The doors flew open, interrupting my next words much to my displeasure. No one dared to walk into the throne room if I hadn’t summoned them. Who dares, then?
My gaze snapped to the doorway, and there stood Amelia, wearing a dress as deliberate as her entrance. The purple fabric clung to every curve, and a faint, saccharine perfume floated through the air with clear intentions.
What is she doing here? Rowan snarled in fury, and it took extra mental strength to rein in my wolf. I furrowed my brows as I watched her saunter toward me. She wasn’t supposed to be here. My entire focus had been on the kneeling girl in front of me. My mate. I didn’t appreciate the disturbance.
“Amelia,” I said, keeping my tone even with effort. “Why are you here? I don’t recall summoning you.”
She opened her mouth to respond but paused, her gaze drifting to the girl. I caught the faintest flash of a glare before she turned her attention back to me with calculated grace.
“I wanted to speak with you… privately,” she murmured, her tone laced with suggestion as she bit her lower lip, clearly trying to draw my attention.
I sighed, rubbing my temple in exasperation. “Stand aside, Amelia,” I said firmly. “You’ll wait until I’m finished here. This matter takes precedence.”
Her eyes flashed with a brief spark of anger, but she quickly reined it in. Of course, she would. With gritted teeth, she moved to the side of my throne, folding her arms over her chest, while I shifted my gaze back to the girl kneeling before me.
The way she knelt there, head bowed, her beautiful blue eyes filled with anticipation, demanded my attention in a way that Amelia’s tactics never could.
Clearing my throat, I softened my tone. “What’s your name?” I asked, realizing I hadn’t inquired about this vital detail.
“Serena,” she whispered, lowering her gaze slightly, as if my attention was too much to bear.
Serena. The name settled in my chest, warm and unshakable. Even Rowan, my usually grumpy wolf, went quiet, letting the sound of her name resonate through every part of my mind. It burned, branding itself into my psyche, and… I liked it.
“I’ve made my decision.” I took a steady breath. “You will remain here, in the Rykov pack. But you will hold the title of a junior maid.”
The quiet Rowan immediately snarled in protest. Our mate, reduced to such a role? She should be the Luna of this pack! Make her Luna now!
I ignored him, pushing back against his demands. To our surprise, Serena’s eyes began to glisten, tears slipping down her cheeks like shards of glass. She pressed her hands together and bowed her head in gratitude.
“Thank you, Alpha,” she whispered. “Thank you. I swear I’ll do my best for the pack… for both of you.” Her tears flowed freely as she repeated her thanks over and over, as if I’d given her the world. Her reaction was… unexpected, and I cleared my throat, uncomfortable with her raw emotion.
“That’s enough, Serena,” I said, feeling my own restraint thinning. “There’s no need for all… this. I’ve simply granted you a place. Stop crying.”
She sniffed, blinking rapidly as she tried to control her tears, but a small smile touched her lips. “You don’t understand, Alpha. You’ve given me a home. I’ll do my best to be worthy of it.”
I nodded, but from the corner of my eye, I caught Amelia’s fists clenched, her gaze filled with daggers for Serena. She stood by the throne, barely able to contain herself, and I paid her no mind. Let her seethe.
I closed my eyes, opening a mental link and sending a command through the pack’s network. Moments later, the doors to the throne room opened, and a middle-aged woman stepped inside. She wore a neatly pressed maid’s uniform, approaching with her head bowed in reverence.
“Alpha Kaidon,” she greeted, bowing.
“Cassie,” I acknowledged her with a slight nod. “Serena will be under your care as a new junior maid. She’s unfamiliar with the pack’s ways, so you’ll need to orient her and assign her duties.”
Cassie’s gaze shifted to Serena, taking in the tear-streaked girl. “Understood, Alpha,” she said, then looked kindly at Serena. “Come along, dear. I’ll show you where you’ll be staying and explain what’s expected of you.”
Serena nodded, glancing back at me one last time before turning to follow Cassie.
“Alpha,” Amelia wasted no time, calling for my attention.
“What is it this time, Amelia?” I replied, my expression one of boredom.
She paused, glancing down at the floor and biting her lip again before speaking.
“Did I perhaps do something to incur your displeasure yesterday?” she asked, and, as if replicating Serena’s actions, tears began to pool in her eyes.
I sighed, my mind drifting back to yesterday. I had asked her to satisfy me, yet as I’d feared, the effects of the mate bond had stripped away all attraction I once felt for Amelia—a woman who had always known exactly how to please my carnal urges. It was beyond my control, and Rowan had even seized control for a split second, threatening to kill her. She didn’t deserve any of it.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Amelia,” I replied, softening my tone.
Her tears began to fall in earnest. “The way you dismissed me last night… it was so cruel, Alpha,” she murmured, her voice breaking as she looked up at me. “And you threatened to kill me.”
Enough of her dramatics, Rowan growled in my mind, his irritation simmering. We owe her nothing.
“Calm yourself, Rowan,” I replied, suppressing his ire. I studied Amelia’s face, feeling a slight twinge of guilt as memories of yesterday replayed in my mind. Despite having a mate now, there was no denying the history I shared with Amelia. I sighed, recalling how she had been with me through thick and thin.
Years ago, when I’d forcefully taken her from her pack, I had intended to make her my bride and mark her, a desperate attempt to defy the curse the Moon Goddess had placed on me. But Amelia, perhaps with more wisdom than I’d credited her for, had declined, suggesting she remain by my side as my mistress. And I’d agreed.
Her devotion since then had been undeniable. She’d stayed even as my temper grew darker and more twisted because of the curse. I had never truly loved her—I was used to having her around, at least… until now.
“You did nothing wrong,” I said again with a sigh. “I had a lot on my mind.”
She moved closer, closing the distance between us, and threw herself into my arms, pressing her face into my chest.
“I was scared,” she whispered. “I thought… I thought you hated me.”
I will kill her, Rowan raged, but as always, I reined him in with effort.
I had half a mind to push her away, but instead, I simply sighed and patted her back, feeling absolutely… nothing.
Eventually, she pulled back slightly, looking up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “Alpha, may I… ask you something?”
I nodded, waiting for her to continue.
“Why aren’t you banishing her?” she asked, her brows furrowed. “The girl… you didn’t mark her yesterday when you found out she was wolfless, and now you’ve given her a place here in the palace. Why?”