Chapter 34
Alora’s POV
“Beware of that man.” She warned in a monotone, not bothering to glance back at me as I trailed behind her. It was obvious that she didn’t want to speak to me. Each word that left her mouth sounded forced, as though she was being compelled to say them and I wondered why.
“I have never liked him.” She continued, her voice incredulously irritated. “I honestly don’t know why he keeps coming here but he is the Lycan King’s aide so I cannot do anything about it neither can I send him away p>
I didn’t say anything because I already got the message. Even I didn’t like the way he behaved with me, the way he looked at me. I didn’t like the way I felt around him either. I knew deep down that he will be trouble and trouble is the last thing I wanted on my plate at the very moment.
“The Lycan King is very particular about the kind of people he lets into his palace.” She informed me, legs walking briskly as I tried my best to catch up to her quick strides.
The pain from my wounds intensified with each step I took but I tried not to let it bother me. As soon as I am well rested, I will apply the herbs that the physician had given me so until then, I will try my very best to hold out as long as possible.
“So I will let you know that just like him, I also do not trust you as well.” She blurted out but I wasn’t surprised in the slightest. I knew it from the moment she met me that she already has her opinions about me and I’m not about to change it.
“If you slip up even in the slightest way then I will have you stripped of your duties and reported.” She threatened, turning to make sure that I got the message she was trying to send across before continuing with her walk.
Looking around the maids that walked past us, I noticed that none of them were wearing slave collars. It was a rule in Ryan’s palace for slaves to wear them.
It was a symbol of ownership and hierarchy. A type of branding that proved that he owned you and that you belonged to him.
“You are to assist the other maids with their duties.” She tells me, jerking me out of my thoughts while gesturing at the other distracted maids that scurried around to carry on with their work.
“You must be decent in every way possible. You don’t get close to the Lycan King. You don’t serve him, you stay far away from him as possible unless he asks for you.” She lectured me, listing out all the conditions that I had to follow as though she was giving instructions to a kid.
“And one more thing,” She paused briefly, as though she had almost forgotten to add that to the already long list that I was trying to keep up with.
“The full moon are usually very intense around here for everyone,” She said with much hesitation that was followed by a long uncomfortable silence before she spoke again. “So, shut your wolf ears every night so that you start getting used to it and don’t pick up on any sound during that time p>
I am confused. My already furrowed brows furrowed even tighter. Why is that suddenly part of the rules around here? What about the moon was so crazy that I had to turn off my wolf ears?
I have lived through several full moons and none of them came with such instructions so why is it different here? It’s not that I have any trouble following that rule in the first place but sadly, my wolf is badly injured and dormant for now. I can’t even turn off anything if I wanted to.
I wish that I could tell her about it but then again, I don’t know what she’d say or how she would take it so I decide against it.
What they don’t know, sadly won’t kill them. And whatever happens during that time, I will try my best to scale through.
“This is your uniform.” She handed me a brown lighter-colored cotton dress and matching petticoat before walking me to my room in the maid’s quarters.
“Get changed quickly and join the others.” She said, giving me one last look before walking away and closing the door shut.
Alone in my empty, small space, I take a deep breathe to motivate myself so that I don’t break down before I get the chance to start my new life afresh over here.
Stripping out of my dress, I wore the maid’s attire and tied my hair up in a tight bun. The door opens at that moment, startling me but I immediately relaxed myself when I saw Lara sneak in after letting herself inside.
“You scared me, Lara.” I touched my chest, a low gasp escaping my lips.
“My Lady.” She jumped into my hands, hugging me tightly. I hugged her back with the same intensity, my head resting on her shoulders.
“I heard from the other maids that a new maid had joined us. Then I saw Moira escort you down here so I secretly followed.” She whispered, pulling away as her eyes danced in excitement.
“I just arrived not too long ago. I needed to pay my debt as soon as possible so, here I am p>
“Your debt? Are you owing someone?” She repeated but I brushed it off when I realized that I’ve already said too much.
“No. It’s nothing, Lara.” My lips stretched into a faux smile to give off the illusion that nothing is wrong. I know that she was probably wondering what I meant but I’m not ready to relive those memories for now.
“Well, you don’t have to worry, I’ll be by your side and try my best to assist you in any way that I can, My Lady.” She assured me, her hands holding mine.
“Alora.” I corrected her. “You don’t have to call me by any title anymore, Lara. We can’t afford to let anyone know who we are so please, always call me by my name p>
“Okay.” She nodded in agreement, her eyes losing the happy glow that it had earlier. I know that it won’t be easy but it has to be done. I don’t want to take any chances that might hurt me or her.
“I noticed that the slaves around here doesn’t wear collars, chains or anything.” I muttered out loud, trying to change the subject even though I was still surprised by what I had witnessed earlier.
Though my neck has been freed ever since he rescued me but occasions, I still felt the chains weighing down on my neck as if it was still binded. That part of life still lives rent free in my head.
“Slaves do not wear collars over here. It is strictly forbidden.” Lara confirmed. “I heard that the Lycan King does not like it when people are binded in any kind of chains. He despises it and that’s why it’s against the rules. Even I was surprised when I found out p>
That’s strange. Slave collars were prevalent in every pack for slaves. It’s a rule, almost like a tradition so how is possible that it was forbidden over here? He was the last person that I even thought would forbid something like that.
I’m guessing that whatever punishment he melted out to anyone would be very cruel considering the fact that collars were not in existence over here.
He might be more tolerable than the other evil Alphas but it doesn’t change the fact that he was equally like all of them. They were all the same people. The only difference was that they ruled by their own terms.