Chapter 61
Selena
The first thing that returned was my anger and the second was my instinct to fight.
I twisted violently beneath Alpha Kael’s grip, trying to wrench myself free from the hand that still held me against the stone wall with my pulse hammering inside my ears.
“Let me go!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.
His expression tightened. “Selena… Can you stop p>
“I said let me go!” I shoved against his chest with everything I had but still, he didn’t move.
Frustration surged through me as I struggled harder, kicking backward, twisting my shoulders, refusing to stop until he finally released me.
The sudden freedom threw me off balance then I stumbled forward, my knees striking the cold stone floor.
A violent cough tore through my throat as I struggled to steady my breathing. My chest rose and fell painfully as I laid crumpled up on the ground stark naked.
I didn’t care that I was stark naked in front of him. Instead, I continue crying out loudly.
For several moments, I could hear nothing except my own ragged breaths as I managed to stop tearing up. I had needed to let out all emotions curled up in my chest.
Then warm fabric settled gently around my shoulders. It was my bathing linen that had fallen off my body earlier.
Alpha Kael had picked it up then carefully draped it around me, averting his gaze just enough to give me what little dignity remained.
“I’m sorry.” His voice was low, quiet and sincere. Still, I wasn’t ready to hear any of it.
I slapped his hand away almost immediately. “Don’t touch me p>
He didn’t bulge at my slapping his hands away instead, he held on to me firmly making rage and frustration bubbled within me as he crouched before me on the ground.
Neither of us spoke while I clutched the linen tightly around myself and stared at the floor. The anger that had burned so brightly only moments ago began mixing with something far more painful. Hurt!
The kind that settled deep inside the chest and refused to leave.
Alpha Kael is still crouched in front of me, and hasn’t taken his eyes away from me for even a second.
“I never meant to frighten you.” He said in a calm tone different from the anger lacing his face earlier when he had slammed me against the cold stone wall.
I laughed bitterly. “You frightened me?” I finally looked up, glaring into his face.
“No, You humiliated me! That’s what you’re always good at I spat into his face.
His jaw tightened. “That wasn’t my intention p>
“But it happened and you try to act like the good person which you’re not p>
Silence settled between us as he watched me carefully for a while before speaking again.
“I’m sorry.” He repeated the words with more weight this time. “I regret losing my temper p>
I swallowed hard. “You should regret it p>
Another silence then he asked quietly, “Why did you refuse my summon p>
I stared at him in disbelief. “That’s what you’re asking me p>
“I need to know.” He had the guts to say.
“You really don’t know, huh p>
He frowned as I added. “I have nothing to say to a man who sees me as nothing more than a maid instead as his mate p>
The words finally escaped. It was raw, painful and honest.
His expression changed immediately and whatever calm he had been forcing disappeared. “Selena p>
“No.” I shook my head quickly. “You don’t get to interrupt me this time p>
My voice trembled. “I know I’m working here as a maid… I accepted that! I scrub floors, wash dishes, clean windows and I’ve never complained p>
I pressed a hand against my chest. “But you’re my mate.” The words broke something inside me. “You’re supposed to see me differently p>
“Not my uniform, not my duties but just Me p>
I looked away before the tears spilling into my eyes could become impossible to hide.
“I thought I laughed weakly. “I honestly thought what we had was becoming something special p>
My throat tightened. “Then you looked at me exactly the way everyone else does p>
The first tear escaped despite my efforts and I wiped it away angrily. “I hated that p>
Alpha Kael remained silent for several moments as he kept looking around to make sure no one was watching.
All of that… him acting all cautious added more fuel to my fire.
Then he finally spoke. “It was a slip, Selena p>
I didn’t answer as I glared harder at him instead.
“I regretted saying it the moment the words left my mouth p>
Still I remained quiet then he sighed and continued. “But you’re not blameless either p>
That made me snap my head toward him. “What do you mean by that p>
“You kept pushing us toward something we both agreed should never happen. An intimacy that we shouldn’t have!” He uttered, looking frustrated.
“Oh wow… So now it’s my fault?” I asked with a loud scoff.
“I’m saying we both crossed lines p>
My anger flared again. “I crossed lines? Did I force you into every moment we’ve shared p>
His eyes widened slightly.
I didn’t care to lower my voice, I didn’t care where we were. “Did I force you every time you held me close, pinned me to a wall and made me climax? Did I force you when you went down on me and did the thing with your tongue p>
“Every time you ignored our agreement just as much as I did p>
His gaze darted toward the empty corridor before returning to me. “Selena, can you please keep your voice down p>
“Why should I?” I asked with a smirk.
“Because someone might hear p>
“I don’t care!” I snapped more.
“I do.” He stepped closer and before I knew what’s happening, she slammed his lips on mine, shutting me up.
It worked because my body ignited with desire but I refrained from showing it.
Then he pulled back and began speaking again. “I care because I’m trying to protect you p>
I folded my arms tightly across myself. “That’s your answer to everything p>
“I’m protecting you, I’m protecting the pack and I’m protecting our future p>
“When do I get to decide what I want?” I asked, with a frown on my face
His face softened. “You do p>
“No! You are always the one deciding for both of us p>
He opened his mouth then closed it again. For the first time since we’d met… Alpha Kael looked genuinely unsure of what to say.
“I don’t despise you,” he finally said quietly. “I never have p>
He met my eyes directly. “I don’t regret the time we’ve spent together and I’ve also not regretted those intimate sessions we’ve had together p>
His voice remained steady. “I regret only how reckless we’ve both become because bigger things are happening around us and I can’t afford to lose sight of those dangers p>
I hated hearing all of these still, he continued. “The upcoming ball changes everything. There will be nobles, Council officials, Guests from neighboring territories p>
His voice became grave. “And there may be people searching for you p>
I frowned. “So p>
“So I need you hidden p>
“No!” I snapped almost immediately.
His eyebrows drew together. “No p>
“I won’t hide in a room when everyone is outside doing one thing or the other p>
“You have to hide, Selena! You don’t understand the danger p>
“I understand it perfectly.” I stepped closer. “If someone wants to find me, locking me inside a room won’t stop them p>
“Still, it reduces the risk.” He argued.
I shook my head. “If they expect me to hide… Then the smartest thing I can do is act like I have nothing to hide p>
He studied me silently. “I need you alive p>
“And I need my freedom because my revolution group, they have something important to accomplish that night so they will need their leader. Which means, my presence there is paramount p>
For several long seconds we simply looked at each other as Alpha Kael went mute so I used that opportunity to lean forward and kissed his cheek.
It lasted only a heartbeat then I stood up from the ground ready to leave. “If we’re careful,” I said softly, “everything will be fine p>
I had barely taken two steps before his fingers wrapped gently around my wrist.
The movement loosened the edge of my bathing linen just enough for me to instinctively clutch it tighter as my upper thighs were revealed.
His eyes dropped for the briefest instant before immediately returning to my face.
I caught him as heat rushed into my cheeks but I still secured the cloth firmly.
“I’m still angry with you and you’re not seeing any more of my body until you’ve apologized enough p>
One corner of his mouth twitched. “What exactly do I have to do to earn your forgiveness p>
I pretended to think very seriously. “Hmm… I’ll think about it and let you know p>
Leaving him standing there, I walked away before he could stop me again.
By the time I returned to the servants’ quarters, I had almost convinced myself the conversation had settled something between us. Almost.
The door had barely closed behind me when Sally also followed in behind me and her expression was unusually serious. “Selena p>
The way she said my name made my stomach tighten. “Yes p>
She crossed her hands slowly around her chests as she asked. “What are you to the Alpha?” She asked in a very bold tone.
Everything inside me froze but I quickly regained myself. “I don’t know what you’re talking about p>
She walked toward me without breaking eye contact. “I saw him! I saw the Alpha.” She stopped only a step away. “I saw him drag you down the deserted corridor near the bathing rooms p>
I blinked in shock. For a heartbeat, I couldn’t think then I forced a laugh. “You must have been seeing things because I wasn’t dragged by anyone p>
She folded her arms. “So you’re calling me a liar now p>
“I never said that p>
“Then tell me the truth because I know you’re having a secret affair with the Alpha.” She whispered menacingly.
The accusation struck like a hammer as countless thoughts raced through my mind.
If Sally told the others… If word spreads… If even one careless servant repeated it… Everything could collapse.
Before I could answer, the chamber door opened again and Marqee walked inside.
She looked from Sally to me then frowned before asking. “What’s going on p>
Sally quickly turned toward her. “Oh, you’ll never believe p>
I reacted instantly by grabbing Sally’s wrist, and I pulled her outside the chamber.
She jerked her arm free. “What was that for p>
I took one slow breath then looked straight into her eyes. “I know you’ve been stealing spices from the kitchen p>
Her expression faltered as I continued before she could recover. “And selling them outside the castle p>
Every trace of confidence disappeared from her face as she froze and I need immediately that she has her heel on her head!