Chapter 9

Maeve’s POV

Draven leaned back from his desk and tossed his quill aside, the movement deliberately casual while his amber eyes turned to ice as they assessed me.

“In this pack, you knock and await permission before entering my office,” he said, each word precise as a knife cut. “And you will address me with respect.” The corner of his mouth twitched downward. “What business brings you here?”

I planted my feet wider, refusing to shrink beneath his stare. “Am I to understand I’m a prisoner now? Days confined to my chamber, forbidden from even walking the grounds?” My voice trembled but held firm. “I won’t be caged like some—” The forbidden name caught in my throat. “—Alpha.”

Not a flicker of guilt crossed his face about what I’d witnessed. The tears welling in my eyes burned like acid, but I refused to blink or look away.

His gaze traveled slowly down my body before returning to my face, expression unreadable. “What exactly are you requesting?”