Echoes of Betrayal: Angela's second chances

The sun cast its golden rays upon the penthouse owned by Joana, the daughter of the Alpha and Lycan king of Phoenix pack, and his grand palace.She was my undoubted, born-to master and I was her omega slave.Within its walls, I peered my gaze with piercing green eyes and ebony hair, toiled under Joana's oppressive rule to pick up after her every slight unorthodox action.My days were filled with arduous tasks and servitude, but my spirit remained unbroken.A chill ran through my scalp, as the bucket I was using to clean her table's slit was dumped on me."Can't you do anything right Angela, I thought I told you not to leave your bathing water out." Her mockery wasn't the first thing I woke up to in the morning, but I wished it was the last thing I would experience every night."I'm sorry my princess, I will get new and clean water to rinse myself off" I replied her subjective belittling how best I could, with my countenance in shambles and the tears prequeling the flood behind my sockets moments away from bursting."I didn't ask you to rinse yourself, although your stench is appealing. I asked that you clean the mess you made." She continued to speak down on me, but I was used to it.What surprised me was my ability to still muster tears, to still soil my sockets with the facade of hope that my pain would be seen through the smile I put up as dirt water was drenching my scalp."I will see to it ma'am…" I replied.Just then, a guard wolf walked in through the penthouse door and threw them open."Bang!" Their collision with the wall behind them left an impression."What gave you the impetus to usher yourself into my presence? I will have your…" As expected, Joana didn't take his action as likely.I would've seen her ordering his head be squired and offering onto a platter, to her assortment of foreign pet animals - the likes of the Asian tigers and lions, but his reveal was impactful, and she was stunned in that sense."Lycan king Luther my princess, your arrangement has been sighted with an escort, heading towards the palace." He cut into her scolding him, which should have pillared his demise, but was pardoned.News of the arrival of Luther, the renowned Lycan king from the southeast, spread like wildfire through the palace and the maid's scurrying behind the open door revealed the tension.Joana, eager to secure her place by his side, had orchestrated the arrangement for their marriage.The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as everyone prepared for his arrival."We must go and welcome him then." She said, as her gaze now turned to my prying ears. "You Angela. Get yourself cleaned up. You are to serve us, serve me in particular, and make sure his attention to me is unmatched." She said,How was I meant to pull that off? I could not think too much about it as her rushing towards the point that he was expected to arrive gave me little time to 'clean myself up'.I had to traverse a variety of shortcuts and an assortment of help to finally meet up with her at the gates."Open them!" She ordered as the drawing doors allowed our sights to fall unto his literal majesty.This was the Lycan king rumored to have defeated a nation that stood taller than her father's, yet meek enough to give it out to his younger brother's rule.When Luther finally crossed the threshold of the palace, Joana greeted him with an elaborate reception, hoping to impress her intended.While myself, amidst the flurry of activity, observed from the shadows, my heart remained heavy with unfulfilled dreams."What if he is the one that could take her hand and make her leave this palace, what would be my fate?" I asked myself from the depths of my mind."Welcome, King Luther," Joana's voice carried authority as she offered Luther a regal smile. "May I introduce you to the wonders of our palace?"Luther's eyes wandered, scanning the grandeur of the palace halls. But as his gaze fell upon me, time seemed to stand still.Our gazes converged like a confluence for the first time and it was as if as our eyes met, an inexplicable connection sparked between us.What could this mean? I didn't want to let go, but I had to. I abruptly turned away.Joana, sensing the shift in Luther's attention, masked her jealousy with a tight-lipped smile."Let me welcome you to my palace Luther." She took him into a hold, unwilling to let him go. I'm sure her mind wandered and remained adamant on the outcome of her preparation for months."You must not let me go!" She must've thought to herself."You must be famished and tired from your travels, I have planned a tour, then a reception with my father, after which I have a marvelous penthouse that you can rest up in and..." He hadn't spoken a word to her since, but yet she filled his mind with a lot to think about."Joana I suppose?" He asked. That was beyond cold for whom he planned to wed, but what could I, a slave to her majesty do, but remain my constitution."Yes King Luther." She replied, with a still etched smile."I think I would rather just spend time with my supposed mate." He said. "I came in and thought she was the one I traveled all this way to meet." Was he seriously referring to me. It's like he didn't know the repercussions I now had to incur from that excusable slight stare earlier."Your Highness," My voice trembled as I approached with a tray of steaming tea, I cast my eyes down demurely. "Allow me to serve you."Luther's intense gaze never wavered from my face. "Thank you, my dear," he murmured, his voice laced with intrigue.Joana's smile tightened further as she watched the exchange, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "I shall leave you to enjoy the beauty of my palace," she said, her voice cold and forced. With a flick of her gown, she turned and began to walk away as I followed silently. "Pick up the pace Angela."Left alone to tour the lush palace the moment he just got here, Luther drew unto me by an invisible force.He finally broke the silence that shrouded my exit behind Joana, his voice low and filled with curiosity. "Tell me, Angela, what secrets lie behind those captivating eyes of yours?"My heart fluttered, torn between duty and forbidden desire. "I am but a humble slave, Your Highness. My life holds little intrigue."Luther's eyes burned with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "There is more to you than meets the eye, Angela. I sense a strength within you, a fire waiting to be unleashed."With a whisper and the sensed notion of Joana's vex "Please King Luther, don't sense anything. You wanted to spend time with me so I'm leading the helm." She said,It turns out she had actually noted to do as he suggested.What could Luther have seen in me to warrant Joana's embarrassment, and what would be my punishment for indulging?