CHAPTER FOUR
1088 Words
Harper's POV
A bloodcurdling scream erupts suddenly, diverting my attention. I am busy doing the dishes, and my heart freezes.
I peek through the door to check what's going on, but my mistress slaps me across the chin from behind. I freeze as I turn back to stare at her.
"Is that what you should be doing?" She asks, struggling to maintain her composure as her anger overflows.
"I apologize," I say, but she holds me back, saying, "Hey, don't continue with the plates; your attention is required elsewhere."
My emotion is in turmoil, as I don't know what to expect - do they want to demote me further? There isn't any other lowly job here. It seems they want to exonerate me. Maybe the Alpha has had second thoughts about taking me back as his mate. When we walk out of the kitchen and head towards the decoration room, I sight someone on the official seat. My eyes lock with hers, and she rolls hers at me. It's Spencer. She's going to get mated to Alpha Jace!
I had seen it coming but still couldn't stop it anyway. I swallow the lump in my throat as my mistress orders me to join the maids adorning her. I pick up the wools they need while they furnish her attire and make her look so good. Once they are done adorning her, I run out of the place, but I can still hear her croaky laughter. I should have known from the start that the girl doesn't want any good thing to happen to me.
I run back to the kitchen, where I shut the door and sob silently. My sobs are muffled, so my mistress doesn't get to complain about me not working when I am supposed to. One of the maids walks into the kitchen now.
"Well done, dear friend," she appreciates, with a smile brightly placed on her lips. I feel overwhelmed by her concern and greet her, my voice shaking with tears.
"Friend, thank you. I am good." I retort, and she smiles.
"We'll need to arrange the hall, as the Alphas are all here already."
"What Alphas?" I ask, concern etched on my face, as I pause washing the dishes while I stare at her.
"Alphas to grace the mating ceremony of our own Alpha," she replies, "they're all here, but not in the hall yet. They'll soon begin the ceremony. In about an hour's time."
I had wanted to ask about what happened to the pack that called for the bloodcurdling scream, but she had already explained my question.
"Okay. I'll be right there with you." I say, and continue washing the dishes.
She looks at me confusedly and says, "We need to go now. The ceremony is in an hour, and you're still washing dishes? Shouldn't you be asking if we can arrange the hall perfectly in time?" Her words are laced with a hint of urgency and concern.
"I'm sorry," I retort, "I didn't quite grasp that point initially."
As I turn to follow her, our mistress intervenes, sending her away while asking me to wait. "You'll need to serve drinks to the Alpha, the Luna, and our guests once the mating ceremony starts," she instructs. I nod my head repeatedly, eager to comply.
"Come with me," she says, and we hurry to another room, our feet scurrying across the floor.
The mating ceremony begins, and I'm given a tray with various drinks and juices. I'm also provided with a new attire, still indicative of my maid status. As I approach the hall, I realize I'm expected to serve Spencer, too, and then kneel and move on to the next guest. That doesn't sit well with me. I enter the hall, serving everyone else, but as I approach Spencer, who's seated proudly and gloating about her new position as Luna, I intentionally slip and fall, causing the drink to spill and the glass to shatter. My actions are a deliberate act of defiance, a subtle rebellion against the circumstances.
A few guards rush towards us, and I'm swiftly escorted out of the hall as they quickly clean up the mess. Meanwhile, Jace apologizes to the guests, and the party continues. He declares Spencer as his mate, but I'm not listening. I've blocked my ears, sitting in the garden, trying to shut out the painful moment. The mate bond between us is already fraying, and hearing him claim someone else is too much to bear. It's like a knife twisting in my heart, threatening to sever the bond altogether.
Our eyes locked in a tense moment, Jace's gaze piercing through mine as the glass shattered on the ground. He knew, in that instant, that my slip was no accident. I'd rather cause a scene, embarrass him and Spencer, than serve her with a smile. I'm aware that my actions have humiliated her, but I know she'll use the mating ceremony to console herself, to bask in the attention and validation of being claimed by the Alpha. The thought sends a pang of anger and hurt through me, but I stand my ground, refusing to back down.
I sense a presence behind me and spin around, gasping, to see a shadowy figure lurking in the background. My heart races as I try to make out who it is. But when I turn back to face the garden, I'm met with Jace's imposing figure, his face twisted in anger. He quickly composes himself, replacing the scowl with a calm facade.
"Great one, smart kid," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm, as he extends his hand for a handshake. I'm not fooled, and I refuse his offer, my eyes locked on his, wary of his intentions.
Jace's voice is low and menacing, his words cutting deep into my soul. "You're a burden to the pack, a potential threat to the Alpha, the Luna, and the wolves. You're no longer welcome here. You are banished, effective immediately. My warriors have permission to attack on sight. I'm not giving you a second chance. Get out of my pack!"
Tears stream down my face as I feel the weight of his words, the rejection and exile piercing my heart. I'm no longer a part of the pack, no longer have a home or a family. I'm alone, and in danger.
I run out of the pack as if someone is chasing me. I head straight to my house outside the pack, feeling sad and bitter towards Jace.
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