Esmeralda
The cold fingers of fear brushed against my bare back, sending chills down my spine that left me paralyzed. My blood ran cold and I felt my spirit leave my body.
Why now, Moon goddess? Why now?
Of all the people I wanted to see, Beta Silvius was the last. After my last encounter with him, I made sure to avoid him everywhere.
Seems I ran out of luck today.
“If it isn’t the new housekeeper,” His gruff voice resonated in my ears, making me jump in fear.
My palms got drenched in sweat and my heart raced when his deadly burning gaze hovered on my little frame. His face scrunched up and his eyes narrowed as if reading a book critically from page to page.
Did I do anything wrong?
My legs went numb, unable to support my body when he moved closer to where I stood, enclosing the distance between us.
What was he going to do to me?
And why was he staring at me so hard like he was about to pounce on me any moment?
Unable to control my pounding heart, I placed my hand on my chest, struggling hard to get a grip over it, embarrassed as my fear filled the air.
“It is you, isn’t it?” He asked, earning a sharp gasp from me.
Was it me?
What did I do?
My body quivered in fear and my voice was frozen in my throat, refraining from speaking.
What was I going to say?
Was he expecting a reply from me?
“You better give me a reply this instant before I sink my claws into your god-damned throat,” He threatened, giving me a cold look.
Another gasp rolled from my lips as my eyes widened at his harsh words.
He didn’t like his questions unanswered, just like Alpha Kade.
But it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t know he was expecting an answer and I was too frightened to say a word.
“Sorry,” I whispered, pinning my gaze on my feet.
An eerie silence hung in the air, except for my sharp breath intake and the pounding of my heart.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I was afraid. Afraid of the unknown. Only God knows what he would do to me in the absence of the Alpha.
It was obvious that he won’t let me go
I wished someone walked into this moment. Selene, Jade, Madam Dora. At least, their presence would disrupt his hidden motives.
My eyes wandered into the hallway but it was empty, save for both of us.
Come on. I groaned inwardly.
I needed someone before this psycho ripped me apart.
Even if it was Vanessa, I didn’t mind. I just wanted to be out of the Beta’s reach.
Or Alpha Kade. He was the only one in the position to scold his Beta.
I scoffed silently. What made me think Alpha Kade would save me from his Beta?
He hated me to a fault. His Beta hating on me wasn’t surprising.
Maybe Alpha Kade sent him to get rid of me since I was useless to him.
“The housekeeper right?” He scoffed, filling his face with a mocking smile.
Afraid to spike his anger, I nodded repeatedly, like a lizard.
“Hmm,” He leaned closer to have a view of my face.
This is so uncomfortable.
“What makes me think you are lying,”
My eyes grew wide in shock and my heart somersaulted thousands of times, “I won’t lie to you. I really am the housekeeper,” I said hurriedly when I found my voice.
What was wrong with him?
Why was he hard to convince?
Does that mean he didn’t believe the Alpha?
Shame on you, Esmeralda. A voice rang in my head.
I was his mate, I knew, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. No one would believe me, not even Silvius.
I swallowed the bile arousing in my throat and bit my lips hard to stop my teeth from chattering.
I didn’t want to give myself away.
“Why do I feel you are lying? I don’t believe any word you said,” He groaned, balling his fist.
“I promise,” I whimpered, almost letting out a frustrated sigh.
Why was he so hard to convince?
“No matter how innocent you look, just know this, I won’t be deceived by that look and I will make sure to dig about you. I know you are not a housekeeper, you are only here to hurt the Alpha,”
“What? No!” I protested, but a deadly glare from him made my mouth seal shut.
How would I hurt my mate?
“I don’t even know what you did to the Alpha. I don’t know why he is making you live and why he is making you work for us in this Pack when it is obvious that you are from another Pack,”
Was it that obvious?
Did that mean trouble?
“I know your little witch friend helped you in bewitching the Alpha. But I can assure you that I will get to the root of this and reverse the spell cast on him,” He gritted between his teeth, anger and irritation laced in his voice. I knew he was very close to tearing me apart.
Why does he hate me so much?
“Selene can’t even hurt a fly and we never did anything to the Alpha. Nothing,” I said, a bit crossed.
Why does he think so low of Selene?
He could talk to me as he wished, but not Selene.
Selene couldn’t even use her powers!
“Look at me!” His bellowed, making me shudder in fear.
“I don’t know why you are here or the sneaky plans you have in mind but that plan will never see the light of day. I am his Beta and he means a lot to me. I won’t let anything happen to him and I won’t let you ruin anything,”
Finally, some concern.
He must really love the Alpha.
“I mean no harm, I swear. I am just here to do my job…”
“You don’t belong here and very soon, I will put you in your place. I will find you for who you truly are, not this facade of a housekeeper. And if you happen to be a spy, I will rip your throat out before you get to say, Jack Robinson,” He spat, shooting me a disgusted look. I could feel anger radiate through him.
Stabbed by fear and pain, I blinked hard to suppress the flood of tears that burned my eyes.
Not only was I hurt by his words, but they also left me broken. Broken beyond repair.
I didn’t belong here. I knew it.
I thought I was strong enough to endure the Alpha’s cold shoulder, hoping he would come around, but Silvius’ words broke me beyond repair, crushing my strength.
I didn’t belong here.
While Alpha Kade made it known from his silent treatment, Beta Silvius didn’t hesitate to pronounce those hurtful words to me, forgetting I had feelings.
I shouldn’t have followed Alpha Kade here. Coming here was a bad idea.
I wished I had stayed back in my Pack, their words and punishment were what I could endure.
This was too much for me to bear.
Fuck mates and mate bond. I don’t think I could stay here anymore.
“You…” Beta Silvius’ words hung unfinished as echoes of footsteps interrupted him, though it was slow, it reverberated throughout the hallway, sending shivers down my spine.
Almost choking on his powerful aura that filled the air, making us submit effortlessly to him, my hands rose to my throat, giving it a soft squeeze.
Why was it so familiar?
Slowly, we turned our gaze to the direction of the terrifying footsteps that headed in our direction.
My face turned white at the recognition of the huge figure before me.
Alpha Kade!