MARKED BY DECEPTION

3-MYSTERIOUS WOMAN

“They are a lot”, Ethan says beside me as we stand at the balcony watching the new workers that enter the palace.

Over twenty young women had walked inside this palace in the last thirty-minutes as kitchen ladies.

“True-”, I nod in agreement, “but we need more hands on deck for this years event”.

If I had learnt anything from last year, it was that more hands did not entirely spoil the broth, but made it cook faster.

If I was going to have a successful Full Moon Cycle, then I might as well get new workers.

Last year was great,the pack was well entertained and fed but it could have been better.

This year, I didn't want to leave any room for complaints. I intended on showing my members that I had their best interest at heart.Though the council elders thought and said otherwise.

They had been questioning my leadership since I sat on this throne two years ago. I refuse to give them more things to talk about.

I look around,seeing a lot of people frolic outside,

“They’d be dismissed once the Full moon cycle ends”, I add. I had no plans of keeping over two hundred workers.

Ethan hums, I can tell what he was thinking. He confirmed it; “do you think the pack might be at risk with these many strangers?”

“You should have that in control”, I say calmly. His shoulder drops, I could see the lack of confidence in his eyes and that was something we needed to work on.

"Of course, I and Clifford will help”, there was a sigh of relief.

“If I didn’t think you were capable of being a gamma you would not be in this position”, I try to sound as stern and reassuring as possible.

“I am sorry, I just-It’s in forty days right?”he asks.

Was I the only one keeping tabs? Clifford had asked a similar question two days ago.

“Yes-you should know that Ethan.”, he just nods and I don’t stress on it further.

I noticed he had become forgetful of late, maybe being a new dad did that to a person.

We continue conversing when a raw, strong , rich scent hits my nose.

How can that be ?

I grip the rails of the balcony, looking down to the courtyards, trying to trace the unfamiliar scent.

Ten young women walked in, they were the last batch of kitchen ladies to enter the palace under the guidance of lady Rose, I suppose.

Who could it be from?

I scan all quickly, trying to finger point who could possibly be playing naivety amongst them.

That scent?

It didn’t smell like that of an omega or pauper. There was no hint of submission or weakness.

Just raw power and strength.

As the ladies approach closer, Lady Rose, the chief supervisor of the kitchen, signals them to greet.

“Good day Alpha”, they say in chorus bowing down. I notice one doesn’t bow down fully. Instead her eyes locked in on mine, leaving me confused and almost breathless?

“Darius?”

I do not respond, my eyes still pinned on them, specifically her.

“Is anything the problem?” Ethan asks, snapping me out of whatever that was. Perhaps he had noticed me staring at them for too long.

“Who is she?”, my thoughts escaped my lips before I could stop them. I didn’t want him concerned, not yet.

“Who?”Ethan asked, curiosity etched on his face.

My gaze leaves them and focuses on him,

“The one with the long light brown hair”, I say dryly.

Maybe If I sounded nonchalant enough, he wouldn’t mind that I had zoned out of our previous conversation or got bothered by a female.

“I don’t see anyone”, Ethan stretches his neck trying to catch a glimpse of the ladies who had already walked by.

Her face was imprinted at the back of my mind. Those brown big eyes and full pink lips, she was beautiful, no doubt but that was not the problem.

It was the air of confidence she carried that made me worry. It’s almost as if she wanted me to notice her but why?

“Never mind”, I try to shrug it off. “It’s nothing”

He still looks at me with worry and curiosity. I knew why. I had never shown interest or curiosity in a lady prior to now.

“I’d like to see all the women that got into the palace , I need to know who and who are being picked”, it was a quiet command.

Maybe he had trusted the guards and people he’d put in charge a little too much.

“Okay. Should I tell Lady Rose now?”, he asks.

“No, but I’d like to see them tomorrow morning”.

I’d like everyone to feel settled and comfortable, it’s probably been a long day for each of them.

“Okay my Lord”, I notice he looks unsteady, nervous you could say.

He was still learning what to do at times like this and that was part of the reasons I had called him up here to talk.

My gamma should be more confident in his decisions even though I question them.

“Come, let’s go see how the soldiers are training, shall we?”

“Ofcourse”, he nods leading the way. I follow him quietly from behind.

Maybe this would take my mind off her for a moment.

‘There was something mysterious about that woman and I needed to know why before it was too late’