Verena knocked on the door to Kai’s suite, a smile on her face.
Finally. He had finally summoned her! At long last!
“Come in.” Kai said.
She walked in and instantly froze. Lying on the couch was Karen, naked. She was asleep, and Verena could see the bruises on her body very slowly vanishing.
Verena swallowed her anger and made her way to Kai. He was at his desk, working. Even though it was past midnight. A
Verena bowed. “My alpha, here I am.”
“Take your clothes off,” Kai said simply.
Verena was more than happy to comply. She took of every piece of clothing and went on her knees in front of him. At the back of her mind she wished that Karen would wake up and see the two of them together. That would be perfect.
“Come here.” Kai said, a strain in his voice.
Verena’s heart leapt with joy to know that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. She got to her feet and moved over to him, proceeding to kneel in front of him.
His eyes gazed upon her, his eyes unreadable. Verena felt a spark of uncertainty. In the past his eyes held some sort of emotion for her, mostly unbridled lust. But now, he just stared at her.
He reached out and touched her face, his fingers massaging her earlobes. Verena felt his touch go straight to her core which was growing wetter by the second.
“My alpha,” She breathed, lust heavy in her voice. “What do you need me to do?”
His hand moved from her ear down to her neck. Verena shivered. She kept her eyes on him, waiting for him to snap and slam her into the desk and the ravage her without holding back.
His hand trailed down from her neck to her breast. He took a breast and squeezed it, his thumb caressing her nipple. Goosebumps broke out over her skin. She clenched her thighs tighter.
Verena glanced down at his crotch, expecting to see the evidence of his desire for her tenting against his pants begging to be free.
She saw nothing.
“Verena,” Kai called her name, his voice barely above a whisper. “Get dressed.”
Verena gasped. “My alpha, what’s the problem?” She asked. He started to pull his hand back. Verena grabbed his hand and pressed her cheek into his palm. “Please, don’t send me away,”
“Get up.” He said sternly and roughly pulled his hand back. “Leave.”
Verena bit her lip, contemplating on what to do. There was no ounce of mercy in his eyes. He turned and went back to his work.
Verena hugged herself. She suddenly felt very cold. She got up and picked her clothes up, wearing them slowly with the hopes that he would call her back.
He didn’t.
She got dressed and walked out of his study, sparing one last glance to him.
“At least let me spend the night,” She tried her luck.
“Get out.” Kai commanded.
Verena felt hurt and anger bloom inside her. On her way out she saw Karen, still sleeping as peacefully as ever on the couch.
Hatred filled Verena’s heart. Was this slave the reason Kai didn’t want her anymore? She used to be the only one who could please him. And now…. this slave just comes and takes it away.
Verena glared hotly at Karen’s sleeping form. She couldn’t help but note how fair Karen’s skin was. Fair and tempting.
Perhaps that was the reason she was always covered in bruises.
She stormed out of Kai’s suite and headed down to her room. Her position was being treated. And she had to do something about it.
Perhaps it was just a phase. Maybe Kai was just too tired and wasn’t in the mood. Maybe he had punished Karen she she passed out.
On his couch?! The idea felt ridiculous to Verena.
“I hate her. I hate her so damn much!” Verena screamed to her empty room.
***
“Where have you been?” Inez asked sternly, her hands on her hips as she glared at Karen mildly.
Karen was eating some bread. She looked up and glanced at Inez. The head of the servants had a stern look on her face. Karen bit off a piece of bread and chewed it.
“Alpha Kai summoned me.” Karen replied with a shrug. She drank some water and offered the bread to Inez. “Want some?”
Inez raised a dark brow. “Thank you, I’m fine.” She said with a wave of her hands. “Alpha Kai summoned you? And you want me to believe that you spent the night with him? Alone?”
Karen nodded. She ate the last of her bread and dusted her clothes. “Yes, is there a problem?”
Inez gasped, her eyes going wide with shock. “You have to be lying. Tell me you’re lying or this is just another sick joke from you.”
“I’m not.” Karen said, getting a bit annoyed. “Why are you so surprised?”
“It seems you don’t know much about him.” Inez said calmly. “He doesn’t allow much physical touch, and more so, doesn’t ever allow anyone to pass the night in his suite.”
Karen blinked. “That’s….”
She trailed off and thought about it. Now she did, she recalled she hadn’t seen a time when someone touched Kai. Nicolas was always keeping his distance, and Verena…. maybe she was allowed to sit in his lap but Karen hadn’t ever seen her touch him.
“Not even Mistress Verena is allowed to pass the night with him.” Inez said. “What did you do to make him permit it?”
Karen shook her head and shrugged. “I have no idea, honestly. But, it’s not exactly what you’re thinking. I just passed out on the couch.””Do you even understand what I’m saying? I’m telling you that he doesn’t ever let anyone pass the night in the same room as him.”
Karen felt a smile coming on her lips. “Ah, I’m lucky then.” She said to herself.
“Please. Don’t delude yourself. he probably just …” Inez trailed off and sighed. “Prepare yourself. There’s work to be done. Alpha Kai has a meeting with some other alpha’s today by 2pm. Get yourself ready and don’t be late.”
Karen nodded and smiled brightly. “Yes ma’am!”
Inez chuckled softly. “Please. Save your fake pleasantries for later.”
Karen laughed softly. Inez gave her directions on what to do before the time for the meeting, starting with cleaning the conference hall.
Karen did her work, a light prep in her step. She thought of what Inez had said and she felt giddy inside. Knowing that she was the first person to spend the night in Kai’s suite made her feel powerful.
It’s me, she though to herself. It’s me and not that evil Verena.
Her body tingled as she recalled the previous night. Even though he was annoyed with her, the way he handled her had her head reeling.
Karen pushed the steamy memories out of her mind and focused on polishing the marble floors and walls till it shone brightly.
The work came easy to her. She hummed a soft tone to herself as she scrubbed the walls and floors. She felt happy for the first time in a long time.
She thought to herself that maybe Kai wasn’t that bad after all. Perhaps it was the mate bond, or maybe it was just that he was a good person.
She finished cleaning the conference room in less than an hour. She stepped back and admired her work, a huge smile on her face. The morning sun shining in through the windows made the room light up in a bright light.
“All in a day’s work.” Karen said with a smile.
She heard clapping behind her and turned sharply. She saw Nicolas standing in the doorway. He was clapping, a soft smile on his face. Karen didn’t know how to feel about his appearance
“Wonderful job,” Nicolas said. “You have a knack for making things clean, don’t you? Some sort of powers. It’s really impressive.”
Karen felt queasy. “Thank you….”
“You’re using your powers on my alpha, aren’t you?”
Karen felt her heart skip. “I don’t have to clean him. He’s not a room or something.” Karen said softly.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Nicolas said. He hadn’t shouted, but she sensed the hostility in his voice.
Karen felt her good mood shatter. “I… I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Your influence is corrupting him.” Nicolas said. “Beat for you to stay away from him. We’ve had enough of you.”
Karen bit her lip, her heart breaking. “I’m his slave. I can’t just…”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Nicolas said sharply. “Have a nice day, Princess.” He said and left.
Karen suddenly felt like the room was covered in a dark cloud. She picked up her cleaning things and headed out of the room, to the next one.
Nicolas was right. For a moment she had forgotten just why she was here, and just how Kai felt towards her.
He saw her as a monster, just like her father.
Karen felt tears prick her eyes. She went about the rest of her duties, her heart in pain. Before she knew it, it was time for the meeting.
She met Kai as he was leaving his suite. She lowered her head and bowed slightly.
“Greetings, my alpha.” She said solemnly.
“I am not your alpha.” Kai said with a soft sigh.
“I’m sorry. My master.”
She felt his eyes on her, scanning her form. “What is the problem?” He asked.
Karen raised her head and looked at him. Her heart broke even more. She thought she had to be imagining it — the gentle look in his eyes. She was about to reply when his face hardened.
“We mustn’t be late.” He said and turned, his long hair flowing behind him. “Keep up.” He said sharply.
Karen nodded and followed behind him. For a moment back there she had seen a gentle look in his eyes.
Just as she thought. In his eyes she was a monster. Karen wiped her eyes so he wouldn’t see her tears