Chapter 6: Bow to none

Natalie

A weak sun filtered through the narrow window of the slaves' bunk room, rousing me from a fitful sleep. I dressed quickly in my roughspun slave uniform, wincing as the fabric irritated skin that was still raw and tender.

It had been three days since Lucas forced me to kneel naked before the entire pack and eat scraps from his hand like a dog.

The humiliation still burned fresh, along with the urge to shred his smug face with my claws.

But I buried that futile anger as I headed to the kitchens to start another grueling day of work. Survival here meant accepting that I was utterly powerless. I was a slave - my life belonged to the pack now, to do with as they pleased.

At least the kitchen work itself was straightforward. As long as I kept my head down and followed orders, I could lose myself in the routine.

I set immediately to scrubbing a towering stack of pots and pans, keeping my eyes averted and my responses brief as the rest of the staff trickled in. I could feel their