The morning sun filtered through the canopy of trees surrounding the training grounds, casting golden rays across the damp earth. Abigail kept her head down as she swept the edge of the field, clearing away fallen leaves before the warriors arrived. Her broom scratched against the dirt, each movement steady and mechanical, the rhythm of a girl trying to make herself invisible.
But invisibility was never guaranteed in a pack where everyone had a rank and hers was at the bottom. Whispers drifted toward her from a group of young she-wolves waiting to begin their drills.
"Why does she even bother?" one sneered, her eyes flicking toward Abigail.
"She'll never be more than a shadow," another replied with a smirk. "Not even fit to serve scraps."
Their laughter carried, digging into Abigail's chest like sharp claws. She gripped the broom tighter, willing herself not to react. She had learned that silence was her only shield.
A sudden shadow fell across her. Abigail flinched, expecting another cruel remark. But when she lifted her gaze, it wasn't a sneer that met her it was a smile.
Adrian, Alpha Steve's younger brother, stood a few feet away, arms crossed casually over his chest. Unlike Steve's intimidating aura, Adrian carried himself with a warmth that seemed to soften the air around him. His brown hair caught the sunlight, and his sharp features were brightened by an easy grin.
"You work harder than half the warriors here," he said lightly, nodding at the broom. "Makes the rest of us look lazy."
Abigail blinked, unsure how to respond. Compliments were foreign to her dangerous, even. "I… I'm just doing what I was told," she murmured, lowering her eyes.
Adrian tilted his head, studying her. "You don't have to hide your face, you know. You've done nothing wrong."
Heat rose in Abigail's cheeks. She clutched the broom handle as if it could anchor her. "If I draw attention, it only makes things worse."
Adrian's smile softened. He crouched slightly, lowering himself to her level. "Maybe for them. But not for me."
The sincerity in his voice startled her. She dared a quick glance up and their eyes met. His were a warm hazel, and they held no cruelty, no mockery. For the briefest moment, Abigail felt seen.
Before she could find words, a voice cut through the air. "Adrian!"
Steve's deep tone carried from across the field, sharp and commanding. The Alpha stood near the training circle, arms folded, his expression unreadable. But Abigail felt the weight of his stare pierce her like an arrow.
Adrian straightened, giving his brother a quick wave. "Coming in a minute!" he called back. Then he turned to Abigail once more, his grin returning. "Don't let them break you. You're stronger than they think."
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. By the time she thought of a reply, Adrian was already jogging toward his brother.
Abigail stood frozen, her heart racing wildly. The broom slipped in her sweaty hands. No one spoke to her like that, no one smiled at her like that. She wasn't sure if the warmth spreading in her chest was gratitude or something far more dangerous.
From across the field, Steve's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned his back, barking orders to the warriors gathering for drills. His jaw was tight, his voice colder than usual. Abigail couldn't explain it, but she felt his gaze had burned into her long after it left.
The training session began, and Abigail forced herself to keep sweeping, though her thoughts were tangled. She remembered the way Adrian's grin had softened the weight she carried, how his words had planted a tiny seed of hope in her weary heart.
But as she caught sight of Steve towering over the warriors, his presence commanding and untouchable, another thought took root danger. If his brother's smile drew attention to her, then what would the Alpha do if he noticed?
Her pulse quickened. She didn't want trouble. She didn't want more pain. And yet… she couldn't stop the memory of Adrian's voice from echoing inside her. You're stronger than they think.
That night, when Abigail returned to her small room tucked away in the servants' quarters, she unwrapped the stale crust of bread she had saved from Elenora's kindness. She nibbled at it slowly, her heart torn between fear and the fragile spark of something new.
For the first time in a long while, she wondered if maybe just maybe she was not as invisible as the world wanted her to believe