Chapter 29

• HAERA
• I recoiled backwards because of the pain but I didn't get to go far because an arm shot lot and grabbed me, wrapping tightly around my ankles the point at which it hurt and I knew it would leave a mark for a day or two. It was Princess Ilvira's hand that was holding me back from running off. I looked back to her, where she was still standing with my mate in front of her and you wouldn't even know she was holding me tightly by her side. She was still smiling sweetly at him as they shared a kind of look. It was as if electricity was sizzling between them and I could get electrocuted if I got in-between them. The look they shared sickened me to my guts, it was torture and I wanted to run away from the room but for some reason Princess Ilvira made me stay and feel the torture. The pain in my head only subsided briefly. It affected Dezra because I could feel her energy drain and I could feel her go weak. My wolf was a strong one who is almost immune to pain. For a wolf like mine who seemed to be unspecified, it wasn't meant to be like that but once again, no one has ever cared to ask or know why my bruise,cuts or any forms of injuries heals in just a few hours. Now that wolf is weak and whimpering in my head. I felt like I was going to lose her because I've never felt so much pain in my entire life. Dezra has never felt that weak before. And it was merely a peck! If this goes on, then I'd probably die from then just sealing the mate bond and that can't happen. Maybe that was their plan all along? Maybe the knew I would die once the mate bond ritual is completed and so they don't care about what happens to me in the process of the ritual. I have to stop the ritual one way or the other. I was out of ideas and I know I needed to see Balfour or Ulric. I was sure they could help. That's if I am able to get out of here. Alpha Zachary finally turned away from her and went back to greeting her parents. He didn't even spare a glance at the maid beside his supposed mate. The smile on her face faded like it was never even there before as she turned to me. Her lips rose to reveal the sneer her perfectly set White teeth was formed into as she leaned closer to my ears and whispered into it. "Were you going to run off again like a coward?" A small chuckle followed her words as her leaned back and gave me a once over before saying again; "Remember, my side at all times especially when he's around and for as long as the mate bond ritual lasts. After that, I don't care what happens to you or what you do." Her words had me stuck in the moment. Especially when she called me a coward. Princess Ilvira wasn't hiding it anymore. She's mincing her words but it's there, right in her eyes. In her body language and every movement she makes. I stole your mate. What are you going to do about it? The confrontation was clear because she knows I am nothing and who would believe a Princess of Royal birth over a common maid? "You go against my rule and you'll find out how easy it is for me to make sure you don't even witness the mate bond ritual." She gave her last words of threat before turning to leave. Something pushed me to follow her immediately and I did even if my mind was going through a rollercoaster of thoughts at how terribly vile the princess was. What would she do to me? Chase me out of the pack? She was more can capable of doing all that and I knew. When she got into the circle with her family and Alpha Zachary, her face was all smiles and bright laughter again. I wanted to claw that mask off her face. That mask that makes her seem like a good person when underneath she was terrible. She was a two-faced bitch and someone like Alpha Zachary who went through so much in his life doesn't deserve someone like her. She won't have him. Not on my watch. I just need to figure out something quickly. "Haera!" My head snapped up to see everyone in the room looking at me. The room was already silent as everyone's attention was focused on me. They must have said something which they expected me to answer but I was too lost in thoughts to hear or care about what they must have said. I looked around from one person to another as I stood by the princess. When my eyes caught and locked with that familiar pair of grey ones, I swallowed. He's looking at me. He's looking at me. I didn't see anything flash through his eyes. No sort of recognition or suspicion. He really doesn't know who I am. "Dear child, are you okay? You seem to be out of it." I've never heard a voice this calm in my entire life and it matched the calmness her face held too. It was the Luna of the pack. I've never been this close enough to her to see the soft expression on her face. My heart pulled to her miserably for a reason. Dear child. She called me,a maid, a child. "I--i--'m fine." I stuttered miserably. The Luna only looked closely at me, her eyes were loving and the kindest I've ever seen. The Aura about her is pure and welcoming. "You don't look it. I asked when you started working here because your face doesn't look familiar." I opened and mouth and shut it a few times without words coming out. I was the center of attraction and I didn't like it one bit. "Common mother, I already told you I'll be needing extra hands for the mate bond ritual. It's why she's here.Gennora recommended her to me." The princess came to my rescue and I never thought I would say this but I was glad she did. Strangely, I could still tell that he had eyes on me. I could feel his grey eyes bore holes through me. Is the mate bond meant to make you feel all of those things? "Is that why she's bound to your sides like a hip bone?" The Alpha, princess Ilvira's father said in a skeptical voice. "I love her company, just let her be okay?" She whined in reply. "I thought you loved Gennora's company.". Her father muttered again. He was obviously teasing her. "Dad!!!" "Well... you'll need all the help you can get. My little darling is about to become a real female." The Luna gushed, hugging the princess to herself. The scene almost made me teary. Not because it was beautiful but because the princess gets to enjoy so much love and adoration that I haven't enjoyed at any point in my life yet she stole what seems like my only chance to experience such love and care from someone. I knew I should have hated her long before I met her. I should have. Gennora came into the big hall and made curt bows to the leaders in the room. Alpha Zachary,I noticed was not man of many words because he barely said anything and just observed. I could understand him. I felt myself able to understand him. It felt like he was uncomfortable to be around them. He must not be used to such gatherings with attention considering how he lived his entire life. How could someone like him end up with Ilvira forever? How was I supposed to allow it? "The feast has been set in the dinning hall." Gennora announced. "That's great. Common, let's fill ourselves to the brim before the hectic rituals start tomorrow." Everyone followed the Alpha's command and headed for the dining hall. The feast was set as announced and they all sat to eat while I stood dutifully by the Princess. As the other available maids began to serve the food, I looked around the room checking out the passages that could make for a smooth escape without being seen. It would be the perfect cover to leave the Alpha Chambers unnoticed, if I follow the maids who came to deliver the food. We all looked so similar and so blending in wouldn't even be a problem. I just needed them to be distracted. Enough for them not to notice I was gone. But I waited for Balfour to show up. I needed to get to him anyway to tell him what was happening. We just needed to meet at a quiet spot and talk before he leaves the Alpha Chambers. He comes to serve at the Alpha Chambers specially but he wasn't around today. It was strange and I kept my eyes out for him. Where was he? "Wait... where is the chef? Why is he not here?" It was the Alpha that voiced out my own question. One of the maids bowed before moving to answer. "We couldn't find him." My eyes narrowed at the mate. What was she saying? "What do you mean you couldn't find him? He made the food didn't he?" "Yes...yes he did but we couldn't find him when we returned back from washing up so we could come serve you. We told the head maid and she ordered us to bring down the food first." The Alpha turned to Gennora who was also standing dutifully at a corner. "Is this true?" He asked. "I'm afraid so sir. The chef is nowhere near the kitchen but I have organised a search party for him." A search party? What the hell were they saying? Balfour never leaves the kitchen! Unless it's night time and the Alpha's family have had their last meal for the day. Why would she suddenly disappear that they would need a search party to go looking for him? "That's strange...He never leaves the kitchen." The voice of the Luna held concern. Where the hell could Balfour be in the entirety of the pack? He would never miss a meal of the Alpha's family. He was always there to make sure everything is in order. He has always said he liked the look of satisfaction on the faces of the Alpha and his Luna. It's what he lives for after he suffered s bitter rejection from his mate. Why then would be suddenly disappear? Something was wrong and I felt it deep in my bones. Ulric suddenly rushed in with a troubled look masking his face. "Alpha!" Everyone turned their attention to him. He was hardly breathing. "We found the chef." I know I should be relieved after hearing that but my gut feelings told me that wasn't all. No. Not with the look on Ulric's face. "Where is he?" "The lake behind the maid quarters..." A pause. A beat or two of my heart skipping and passing before he continued "Dead... He's dead."