Two weeks later

  Anna lowered her head and stared at the reflection of the Lycan Kingdom on the vast lake near it.

  The lights looked flamboyant and grand from the outside. It sparkled like stars. It looked inviting and weirdly euphoric. To a young Lycan, the Kingdom had a promise of strength and protection.

  They said that anyone who could come here has the opportunity to get stronger and fight for all the Lycans.

  Lily recalled that when Anna was but a child, she too wished to visit this place. Surrounded by walls, instead of a forest, Anna thought that the capital would be different.

  How naive.

  "Hey… "

  "Oh? A woman!?"

  "Why are you here?" A man with a weird mustache said.

  "This place is off limits! You should leave!"

  Anna looked around. Off-limits? She was standing at the bridge. How is this off limit?

  "Oh? Youngblood!? A rogue?"

  "Hey, what are you doing here? Where's your pack? The capital has had new laws lately. Basically, no one is allowed to go out without their packs."

  "W — Why?" After being alone for two weeks, talking felt a little weird. She had been alone since she left the unconscious Mo Li in the school. Since then, she tried her best to avoid people and finally arrived in the capital by running or walking.

  "What do you mean, why? Did you hear about the attacks?"

  "Attacks?"

  "Demons!" the oldest among the three-man who approached her, said. "There are a lot of demons lately."

  "Really?"

  "Yes. So, I would advise you to go to your pack and— "

  "I don't have one." Anna lowered her head, letting her long hair cover almost half of her face. Her voice turned solemn, "Since the capital doesn't allow…" A sigh left her lips. "Nevermind… I will leave."

  "Hey! Where are you going?"

  "Hey if you have nowhere to stay, why don't you come with us? We will give you food and shelter for the night."

  "Truly?" Anna's eyes brightened. "Is that possible? But I don't have… gold and…"

  "Don't worry. We are just doing charity work."

  "Ah yes!" the man with a mustache said. "It's charity work! We just want to help younger wolves. If you are looking for a job, we can help you too!"

  Too enthusiastic! Anna couldn't help but muse inwardly.

  "Really? What — What kind of — "

  "Aiyo… let's talk about this tomorrow. For now, let's get you settled. They will sound the bell soon. And the Lycan army would start walking around the kingdom. They arrest suspicious people."

  As if terrified, Anna looked to her left and right. Then she nodded. "My name is Bel. Please take care of me. I promise I will repay you once I get a job!"

  "Of course. Of course! Come, follow us!"

  The three men smirked at each other. Unbeknownst to them, Anna, who is now known as Bel, was doing the same thing behind the mask that she bought from the system to alter her appearance, making her look ordinary and unrecognizable. Even her smell changed into that of a young, weak, Lycan.

  The three men must have known she was a rogue from the start.

  Scaring her and then enticing her with safety and food was an ancient strategy that traffickers use. Actually, Anna was surprised to know that these people also existed inside the Lycan Kingdom. But then again, wolves are wolves. They are predators by nature and they would naturally prey on the weak.

  "Here… you stay here… We will bring you food and water in a while. For now, you can sleep here."

  The three men brought her to a building at the back of the tavern. When she arrived inside the room, there was already another woman inside. Just like Anna, she was dressed in an article of simple clothing. But unlike Anna's freckled and ordinary face, this one was pretty, with high cheekbones and long blond hair.

  The fact that the woman looked homeless and dirty didn't dampen her beauty.

  "I am Bel…" Anna sat on the bed opposite the woman. "What's your — "

  "Don't talk to me."

  "Oh— "

  "I am not here to make friends."

  "Oh." Anna nodded. Well… she thought of using the girl for information.

  "I didn't know they accept people like you."

  "Huh?"

  "What are you— they just helped me with food and shelter? I will pay them once I find something in the capital."

  The woman snorted and rolled her eyes. "Stupid."

  "…"

  "Did you really think they brought you here just to give you food and shelter?"

  "Huh?" Of course, Anna was on the top of her game. Her acting skills have always been good.

  "Hey… stop talking and eat." Luckily, the man from earlier interrupted them. "This food is for Bell as for you… take a bath. Someone will clean you up."

  Hearing the man's voice, the blonde jolted up and gave the man a coquettish smile.

  "Thank you." The blonde said.

  Hearing their interaction, Anna started to wonder if the woman knew that this was some sort of trafficking ring. Did she come here knowing this?

  "We only have some soup and bread."

  "Oh… you don't have to worry." Anna smiled at the man. "It's better than nothing." Her voice sounded sweet and soft. The smile on her face looked sincere, too. It was enough to convince the man.

  "Hmmm. You said that you are looking for a job?"

  "Ah? Yes! Yes! I am!"

  "Good… then… how about housework?"

  "I — I am good at it too. My mother used to say that— "

  "Then it's alright. I will send you to someone that I know tomorrow. You can be a maid. The palace had been recruiting maids in the past few days."

  "A palace maid?" Her eyes started twinkling. How lucky.

  "Of course, this isn't for free. We are going to help you find a job and, in return, you pay us."

  "Of course! I don't mind."

  "Then would you mind signing a contract?"

  "A contract?"

  "It's a binding contract that will make sure that we do each other's promises. Hahaha… this is just to make sure that we have money to help other people like you. As you see, we need money for food and the house…"

  Anna stared at the man without saying anything. Then she smiled and nodded. "Of course! Why not!?"