Chapter 22: THE BATH

Chapter 22: THE BATH
LEONA
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My heart raced as I approached Alpha Zane's door. Everything felt unreal. Just yesterday, I had been a simple servant in the kitchen, and now here I was, his personal maid, tasked with serving him directly. The power he held, the danger that loomed with every interaction—my head spun with confusion and fear. I had no idea how this was going to play out, but I had no choice but to follow through.
I reached the door and knocked softly, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart. "Come in," Alpha Zane's deep voice called from inside.
I pushed the door open slowly, feeling a wave of nerves wash over me as I stepped inside. He stood by the window, looking out over the palace grounds. The sight of him, so tall and commanding, made my breath catch in my throat. His presence filled the room, and I felt small and insignificant in comparison.
"Leona, I trust you've settled in well?" he asked without turning, his voice calm and smooth.
I nodded, trying to steady myself. "Yes, Alpha. Thank you for your trust." My voice wavered, betraying my nerves.
He turned to face me then, his piercing gaze locking with mine. "Good. Now, I require your help."
I stepped forward cautiously, my mind racing. "What do you need, Alpha?"
He motioned for me to come closer. "Prepare my bath."
My stomach dropped. A bath? The task itself wasn't difficult, but the thought of being so close to him in such an intimate setting made my cheeks burn. "A bath?" I stammered, unsure if I had heard him right.
"Yes, Leona. As my personal maid, you are to handle tasks like this. Is that a problem?" His voice was sharp, but there was an edge of amusement in his eyes, as if he enjoyed seeing me flustered.
"No, Alpha," I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible. "I'll take care of it right away."
"Good," he said, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he turned back to the window, clearly dismissing me.
I nodded quickly, feeling a sense of relief as I left his presence. My mind raced, trying to figure out how to do this without embarrassing myself further. I wheeled myself toward the bathroom, my thoughts in a frenzy. A bath—this was not what I had expected. But I had no choice but to do as he asked. My role now was to serve him, no matter what that meant.
The bathroom was large and luxurious, with steam rising from the water in the bathtub. The scent of lavender and rose filled the air, but it did little to calm my nerves.
I took a deep breath and started adjusting the water temperature, making sure it was just right. I added the oils and waited for the water to settle. My hands trembled as I worked, my mind still racing with thoughts of what was to come.
Once the bath was ready, I wheeled myself back into the main room to let him know it was prepared. When I entered, Alpha Zane was already in the process of undressing. I froze for a moment, my eyes widening as he removed his shirt, revealing the muscles underneath. He was tall and strong, his body exuding power. I quickly looked away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Is the bath ready?" he asked, his voice calm and detached, as though there was nothing unusual about the situation.
I swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Alpha. It's ready."
He gave a small nod before turning toward the bathroom. "Good. Then come and help me."
I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest. Was I really supposed to help him into the bath? The thought of being so close to him in such a vulnerable moment made my stomach flutter with unease. But I had no choice. I couldn't refuse.
I wheeled myself closer to the bath, trying to keep my face averted. Alpha Zane had already removed the rest of his clothing, and now he stood in only a towel, his broad chest and toned body on full display. I quickly looked away again, my face burning with embarrassment. He seemed completely unbothered by my discomfort, which only made me more flustered.
"Leona, are you just going to stand there?" His voice broke through my thoughts, bringing me back to reality. "Come closer."
I nodded quickly, my face flushed with heat. I wheeled myself closer, my heart racing. I could feel the heat of his gaze on me, but I kept my focus on the task at hand. I reached out and helped him ease into the bath, trying not to make eye contact. My hands trembled as I adjusted the water level, ensuring it was comfortable for him.
"Is everything to your liking?" I asked softly, my voice betraying my nervousness.
He nodded, leaning back in the tub with a sigh of contentment. "Perfect," he replied, smoothly and relaxed.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I wasn't sure how long I was supposed to stand there, but I felt completely out of place. My mind was racing with a thousand thoughts, but I focused on the task, trying not to think about how close I was to him or how exposed he was.
"Leona," he said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Come here."
I wheeled myself closer, unsure of what he wanted now. As I approached the tub, I realized he was already leaning back in the water, his eyes closed in relaxation.
I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do next. He opened his eyes, locking his gaze with mine. "You may wash my back now," he ordered.
I nodded, my heart racing. I took the sponge in my hand and slowly began to wash his back, my hands shaking with nerves.
It was awkward, intimate, and my face was burning with embarrassment, but I focused on my task. The warmth of the water and his skin made me feel even more exposed, but I kept going, trying to remain professional.
When I finished, I stepped back. "It's done, Alpha."
He nodded again, his eyes never leaving mine. "Good. You may leave now."
I turned to go, but he stopped me before I could exit. "Leona, go prepare my meal. I'll need it soon."
I nodded quickly, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. I had made it through the bath without causing any trouble, but now I had to move on to the next task. I left the room, my mind still racing, my body flushed from the closeness and the intensity of the moment.
I could barely breathe as I made my way down the hall to the kitchen, trying to push the thoughts of the bath and what had just happened out of my head. But one thing was clear—I was in deeper than I ever imagined, and there was no turning back now.