Chapter 1 Hidden

• Cassia stared at her father, Alpha Lucian, as he sliced the steak he had brought for her. It was their usual Saturday night routine—he would visit, bring her food, and stay for a few hours before leaving the tower once again.
• She sighed. “Father, when will you let me live outside this place?”
• Alpha Lucian paused for a moment before resuming his task. He sighed, his tone weary.
• “We’ve already talked about this, Cassia. Do I need to explain everything to you again?”
• Cassia rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair, tilting her head to stare at the ceiling. This circular room had been her entire world for as long as she could remember. She knew every inch of it so well that she could walk around in total darkness without stumbling.
• “I know,” she muttered. “But my birthday is coming up. Can’t you at least let me go out at night? Just for a little while?” She straightened up, resting her chin on her palm. “I won’t go far! I just want to see outside. Please?”
• Alpha Lucian exhaled deeply, setting down his knife and fork.
• “Cassia, you know that’s not possible. This is the only place where you’re safe. Your condition—”
• “Ugh!” Cassia groaned, cutting him off. “Haven’t you found a cure yet? I’m turning twenty-one, and I don’t even know anyone besides you! I can’t even look outside because you’ve sealed up every window and door in this place.”
• Alpha Lucian rubbed his temples. Cassia was no longer a child. She was an adult now, and he understood her growing curiosity. But he couldn’t risk it. Not now. As long as he was alive, he would keep her in this tower—her safety was the only thing that mattered.
• For all of Cassia’s life, this tower had been her prison. Despite being the Alpha of a powerful pack, Lucian had hidden her existence from everyone, including his own people. At first, she had a loyal servant for company, but when she turned ten, things changed. She started asking too many questions, desperate to leave. Lucian later discovered that the servant had been telling her stories of the outside world, feeding her curiosity. After that, he sent the servant away, but Cassia’s longing to escape only grew stronger.
• “I told you, Cassia. There is no cure. I can never let you out. It’s too dangerous. I can’t lose you too.” He pushed the plate toward her. “Here. Eat your food. I promise I’ll bring you a television next week.”
• Cassia looked down. She wanted to believe him, but she knew better. His promises meant nothing. With a sigh, she picked up her fork and started eating.
• Alpha Lucian watched her, his heart heavy. He could see the sadness in her eyes, but he couldn’t give in to her wishes.
• “How’s the book you’re reading? Did you finish it?”
• Cassia nearly rolled her eyes. “I’ve read every book here, Father. You haven’t brought me new ones in weeks.”
• Lucian hesitated before nodding. “I’m sorry. I’ll bring some next week. I promise.”
• Cassia clenched her fists. This was too much.
• “You keep saying that,” she muttered. “For weeks now. I don’t understand why you’re doing this anymore. And besides… I didn’t die when sunlight came in earlier.”
• Lucian’s expression turned cold. His entire body stiffened.
• “What did you say?”
• Cassia frowned. His reaction made her uneasy, but she tried not to show it.
• “Cassia.” His voice was sharper now. “What do you mean by that?!”
• She swallowed hard. “Ahm…”
• Her gaze flickered to the window behind him. A storm had passed the night before, and part of the window had broken. Sunlight had streamed in, and at first, she had panicked. But then, curiosity took over. She stepped into the light—expecting pain, expecting something terrible to happen. But instead, her skin had… glowed. She felt nothing but warmth.
• And for the first time in her life, she saw the outside world. The vast blue sky. The endless green stretches beyond the tower. It was beautiful.
• “Cassia!”
• She snapped back to reality as her father’s voice boomed. He turned and stormed toward the window.
• Panic surged through her. “Father! It’s okay! I won’t ask to leave again!”
• Lucian ignored her. He yanked the curtain aside and inspected the broken window. His jaw clenched. His fists tightened. When he turned back to her, his eyes burned with fury.
• “What is the meaning of this?!” He strode toward her. “Did you go outside?!”
• Cassia’s eyes widened, and she shook her head frantically. “N-No, Father!”
• “Then why is the window broken?! Did you break it?!”
• Tears welled up in her eyes. He wasn’t just angry—he was furious.
• “N-No, Father! I didn’t do anything!”
• “Then how?!”
• “It broke because of the storm!” she sobbed. “I swear, I didn’t do it!”
• Lucian’s shoulders rose and fell as he tried to calm himself. Slowly, he released his grip on her arms and stepped back.
• Cassia trembled. She hated seeing him this way.
• Lucian took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.” His voice was quieter now. “Stay here. I’ll be back to fix the window.” His gaze darkened. “And Cassia—never show your face near that window again. Do you understand me?”
• She didn’t respond. She just stood there, frozen, as he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.
• Tears slid down her cheeks.
• She couldn’t stay here any longer.
• Something wasn’t right.
• And she could no longer believe her father’s lies.