Chapter 60
Selena
By the time the evening sun dipped low enough to paint streaks of orange through the high windows of the main hall, every muscle in my body screamed for rest.
I stretched my aching shoulders before reaching up once more, fastening another black ribbon around one of the carved stone pillars.
The silver ribbons already draped across the ceiling reflected the torchlight beautifully, softening the usually intimidating atmosphere of the great hall.
“This side is still crooked,” the older maid who was paired to work with me said for what felt like the hundredth time that afternoon.
I sighed inwardly and adjusted the ribbon again. “There p>
She tilted her head. “Hmm… better p>
I smiled weakly. “I think my arms might fall off before this ball begins p>
The woman laughed heartily. “You youngsters complain too much. I’ve been climbing ladders all day and I’ve been doing it for twenty years p>
That instantly silenced me.
She chuckled at my expression before tying another silver bow.
“You know,” she continued, “this doesn’t look like Alpha Kael’s usual style at all p>
I glanced around and noticed that She wasn’t wrong.
Black remained the dominant color, but silver ribbons, polished candle holders and lighter fabrics had been added everywhere. Instead of the gloomy atmosphere I had expected, the hall looked… welcoming and almost warm.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
She looked at me as though I should already know. “The decorations, they’re different from what was usually done p>
I frowned. “I thought everyone said the Alpha hardly ever hosts balls p>
“He doesn’t.” She nodded. “Only two or three each year if absolutely necessary p>
“Then how do you know they’re different p>
“Oh, child.” She laughed again. “I’ve worked in this castle since before the Alpha became Alpha p>
“I’ve decorated every single one.”bShe pointed toward the ceiling. “Normally everything is darker. Black drapes, Deep crimson banners, Hardly any silver and no bright candles p>
“It always feels more like entering a battlefield than a celebration p>
I looked around and she was still right. Today’s decorations somehow softened the hall.
“Any idea why he changed it?” I asked.
She shrugged. “None but it surprised every servant assigned here today p>
I thought quietly.
Nothing Alpha Kael did was ever random. Not after everything I had learned about him.
Every decision had a purpose. Every unusual action concealed another motive.
Which meant… This did too.
Whatever he was planning, it certainly wasn’t simply decorating a ballroom.
The older maid continued talking while we worked.
Mostly stories on how previous balls had gone, how demanding certain noble ladies could be, which councilmen complained about food and which Alpha danced the most.
I only half listened as my thoughts kept returning to Alpha Kael.
To the strange border strategy. To the upcoming ball. To the mysterious change in decorations.
Something was happening…I simply couldn’t see the whole picture yet.
When the final ribbon was tied, one of the supervisors clapped loudly. “That’s enough for today p>
Relief washed over me immediately.Around me, servants sighed with equal gratitude.
Some stretched aching backs while others sank onto nearby benches.
I carefully climbed down the ladder as my legs nearly gave way the moment both feet touched the floor.
“I don’t think I can climb another ladder tomorrow,” I muttered.
The older maid laughed. “You’ll say that tonight but tomorrow morning you’ll climb another ten p>
She wasn’t wrong and that thought alone exhausted me.
Instead of returning directly to our chambers, every servant was instructed to gather inside one of the smaller halls.
The room quickly filled and dozens of servants whispered among themselves while waiting.
I spotted Sally almost immediately as she waved at me. “There you are p>
“You look terrible.” She said, almost laughing at my look.
“I feel terrible.” I said.
She laughed. “I wasn’t assigned decoration duty p>
“I noticed because you don’t even look tired p>
She smiled proudly. “I worked in the laundry today p>
“That’s very much easier.” I said almost hoping that was what I was assigned to do.
Before I could answer, Marqee joined us.
Unlike me… She looked perfectly composed. Not a strand of hair out of place.
I narrowed my eyes as I asked. “How are you not exhausted p>
She blinked innocently. “That’s because I’m experienced in it already p>
Sally burst into laughter. “I told you p>
“I swear Marqee never gets tired.” I mumbled.
Marqee shrugged. “You learn shortcuts after enough years p>
I shook my head. “Teach me p>
“I will very soon.” She smiled. “If you’re lucky p>
While we waited, I told them what the older maid had said. “Apparently the decorations are different this year… she said they usually aren’t this bright p>
Marqee nodded immediately. “She’s right p>
“You’ve noticed it too, right p>
“I have but I only worked one previous ball but this definitely isn’t how they decorated before p>
Sally folded her arms. “So… What does it mean p>
I looked toward the decorated doorway thoughtfully. “I don’t know But with Kael I stopped myself before I exposed myself. with the Alpha, I doubt it’s accidental p>
None of us spoke after that. Moments later, Sera walked to the front.
The room quieted almost instantly as she smiled gently. “First… I’d like to thank every one of you because I know preparations have been exhausting but your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed p>
Several servants smiled proudly.
“You’re all being paid for your work,” she continued warmly, “but appreciation should still be spoken p>
I liked Sera. She never sounded superior and she spoke as though she genuinely respected the people beneath her.
She was just about to continue when another voice echoed through the hall. “Sera p>
Every servant immediately straightened as the Headmaid descended from the raised platform slowly.
Sera stepped aside for her and the atmosphere changed instantly.
The warmth vanished and the room became tense enough to suffocate us.
The Headmaid surveyed every face as she spoke. “I’ll keep this brief p>
No one moved or could dare breathe too loudly.
“Of every instruction I have ever given any of you She paused. there has never been one more important than what I am about to say p>
There was absolute silence.
“I have heard the rumors circulating throughout the castle.” Her sharp eyes swept across us. “Rumors concerning vampires p>
My heartbeat quickened. “And rumors concerning an invasion p>
Nobody dared respond as she folded her hands behind her back. “Listen carefully, when the guests arrive for the ball, not one of you will mention vampires p>
Her voice hardened further. “Not one of you will mention an invasion and if any guest attempts to question you… you will say nothing p>
She stepped down from the platform then unexpectedly pointed toward one young servant. “You, come here p>
He obeyed nervously as she positioned herself before him then suddenly changed her voice into an exaggerated noblewoman’s tone.
“Oh my… I’ve heard such frightening stories. Tell me, what rumors have been spreading about vampires lately p>
The poor servant hesitated. “I…I don’t know much about the vampire invasion p>
The slap echoed throughout the room as everyone flinched while the servant stumbled sideways, holding his cheek.
The Headmaid’s expression remained cold. “That.” She pointed directly at him. “Was your mistake p>
She looked at every servant individually. “You spoke the word ’Invasion.’” Her voice rang sharply. “You will not say that word, you will not say vampires, you will not confirm, you will not deny, you will not speculate and If anyone asks p>
“You report them immediately to the nearest guard.” She paced slowly before us. “If another servant tries discussing such matters, you report them p>
“If a noble asks… you report them! If a merchant asks…you report them.” She stopped. “Your mouths remain closed p>
“Do I make myself clear p>
“Yes, Headmaid,” we answered together.
“Louder She snapped fiercely.
“YES, HEADMAID!” We all echoed the words.
She nodded once. “Good p>
She spent several more minutes repeating the importance of discretion before finally dismissing us.
As Sally and I walked back toward our chambers, she lowered her voice.
“Do you think we’ll still be able to hold another revolution meeting before the ball p>
I considered her question carefully. “I think we should but it should be done carefully p>
She frowned. “That rule complicates things more now p>
“It does.” I said, but deep down, I understood exactly why Alpha Kael had issued it.
The fewer rumors spreading… the less attention Blackbourne attracted and if attention remained away from the pack… the safer I remained.
The realization softened some of my lingering anger toward him but only slightly.
Sally eventually hurried ahead. “I’ll see you in the room.” She said and I simply nodded.
As I continued walking, a castle guard approached. “The Alpha requests your presence p>
I stopped briefly. For two days… I had successfully avoided him because the memory of our last conversation still stung.
“No I immediately said without blinking.
The guard blinked in surprise. “Pardon p>
“I have no business with the Alpha.” I said and without waiting for another response, I walked away straight toward our chambers.
I changed out of my work clothes, gathered a clean bathing linen and headed for the shared bathhouse on my wing.
Hot water eased the ache in my shoulders. For several precious minutes, I allowed myself to forget the ball, the revolution, Training, Alpha Kael and everything else.
By the time I finished bathing, I felt almost human again. I wrapped the linen securely around myself and stepped into the corridor.
Water still dripped from my damp hair onto my shoulders and the hallway was unusually quiet.
I had barely taken a few steps when an arm suddenly wrapped around me.
Before I could react, I was pulled into a deserted corner of the wing then my back struck against the hard wall.
A firm hand caught my throat… the sudden force loosened my bath linen and the fabric slipped from my body and pooled around my feet.
I was stark naked and dripping in front of my assailant!!! I froze and for one terrifying heartbeat, I couldn’t even breathe.
Then my vision steadied as a familiar crimson eyes glowed in the darkness.
Alpha Kael! He towered over me, glaring down with red eyes.