HIS HATED FATED MATE

Chapter Four

Lillian felt her heart skip a beat as she turned to confront Alpha Keon. His intense gaze seemed to penetrate her soul, leaving her feeling uneasy and exposed. She attempted to speak, but her voice got stuck in her throat. "Yes, Alpha?" she managed to stutter, barely above a whisper.

Keon's eyes lingered on her for a moment, narrowing as if searching for something. Then, he turned to Eris. "Leave us," he commanded, his voice cold and detached.

Eris and the other man quickly stood up and left the room, leaving Lillian alone with Keon.

The silence weighed heavily, and Lillian's heart raced as she wondered what Keon wanted from her. She tried to recall if she had done anything wrong, but her mind drew a blank.

Keon reclined in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "So, you're Alpha Robert's daughter," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

Lillian nodded, feeling a wave of apprehension wash over her. She knew that her father's actions had consequences, and now she was facing them.

Keon's gaze seemed to intensify, his eyes burning with a fierce inner fire. "I must say, I'm disappointed," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I expected more from the daughter of a traitor."

Lillian felt a surge of anger at his words, but she held her tongue. She knew she had to be cautious around Keon, who seemed to be waiting for her to slip up.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Alpha," she said, trying to keep her voice neutral.

Keon's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "I'm not sure what to do with you yet," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "But I'll be watching you closely."

Lillian nodded, feeling a sense of unease wash over her. She knew she had to be cautious around Keon, but she also knew she couldn't let him intimidate her.

As she turned to leave, Keon's voice stopped her. "Lillian," he said, his voice low and husky.

She turned back to face him, her heart racing. "Yes, Alpha?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Keon's gaze seemed to bore into her soul. "Don't think about trying to escape," he said, his voice cold and detached. "My guards are always watching."

Lillian nodded, feeling a sense of fear wash over her. She knew she had to be careful if she wanted to survive in the castle.

"You may go," Keon said finally, his voice dripping with disdain.

Lillian hurried out of the room, breathing a sigh of relief once she was outside. The conversation had been nerve-wracking, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that Keon was waiting for her to make a mistake.

In the evening, Madame Delphine summoned Lillian to her office. "In addition to your kitchen duties, you will also be working inside the castle," she said, her voice firm.

Lillian's eyes widened in surprise. "Inside the castle?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Previously, she had been instructed to never enter the castle under any circumstances, but now she would be working inside the castle, as well as in the kitchen?

"Yes," Madame Delphine confirmed. "You will be working on the floors, as well as running errands in the kitchens."

Lillian nodded submissively, her mind racing with questions. Why was Madame Delphine suddenly giving her this much work? Was it Keon's orders?

As she returned to the servant quarters, Madeline approached her. "She said you would be working inside the castle?" Madeline asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Lillian nodded. "And still keep your kitchen duties?" Madeline asked, her voice incredulous.

"Yes," Lillian answered, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"But that's a lot of work," Madeline pointed out. "You're not even good at your kitchen duties."

Lillian groaned, feeling a sense of frustration. "I know," she said. "But why would Madame Delphine suddenly give me this much work?"

Madeline's eyes narrowed. "You don't think it was the alpha's orders?" she asked suddenly.

Lillian shook her head. "No, surely not," she said.

The next day, Lillian resumed her duties. Working on the floors in the castle as well as running errands in the kitchens. While she worked inside the castle, Lillian did her best as well as prayed and hoped not to run into Keon. She had thought deeply about what Madeline had said yesterday all night and it made sense. What if Keon had actually figured it out? What if he had purposely had her sent into the castle so she would be closer to him and it would be easier for him to make and watch her suffer? And besides she wouldn't know how to react if she were to see Keon again now that she knew he was aware of her identity.

She continued with her tasks while fervently praying to the moon goddess. By the end of the day, Lillian was completely exhausted. Just as she was about to express her gratitude to the moon goddess for her help, one of the other maids suddenly approached her.

“The alpha has sent for you."

Lillian's heart skipped a beat as she heard the maid's words. She felt like she had been punched in the gut.

Hadn't he already made it clear that he knew who she was and was determined to make her suffer?

The maid's expression was neutral, but Lillian could sense a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "What does he want with me?"Lillian asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The maid shrugged. "I don't know, but you'd better hurry. He's not a patient man."

Lillian nodded, her mind racing with possibilities.She followed the maid to Keon's study, her heart pounding in her chest.

As they approached the door, Lillian could feel her palms growing sweaty. She wiped them on her apron, trying to calm her nerves.

Lillian smiled weakly and followed the maid to Keon's study. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she approached the door.