*Danika*
I jolted up from the bed at an alarming sound that came from somewhere around the house. I sat on my elbows, my groggy mind working to dissect where I was.
Then I remembered at once where I am and what happened yesterday.
I bounced back on the bed, deciding to take another round of nap when the door flung open and someone walked in. Without knocking.
I didn’t want to know who it is and prayed the person should recognize that and leave me to my respite.
“Morning, Ms. Danika,” a very cherubic voice sang, making me sigh in defeat and remove the pillow I was using to shield my face from the sunrise.
“Good morning to you,” I returned in a bristle voice informing the lady that I wasn’t pleased with her waking me up this early. That is if she is clever enough to catch the message.
“Did you sleep well last night? You have morning patches under your eyes the size of a morsel.”
“Yes, I did,” I groaned. That was a mere fib to avoid more questions. I hardly slept a wink last night. It appeared my mind connived with my head to play vigil. They seemed to have a heart of their own.
“Okay, even though I doubt that I will quickly tell Madam Dorothy to prepare you Mosallita. It’s very repairing to the body. Mixed with skewed lamb and turkey, you will thank me later. By the way, I am Mary. I will be your personal maid,” she finally introduced herself after nearly ripping my head off with her rambles.
“I came in last night, but you were fast asleep. You looked very fatigued so I didn’t want to be inconsiderate and rouse you-which was why I left the nightwear by the bedside ensuing when you woke up tolerably in the middle of the night, you will see it.”
Gad, doesn’t she breathe?
“So Ms. Danika, Beta Lance had instructed to make sure you are properly taken care of, until he returned from a rapid meeting he had to attend to with the Alpha concerning the return of his lost brother.”
“Lost brother?” I blurted in terror. “Was he lost?” I went further, hoping to get a tad bit of information from the Omega who appears very pratty.
Her eyes twitched as if in deep thought to trust me enough with the information. Alas, the desire to share was too much hence overriding her quest for confidentiality.
She scurried closer. “Ma’am, this should be between us, I beg you. I wouldn’t want to engage the wrath of the Beta if he is to find out my mouth has been wagging.”
I cocked my head to the side, followed by my mouth going askew. “Of course, Mary. My mouth is zipped.” I made the hand gesture to my lips.
She smiled adorably, dumping the basket in her hand to start on her tirade that I fear might last a lifetime.
“It is rumored that the second son is not really the second son per se. He is called the second son because he seems to come after the Alpha.”
Now I’m more disjointed.
Noticing my turmoil, she cleared her throat and went on. “I mean to say that they are twins.”
“Oh,” I let out fast. “So what’s the issue?” I was becoming impatient.
“So, it seemed he also wanted to be the Alpha King. But after his father had named Alpha Alonso the Alpha King, he became rebellious and left home since then.”
“Wow.” Now that was deep. Everything now makes sense.
“So why is he back?” I asked and instantly chastised myself for being stupid. What kind of absurd question is that? Is he supposed to remain a rogue when he has a home?
“We are all confused. Considering he had come in at a very odd hour of the night,” she intoned, her face bearing a distant look. Then, it morphed into a thoughtful smile. “The ex-Luna would be very delighted. He was her favorite. To date, she never stops comparing Alpha Alonso to his prodigal brother.”
I nodded, somehow the last information made me feel bad for Alonso. Maybe that was why his heart was hardened. Who could imagine how he has to endure his mother comparing him to someone else instead of supporting him-very exhausting.
The Omega probably recollecting the reason for her coming to my room, picked up the basket she had earlier dropped, and deposited it on top of the slight table in front of the armchair. “You are very kind and grant a listening ear, Ma’am. You are not like the rest.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“So, you are to change into this dress after bathing and go down for breakfast. That will give me time to tidy up the room. The Beta said he would come to pick you up later when he is done.”
“Alright. Thanks,” I said as I wore my flops and treaded to the bathroom to have a warm shower. I couldn’t seem to have my head in authority as I reflected on the information she gave me.
When I went down for breakfast. I ate ravenously, still finding it difficult to believe I am having all this luxury at my disposal. A week ago, I was the maid to everyone. I did everything while others ridiculed me.
But, here, even though I was still under trauma from my mate, I was glad that I moved from the position of a loathed slave to the one of a hated mate.
No more chores, waking early, scrubbing the floors, taunted, and smacked at every turn.
Very hilarious.
My attention was diverted from the mixture of the special recipe Mary had linked the kitchen maids to prepare for me, to the dining entrance.
“Good Morning, Danika,” Lance’s cheery voice came from the doorway to the dining hall. I flickered my eyes to watch him strut to me, bending to peck my temple. I blushed crimson, nearly spilling the content inside my teacup.
“Lance,” I breathe out, lowering the teacup amiably.
“How was your night?”
“I tried.”
“Mm,” he hummed, starting to serve himself. I could smell the worry in his heart.
“How was the meeting?” I gazed at him for an answer.
“Alonso is skeptical about his brother’s homecoming. It’s a long story,”
“Hmmm,” I droned, not wanting to stir the dust by asking if it has to do with his brother wanting his position.
“Anyways, there is a new development,” he told me, taking a chunk of the bread in his mouth and chewing.
I patiently waited until he was done chewing, to tell me.
“The ex-Luna invited us for the dinner that would be held in honor of the return of her son, this evening”
“Okay.”
“It’s been a while since he left home. This is a way of showing he is welcomed back amongst us. Even though…” he trailed off, his eyes falling back to his plate. “Forgive my manners for boring you with information of mild consequence during breakfast.”
“I want to know,” I urged kindly.
His eyes found mine in a split second, before looking away abruptly. “What you should worry about now is how to fit all the dresses that are on the way for you.”
That pickled my interest. Anything new gets my attention more than the coming of the goddess. “I will have new dresses?” I whizzed in wonder.
He nodded, sipping from his bigger teacup.
“I can’t wait.” My expression widened in gleam. I knew the dress had a distractive motive to it, and I allowed it. I don’t push people to tell me something. I let them take their time.
*
That night after I have been poked and prodded into a nice fitting gown that molded my shape into a perfect fit, I stood in the mirror observing myself, still not believing it was my image gaping in reflection.
“You are looking very elegant, Ms.” the fashionista that had come in with my dresses that evening, expressed.
“Thanks,” I survived to say, my voice chord broken from varied emotions. This is more than I can ever imagine. I had only imagined this but never thought someday I will look like one of those girls on New Tides Magazines.
Fascinating!
The entrance door to my room swung free and Mary peeked in. From her facial expression, I could tell she was equally bamboozled by what she saw.
“Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous. The Beta might lose his mind when he sees you,” she rattled, taking calculated steps into the room.
I flushed when she said that. I am getting deep into this that I am beginning to forget that it’s all pretense. The last thing that should happen is allowing myself to fall for Lance, knowing he is not my mate.
What if he falls for me?
“Ms.?”
A hand touched me, startling me out of my reverie.
“Yea, sorry I was far away.”
“It’s alright to think about your mate,” the fashionista said cheekily.
“The Beta said you are post late,” Mary notified me, and I picked up my bag to exit the room, my cheeks becoming hotter.
It happened just as they had said.
When Lance saw me making my way down, for once his lips fell open, followed by his hand falling by his side. I had to reach him and touched his shoulder before he recovered, he rambling on about the weather and temperature effect on him.
As we walked to the Alpha’s quarters, I caught Lance’s shiny orbs on numerous occasions trailing to me. That made me more nervous as I thought of how I was going to feel during the dinner which I know the Alpha would be present.
“You are welcome, Beta, Ma’am,” the Omega butler in the Alpha’s house greeted us when we entered the lobby.
I nodded, my pulse intensifying.
“Take a steady air and calm down. No one bites,” Lance whispered as if we truly don’t bite.
“Here comes the latest couple in town!” careened Theresa when we walked in. I froze in Lance’s arm, my dreamy eyes roaming over the table to rest on my dear Alpha. His face as usual was taut and filled with darkness.
I instantly looked away and commenced looking around as we neared the table.
“Wow, she is very beautiful, for one person,” I heard an unfamiliar voice say, and followed the sound to arrive at another Adonis my eyesight was yet to set upon.
I sat quickly, my hands going to my lap.
“Why didn’t you introduce us, Lance?” the voice slurred, having a bit of affrontation in it.
“That won’t be necessary,” Alonso spoke up from his chair, sounding very territorial.
“But why, brother? It’s not like Lance has any problem with my suggestion. Do you Lance?” the Adonis drawled, his similar blue orbs landing on me, destabilizing my little wit.
“And as the Alpha of this pack, I say that won’t be necessary! Behave yourself, Alfred,” coursed my mate, the veins in his jaw now ominous.
I was shaking now. Lance reached out and took my hand squeezing softly into it.
“If you two have any sense, try to be civil, else I will be forced to act upon your absurdities!” Theresa’s voice rose above the others instantly bringing an end to their tirades.
“May we begin immediately. By the way, Alfred wasn’t wrong when he asked to be introduced to the mate of Lance. As far as he is in concession,” she finished, her eyes pinned on the cold ones of Alonso.
I knew there and then without being told, that I might just have another problem arising in the background. And this one might consume me if I don’t take care.
“Of course, I do not have a problem introducing my mate to Alfred,” Lance broke the hovering silence.
Lance raised my fingers to give me a chaste kiss on the knuckles, the action sending tingly sensations through my veins. “Alfred meet my mate, Danika, and Danika, meet Alfred, brother to the Alpha.”
“Uhm… Danika,” drawled Alfred. “Fair enough. Right choice, Lance. She’s a goddess,”
The way he said my name was like a feather passing on my body alluringly.
Alonso’s face at that moment could be compared to that of a fierce lion about to pounce.
And this was just the beginning.
…