Chapter 12 Raven's POV I stared at the food on the table , then took a glance at Alpha Ethan - or should I say , my didn't look my way ; he just stared out the window . " Are you okay ? " he asked , his eyes still fixed outside the window . mate . " Thanks , " I muttered to him as I rested on the bed . He " I'm fine , and I don't need your sympathy . I just need to be discharged . My family will be sick with worry about me , " I told him , even though it was a lie . ! just wanted to get out of this place . I couldn't continue this way - acting as if nothing were wrong - when deep down , I was dying , Dying from knowing that the person I had longed to meet for years was right in front of me ... but I couldn't have him . All because- " Are you sure you're ready to be discharged ? " Alpha Ethan's voice snapped me out of my thoughts . " Yes , " I said firmly , forcing my voice to stay steady even though my chest felt like it was caving in . " I can handle myself ." Alpha Ethan finally turned to look at me . His expression was unreadable - a mixture of concern and restraint . For a moment , I thought he might argue , insist I stay longer , maybe even show a sliver of the care I wished he felt for me - but instead , he nodded slowly . " If that's what you want , " he said quietly , then walked over to the foot of the bed . " I'll let the doctor know . You'll be released this evening . " I turned my face away , staring at the blank wall to hide the sudden sting behind my eyes . I wanted him to fight for me . Just once . To ask me to stay . But instead , he made it so easy to walk away . " I'll have someone bring your clothes ," he added . Just then , he turned to leave but stopped at the door and looked back at me . " There's something else , " he said , his tone heavy with unspoken weight . " Since you're a rogue , you technically have no rank , no claim , no ties . But ... I've been thinking ." I blinked at him , unsure where he was going with this . He took a few steps back into the room , his hands folded behind him in that authoritative , composed way he always carried himself . It made me feel small and exposed - especially now that I knew he was my mate . My mate ... and someone else's Alpha . Someone else's everything . " I don't usually allow rogues to stay within pack borders unless they've proven their worth , " he continued , his eyes dark and unreadable . " But I'm willing to make an exception in your case . I'd like to offer you a place here , " I swallowed , my heart thudding . Hope flickered inside me , uninvited . " I want to make you an official member of my pack , " he said . " And also ... assign you as Luna Olivia's personal maid . " The hope shattered into icy shards . My eyes widened . My lips parted , but no words came out . Had I heard him right ? " A maid ? " I finally whispered , the word burning like acid on my tongue . " Yes ," he said simply , watching me closely . " You'd be in the Luna's service . It's a position of trust . You'd have food , she ... , protection . And if you prove yourself loyal , eventually a place in this pack . " I stared at him in disbelief . My chest tightened with indignation , rage , and something far more dangerous - hurt . Deep , soul - wrenching hurt . You want me , your mate , to serve the woman you chose over me ? A laugh bubbled up in my throat - bitter and hollow . I didn't let it escape . I just looked away and clenched my fists in the hospital bedsheets . 1033 Chapter 12 " You want me to serve her ? " I said quietly . " To fetch her water , help her dress , polish her shoes ? " I asked . He looked at me with surprise . " Is that a problem ? " he asked . just shook my head at him as silent tears slipped down my cheek . I quickly wiped them away . It's okay , Raven , my wolf said inside me . A start . A start to what ? A life spent beneath her heel while she flaunted what was supposed to be mine ? I wanted to scream . To throw something . To ask him to go to hell and take his ' offer ' with him . My pride roared in protest , clawing at me from within , demanding I say no . That I walk away and never look back . But then ... Olivia's face flashed in my mind . Her triumphant smirk . The way she paraded around the pack house when we were younger like she owned every stone , every breath , every man - including mine . And slowly , something shifted inside me . Something cold . Something calculating . Maybe this wasn't an insult . Maybe it was an opportunity . Maybe being close to her wasn't a curse - it was a chance . A chance to watch . To listen . To learn . A chance ... to destroy her . I breathed out slowly , my fingers relaxing . " If I say yes , " I said , lifting my gaze to meet his , " I want full access to the pack house . I want to train when I'm not serving . I want a room - not a cage . And want to be treated as a member , not a prisoner . " His eyes narrowed slightly , as if weighing my request . " You'd have to earn that , " he said cautiously . " But if you cooperate , stay loyal , and keep your head down , yes . It's possible . " I nodded once , slowly . " Fine , " I said . " I accept ." He seemed almost surprised . He opened his mouth to say something , but then thought better of it and nodded . " I'll have someone bring your uniform later , " he said before finally walking out the door . As soon as he was gone , I sat up fully and slid off the bed . My knees were still weak , but my resolve had never felt stronger . I walked slowly to the wind and stared out into the forest - the territory that now belonged to them . It wasn't fair . It wasn't right . But I would endure it . I would clean her dresses . I would carry her tray . I would nod and smile and bow when needed . I would do it all - until the day I no longer had to Until the day she lost everything the way I had . I was no longer the weak girl she knew six years ago . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!