I woke to a warm, wet touch and rubbed my eyes to find my mom leaning over me. Her gray strands fell over my face, and she pulled my cheek playfully.
Something in her eyes had been lost after the months without my father. But that day was worse. Her age was more visible than usual, and the bags under her eyes seemed to have become permanent.
“Mamma, they made you work overnight again? It’s the third night, and you’re not getting any sleep.” I sat straight on my bed.
“The other maid was sick, and there were piles of clothes to be washed. I’m fine, though. Don’t worry.” My kind mother would do anything for others and bear the pain to help someone in need.
“Please get some sleep before they call you again.” I touched her shoulder.
“I can’t. I need to arrange the tables because there was a pack meeting yesterday, and the chambers need cleaning.” She tied her hair into a bun and tried, unsuccessfully, to straighten the creases on her dress. They stubbornly remained as though mocking both of us.
I wished I could stop her, but the punishment for not finishing given duties would be worse, so I stared at her back until she vanished from my sight. Frustrated, I groaned before getting out of bed. I fixed the pillow and blanket. The rusted iron bucket next to my bed held water, so I cleaned my face and brushed my teeth.
After braiding my long hair, I checked the cupboard. They never gave us lunch—if they could starve us completely, they would—so I hoped to find something. Luckily, I came across a tasty packet of cookies. I enjoyed them while sitting on the corner of my mattress.
As I was washing crumbs from my hands afterward, quick footsteps approached. Despite not being permitted to interact with us, one of the maids rushed into the cabin. For a second, her eyes wandered over the small room, then shifted to me.
“Astrid—your mom—she fainted in the chamber,” she said, sounding flustered. Then she ducked back out so as not to be seen.
My mother? She fainted? The floor seemed to slip from beneath my feet. The room spun around me. My whole body became numb as I stood frozen, staring through a fog of desperation. A sour memory formed in the pit of my stomach as I recalled losing my father.
I wasn’t going to lose her too. I dashed out of the cabin, leaving the door open.
My mind raced, swarming with nightmare scenarios of living without my mother’s protection. I crossed the path to the chamber in a haze. After a brief search, I found her trying to get to her feet, surrounded by other maids who had no choice but to ignore her for the sake of their own wellbeing.
I hurried to her and helped her stand. She trembled, her weakened state making me choke back tears.
“Don’t cry, sweetie. I’m fine.”
I couldn’t help it. The tears came and wouldn’t stop. I looked away, not wanting her to see my pain, not wanting to see her in such a weakened state. The other maids departed, maybe to give us privacy, or maybe because they didn’t want to be involved.
“Mamma. Let’s go to the room. I will do everything. You need rest.” I held her hands tightly in mine.
“But—”
“No. If something happens to you, I will end my life.”
Her eyes grew wide, and she hugged me as I sobbed. “Oh, Astrid. Don’t say that. I’ll go get some rest. Please manage the chamber here.” She wiped my wet cheeks with the sleeve of her dress.
Mother left, and I got to work, sweeping the floor. Then it was lunchtime for the royals, and I had to arrange the table.
“Take this fruit salad with you,” the old maid said from the kitchen.
I carefully balanced the salad tray in one hand and carried a jug of water in the other. At the dining table, Princess Amaira and her mother, Luna Caroline, chatted together in low voices. Princess hated me, and that filled me with icy panic as I approached. But they were in such deep conversation that Princess didn’t even glance my way.
“I am so excited,” Princess said. “The great Alpha, Dominic Knight of the Blood Moon pack, is going to attend the annual ceremony of the Northwest packs. I’ve heard that he’s expanded his empire on his own and now rules over fifty packs in the tropical area. Nobody dares to speak against him. He has dominance over everyone… And I also heard he’s a bachelor!” Princess Amaira beamed with happiness as I hurriedly placed the tray and jug on the table, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” her mother said with bright eyes. “It’s your chance to be his luna. You’ll have to make him go crazy over your charm and looks. Then my daughter will be the queen of the greatest empire.” Luna Caroline clapped her hands excitedly.
“I will definitely. Rumors say he’s the most handsome alpha to be born in this era, though I’ve heard he’s a bit cold and dangerous to approach. Still, the girls are after him. But he hasn’t chosen anyone, and—well, who’s more beautiful than me?”
I kept my expression neutral, though I made the mistake of looking up. Our eyes met and her smile faded.
She rose from her chair. “You ugly, idiot slave! How dare you? Where is your mask?” She walked toward me, her hand clenched into a fist.
Terror stabbed my heart. I touched my face and realized I had indeed forgotten my mask. The princess grabbed my braid, ripping hair from my scalp. Then she rolled me in the air like a rag doll. “Forgive me, Princess. I didn’t—” She punched me, and a metallic taste filled my mouth. My lip started bleeding again, the warm liquid dripping onto my chin. “You think you are more beautiful than me? So what if we have some common features? You want to be my doppelganger? That won’t happen,” she sneered.I trembled with terror. My eyes didn't lift from the floor because it only angered her more. Princess hated the similarities between us. It was why I had to keep my face covered. Mom always said Princess was jealous that my features were more beautiful than hers.I stared into her deep green eyes, the only thing different between us. Mine had a yellow ring in the center while the green scattered all over.“Please, I won’t do it again,” I said as the princess slapped me once more. A stinging
Dominic'sPOV"F*uckoff!" My voice echoed in the empty hall. Themaid shivered with fear, and the tray fell from her hands, crashing to thefloor."Howmany times do I need to tell you I don't want to be distracted at thishour?" My eyes glowed red, and my dominating pheromones almost made herchoke on the fear."ButAlpha, you haven't eaten anything since yesterday,” she replied, her eyes wellingwith pending tears.Ireleased a deep sigh, realizing I’d scared the poor woman for no reason. I workedto calm myself. My wolf, Carden, roared furiously within me. "Leave,"I said to the maid, needing her to get out of my sight. My temper and theaggression were getting out of hand. I needed to keep my dominating hormones incheck, and I’d failed to do so. Itwas not having a mate by my side. That’s what was making me act like an animal,what was allowing Carden to override me, to make impulsive decisions in my place.Iturned to look at the painting of my beautiful late luna, Isabella,
Astrid's POV The palace was decorated, and every servant seemed too busy to even lift their heads. Wasting no time, I got ready and joined my mother in the queue, wearing my mask this time. It made me feel safer than the last time I had gone without. The tables were set and all the food arranged. The palace was beautifully decorated for the party. The walls were lined with glittering golden drapes, and the floors were adorned with luxurious Persian rugs. Delicate ivory sculptures stood in the corners, and sumptuous velvet cushions filled the seating areas.Elegant chandeliers hung from the ceilings and added a hint of sparkle to the atmosphere. In the center of the room was a large fountain overflowing with fragrant roses, and an array of flickering candles illuminated the room.Outside, a grand fountain sparkled in the moonlight, and the grounds were alive with colorful lanterns. It was sure to be a night to remember. The guests began to arrive, and we increased our pace. I placed
Astrid's POV:I was going into my first heat, and it was because of the alpha pheromone lingering around me. I couldn't believe it. The pain was excruciating and my heart beat faster than it ever had. My pussy was wet and my nipples became erect. My clothes irritated me, too, and I tried to tear them off. An angry growl echoed outside the dungeon room. My mate. I banged on the door to get his attention. He tried to open it, but the iron door wouldn’t budge. When he stopped, it frightened me. I wanted him near, and the thought of him leaving scared me. Still, I heard nothing for several moments.Then came a loud bang. The door broke into pieces, and I cowered, covering myself with my arms to avoid injury. He entered, towering and filled with power and authority, and I bathed in his sweet scent."MINE!" he growled, with flaming eyes and sharp canines on display. It looked as if his wolf was in full control, and he was struggling to stay connected to his human side. The possessiveness
Astrid's POV:Alpha Jonathan threw me across the room, and my head hit the wall. Before I could recover, he landed a harsh kick on one of my hips. Part of me knew what I did was a big mistake, and it meant punishment from the king. But another part of me wanted to know why it mattered so much to them that I had mated with my mate. It was such a common turning point of my life and everyone was aware that one day I would find my mate too. "She ruined it!” Princess Amaira screamed. “She snatched my happiness from me!"Clouded with doubt and confusion, I got to my feet. "What did I do?" I asked, my throat burning from crying and screaming.The fire in the king's eyes grew, and he grabbed my throat, lifting me into the air, choking me. I couldn’t breathe and feared I’d die if he didn’t release me."You seduced the Great Alpha Dominic Knight when he was drunk, and now you’re acting innocent? You ungrateful bitch! Amaira was supposed to be with him, not you!"Suddenly it grew too difficult
Alpha Dominic's POV:I could feel the pain my mate was sufferingand didn't hold Carden back from attacking anyone who came his way. He wantedto tear open the princess's heart, the one who had tried to make us intoxicatedenough to mate with her. Carden angrilyroared inside my chest and attacked the Alpha standing closer to us. Theconfusion and aggression arising because of the situation was tearing me down.But we knew that punishing the culprits was not as important as taking care ofour mate who was crying out in pain.And why did they want to kill my mate?I took her into my arms and carried her toa bed in the guest room. Her body was sore and she wasn't recovering at a goodspeed. I mind linked with my beta and ordered him to fetch the pack doctor.As I placed her on the bed, I noticed hersoft features. She didn't look a day older than eighteen—I hoped she was atleast that old. I moved a few strands of hair that covered her face.The footsteps of my men approached, and an
Astrid's POV:My eyes snapped open after a very horrificnightmare I had. My head was spinning and the memories resurfaced after fewminutes. My mate had saved me from being dead and he even fought off the Alphafor me. My back hurt and I wasn't able to lift my neck from the pillow. "Shift. We will heal quickly. You knowwe have done it many times. " Malessia spoke with a sweet voice. It was just as usual when the king orprincess used to punish me and I wasn't allowed to have a day off. I had beenbeaten worse than that and the only thing which I was proud of was the abilityof my wolf to heal in its primal form. With lots of struggle, I stood up fromthe bed and shifted. It was too painful and I was worried if it could go wrong.The open wounds on my limbs began fillingup and the fur came over my flesh. I heard few of my bones reassembling ontheir bone. It was unbearable and I wanted to howl in pain but let out amuffled voice to ease down the pain. After my wolf could no longe
Astrid's POV:Marilyn is a young maid with a deep set of brown orbs. Her curly hair was tied in a low bun, and the sleeves of her long gown were rolled up to her elbows.She quickly held the corner of my long gown, which was preventing me from moving. Her eyes ran over my few injuries, but she didn't ask me anything about them."How long have you been working here in the Royal chambers? " I asked her as we walked in the quiet and long corridor."It's around a year, Luna. I am not as experienced as others. " She worriedly replied as if I was asking her this question because I wanted to taunt her."You are perfect! For some reason, I never seem to have enough friends. With a grin on my face, she looked at me hopefully."You are so nice. The empire will love you, " Marilyn said in her childish voice.Within ten minutes, we stood before a beautiful chamber door. Marilyn asked me to enter it first while she followed behind me. The chamber was ten times larger than the small dungeon I lived