Chapter 002
1366 Words
/-Valerie-/
I was sick of it.
The bullying, the abuse, everything. All for what? Because the Alpha wanted me? I didn't expect June in her high clouds to understand the concept of love.
After all, all she needed to do was be born into a privileged family and have her parents choose the most suitable candidate among the powerful and influential.
She didn't understand the pain of being an orphan. The emotional turmoil that came with being the maid. Not even the heartbreak of being granted a mate that couldn't be yours.
Finishing up the cleaning, I hurried to the servant's quarters to ice my face. I didn't dare retaliate simply because I felt wronged.
That would bring more problems than I already have. As a low life, we could only tolerate and receive any insult thrown our way with thanks.
Complaining was a privilege we weren't entitled to. Defiance was a death wish. All twenty years of my life has been a proof of it.
“Valerie! Goodness, what happened to your face?” Alexia exclaimed. I blinked. I was too engulfed in my grief to notice her presence.
“Huh?”
“Did the Luna do this to you?” She asked.
“I didn't say that,” I mumbled.
“Last time I checked, you were heading to her chambers to clean. If you returned with a swollen face, it only means that she hit you,” she stated.
She's smart. Good for her, I thought dryly.
“Sit. I'll get some ice.”
I obliged without complaints, diving into my world of self-pity once again. A cold sensation snapped me out of my thoughts.
“You're back,” I smiled, attempting to take the icepack from her, but she pulled away.
“If you want it, you have to tell me the truth. Did the Luna do this to you?” She insisted. The girl was the most stupid female I've ever met.
What difference would it make if I told her, anyway? It's not like she could fight the Luna.
“Yes. Can I have it now?” I asked. She handed it to me, taking a seat next to me.
“What now?” I chuckled, nudging her. She had questions, it was written all over her face.
“Why did she hit you? And don't you dare say you disrespected her because I know you, Val. You will rather suffer in silence than speak for yourself,” she stated.
It was amusing how much faith she had in me but I told her nonetheless. It was no use keeping it from her.
“I don't get it. When it comes to you, she can hurl insults and abuses, but suddenly becomes innocent before the Alpha. Isn't she supposed to be warning him off you as well?” Alexia scoffed.
I wished the words could echo into Luna's ears. Why did she believe I was the one luring the Alpha and not the other way around?
Just then, Alpha Zev walked in, cutting short our discussion.
“Greetings, Alpha,” we bowed, respectfully.
“What happened to your face?” Came an abrupt response. I sighed, dropping the icepack and he took a closer look at my swollen cheek.
“Who did this to you?” He demanded.
“It doesn't matter. It's just a swollen cheek, nothing ice can't fix,” I told him.
“You haven't answered my question, Val. Who hit you?” His tone was getting angrier by the second but I couldn't bring myself to answer him.
Reporting the Luna to him would only complicate things and I wanted to avoid that at all costs.
“You don't have to worry, Zev. I don't want you to make a big deal out of this. I am only a maid, it is normal for things like this to happen,” I tried to convince him.
“It is a big deal for me. There is nothing normal in hitting you!” He stated.
“The Luna hit her!” Alexia blurted suddenly and I shot her a glare. “I'm sorry, okay but he needed to know what you go through every day.”
“Every day? You mean June has been hitting you and you kept this away from me?” Zev’s voice was a mixture of hurt and anger.
“What would I gain from causing trouble in your marriage? I just didn't want to get caught in any more drama. She already hates me,” I mumbled
“I'm so sorry, Val. I didn't mean to put you through this. I will speak to her and…”
“No,” I intercepted quickly. “Don't do that. She has a right to be angry. Anyone in her shoes would do the same. Please let it slide.”
“I can't promise you that.” He took the ice pack from me. “Let me take care of this.”
My cheeks reddened when his fingers brushed mine. When his eyes flickered at me, I wondered if he could tell how easily he stirred butterflies in my belly.
/-June-/
“No, I have enough gold jewelry already. Show me something different,” I said to the merchant. The one next to him presented a silver set.
It was indeed beautiful. I am sure with these on, my Zev would be totally smitten. Speaking of the devil, he walked right in at that moment.
“What did you do?” He barked.
“Oh darling,” I got off my seat with a smile, “I'm sorry for bringing them up here. My legs were hurting so I couldn't go downstairs.”
His eyes narrowed at me.
“Come, come, help me make a choice,” I tried to pull him with me but he yanked his hand off. His eyes were blazing with anger now.
“Get out! All of you!” He snapped at them. My face fell as I watched them scurry with my favorite jewelry.
“What did I do this time? Why are you always angry at me…”
“Don't you dare play cute with me! I know everything! How long did you hope to hide the fact that you've been abusing Valerie?”
Right! I should have known this was about that lowly slave.
“Of course, you would believe a mere servant over your wife. You didn't even bother to ask me what made me hit her,” I scoffed.
“Really? Tell me then, what made you hit her?”
“Why bother asking when you have already taken her side? I will still tell you anyway. She disrespected me and I had to put her in her place,” I shrugged.
“Is that so?” I hated the sarcasm in his tone. “And how did she disrespect you?”
“Why exactly are you getting yourself involved in this?” I huffed. “The stupid maid disrespected me and I just enforced my position as Luna. We can't have servants displaying such unruly behavior, especially to your Luna!”
“I don't care what you term as disrespect but you will not oppress the maids because your position gives you the authority to. If you continue like this, I will be forced to s***h your allowance as Luna!” He threatened.
My jaw dropped in disbelief. Is he serious? He is going to s***h my allowance for his mistress?
“Are you being serious? You never had a problem with the way I treat the maids and now, all of a sudden I am an oppressor and you need to s***h off my allowance?” I raised my voice.
“Don't push your luck!” He growled.
“Or what? Why are you so defensive over this maid? Are you in love with her?” I yelled and he fell silent.
My heart drummed heavily against my chest as I prayed desperately for him to deny it.
I mentally counted the seconds he froze from my question.
“Zev?”
“I have somewhere to be,” he said coldly and walked out.
- Writer
