Chapter 27

• HAERA. I've had those words lashed at me more than a few times. They weren't new anymore and I think that has already been established even on my eighteenth birthday. I've been told I was nothing compared to the princess. Well, I see that now and I didn't need anymore confirmation that I was nothing as long as she remains the Alpha Princess in this pack. Having her say it to me in a not to subtle manner made me agree with Dezra on something for the first time ever. I didn't like her. I never felt like I would even before meeting her and I should have hated her right from when I was her stand in front of me to go sit beside the Alpha, who was my mate. I should have hated her right from when he even announced her. I should have hated her because sharing the same birthday with her has plagued my life so much. I should have hated her because I suffered so much because of her. But I didn't. I never hated her. I never blamed her for it, thinking she doesn't even know who I was and that she wasn't responsible for my suffering. I never blamed her because it was neither of our fault. We both were born on the same day not because we wanted to. It was only a coincidence and nothing more. That's what I told myself everytime I'm forced to want to put the blame on her when I get bullied or when Gennora makes me work to death on my birthday. Now I regret not hating her. Just a few words from her lips as the disgusted look she's sending my way and I already knew she wasn't worth all of the energy I put into not blaming her for my misery. I regret not cussing at her all of the times I went through all that. Why couldn't she have been born just a couple of days later? Why couldn't she have been born the day after or even the day before? Why did her own birth have to mess my own life? It was obvious that my own birth didn't mess with anything as she seemed to be living her life to the fullest as the only daughter of the Alpha. "And I've always wondered how you looked like," she said and took a pause, I felt her eyes burn into every part of my body as if taking me in and looking for any part of me that was worth anything at all. "And I must say...I am disappointed. Disappointed that someone like you shares the same birthday as me." Her words kept piercing me like a dagger. Dezra fought to take control but I've always been one to take control of her and keep her reined in. But she still manages to take over in some situations. Especially situations where I'm being bullied but she was currently overpowering me by just mere words. Somehow, I knew there was more to it than just mere words no matter how hard they hit. Dezra sensed something and whatever it was, it encircled the princess. "Why did you send for me?" It was partly me and partly my wolf. It came out so rude that it was too late to take back. I was irritated while Dezra seemed like her anger would drive her crazy. I tried to strike a balance between the both of us but my words still came out defiantly. I expected the princess to get mad at my brute attitude towards her but she didn't say anything. A smirk however curled by the side of her lips. "You are really what they say you are. You have no regard for anyone, even me." She didn't let me talk before she continued. "But it's fine... being born on the same day as me has given you so much confidence to talk in such manner. And you seem to be so energized." The tone her voice was taking didn't sound like it was taking a good turn. I knew something was going to come up next and she didn't just call me here to throw words at my face. The more I thought about it, the more I began to take away the doubts in my mind. Her eyes, they speak volume of a woman capable of doing what Balfour accused her of even if I told him off and refused to believe him at first. And I was wrong too. Wrong about her not knowing who I was when clearly, I could see it in her eyes that she knew more than she should about me. I could tell that she knew more than she was letting on and so I let myself believe that someone like her was capable of stealing my mate from me. The question why still hung in the air though. Why would she do such a thing? Even the question of how was still racing her mind. How did she know he was my mate? Gennora. The answer was right. Gennora lives in the Alpha's Chambers, she's the only other person who knows that the Alpha of the Imperial pack is my mate. She's the only one who said it to my face that o dreamed and aimed to high to think someone like him would want me. All I needed was proof, proof that she really is impersonating me so I can perfectly sabotage the mate bond ritual that is starting the next day. Whatever happens, I have to find a-- "That energy of yours will do me a favour anyway," she said "You will pack your things and move here." Those words made my head draw a blank, making me go rigid on the spot. I blinked once, twice. All thoughts of finding a way to get my mate from her flew out the window. "Mo--ve here? Wha--what do you mean?" I asked hoping it isn't what I was thinking because ot changes everything. "I'm sure you heard me," she said standing up and stalking over to me again "you will pack whatever you own and move here." "Why?" I asked, dumfounded even if I could already see the reason in her eyes. "You will tend to me as my personal maid throughout the mate bond ritual week." My mouth still hung open even when I already suspected where this was going. "You want me to stay here with you?" "Is that too much to ask a lowly maid?" She was testing me but I was determined not to give her a reason to condemn me the more about what we shared in common. "There are maids everywhere to tend to you. Erylis is your personal maid yet you want me to be the one to tend to you?" I asked. "Yes." She really is the bitch everyone says she is. "But I work in the kitchen. I have to help Balfour cook and--" "Like you said, there are maids everywhere. Lots of them are even better cooks. The piggy chef won't miss you." My jaws clenched at her words directed at Balfour. He was right about her when he said she was nothing but a brat. I can't believe what she's asking of me. "I can't do that...my job is to--" "I wasn't asking maid! It's a command," she sneered. "Go against it and I'll kick you out of this pack just like I've always wanted to and you'll roam the woodlands as a packless rogue." She threatened and I swallowed hard because the look in her eyes told me that she was more than capable of following through with her threat. "You will stay here and tend to him all through the mate bond ritual up until he marks me. You'll stay by my side always. Never to leave my side or this Chambers. You will not leave this Chambers until I say so." She rambled off her command while I just watched her mouth move. Was I dreaming? Or is this really happening to me? Staying in this Chambers always sounded like something amazing to me and a great achievement for the few people who get to but now, it feels like I am getting locked up in a prison. A beautiful big one. How do I stay here for a week? Without seeing Balfour and without the freedom of doing as I wish. For all I care, staying glued to her side has ruined every chance of me sniffing around and finding out what's going on without her knowing. Was this her plan all along? Was this why she called me here? To make sure I don't leave her sight and to make sure I don't get find out what was going on. I have to be by her side all the time. Even as the mate bond ritual looms closer. I just got a front row ticket to watch my mate get loved up with another wolf. I didn't even think I could see the ritual through if I stay by her side all the time and see her with him. It would drive me crazy but Dezra will probably go nuts. I had thought I would have time to sabotage the mate bond ritual but princess Ilvira was faster and I could see it in her eyes that held a sinister look that she just beat me at a game we haven't even started yet. I could actually lose my mate to her. The thought made me swallow hard. Out of anger and out of fear. "You're one confusing Wolf, maid. I keep sniffing so many emotions around you that it's hard to keep up." She said and it wasn't a compliment. I merely stared back at her. I couldn't even look away from her as much as I wanted to. Today marks my first day in confinement and she has the keys to the prison I was going to be locked in. "Why me?" I asked her. My ears were burning to hear why I deserved this. My question was ambiguous and for some reason, I knew she understood it. The current that passed through us was easy for me to know that she understands every single thing. Why did she take my mate from me? Why does it have to be me who tends to her? Why do I have to be tortured with the view of her and my mate together? She snickered. The kind of laughter that brought light to her eyes, emphasizing how beautiful she was but the hatred for me in that laughter was as clear as day. "Why you? Don't sound like you're special maid because you're not. Don't let all these talks get into your head," she said as her laughter subsided. "but I'll do you a favour and answer your question. It's you because there's a lot you need to learn. And knowing your place is one of them." She answered staring me squarely in the eye, making sure her words hit home and they really did, before turning away from me again. "You know what? I change my mind. You don't have to get your things anymore. I'll have the other maids bring it to you and have Genno--" A curt knock on the door stopped her. "Ahhh... she's here." She whispered before calling out to whoever was at the door to come in. Gennora walked in and closed the door after her. Once she set her eyes on me, disgust swirled in them before she turned to the princess and just as quickly as the disgust disappeared, admiration and pride replaced it. I've never seen Gennora look at anyone that way. It was alarming. Was everyone right after all? About the way Gennora dotes on the Alpha Princess like she was her own daughter. It gave way to a old wave of suspicion that I already warded off. The one Balfour set inside of me. I watched them as they interacted. The way the Princess's eyes danced lovingly as she talked to Gennora about something I wasn't paying attention to. Gennora's body was calm even her usually loud voice was low and quiet. I could tell that the princess really favoured her and Gennora does the same. But she's just a maid. It doesn't matter how high in rank she was. I couldn't help but believe Balfour was right. It must have been Gennora who told the princess about it but I didn't have enough proof to back the claims up yet. I just need to see more of them together, hear the things they say and the things they do. Luckily for my unlucky self, I will move into the Alpha's chamber starting today. It was like the universe was working both in and out of my favour. Staying close to the princess will give me the chance to know more about her relationship with Gennora and give answers to my questions. I guess this is what they call blessing in disguise and I was more than ready to make use of every opportunity. To find out the truth and get my mate back. "Show her to her new room, Gennora." . They finally turned their attention back to me. I looked from one of them to another. "I'm sure she'll love it," Princess Ilvira added with a evil glint in her eyes. "Follow me." Gennora didn't spare me a glance and I did as she Commanded. I followed her. I now have another goal and this new prison was the best place to achieve my goals. No matter what it takes, I won't give up. Not now, not ever. Oddly enough, it felt like this is just the beginning.