“Why are you laughing?” She had no idea about what was funny in what she just said.
“Oh! Nothing woman. You’re funny. What you said reminds me of Draken.” She continued to laugh but now, it slowly subsided.
“Draken?”
Kirsty’s heart started to beat faster for no reason.
“An old friend of mine.” Chloe smiled.
“And what does it have to do with me?”
“Oh, nothing…you were just Uhm, the same, you don’t like the presence of anyone inside your place.” Chloe was a witness to it.
“Oh okay. I just don’t like crowded areas…I prefer to live alone and Uhm, away from the stares of anyone. Even if that means, that they didn’t know my existence.” Apart from what she said was real, but the underlying reason for everything is for her safety as a rogue, hiding inside the pack, acting as a member with the aid of the ring.
With a heavy sigh, Kirsty reflected on her precarious position within the pack. Their Alpha was renowned for his merciless nature, his disdain for rogues etched into the very fabric of their pack's rules. She knew that her presence alone, despite her unwavering loyalty and adherence to the pack's code, was a perpetual threat to the safety and stability of those she cared for. But as Kirsty glanced at Chloe, a pang of guilt tugged at her heart. She yearned to be completely open with her, to cast aside the shadows that clouded their relationship. However, the instinct for self-preservation, honed over years of navigating a dangerous existence, held her back. Trust didn't come easily to Kirsty, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down.
At that moment, Chloe, sensing Kirsty's internal struggle, stepped closer, her voice infused with compassion. "I understand, Kirsty. You don't have to worry about people in our household," Chloe reassured, her words laden with empathy and understanding. Her eyes reflected a genuine concern.
She held her hand tightly and ushered her in the back door of the ranch. Just right after they went inside the place and Kirsty once more saw the presence of c***k, the hard rain poured down on the grassland.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh my!” It was like Chloe had not paid attention to what she asked as the woman’s eyes were fixated on the rain outside.
“Huh?”
“I’m glad we went inside before the rain poured down. Can’t let the rain soak my new scarf.” The woman pointed to his lavender scarf.
As much as Kirsty wanted to break into a grin, she carefully controlled herself from doing so.
“Oh okay, it’s a beautiful scarf by the way.” She just agreed instead.
“Back to what we were talking about earlier, you don’t have to worry about the crowded area. We have a separate home in our place, it is completely furnished for you to live in…” She genuinely smiled.
“What do you mean?” Kirsty could feel that something favorable might happen to be with her side today.
“Again, you will live in a separate house, everything that you need is there, and Uhm, it’s a walking distance from our house well.”
“No way, you don’t have to do that…it’s just too much for me as a lowly servant of the pack…”
As much as Kirsty wanted to jump because of happiness, now that she could live peacefully inside the pack, the thought of living the best out of it as a rogue, deceiving Chloe is not something that she could take in, especially since the woman has been so kind to her from the moment their paths have crossed.
“You don’t want it?” Chloe’s eyes lowered and they showed sadness.
Kirsty hates to see this from the woman whose intention was to only help her elevate her way of living her heart torn between conflicting desires. On one hand, the prospect of finally finding peace and acceptance within the pack filled her with an overwhelming sense of happiness. It was an opportunity she had longed for, a chance to shed the life of a rogue and embrace a new beginning.
Yet, a nagging voice within her whispered of another path—a path of deception and betrayal. Kirsty couldn't shake the thought of exploiting Chloe's kindness, of using her newfound position within the pack to deceive the very person who had shown her unwavering compassion.
As Chloe's eyes dropped, a flicker of sadness danced across her face. Kirsty couldn't bear to witness the pain she had unknowingly caused. The woman who had opened her heart and offered a lifeline of opportunity now stood before her, wounded by Kirsty's hesitation.
The conflict within Kirsty intensified. How could she possibly deceive someone who had been nothing but kind and supportive since their paths had intertwined? The weight of guilt settled heavily on Kirsty's shoulders, causing her heart to ache with each passing moment.
"I do want it, but..." Kirsty began, her voice faltering with uncertainty. She struggled to find the right words, fearing the consequences of her forthcoming confession. How could she explain her desire to retain her rogue status, to maintain a life of independence, without breaking the fragile trust that had been built?
Chloe's gaze remained fixed on Kirsty, her eyes searching for answers, yet filled with a hint of sorrow. "But what?" she pressed gently, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her facade of strength.
Swallowing the lump forming in her throat, Kirsty took a deep breath. "I am a slave of the pack," she confessed, her voice trembling with raw emotion. "That... that house is not suitable for my status."
"Who cares about status?" Chloe's voice quivered with a mix of frustration and genuine concern. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, mirroring the pain that Kirsty herself had experienced. Memories of her own painful past with a valued servant flooded her thoughts, reminding her of the loss she had endured. "You live in the house, you want it, and it is yours to live in," Chloe declared, her voice filled with a bittersweet resolve.
A single tear escaped from Chloe's eyes, a poignant reminder of the bond they had forged, and the wounds that still lingered within her. Kirsty felt a pang of regret course through her veins. She realized that her hesitation had not only wounded Chloe but had also reopened the wounds of the past.
The woman was among the few people inside the pack who hated to hear the designation of people based on their social status. Even though it contributed to the success of the pack, still, some people inside took advantage of it at the expense of the lowly.
Chloe's heart held a soft spot for those in servitude, for she knew firsthand the struggles and mistreatment that came with such a position. The memory of her own servant, a figure who had once been her confidante and companion, lingered within her, shaping her compassionate nature.
In the grand ballroom of the pack's lavish estate, preparations for a celebratory gathering were underway. It had been a year since the pack had last hosted such an event, a glamorous affair that drew the most influential families from far and wide. As the anticipation in the air grew, Chloe's thoughts turned back to the previous celebration and a particular incident that had left a lasting impression. Clad in an exquisite ballgown, Chloe had been dancing gracefully with Sam, her mate. The night seemed filled with enchantment, the strains of music and laughter weaving a tapestry of mirth and joy. It was in the midst of this euphoria that a voice called out, disrupting Chloe's moment of bliss. Kassandra—a name etched in Chloe's memory—had called for her assistance. The woman, just her age, had been burdened by the actions of some of the influential guests. Chloe could still recall the desperation in Kassandra's voice, a plea for aid and protection, and a plea for Chloe's servant Matilda to help.
The said woman was the child of the wife of the Alpha of the Tourage pack. She was not the legitimate heir to the throne as the wife and child of the Alpha back then was killed by the attack eight years ago, even if the only body that they found was of the Luna and not the body of their only heir.
During the celebration, the woman struggled with her own ballgown as the side slit got stuck in the woman’s boots. Hence, when the woman saw how Chloe’s servant, Matilda, was about to exit the place of the dance hall to return to their household, Kassandra sought the help of Chloe to let her servant fix the woman’s ballgown.
Chloe agreed, as she thought that the woman only want good intentions, to fix her gown. But it turned out otherwise. Chloe was lovingly enjoying her dance with his mate when a sudden commotion erupted, piercing the tranquility of the ballroom. Chloe's senses heightened as the sounds of murmurs and gasps filled the air. Without hesitation, Chloe broke away from her her mate, leaving him momentarily bewildered. Sam followed in her wake as they hurriedly made their way through the gathering crowd toward the unfolding spectacle. Their steps quickened, fueled by a mix of curiosity and concern. As they approached the scene, Chloe's heart sank with each passing second. Matilda, usually composed and steadfast, was now on her knees before the infuriated woman. The woman's face contorted with anger, her eyes ablaze with an intensity that sent shivers down Chloe's spine. A surge of conflicting emotions washed over Chloe. She felt a pang of guilt, wondering if her initial agreement to help had inadvertently caused this strife. Yet, a flicker of anger also ignited within her as she perceived a hidden agenda behind the woman's actions. The crowd surrounding them murmured in hushed tones, their curious gazes fixated on the unfolding drama. Chloe's heart raced as she approached the woman, determination etched onto her face.
Not once did she let Matilda kneel in front of her, and seeing her in the position, pierced her heart. She could still remember how the woman caused her servant’s exile from the pack.
Tension filled the air as Chloe confronted the woman, her voice dripping with a mix of annoyance and defiance. "What's happening here?" she demanded, her eyes locked on the woman who accused her servant of ruining her dress.
In response to Chloe's question, the woman wasted no time in expressing her frustration. "Your servant ruined my dress!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and indignation. The accusation hung in the air, waiting for Chloe's retort.
"Ruined? It was ruined in the first place. I saw it with my own naked eyes," Chloe shot back, her tone dismissive and filled with a hint of superiority. Her remark carried a sting of insult, aiming to undermine the woman's complaint.
Sam stepped forward to help Matilda, who had knelt down in front of the guest of the pack. Gently, he extended his hand, offering assistance to the servant who found herself caught in the crossfire. Matilda grasped Sam's hand, grateful for his support in this difficult moment.
“I let your servant fix my slit, and instead of fixing it, she did the otherwise, spilled me this drink.” The woman pointed to the red wine stain on her gown and Chloe didn’t believe the woman at first.
She turned her attention to Matilda, the servant she knew intimately, even more so than Sam. Pain etched across Chloe's features as she sought answers. "What happened, Matilda?" Chloe inquired, her voice tinged with both frustration and genuine concern.
Quivering with anxiety, Matilda attempted to explain herself, her words faltering. "Miss...I...I tried to fix her ballgown...but-"
"But you ruined it!" the woman interjected, her voice filled with anger and bitterness. The intensity of her outburst attracted the attention of powerful individuals in the room, who were previously engrossed in their own conversations and dealings.
Sensing the potential damage of a public spectacle, Chloe interjected, her eyes rolling in exasperation. "Let her finish," she muttered, her tone laced with impatience. Despite her irritation, Chloe understood the importance of addressing the situation tactfully, aware of the presence of influential figures within earshot.
Matilda, with trembling hands and a trembling voice, continued her explanation. "I...I tried to fix her gown, she was seated…but she moved and called for wine. And when I was about to pull it from getting stuck in her pair of boots, she stood up and caused the wine to spill down her dress, and I…I was also having a spill…” Matilda was crying as she explained everything.
And it pained Chloe to see that Matilda was terrified about a thing that she was innocent of just because she has no power and is just a lowly servant of the pack.