Chapter 4. A Snake Among Sheep

The sun hovered just above the horizon as the slave merchants finally reached the borders of the Dam-Nighade Pack. The guards posted at the gate stepped forward, grim-faced and alert, halting the caravan with silent suspicion.

One of the merchants stepped down, unfurling a parchment of identification and stamped trade permits. A few tense moments passed as the guards scanned the names, faces, and cargo.

Then came the nod of approval.

“You may proceed. Report directly to the Slave Registry Office,” one of them said gruffly. Due to the pack’s need for money for development after the ruins of the war, Damian had earlier approved for Theo to accept the selling of slaves for taxes.

The caravan rolled through the gates, the groan of wooden wheels and the clink of chains echoing against the high stone walls of the pack’s outer district. Samantha, tucked between sacks of hay and feed, peeked through the cracks of the cart with sharp eyes, already calculating her next