Chapter 5 CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER FIVE
ZARIA’S POV
I didn’t wait for Max. Immediately, my carriage came, I hopped in and headed straight to the palace.
The ride was silent, and I kept replaying Max’s cruel words to Liam. He doesn’t just hate me; he also wants to destroy any chance of me finding true happiness.
Soon the carriage came to a stop, and a guard opened the door for me, helping me out.
“Welcome, Luna,” He said, with his voice low and respectful. “Madam Elara is expecting you”
I gave him a slight nod, before walking into the palace.
The palace was oddly quiet, the beautiful gold decorations in the palace hall sparkled, but the air felt heavy.
“What the fuck is going on?” I asked, looking confused.
I walked into the hallway, and the servants were dressed in black and white uniforms and didn’t dare to look at me, their heads were down, moving quietly like ghosts.
As I stared around shocked, I stumbled on a maid, who was wiping a table and her cloth used for wiping fell, immediately she jumped back, as if I had a disease.
“I am sorry, Luna! I am so sorry,” She apologized, and bent to pick her cloth in shaking hands.
Then I saw another servant, an elderly one, carrying a tray, filled with drugs and food, he looked terrified. He seemed like he wasn’t just scared of me, he was scared of being seen by anyone. He quickly diverted into a side corridor, almost dropping the tray.
“That’s it, I need to find Elara,” I said, making my way to the maid’s chambers.
I found Elara, sitting under a tree, reading a book.
“Madam Elara,” I called quietly.
She lifted her head and gave me a genuine smile, making her face wrinkle a bit, the dimples on both sides cheeks made her look twice younger than her age.
“Good day, Her Grace must be tired and needs to rest,” She said, standing on her feet and giving me a bow.
“No, I need to know why the servants are acting strange, I was walking down the hallway and they all stared at me like they had seen a ghost,” I yelled.
Elara tried not to change her demeanor, but I could see fear in her eyes.
“The servants are well trained, your Grace, they are simply being respectful, they know their place and you are their Luna, even if it is temporary, they are afraid of making mistakes, you will get used to it,” She said, giving me a dismissive smile.
I stared at her, and I knew she was lying. The servants I saw the previous day were happy ones, not frightened and jumpy ones.
“Shall I walk you to your room?” She asked and I shook my head immediately.
“No, I will walk alone,” I said, turning to leave when she grabbed my arms.
I turned to look at her, and her eyes were filled with fear, pain, and something else I could not understand.
“Do not wander, please go straight to your chambers,” She warned before letting go of my arms.
I gave her a slight nod and decided to forget what I just saw, but curiosity took the better part of me and I headed back to the hallway.
I sneaked past the servants, walked through the main door, and entered a corridor I hadn’t noticed earlier.
This part of the palace was different, there were no decorations, the wall paper was peeling off and the air that filled the corridor was cold.
I walked further, and the air got colder, I could hear only my breathing, as the place was devoid of any noise.
“Where the hell is this place?” I asked myself, until I stumbled on a door at the end of the corridor.
The door was old and dusty, grey cobwebs hung from the ceiling, and this place smelt old.
I raised my head and my eyes caught a bold, starry red paint, with the words “NO ENTRY”
Was the Alpha keeping a dark secret? What could this be?
My heart began to beat fast, as I wondered what could be in that room and thought of multiple reasons why Max was hiding it.
I reached for the door handle with trembling hands, and the feeling of the cold metal knob sent shivers down my spine.
I ignored my fears and twisted the door handle, but it didn’t move. I decided to try harder, when a hand covered mine.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Zaria,” A masculine, but unfamiliar voice said.
I jumped and spun around, to see big blue eyes staring down at me.
He cleared his throat, “I am Raymond, the beta of Moonshadow pack and also Max’s best friend.”
He was huge, just like Max, but he had a kinder face and relaxed posture. He was wearing a suit, tailored to meet his perfection.
“I was just curious, and…”
“There is nothing to worry about, this room is only restricted for noblemen,” He assured, walking me out of the corridor.
“Okay,” I said, giving a slight nod, even if I didn’t believe it.
I had to let it go, whatever is inside that room won’t hunt me within a year of being with Max.
“If you are the Beta, why were you at our wedding?” I asked and he shrugged a little.
“Max sent me on an errand to the North territory that day. But I’m back now, and besides, Max is looking for you. He wants to see you now.” He explained, and I nodded again.
Raymond took me to an office, and opened the door, he ushered me in before closing the door without letting himself in.
My heartbeat stopped when I saw Max sitting across a massive desk, holding a glass of water, he wasn’t the person terrifying me, it was Gwen who stood opposite him, with a smirk on her face.
“There you are Luna,” he said, with his usual cold and icy voice, “you have already met Raymond, the beta and now let me introduce the newest member of the Alpha’s place staff”
He gestured to Gwen, who was smiling suspiciously.
Max stood to his feet and placed a possessive hand on Gwen’s shoulders.
“She would be the Luna’s assistant,” He smiled.
All the color drained from my face.
Now I am stuck with my biggest enemy and jailer.