ALPHA’S HEART, My Haven

Episode-6

Aria’s Point of View

The air felt different the moment I stepped into Alpha Viktor’s pack house. Everything around me was darker and colder. I couldn’t quite place it, but the looks the other pack members gave me sent a shiver down my spine. I was shown inside by two men who wasted no time pushing me toward a closed-off chamber at the back of the building.

I barely had time to catch my breath when Viktor’s deep voice sounded. “Everyone,” he called out as his gaze roamed the crowd that had gathered, “we have a new maid.” His eyes settled on me, and a slow smile spread across his face. I didn’t like the way he looked at me. “She’s in need of proper attire, something befitting of her.”

A few maids nodded, and they stepped forward and reached for my arm, taking me away from Viktor’s gaze. I caught a few curious looks from them, but no one dared to question the Alpha’s orders. As they led me to a modest room filled with plain dresses. I couldn’t shake the discomfort I felt under Viktor’s gaze. There was something in his eyes that made my skin crawl.

After forcing me into the plain dress that was rough against my skin, the maids gave me a quick rundown of my duties; cleaning, laundry, kitchen work. I listened, nodding absentmindedly, but my mind kept drifting back to the way Viktor had looked at me. I’d dealt with hostility and harshness all my life, but this was something else entirely. I could feel a darkness here that was suffocating.

Night came quickly, and I went to the small room they assigned to me. I had just begun to doze off when a sharp knock startled me. I sat up, my heart pounding as the door creaked open, and two maids came in.

“Alpha Viktor has requested to see you in his chamber,” one of them said, sounding sorry.

My throat went dry. “Is there something he needs from me?”

The other maid gave a slight shake of her head. “Just go,” she whispered. “The Alpha doesn’t like to wait.”

I stood, my legs were shaking as I followed them down to his quarters. Each step felt heavier than the last, and as we reached his door, I hesitated. Before I could gather my thoughts, the door swung open, and there he was, standing in the dim light.

“Come in, Aria,” Viktor said in a smooth but cruel voice.

I took a reluctant step inside, and the maids quickly retreated, leaving me alone with him. My instincts screamed at me to run, but I forced myself to remain still.

“You’re quite the sight,” he said, as he looked at me in a way that made my blood turn cold. “A rare find. I knew Lilian would provide me with something… exquisite.”

“Is there something you needed me to do, Alpha?” I said in a shaky voice, hoping that my fear would not be visible.

His smile widened. “You’re here to fulfill any request I make of you. After all, that is the purpose of a maid, isn’t it?”

His words hit me and I backed away, the terror in me was visible now, but he only chuckled.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked furiously as he took a step closer.

I reached for the door immediately, but he was faster. Viktor’s hand shot out, he caught my wrist in a tight grip. “There’s nowhere to run, little one. You belong to me now.”

I struggled, pulling against his hold with everything I had, but he held me tight. For a moment, I thought that I’d end up trapped here, powerless, like some kind of caged animal.

But then, in a last burst of determination, I twisted my wrist, and it slipped out of his grasp. I yanked the door open and ran down the hallway. I heard him shout behind me. “Guards, catch her!”

My heart raced as I turned down corridor after corridor. I didn’t know where I was going, but I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t go back. I stumbled through the exit and I ran as fast as I could. I didn’t dare look back. I couldn’t.

Branches scraped my skin as I pushed myself forward. I ignored the pain in my skin and the burning in my lungs. I just had to get away, to find someplace safe.

My foot hit a rock, I stumbled, and I landed hard on the ground. I felt some sharp pains in my knees, but I forced myself back up, as I limped forward, too afraid to stop. But then I saw a shadow emerge from the darkness, blocking my path.

My heart sank. Has Viktor already found me?

But as the figure moved closer, I realized it wasn’t him, and I was relieved. I looked up to see the familiar dark eyes. Alpha Dorian was standing before me. Was this a dream? Was I hallucinating?

“Aria?” He said in a tone filled with surprise and concern. “What happened?”

The relief was so overwhelming that my knees suddenly felt weak. “Alpha Dorian… please… help me.” The words barely came out from fear and exhaustion.

He stepped forward, and looked down at my bruises and torn dress. “Who did this to you? Why are you near Viktor's territory?” There was fury in his voice, a controlled anger that I’d never heard before.

I nodded. “He… he tried to…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, but the look in Dorian’s eyes told me he understood.

Without another word, he shrugged off his coat, and wrapped it around my shoulders, shielding me from the cold night air. The warmth was a comfort, and I clung on to the coat tightly as he gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

“You’re safe now,” he said, in a reassuring tone. “I’ll make sure nobody touches you.”

For the first time that night, I felt a sense of hope. Dorian’s presence was a lifeline in the darkness, and as I looked up at him, I saw something fierce in his gaze, an unspoken promise that he would protect me.

“Come with me,” he said softly as he guided me away from the pack house that had been my prison.

As we moved through the forest, I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder, half-expecting Viktor to appear out of the shadows. But Dorian’s hand on my arm was firm and that was a constant reminder that I was no longer alone.

At that moment, I realized that maybe, just maybe, my escape hadn’t led me to the end. It had led me to someone who was willing to stand by my side. Someone who saw me as more than a servant and a burden.