Alpha's Loss, Chasing his Rejected Maid

Chapter One Aria's POV "What do you think you're doing?" Vivian's shrill voice echoed through the laundry room and I almost rolled my eyes. "I need to be flawless for the Moon Festival tonight and you're saying nonsense!" Before I could respond, she grabbed the cup of hot chocolate from the tray and splashed it across my neck and chest which made me gasped, stumbling backward as the burning liquid soaked through my uniform. "Vivian, please—" "Make me a fresh one for me immediately," she cut me off and examined her perfect manicured nails. "And this time, add more cream because the last one tasted like dirt so stop acting like the fool you are for once." I pressed my hand against my burning skin, trying not to cry but I bit my lips. "I still have the Alpha's clothes to iron maybe one of the other maids can—" Her hand shot out and grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back so hard I saw stars. "What did you just say to me?" "Nothing," I winced at the burns in my scalp and seethed without saying a word further. "That's what I thought." She released me with a shove that sent me crashing into the washing basin. "When I get back from the salon, that chocolate better be waiting and if it's not perfect, I'll make sure the Alpha knows how lazy and disrespectful you've been." She smoothed down her red silk dress and checked her reflection in the window. Her long black hair fell in perfect waves down her back. Everything about Vivian was perfect—her clothes, her makeup, her position as the Alpha's chosen Luna. Everything except her rotten heart. "Oh, and Aria?" She paused at the door, a cruel smile on her lips. "Your mother would be so ashamed to see what a pathetic little slave you've become." The door slammed behind her, and I finally let the tears fall. I wanted to rip that smile off her face. I wanted to grab those perfect black waves and drag her through the mud. I wanted to scream that my mother was worth a thousand of her. But I couldn't because one wrong move and the Alpha would throw me back in that basement or worse. I touched my burning chest and winced. The hot chocolate had left an angry red mark across my collarbone. Just another scar to add to the collection but it didn't matter anymore especially after what I discovered this morning, nothing here mattered. I hurried to my tiny room at the back of the pack house with my heart pounding. The pregnancy test strip I'd stolen from the pack doctor's office yesterday was still hidden under my mattress, and the two pink lines were burned into my memory. I'm pregnant and it's with no other than the Alpha's baby. In a pack where he'd made it clear he wanted me dead. The moon goddess must really hate me for letting this fare before me. I pulled out my old black backpack from under the bed and started shoving clothes inside. I didn't have much aside from a few worn shirts, two pairs of jeans, some underwear. Everything I owned could fit in one bag. My hands were shaking so badly that I could barely zip it closed. "We're really doing this, Kira," I whispered to my wolf. "We have to," she replied, her voice tight with fear. "If he finds out about the baby..." She didn't need to finish because we both knew what would happen. I was just reaching for my jacket when the door flew open without warning and she barged inside. "There you are!" Rita, the head maid, stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. Her gray hair was pulled back in a tight bun that made her face look even more pinched than usual. "The Alpha wants you in his office now" My blood turned to ice at her statement as different scenarios crawled into my head.. "Did he say why?" "Since when does the Alpha explain himself to me?" She narrowed her eyes at me with disdain. "What are you standing there for? Move!" I quickly kicked my backpack under the bed, praying she hadn't seen it. "I'm coming Rita" She grabbed my arm and practically dragged me into the hallway. "You know better than to keep him waiting. Honestly, I don't know why he bothers with you when you're nothing but a trash of trouble." I bit my tongue to keep me from responding. Rita had hated me from the moment I arrived at the Dark Moon Pack three years ago. She was Vivian's loyal dog, and together they made my life a living hell. We passed through the main house, and I could feel the other maids watching me which looked sympathetic while some almost looked glad it wasn't them being summoned. When we reached the Alpha's office, Rita shoved me forward. "Get in there and try not to embarrass the entire pack with your incompetence." She walked away with her footsteps echoing down the marble hallway and I stood outside the heavy oak door, my heart was hammering against my ribs and I pondered hard on what he wanted? Did he somehow know about the pregnancy? Did someone see me steal the test or was he here to punish me for another crime? I smoothed down my blue maid uniform, even though it was still damp and stained from the hot chocolate. My hand trembled as I knocked on the door but it was quiet. I waited for a while, counting my heartbeats and there was still nothing. Taking a deep breath, I turned the handle and stepped inside. The office was exactly as I remembered with dark wood furniture and shelves lined with old books and the faint smell of whiskey and pine. Behind the massive desk was Alpha Ryker who sat down with the next devilish move to take. He didn't look up when I entered as he was reading some document, his dark brown hair falling across his forehead. His jaw was clenched and even from across the room, I could feel the power radiating off him. This man had been Alpha since he was eleven years old. Most kids that age were still learning to shift properly but Ryker had taken control of the entire pack after his parents were murdered, he'd ruled with an iron fist ever since and I was terrified of him. "You called for me, Alpha," I said feeling proud that my voice came out steady and when his gray eyes finally lifted to meet mine, I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Those eyes were so cold and empty looking into a frozen lake. "I would never call for something as worthless as you," he said flatly. "But I need you for something." I swallowed hard and nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He stood up, buttoning his black suit jacket. "We're attending the Blood Moon Festival at Crystal Lake Pack tonight. Since I don't have an official Luna yet, you'll accompany me." My mouth went dry and I blinked back the itch in my eyes. "What?" "Did I stutter?" "No, Alpha, but I…I'm just an omega. The Elders won't allow—" "I don't care what that old hag allows," he interrupted, walking around the desk toward me. "You're coming with me and that's final." "But why me?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Why not Vivian? She's your—" "Vivian is not your concern." He stopped a few feet away as his eyes bored into mine. "Here's what's going to happen so listen carefully. We'll arrive at the festival and when they discover you're an omega, they'll throw you out. They might probably humiliate you first and I'll have the perfect excuse to leave early and get back here before the Lycan King arrives for our meeting." I stared at him in disbelief and unable to help the gasp that escaped my lips. "You're using me as bait?" "I'm using you for what you're worth," he corrected. "Which isn't much." Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall in front of him. "They could kill me, Alpha. Last time I went to Crystal Lake," "I know what happened last time," he said, his voice bored. "...and you survived then and you'll survive now." "You don't care if I die," I whispered. Something flickered in his eyes and it was anger. He took a step closer and I instinctively backed up until I hit the wall. "Let me remind you why you're here, Aria." His voice was dangerously quiet now. "Your father sold you to pay off his debts. Your family is responsible for my parents' deaths. You are alive only because I allow it. You breathe because I permit it. And you will do exactly what I say until the day you die. Do you understand?" A tear slipped down my cheek. "Yes, Alpha." "Good." He turned away, heading back to his desk. "We leave in one hour. I've already had a dress sent to your room. Wear it…and Aria?" "Yes?" "Don't f*****g embarrass me." I nodded and turned to leave with my legs shaking so badly I could barely walk. "Wait…." He ordered sternly and I froze, my hand was still on the doorknob. I heard his footsteps behind me, it's fast and purposeful before I could turn around, he was there, spinning me to face him and slamming me back against the wall. "Alpha, what—" He leaned in close, so close I could feel his breath on my skin. Then he pressed his nose against the curve of my neck and inhaled deeply. Every nerve in my body came alive. Sparks danced across my skin where he touched me, and I hated myself for the way my body responded to him. Please don't figure it out….please don't figure it out. "Are you pregnant?" he asked suddenly with his voice rough.