THE ALPHA'S MAID

The cold morning air clung to Elara's skin as she stood before the towering black iron gates of Blackwood Manor. Beyond them lay the largest mansion she had ever seen, surrounded by ancient pine trees that seemed to whisper secrets to one another. Her hands trembled as she tightened her grip on the small travel bag that held everything she owned. "You'll be working for Alpha Kael," the old woman in the village had warned her. "He's the strongest Alpha in the Northern Territory... and the coldest. Keep your head down, do your work, and never give him a reason to notice you." Elara had nodded, though fear had settled deep inside her. She didn't have a choice. Her mother had passed away two years ago, leaving behind debts that grew larger every month. With no family willing to help, Elara accepted the position as a maid in the Alpha's mansion. The giant gates slowly opened. A tall man dressed in a black suit walked toward her. "You must be the new maid." "Y-Yes, sir." "I'm Beta Ronan. Follow me." The mansion was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, expensive paintings decorated every wall, and polished marble floors reflected every step she took. "This house has rules," Beta Ronan said without looking at her. "You will clean, cook when assigned, and obey the housekeeper." "Yes, sir." "You are never to enter the Alpha's private study." She nodded. "You are never to speak unless spoken to." Another nod. "And above all..." He stopped walking and turned to face her. "Never look the Alpha directly in the eyes." Elara swallowed nervously. "I understand." --- Hours later... Elara had already cleaned three guest rooms and the grand staircase. The other maids barely spoke to her. Some whispered behind her back. "Poor girl." "She won't last a week." "I heard the last maid cried every night." Elara ignored them. She desperately needed this job. As she carried a basket of freshly washed sheets upstairs, she heard heavy footsteps approaching. Every servant immediately froze. Some lowered their heads. Others stepped aside. "The Alpha..." Her heart pounded. Without thinking, Elara turned. A tall man dressed in an all-black suit walked through the hallway with quiet confidence. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his piercing silver eyes seemed capable of seeing through anyone. He was breathtaking. And terrifying. The air itself felt heavier in his presence. No one dared breathe. Elara quickly lowered her head. Unfortunately... The basket slipped from her hands. The neatly folded sheets scattered across the polished floor. Silence. Complete silence. Her face turned pale. "Oh no..." She knelt immediately. "I-I'm so sorry..." Before she could gather the last sheet, a pair of polished black shoes stopped directly in front of her. Her heartbeat thundered. The Alpha had stopped. Every servant looked horrified. No one moved. No one spoke. Slowly... Elara lifted her eyes. For a single second... Their gazes met. The Alpha stared at her with an unreadable expression. His wolf, usually calm around strangers, suddenly stirred. Mate. The word echoed inside his mind. Impossible. His mate... A human maid? Kael clenched his jaw. Without saying a single word, he turned and walked away. The servants released the breath they had been holding. One maid rushed toward Elara. "What have you done?" she whispered. "I... I only dropped the sheets." "You looked into his eyes!" Elara blinked in confusion. "But... he didn't punish me." The maid stared at the Alpha's retreating figure. "That's exactly what scares me." Far away, inside his private office, Alpha Kael stood before the window overlooking the estate. His wolf paced restlessly. "It can't be her," Kael muttered. "A maid can never become my Luna." Yet no matter how hard he tried to deny it... He couldn't forget the frightened girl with the warm brown eyes. And for the first time in years... The ruthless Alpha found himself thinking about someone other than his pack. Someone he was determined to avoid. Someone fate had already chosen for him.