Chapter 14
1311 Words
Sovia’s POV
The side of my heart raced with fear as she approached, step by step.
A little too suspicious for someone who was supposed to be just an ordinary maid.
A white handkerchief was clenched between her palms.
I paused.
My wolf hustled from the tension, pressing against my skin.
I bit back a hiss, feeling the needles pricking closer at my spine.
A subtle reminder that my wolf was trapped.
No matter how I tried, I had to deal with this alone.
The maid’s hand gripped my shoulder. Goosebumps raced up from the spot.
“My lady, let me clean you up.”
My eyes turned hard, seeing the handkerchief drawing closer.
I didn’t wait to find out what sinister plan she had.
“In your dreams.” I gripped her wrist, my wolf surging against the seal with a feral snarl that vibrated through my bones.
With all my might, I tugged her forward. Her body hit the edge of the tub.
Using the element of surprise, I tossed her into the tub.
Both of my hands locked around her neck, forcing her face under the surface.
The metallic tang of fear mixed with the sharp scent of her wolf flooded my nostrils as my own wolf howled inside me, claws itching desperately to break free.
“Speak! Who sent you?”
Her screams sent ripples of bubbles as her claws dug into the water for air.
Her shoulders started to weaken. I yanked her up slightly.
Her wolf eyes shimmered, water rolling from her face as she tried to catch her breath.
“Did my mother send you to kill me?”
She didn’t answer. She slashed forward. I dodged, her claw piercing through my bare chest.
“Urgh!”
I latched onto her neck tighter, tilting her back into the tub.
She grabbed my arm, sinking her claws into my arm. Blood mingled with water, stinging my skin, but I didn’t stop.
“Listen to me. I didn’t claw through the gates of the underworld to get murdered all over again,” I yelled, my wolf howling, faintly feeling her power strengthening our arms.
“No one can take this life from me! Wait for whoever sent you. Because I’ll be sending them to accompany you in hell!”
Grabbing a fistful of her locks, I bashed her head against the tub. Over and over.
Before stuffing her face into the water.
Her claw drew one last line of blood and she sank into the water, body still and lifeless.
My eyes rolled to the back of my head. I stumbled as my body hit the once-warm water now turning cold, tainted with the stench of blood and death.
This was the first time I had hurt someone… killed someone.
Swallowing hard, I shifted to the end of the tub. My heart pounded loudly against my ears.
I… I killed someone. My hands trembled, staring at the claw marks against them.
As I sat there, I expected the wave of anxiety to shake me.
In the past, I used to cry at the sight of dead bodies and corpses.
Now, seeing the maid there, lifeless, brought a chilly sensation through my back.
I smiled, one that reached my eyes as tears blurred my vision.
Not taking my eyes off the body, I reached for the soap and slowly started rubbing my hands together on my body.
What was there to be sad about when defending my life? I sighed, taking a handful of soap over my face.
It’s either kill… or be killed.
And I choose not to die… at least not yet.
****
It was time for breakfast and I still hadn’t seen Vanessa. I asked the servants and they didn’t seem to know either.
Over the table, I was seated opposite my mother, who didn’t seem to mind my presence.
Yet to me, her gaze brought chills against my chest.
Nanny Nicola was seated by my mother. Nanny Nicola was regarded as family at this point.
Not that it was a concern at the moment. I wanted to know who sent that maid to my room.
Was it my mother or Nanny Nicola?
Maybe both of them?
I tilted my head, poking the meal in front of me. A subtle nudge brought me back to my senses.
It was Lydia, staring at me with concern.
“What’s wrong?”
I turned to see everyone staring at me now. Including my father. A tight frown crossed his face.
“You are not eating?”
Maybe this was my chance to see who sent that unfortunate soul.
“There’s a dead maid in my tub,” I announced gracefully.
The table went silent.
I scanned carefully over the table. Lydia’s mouth fell open.
Her scent drenched with worry as she jolted from her seat.
My father’s eyes narrowed with confusion.
Locking eyes with my mother, her expression was blank—a few attempts to conceal her reaction.
I smiled, scooping a handful of food onto my spoon.
Lydia gritted her teeth. “Why is a dead maid in your room? Did something happen?”
I munched, my appetite suddenly returned. “Hmm, I don’t think so.
She… tried to kill me. But the Moon Goddess was on my side.”
The smile on my face stretched. “The maid slipped and fell, I guess she drowned in the tub.”
“Insolence!” My father’s fist banged against the table, his eyes narrowing even more.
He was already summoning guards to go investigate things immediately.
My mother placed her fork on the table, letting her gaze settle coldly on mine.
“Sovia, your story is a little surprising. She slipped and fell—why didn’t you call for help?”
She was testing me.
I couldn’t let her know I could feel my wolf or even have the slightest bit of control.
My father leaned in, tone stern and serious.
“My dear, you should have called for help. Your wedding is approaching. Nothing must happen, alright?”
A sigh of relief shook through me, seeing the way my father closed the question.
All he wanted was to make sure the wedding went on smoothly. Other things didn’t concern him.
My mother nodded. “Of course. Our Sovia was born weak and fragile. The Moon Goddess must have helped her.” She lifted her cup, letting the scent of the tea linger. “She is truly heaven’s blessed.”
I nodded. “Exactly, Mommy.”
Lydia pinched my side, whispering, “Why didn’t you say anything? Are you hurt?”
I stared at my hand. The claw marks had healed on their own before I got dressed.
Strange, because I never healed. At least not the way werewolves do.
I patted Lydia’s shoulder. “Sis, I’m fine.”
Nanny Nicola shot a wary glance at our closeness but kept silent.
Then Mother spoke up. “Sovia, after breakfast, get dressed. Prince Janova is coming here.”
The air pushing through my lungs stilled. “Pr… Prince Janova? Why is he coming?”
She nodded. “To see his future wife. There’s no bond like the one between mates.”
She snarled at my father. “Right, honey?”
He merely nodded and kept eating his food.
That bastard was coming here.
“Prince Janova is a good match. These days, who even offers to personally pick the dress for their brides?”
“I pressed my lips together. This wedding is going to happen.
Isn't it?”
My mother’s eyes gleamed with light. “Of course. Your fates are already intertwined. You can’t defy heaven’s will.”
Heaven's will? I scoffed inwardly.
“What if he dies—”
Placing a hand on the table, I and muttered
“Heaven can't be fulfilled. Can it?”
- Writer
