Chapter 66

• HAERA. I ran, cutting through trees and their elongated branches as I did. I didn't run because my legs had to do so as fast as they could, I ran because I didn't know what else to do other than to head back in the same direction I came through with the same words ringing in my head. Must warn the Alpha. My heart was racing miles than my legs could ever dare and it was hard to tell if it was because of how fast I was racing down the path in the dead of the night or the things I just saw and heard. Definitely, it had to be the latter because I couldn't stop seeing or hearing them in my head even after I've left the place where I had been listening in on their conversation. I didn't even care if I got noticed with the way I suddenly turned abruptly and ran. I wasn't sure if they heard my footsteps and now have an army of rogues chasing after me, I just wanted to get away from them as fast as I could. "I don't sense movements Haera, no one is after us." Dezra assured. I was breathless and totally out of it. I was a long way from home and I should probably keep my energy and walk instead of running so hard but I couldn't even stop my legs anymore. "I know this isn't the time to do this but...I told you so Haera. I told you it was too good to be true." Of course she did. As well as my mate who clearly warned me his brother was a mischief maker who was definitely up to no good but u failed to listen to him. I don't fault myself for choosing not to listen to a man who wouldn't even listen to me too. I wasn't guilty of not listening to him neither do I regret it. He was still a jerk for all I care. But the guilt that ate me up Tybalt using me as a tool. A pawn in his stupid game of revenge against his brother. The thought of being one of the reasons that could cause the downfall of the Alpha made me want to hit myself in the head for being so stupid. I was so stupid to believe and justify Tybalt's hatred. So stupid to think he really wanted to be friends with me. He approached me with a purpose, that much was clear. For how long has he been on to his brother and me? That night in the kitchen when he saved me, was it a part of his plan too? Save the damsel in distress and she'll fall for your charms right away. What went through his mind when he saved me and carried me on his back like a freaking baby? He must have laughed at me inside of him and maybe when he returned to his room. He must have cringed at how stupid I was. He must have enjoyed every single moment we spent together not because he was with me but because I was a dumb maid who wasn't even a damsel to begin with. He called me ugly! The same man who had severally kissed my forehead, caressed my skin and held me like I was the most important thing in the world, blatantly called me crazy. My anger became fueled by my thoughts and I was so close to turning back to meet him and his mother and give them both a piece of my mind. But I knew I couldn't. I wanted to punch something, someone, anything! But I damn well knew that what mattered first was warning the Alpha. After minutes of running back, I finally got to the secret gate that I followed through with Tybalt. Effortlessly blending with the dark night, I was back inside of the palace and made for the Alpha's Chambers immediately. Dezra stopped me before I could go further. "Are you crazy? Do you have a plan?" She barked at me. "No I don't! But I don't need one, I just need to find him and warn him of danger." Dezra snorted, obviously irritated by my foolishness of going into the Alpha's Chambers without a proper plan. "Do you think he will listen to you or believe you if you suddenly show up at his Chambers looking like you ran a marathon down here?" If I didn't run a marathon, what the hell did I do then? My breathing was still unsteady from all the running and it's all because of him. It was even hard to tell why I needed to warn him after all he's done to make me miserable. Was it the guilt that Tybalt used me to get to him? Was it the mate bond? Or was it the feelings that still sparked in me no matter how hard I deny them. "It's his loss if he doesn't believe me! I'm doing my best here." "Yes you are and I understand you perfectly but it's past his retiring time now and you have absolutely no plan! How do you make believe you? What and how will you say it to him? We have to plan it out first. Be reasonable Haera and let's go find him tomorrow before breakfast." I hate it when Dezra is right and so I had no choice but to listen to her. Tomorrow...we would warn him tomorrow. I retired back to my own room in the maid quarters, hoping to catch some sleep because of how tired and distressed I was. I got no sleep though. I couldn't. Whenever I tried to for a minute or so, I only saw my moments with Tybalt behind my closed eyes. When I thought of everything, I felt my anger towards him morph into hatred. He's just like everyone else. He's no different from everyone who has bullied an demeaned me. He isn't worth it, I told myself time and time again. When the first crack of dawn came, my eyes were already wide open since I didn't even get to close them. "We still don't have a plan and you didn't get any sleep either Haera." Dezra said. I had successfully snuck out of my room and was now making my way towards the Alpha's Chambers. Since it was this early in the morning without even the sun up in the sky yet, the guards patrolling and guarding the Alpha's Chambers would have retired as well, giving me the perfect chance to sneak in. What I needed wasn't a plan, what I needed was to see the Alpha before it was too late. "We don't need a plan Dezra." "Then what are you going to do when Dina comes looking for you? You have to be in the kitchen in an hour from now." "Then we have an hour to get to the Alpha and talk to him." I whispered just as I entered into the big building that housed the alpha , his Beta, his Luna and the old hag who hangs around her. I shushed my wolf and she fell silent, refusing to argue any longer, as I tiptoed into the dining hall which is the first place I'll have to go through. Where I was going was ahead of me. The long hallway with doors on both sides of it. I didn't know which of the doors belonged to the Alpha but I was sure I'd catch on with his scent. And I did after sniffing around a little. His door was the third one on the left. Looking frantically around me to be sure no one was watching, I tiptoed towards the door but I didn't make it before I felt a hand grab me and pull me backward by my hair. I couldn't even scream if I wanted to and so I just closed my eyes and winced at the sting the pulling of my hair caused me. "follow me without a word or I'll scream instead. Your choice." Princess Ilvira whispered close to my ear. I did as I was told even if I couldn't help but wonder what the princess was doing out there so early. I should be worried about it but again, I saw this same woman at night with none other than Tybalt. Whatever she does shouldn't even surprise me anymore. She pulled me with her to the dining hall and then let me go forcefully, throwing me to the floor. I shot a defiant look at her before I stood up slowly. Conniving bitch. Lying conniving bitch! I didn't know fate could be so sick. She was mated to a brother while the other was her destined mate? How perfectly arranged. Little wonder she was in that dark corner with Tybalt the other day. "You rat, what were you doing sneaking around the Alpha's Chambers? How dare you!" I glared back at her, damned the consequences and spat out my own words. "Why else would I be here other than to see my mate?" Her eyes flared. What was she so angry about when she has found her true mate? They were both snakes who deserved each other. She moved forward, obviously to hit me. "You have no right to ask me what I came here to do when you know that I am the one who has the right to actually be here not you." I said and she paused, eyes shimmering with anger and lips curved even as she forced a light laughter. "You really have grown some nerves since the last time I saw you." "Look, I do not want trouble. I just want to see the Alpha." "And If I don't allow you?" I'll tell him I saw you and his brother together. Since he doubts his brother's actions so much,he would probably believe me over you. What more? I'll tell him he is your destined mate and it's not so hard to confirm that it's true. I wanted to say those words so badly but they were bound to ruin my chances of warning the Alpha. My eyes inspected her for a brief moment and I suspected something. Her dressing didn't seem like the one of someone who has been indoors all through the night. I eyed her suspiciously. "I don't think I am the only rat around here." I blurted. "Excuse me?" "You didn't sleep in your chamber did you?" I countered. Her eyes widened in shock and her body language changed. Even when she tried to regain her calm posture, it was already too late. I was right. She was just on her way back from wherever she went just as I snuck into the Chambers too. "You dare question me?" "Exactly! You have no right to keep me from seeing the Alpha by questioning me as well, I might be just maid but I am his subject too and it's important that I see him. I don't care if you didn't sleep in your chamber! It's important I see him." She scoffed and stepped even closer, aiming to intimidate me but I was past being intimidated by her now. "I think you're getting something wrong here and that confidence of yours, I hope it doesn't get you killed. Listen up maid, I am the Luna of this pack, like it or not. The guards are probably resuming for their morning duties now and I could call one of them, tell them you snuck into my chamber and stole my jewelry and have you punished for it. Even your so called mate will not be able to do anything about it if evidence is found or not. In simpler terms simpleton, it's my word against yours." When she was done rambling off her words, I was brimming with anger that threatened to spill over because she was damn right. We both stood, our eyes doing the most of the talking; with her standing a inch taller than me. "This isn't over," I said and paused before gritting my teeth and clenching my fist as I said "Luna." With one last threatening glare, I walked away and left her standing. "Now, are you sure you still don't need a plan?"