ALPHA’S HEART, My Haven

Episode-4

Aria’s Point of View

The morning light filtered softly through Chloe’s windows as I worked, trying my best to make everything spotless. Chloe’s room was always a sanctuary, a place where I felt her kindness was even when she wasn’t around.

Just as I finished dusting a row of her favorite books, I heard footsteps. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was. It was Lilian.

“Aria,” I turned to face her, already feeling my stomach twisting. Her eyes scanned the room with disgust as she pressed her lips together.

“This?” She pointed at a corner. “You call this clean? Look at the dust in this corner. I expect far better.” She leaned forward, and hissed. “I want you to start over. From the beginning.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I replied in fear.

“And once you’ve finished here, come to the grand hall,” she ordered, a strange look crossing her face.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied again, but this time keeping my eyes down, trying to hide the unease building within me. As soon as she left, I released a shaky breath, a breath of relief. Starting over would take time, but Lilian rarely gave orders without a reason. And that look she gave is something I would never dare to ignore.

I redid every corner, wiped down every surface until it was shiny, hoping that whatever Lilian had in store for me wouldn’t be as unsettling as it felt.

After I finally finished cleaning Chloe’s room to the standard Lilian demanded, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

I made my way down the wide corridors, my footsteps sounding in the silence. As I neared the grand hall, I heard a low familiar voice through the open door.

“She has no place here, Lupa,” Lilian was saying. “It’s time to end this.”

“Indeed,” Lupa replied in agreement. “This is the only way to prevent Chloe from interfering. The arrangement has already been made, and Aria will be gone by tonight.”

I froze just outside the doorway. They were talking about me. And “gone” by tonight? I took a quiet step closer, trying hard to catch their conversation.

“Alpha Viktor will take her. I’ve heard he’s thorough with those he owns,” Lilian continued, a chilling satisfaction in her tone. “Aria won’t be Chloe’s problem any longer.”

Alpha Viktor. The ruthless leader known for his cruel ways and his treatment of anyone beneath him. I felt a chill run through me as the reality of what they were planning settled in.

“Once she’s out of Chloe’s life, Chloe will have no choice but to focus on her duty here and on the match with your son’s friend, as planned. You’ll ensure the sale goes smoothly, Lupa?”

“Of course,” he replied in a confident voice. “We leave tonight.”

I took a step back, my heart pounding. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to escape before they could hand me over to a monster like Viktor. But as I turned, Chloe came around the corner, her eyes lighting up as soon as she saw me.

“Aria!” she whispered, pulling me close. “I was worried about you. Are you alright after everything that happened yesterday?”

I forced a small smile, but I couldn’t keep the fear from my eyes. “I’m… alright,” I said quietly, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. “Chloe, I…”

She frowned, sensing something was off. “Aria, what’s wrong?”

Before I could answer, footsteps approached, and we both turned to see Lilian and Lupa coming from the grand hall.

“Chloe,” Lilian said coolly, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at me. “I thought I told you not to spend so much time with her. It’s unhealthy for you to be so attached.”

“Aria is my friend, Mother. You can’t keep her from me.” Chloe replied.

Lilian was about to respond when Lupa stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “You have responsibilities now, Chloe. Focus on the future we’ve arranged for you.”

With that, they both turned and left. As soon as they were gone, Chloe pulled me into a fierce hug, her arms wrapping around me tightly. “Don’t listen to them, Aria,” she whispered. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. I promise.”

And yet again, her words soothed the panic in my chest, but a little fear remained. Whatever Lilian and Lupa had planned, I knew that time was running out.

The next few hours passed so quickly, each minute felt heavier than the last. Chloe tried to keep me close, asking me to help her with her gown fittings and minor errands, as if she sensed something was wrong. But as dusk settled in, Lilian found me.

“There you are,” she said in her usual cold voice. “Come, Aria. You’re needed at the north gate.”

I glanced at Chloe, who was frowning, her gaze was between her mother and me. “What’s at the north gate?” she asked suspiciously.

Lilian’s eyes filled with irritation. “This doesn’t concern you, Chloe. Go back to your room.”

Chloe’s hand tightened around mine. “But Aria doesn’t work at the north gate. Why are you sending her there?”

“Enough, Chloe. Aria is just a maid, a lowly omega that does as she’s told.” She screamed at her daughter.

Chloe took a step toward her mother angrily. “Mother, you can’t treat her like this. Aria isn’t just…”

“Go to your room, Chloe.” Lilian’s tone left no room for argument. I felt Chloe’s fingers slipping from mine as Lilian turned her cruel gaze on me. “Aria, come with me. Now.”

I looked back at Chloe, silently pleading for her to let me go. I didn’t want her to get into more trouble for my sake, not with her mother watching. Chloe nodded reluctantly, her eyes were full of worry, and I gave her a small, reassuring smile.

As Lilian led me down the corridors, my heart kept pounding with each step. The north gate was rarely used, it’s only open for those leaving the pack grounds entirely. And when we arrived, I saw a tall figure standing in the fading light,

Alpha Viktor.

My stomach dropped. His reputation introduced him, stories of his cruelty had always been the gist throughout every pack.

Lilian’s voice was cold as she addressed him. “Alpha Viktor, thank you for agreeing to this. We trust she’ll serve you well.”

Viktor looked at me, his eyes dark, assessing, and void of mercy. I swallowed very hard as I felt trapped under his stare.

“She looks weaker than I expected,” Viktor sneered. “But I suppose she’ll be useful for now.”

A chill ran down my spine, and I struggled to speak “I… I don’t belong to anyone.”

“Know your place, Aria,” Lilian hissed as she stepped closer. “You are no one. You should be grateful we found someone willing to take you.”

Just as Viktor stepped forward, a familiar voice shouted from afar. “She’s not going anywhere.”