ALPHA’S HEART, My Haven

Episode-17

Aria’s Point of View

Morning came quickly, and I got out of bed feeling restless. My thoughts were a mess, as they are often these days. Everything around me felt unfamiliar, and I was still trying to adjust to this pack.

I made my way to the sitting room, where the maids were already busy with their morning tasks. Greta, as efficient as ever, greeted me warmly.

“Good morning, Miss Aria,” she said, her tone cheerful.

“Good morning,” I replied softly, managing a small smile.

“Do you need anything?” she asked as she continued to arrange some flowers in a vase.

“No, I’m fine. I just wanted to ask…” I hesitated briefly before continuing, “Where’s Alpha Dorian?”

Greta straightened and looked at me. “The Alpha left early this morning for a meeting in a neighboring pack. He should be back later,” she explained.

I nodded, feeling a twinge of disappointment. Somehow, knowing he was around made me feel safer.

As I turned to head back to my room, I heard someone call my name sharply.

“Aria!”

I froze and turned to see Lucia standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a luxurious fabric, the kind that would make anyone believe she was the Luna of the pack. She walked toward me with an air of authority, her eyes narrowing as she looked at me.

“Yes?” I asked cautiously.

“You’re here to work, not to sleep all day,” she said, her tone sharp and dismissive. “You’ll be making breakfast today. And I don’t want any of the maids helping you.”

Her words stung, but I kept my face neutral. I didn’t want to provoke her.

“Okay,” I said quietly, lowering my gaze.

Lucia smirked, clearly satisfied with my response, and walked away without another word.

I turned to Greta, who gave me a concerned look. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” she asked softly.

I forced a smile. “I’ll manage. It’s just breakfast,” I replied, though my chest felt heavy with frustration.

I headed back to my room to change into something more comfortable. As I tied my hair back and prepared myself for the task ahead, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. I had thought this pack would be different, a safe haven where I could find peace. But moments like these reminded me that no place was truly free of challenges.

In the kitchen, I focused on my task. Cooking had always been something I could rely on, a skill I had perfected during my time in Alpha Lupa’s pack. I gathered the ingredients and worked quickly, letting the familiar motions of chopping and stirring calm my nerves.

The aroma of the food filled the kitchen, and I allowed myself a small moment of pride. At least I was good at this.

As I finished plating the dishes, a small voice broke through my thoughts.

“Wow!”

I turned to see Amelia, the maid who reminded me of myself in many ways. She stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with excitement.

“This smells amazing!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.

I couldn’t help but smile. “It’s just breakfast,” I said modestly.

“Just breakfast? Are you kidding, Miss Aria? This is art!” she teased, her smile was contagious.

I chuckled softly and handed her a plate. “Here. You can take this to the dining room.”

“Okay!” Amelia said brightly before skipping off with the food.

I followed her shortly after, setting the dining table with care. Greta appeared and called for Lucia. Moments later, she entered the room, her presence as commanding as ever.

Lucia sat down at the head of the table, her expression unreadable. “Serve the food,” she ordered, not bothering to look at me.

I obeyed, carefully placing each dish in front of her. As I stepped back, I watched nervously as she picked up her spoon and took the first bite.

The look on her face was something I hadn’t expected. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her eyes narrowed as she took another spoonful.

Then, without warning, she spat the food out onto the floor.

“What is this?” she demanded, her voice sharp and filled with disgust. She pushed the plate away with so much force that it almost toppled over.

I stared at her, shocked.

Lucia stood up, glaring at me. “Is this what you used to cook for them in your old pack?” She said disgustingly.

Her words cut deep, and my hands clenched at my sides, but I forced myself to stay calm. I hated the way she talked down to me, but I reminded myself that she wasn’t worth losing my composure over.

I didn’t say a word, but the look in my eyes was enough to convey what I felt. My silence seemed to infuriate her further. She picked up the plate of food and threw it onto the floor, the contents spilling everywhere.

I gasped, unable to hide my shock. “What are you doing?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Lucia stepped closer, her eyes blazing with anger. “What did you just say?”

I straightened my back, summoning the courage to stand my ground. “I said, if there was something wrong with the food, you could have told me. There was no need to pour it on the floor,” I said firmly.

Lucia’s expression darkened. “Are you saying I’m lying?” she demanded, her voice rising.

“I didn’t say that,” I replied evenly, though my wolf growled softly in my mind.

For the first time since I arrived in this pack, I felt a spark of strength. I didn’t know what would happen next, but I was ready to face it.

Lucia took another step closer, her face inches from mine. “You dare to talk back to me?” she hissed, and her hand shot up. I realized she was about to slap me, but before her hand could connect, I reached out and caught her wrist.

The room fell silent. The maids who had been watching the scene unfold were frozen in shock, and I could feel the weight of every gaze on us. My heart pounded in my chest as I held her wrist firmly, refusing to back down.