Is that so?" Kimberly finally spoke, her voice calm but her eyes blazing with defiance. "Then why are you both here? Surely, if I’m just a pawn, I’m not worth your time."

Derrick chuckled darkly. "You misunderstand, Kimberly. You’re not just a pawn—you’re a key. Your blood is the only thing standing between us and utter destruction. Without it, the beast won’t stop. But with it..." He trailed off, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

"And you think I’d just hand it over willingly?" Kimberly shot back, crossing her arms.

"Of course not," Mona sneered. "But you don’t have a choice, do you? Sacrifice yourself, or everyone dies. Including you."

Kimberly stared at them, her mind racing. "I’ll do what’s necessary," she said finally, her voice steady. "Not for you. Not for the pack. But because I refuse to let innocent lives be lost because of your arrogance."

Derrick’s expression hardened. "You’d better remember your place, Kimberly. This isn’t a negotiation."

"And you’d better remember," she said, stepping closer, "that you need me more than I need you."

Mona hissed in anger, but Derrick raised a hand to silence her. "We’ll see how long your defiance lasts," he said coldly.

The dream ended abruptly, and Kimberly woke with a start. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to make sense of what she’d just seen.

---

Sitting up in bed, she muttered to herself, "Why am I dreaming about them? And why now?"

As she rubbed her temples, she felt a sudden, burning sensation on her right shoulder.

Startled, she pulled off her shirt to inspect the area. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the familiar markings etched into her skin.

It was the same phrase she had seen before...

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