The Alpha's Reluctant Wife

Chapter 19: Chiara

I woke up with the sensation of wet lips kissing my neck. Teeth gently nibbled at my sensitive skin, pulling a moan from me. Groaning, I turned on the bed to see Adrian beside me. His arm was draped over my waist, the other toying with a strand of my hair.

'No one will ever want you.' His voice echoed in my head, sending my thoughts into a tailspin. 'No one except for me.'

Adrian kissed my jaw as he pulled my body flush against his. He breathed deeply, humming as he took in my scent. "Have you slept well, my love?"

'No one. No one, no one, no one...'

I pinched the skin on my wrist, gave Adrian a brilliant smile, and kissed him back. "Of course, Alpha. I sleep best when next to you."

Satisfied, Adrian kissed me back, the languid strokes of his tongue dragging unwanted pleasure from my core. I let him have his way for a moment before strategically disentangling myself away from his wandering hands.

"You have work to do today, Alpha," I said breathily. "We need to get up soon."

Adrian growled, but it lacked the usual dark tones of his voice. He finally moved out of bed, frowning, and went to the bathroom. I watched him leave before I got up and pulled on a nightgown.

I waited for Adrian to finish preparing for the day. It only took him a few minutes until he was back again, kissing me.

"You're alone for today," he told me as I followed him out of his room. "Stay inside the compound."

"Yes, Alpha."

Adrian left me shortly after, and when he was out of sight, I quickly wiped my lips and went to my room. I dashed to the bathroom and rubbed my skin raw until I bled. Blood gushed from my unhealed wound, turning the water red as it ran down the drain. I let the shower turn cold; the chill soaked through my bones, numbing me.

I eventually left the bathroom, listless. My eyes roamed around my room until they landed on a paper tucked under my pillow. I pulled it out and saw a foreign handwriting.

'The blue-eyed d**k sent me away on a mission. 'Am not sure when I will be back, and you weren't in your room when I came by. I hope you're okay. Take care of yourself and stay safe.'

At the end of the letter, it was signed with a single initial: L.

The numbness disappeared just like that, and I collapsed in the bed. I cried my heart out, holding onto the paper like it was a lifeline. I simply let myself feel the emotions coursing through me for a moment. I let myself imagine a different scenario—a different life—where Lance wasn't the Rogue, and I wasn't the Pack Alpha's wife. I wasn't just a damaged omega forced to serve someone I didn't love.

Because... Adrian was right.

And I had my own goals to achieve.

I stayed in that fetal position until my tears finally dried up. When I had nothing left to cry, I tucked my emotions neatly inside a box again and shoved it deep into the back of my mind. Then, I stood, dressed myself up, and left my room.

***

The garden was empty except for my handmaiden, Samantha, and Connor. The two of them were arguing near the hedge maze, frenzied whispers traveling through the light breeze. I didn't bother to hide my presence, though I slowed down as I approached them.

Samantha seemed frustrated, her hands swinging wildly in time with her voice. I heard the tail-end of her question, accusation heavy in her tone.

"–mean a new handmaiden? I am the lead. These things should've been run through me first."

"The order came straight from Pack Alpha," Connor replied. Then, in a hush, he added," Governess Menessa of Hoult personally requested it... as a gift."

That tidbit of information made my ears perk, and I hastened my pace towards them. "Am I getting a new handmaiden?"

"AHH!" Samantha yelped at the same time as Connor did. They whipped their heads at me, eyes wide.

"Madam," Samantha greeted. "I apologize if I hadn't attended you last night. Pack Alpha Adrian said you're exhausted."

I waved my hand dismissively. "It's alright. What are you two talking about?"

Connor's ears were red, and his eyes kept bouncing all over the place. Samantha looked aggravated.

"Sir Galway says you will have a new handmaiden, Madam," Samantha replied, clearing my assumption.

"Yes. She's from Hoult City," Connor added.

I managed to catch Connor's gaze, the mismatched colors of his eyes glinting in the early morning sunlight. There was a knowing look in them, and I stared at him longer, wondering if this was what Governess Menessa's favor was about.

But why, though? Why went through all that trouble just to 'gift' me with a new handmaiden?

"Can I see her?" I asked Connor.

Samantha opened her mouth to protest, but in the end, she just groaned and wished me well. She stayed behind in the garden, murmuring about nepotism and ignoring authority. Connor remained quiet as he led me towards one of the townhouses surrounding the mansion.

We entered the living space where most of my handmaidens stayed while off-duty. At this time of day, the room was quiet; all the women were off somewhere doing their tasks. There was only one person sitting in the living room.

Her dark, pin-straight hair went just past her shoulders. Her eyes were the color of the earth. Slightly tanned skin peeked from the end of her long-sleeve shirt. When she heard us enter, she immediately stood up and bowed.

"Madam Chiara," the woman said. Her voice had a lilt, a mark of Hoult's accent. Her scent was minty with a slight trace of chocolate. She was an omega, just like me.

Connor cleared his throat and gestured to the woman. "Chiara, this is Miranda Taylor. Taylor, this is Chiara Galway, the Pack Alpha's wife and who you will be serving."

"All my handmaidens are betas." I looked the woman up and down, noting her feminine and curvy features. "Why would an omega willingly work under another one?"

"Governess Menessa said you may want a friend, someone you can relate with. A fellow omega can provide that," Miranda answered.

"You're going to be my handmaiden, not my friend."

"Chiara..."

I glared at Connor, and he winced, looking away.

"You're from Hoult, a gift from the Governess herself. What was your previous work before she gave you to me?"

"I served as her handmaiden, Madam."

"The handmaiden of the Governess?" I looked at Connor again, and he gulped.

Miranda was the FAVOR.

"Can you wait here, please? Thank you."

I didn't wait for Miranda's reply as I dragged Connor outside. I made sure to put enough distance between us and my new handmaiden, and once we were out of earshot, I whirled around and jabbed a finger on Connor's chest.

"Tell me why the Governess has done this," I hissed.

Connor raised his hands defensively. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"The favor. It's her. The Governess asked you to talk to Adrian and accept Miranda as my handmaiden, didn't she? Tell me why."

"Chiara—"

"Connor!"

"Alright, alright, alright. Fine!" Connor rubbed his hands, trying to stop himself from fidgeting. "You're right. That's what exactly what Governess Menessa did, but I can't tell you the reason why."

"You promised us that you will talk," I bit back.

Connor jerked his head." Yeah, yeah, I did, but not until the Rogue is back."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Do you know where Lance went?"

"No, no! I really have no idea. I just know that Adrian called him to his office, and then after that, he said that he's going to be gone for a while. We went to your room to talk to you but you're not there so he just left a letter."

I stared at Connor for a bit longer until I was certain there was nothing else he would be willing to divulge. Sighing, I pinched the skin on my wrist again and looked at the townhouse from a distance. "At least tell me why that omega is here. Anything, Connor, even just the barest hint."

Connor shook his head. "I'm really sorry, but not yet." He went silent afterward as if he was mulling something before speaking again. "We just have to wait until the Rogue is back, and then I promise I will tell you everything. Everything. Until then, can you also promise me that you'll go along with Miranda?"

"Excuse me?" I looked at Connor incredulously. "I treat all my handmaidens with utmost respect, but shouldn't she be the one trying to go along with me and not the other way around?"

Connor nodded sagely. "That's true, that's true, and I admire you for that, but as insurance... just try to be nice to each other. I heard omegas can be really mean to one another when they spend long periods of time together, so..."

"For the sake of insurance," I muttered.

Connor nodded again.

I huffed and bit my lip as I marched back to the townhouse.

Just who was Miranda Taylor?