Episode 4
1833 Words
NYLA:
The car pulled to a halt in front of a gigantic gate. “We are here,” Elder Edgar’s driver said, glancing back at me.
I grabbed my backpack and stepped out of the car. The elder had gifted me the backpack with a few dresses just so I wouldn't look like a maid.
My stomach churned with anxiety as I stood in front of the towering gate. Not only was what I came here for dangerous, but what if the alpha king discovered I was sent by Alpha Martin. I’d heard Alpha Martin say several times how much they both hated each other. That meant if I got caught, it’d be over for me.
The gate parted slowly with a deep groan. It looked like someone was controlling it somewhere.
I walked in and for a moment, I couldn't move further. The BloodRidge pack house was exactly like the rumors told–huge and intimidating.
It was an estate with a central mansion that looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. You know, the Victorian-era kind of castle but with a modern edge. Around the huge castle were smaller houses which I had no idea what they were for. Maybe the servants didn't live in the main house.
You could see the woods behind the house from where I stood. The shifters probably train and run there.
I walked past several gardens which spread so wide that you’d think the BloodRidge shifters were as gentle as farmers. The serene and peaceful look of the pack house was in total contrast to their Alpha's reputation.
I stepped into the grand hall and met eleven other ladies who had arrived earlier. The look on their faces was nothing short of happiness. How could they be happy entering a marriage that could end their lives?
Soon, a tall, good looking guy came out and began addressing us. I really didn't pay attention to what he was saying. I just scanned the room for anything that could lead me to finding Talon.
“Are you with us, miss?”
A nudge from one of the ladies brought my attention back to the man speaking.
“Huh?” I forced a smile which turned out to be awkward than I intended as the eyes of everyone in the room including the ice cold looking lady who dressed like a queen burned down on me.
“Sorry,” I muttered, lowering my head.
The last thing he said before we got dismissed was, “You have three days to prepare and get yourself ready and presentable for the alpha king. Good luck to all of you. I hope you end up making your packs proud.”
Finally we were left alone waiting to be shown our rooms. While the rest were chatting with each other, I sneaked out to the back of the pack house looking through each of the long windows.
Since there was no way to get into each of the rooms, I figured I could find out what was in each from outside the windows. They must be holding Talon in one of those rooms. He was the only thing that mattered to me, not this marriage or the alpha king.
It hadn't been up to a minute after I got to the last window when I heard a low and hushed voice. My heart almost jumped out of my chest as the thought of getting caught hit me.
Turning, my gaze met a broad chest hidden in a scrub-like uniform the other servants here wore.
When I looked up at him, I froze. I could swear that I was staring at the most beautiful man I’d ever come across. His dark tousled hair fell carelessly across his face, covering a part of his perfect sea blue eyes that looked both dangerous and at the same time breathtaking, with a strong jawline dusted with stubble.
Judging from the black uniform he had on, he must be the head servant. The rest of the servants I’d seen so far wore dark red scrubs. Could an omega really be this beautiful?
He waved his hand in my face, bringing me out of my thoughts. What was his question again? Right. “I was just… Uhm…having a tour of the pack house,” I said, forcing a smile but his stern expression didn't waver. His gaze lingered on me, his face scrunched but still gorgeous anyway.
I cleared my throat. Since he was the head servant, maybe I could get an idea what the alpha king liked so I could do the opposite. The last thing I wanted was for him to choose me.
“Can I ask for a favor?”
He arched his brow as if I’d just spoken out of turn.
“Tell me how to gain your alpha's favor. You're the head servant. You must know what he likes.”
“My alpha?” he asked, confusion spreading across his face as he glanced down at his uniform and then back at me.
“The Alpha King, I mean… You know, Alpha Dax.” I said in a whisper.
“Oh, yeah. He… definitely won't choose you.”
“Why?” I asked, but instead of answering, he gave me a once-over with a disapproving look on his face.
“He likes women who don't dress like his grandma.”
“What?” My skin crawled with embarrassment. “It's called modesty,” I muttered, tugging the shawl tighter around my shoulders and staring down at the long dress that stopped just above my ankles.
A faint smile flickered on his lips. “If that's modesty, then the monks must be your fashion icons. What are you going to throw in next, a veil?”
A frustrated huff escaped my lips. “Are all the servants of BloodRidge this arrogant?”
“No, peaches, just the–”
“It's Nyla,” I cut in, glaring at him.
“Peaches,” he repeated, deliberately ignoring me.
I sighed. You know what, I take back my admiration. His personality doesn't match his face.
“Are you going to help me or not?”
He leaned lazily against the wall, crossing his arms. “It depends. Why are you here?”
“To be the alpha's wife,” I said with gritted teeth.
“You do know about the curse, yet you want him to choose you?”
“Love wins over any curse,” I blurted out before realizing what I’d just said. My cheeks heated instantly. Why did that just slip out? Mother always said love had to be earned. No one gives it freely.
A flicker of maybe curiosity or something else I couldn't quite read flashed across his face but he quickly masked it away.
“So will you help me?” I added, trying to shrink away what I’d just said.
“What's in it for me?”
“What do you want?”
He tapped his chin as if thinking. “I'll give it a thought. Go rest, peaches. Meet me here tomorrow morning.”
I went back in and was given a room. The BloodRidge lived up to their reputation of being the wealthiest pack. Each of the ladies had a room and for the first time in a long while, I slept in a proper bed.
The next morning, I freshened up and was heading out of the house when I bumped into him in the hallway. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me into an empty room.
“Did you sleep well, peaches?”
I shot him a glare wanting to correct him again but on a second thought, decided to let it be.
“I did… Won't you get in trouble if anyone sees you here with one of the tributes?”
“No. Now let's get started.”
I didn't move. I just stared at him. There was something odd about him being a servant. For one he didn't talk or act like one.
“You don't seem afraid of your alpha.”
“Should I be?” He handed me a dress. “Wear this.”
“Where did you get it from?”
“A friend,” he said without a care.
I sighed as I spread out the dress. It looked skimpy but if I wanted his help, I had to do as he said.
He turned while I pulled off the one I had on and stepped into the dress. My hands couldn't reach the top zipper so I turned to him for help.
The moment his hands brushed against my back to zip up the dress, a small shiver ran through me. I stiffened and tried to focus on the zipper rather than the way my heart was skipping.
“There you go. First lesson. Put this on that day.”
I nodded, forcing a smile while pulling the hem of the dress down a little.
When I turned to face him, his gaze landed on the runes on my chest. “Nice tats,” he said casually.
Thank goodness he thought the runes were tattoos.
“Thank you,” I muttered, unable to meet his gaze while still fighting with the dress.
“Second lesson. The alpha doesn't like overly submissive women who stare at the ground.” He grabbed me gently by the shoulder. “Look me in the eye.”
I swallowed hard, my gaze darting anywhere but his eyes. Why was I reacting to him? He was just a servant like me, nothing more.
Taking a shaky breath, I finally lifted my gaze and our eyes locked. My heart pounded like a war drum under his intense stare. Then he cleared his throat looking away.
“Your posture looks like you've been bowing all your life.”
I stiffened, unsure how to respond. Did he already find out I was a servant?
“Learn how to stand straight, with your chin high and your shoulders relaxed. Don't cower before anyone.” He stood in front of me. “The last lesson. The alpha hates fake smiles. And since we met, every smile on your face has been fake. Show me a genuine one.”
I forced a smile, trying to make it genuine. The expression on his face revealed I was doing something entirely opposite.
“Still fake.”
I drew in a breath and tried again. His brows creased. “You look like a squirrel.”
A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. I immediately palmed my mouth to muffle the laughter.
His lips curved into the faintest smile. “Now that's a genuine one.”
Just then, the door swung open and the man who I heard from the other girls was the alpha king's beta walked in.
“Alpha Dax?” he said, looking at the servant beside me who I’d just realized I didn't know his name.
- Writer
