NALEDI’S POV
Caellum tricked me!
It’s been one week and he has yet to return from his supposed urgent business travel.
Which forced me to begin my job as his maid, even in his absence. I paced around his room and there was not a single thing out of place.
His chambers were barely lived in and cleaning it felt like a waste of my God-given talents and skills. Of course, I used the privilege of access to check for anything that could beef up my plans for revenge but the room was emptied of anything useful.
As time proceeded with no actual work to do, I was losing my darned mind.
I didn’t do anything today. Yes, I stayed in his room for one hour, breathing in his scent and living in his chambers, before leaving for my room.
No one would know I hadn’t lifted a finger. The room was that spotless.
On my way back, I thought of the various ways I could get my hands on Caellum. Show him how unsatisfied I was with my position as his maid and demand a more suited job.
But that was just that – Hanging thoughts that may or may not be actualised.
I heard the sound of people in the backyard and naturally pivoted to the area. There was nothing to do in my chambers anyway so I might as well find something for entertainment.
My feet led me to the back of the pack house and I met with a thousand shirtless men, sweaty and training with Matteo spearheading the exercise.
I couldn’t lie. The Cosa Nostra pack had their share of tasty-looking men. I would dig had they not been what they are – members of the Cosa Nostra pack. Because that in itself was a red flag to me.
Moving forward, I skipped to the front of the group, attracting attention. “I want to join in,” I stated, talking to no one in particular.
“My lady,” Matteo spoke first. “Do you have a problem finding your way back?”
I felt insulted. “No, my lord. I’d like to do something more than mop around.” I said in a biting tone.
Snickers were heard from the others and I felt good.
“I don’t think the Alpha will appreciate you being here.” There was the Matteo I knew. Cutthroat and straight to the point.
“The Alpha is not here now, Is he?” I asked, taking off my shirt. “What he doesn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. I’m dying to get a bit of action myself.” I stretched my bones, and they made a cracking sound. “Don’t worry. I don’t kiss and tell.” I added with a wink.
Matteo seemed stuck between a rock and a hard place. Good thing I had no problem introducing myself.
“Hello everyone!” I said with a large smile. “I am Naledi Rogers and I’ll be joining the training session today.”
My introduction was met with silence. I almost felt hurt. The key word being almost. Didn’t they like me? What was there not to like?
Perhaps they were trying to figure me out. I shrugged. I could live with that.
“What does she think this is? A fucking playground?” One of the men hissed.
Okay. They didn’t like me. Got it.
“I think you should find your way to the kitchen, My lady.” Another said, walking up to me.
I couldn’t help but admire his courage. The way he said the words ‘my lady’ told me they were more of an insult than a respect.
Apparently, this one was salty.
“Kitchen?” I asked in a confused tone. “Are you in the wrong crowd? Do you need help finding your way back?”
My words were answered with a low growl.
“I’ll say this once.” I started, unmoved by the threat. “If you think I am one of those women who coddle up to men and shrink themselves to make you feel good about yourself, then think again.” My tone was cutthroat and firm. “I will appreciate you treat me with respect. In fact I demand it.”
“My lady.” Matteo’s tone was hard and his glare was directed at the one who thought he had a smart mouth. “I’ll handle it.” He said, and I fought my brimming anger.
“I didn’t realise I had loudmouths recruited into my pack.” A voice I knew too well said from behind me.
“Alpha.” The congregation chorused and bowed their head in submission.
It seemed like it was rehearsed because how the hell did they work with that sort of uniformity?
I pushed my head down, trying to blend in with the crowd. That was fucking hard seeing the only thing I wanted to do was drag the fucking man out and school him on the many reasons I cannot be his maid.
“Rise,” Caellum said, but for some reason, I felt his words were directed at me.
And just like I suspected, our eyes met the moment I raised my head.
Welcome to hell motherfucker. You have a lot of explaining to do. I was sure that was what my eyes said, he smirked at me in return, making me doubt if he got the message.
“Thomas.” He called in a cold tone, and I felt the air around us shift.
If I was not mistaken, it seemed like Caellum was… angry.
The man from earlier walked up, standing right beside me. So his name was Thomas? Such a befitting name if you ask me.
“Since you are so sure of your capabilities and my mate’s inabilities, why don’t you show us a bit of what you have to offer?”
I didn’t know much about Caellum. But I knew him well enough to know that it was a fucking trap. Tailor, or whatever the fuck he was called was walking into a darned trap.
But he was too blind to see it. Or maybe not.
“Alpha.” He dropped to his knees. “Forgive me.”
Caellum flexed his muscles and an evil glint laced his eyes. “Forgive you for what? Get on your feet. I was looking forward to watching you both duel. Let’s see just how impactful Matteo’s teaching has been, shall we?”
The man made to talk but Caellum shut him up with his words. “Great! Thomas and Naledi will be having a duel. May the best one win!”
What? How the fuck did I get roped into this?
Caellum’s eyes found mine in a comforting and trusting gaze. “One more thing. The challenge will be a gun target challenge. And whoever loses, will as well lose his head.”
I didn’t miss the distinctive use of the pronoun, his. Or the murderous intent in his gaze towards Tiras. I mean Thomas.
Things were about to get interesting.