Chapter 21: HIS PERSONAL MAID

Chapter 21: HIS PERSONAL MAID
LEONA
My heart pounded in my chest as Alpha Zane's piercing gaze never left me. I tried desperately to explain myself, stammering through a dozen excuses I knew he wouldn't believe.
"I—I was just cleaning, Alpha. I didn't mean to... I didn't know..." My words fell flat as I looked into his unyielding expression.
He stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Who sent you?" His voice was sharp, like a blade against my nerves. "Who told you to search through my things?"
I froze. The thought of revealing Alpha Kane's name—of implicating anyone in this—terrified me. I swallowed hard, trying to think of something—anything—to cover my tracks. But I couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse fast enough.
My scent still had the faint trace of the herb that had been given to me. I'd applied it before coming here to disguise my identity, but I wasn't sure if it would hold up under such scrutiny. Fortunately, Alpha Zane didn't seem to notice anything unusual. He eyed me suspiciously but didn't push further on that front.
He paused for a long moment, staring at me as if weighing his next words carefully. The silence between us felt suffocating, and I couldn't help but wonder if he could see through my lies, or if he already suspected the truth.
Finally, he gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Leave," he commanded, his tone chilling. "You've already made enough of a fool of yourself. There will be consequences for your actions. Be thankful I'm letting you leave now. But don't think this will be forgotten."
The threat in his words sent a chill down my spine, and I scrambled to wheel myself out of the room, desperate to avoid any more confrontation.
As I closed the door behind me, my hands trembled. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had narrowly escaped a punishment far worse than humiliation. But at least, for now, I had gotten away with it.

—
The next morning, I was still reeling from the previous night's close call when I heard a knock at my door. My pulse quickened, and I wheeled toward it cautiously, half-expecting to see Alpha Zane standing there to finalize the consequences he had warned me about.
But when I opened it, it was Mrs. Marlowe.
"Pack your things," she said briskly, her eyes sharp with authority. "You're leaving the kitchen. Alpha Zane has given new orders."
I felt my stomach drop. "What? What do you mean?"
Her expression didn't soften as she stood there, arms crossed. "You're moving into a room closer to Alpha Zane's chambers. He's ordered you to become his personal maid, effective immediately."
The words hit me like a tidal wave. I struggled to comprehend what she was saying. Personal maid? I had expected to be dismissed, or worse, sent back to the outskirts of the palace. Instead, I was being pulled closer to the very man I was trying to uncover the truth from.
"But... why?" I stammered, still not understanding. "What changed?"
Mrs. Marlowe's lips curled into a tight smile, but there was no kindness in it. "It's not for me to question why," she said coldly. "Pack your things and hurry. You are to serve him directly now. If you don't want to risk angering him, you'll do it swiftly."
I nodded, unable to trust myself to speak. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion. This was the last thing I had expected. Being Alpha Zane's personal maid meant more time in his presence, but it also brought me even closer to the risk of being exposed. Yet, I could use this to my advantage. If I gained his trust, I could learn more—maybe even uncover what was written in that envelope. It was a dangerous game, but one I was willing to take.

—
As we made our way through the palace, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the opulence surrounding me. The halls were grander than I'd ever seen before, their tall, sweeping columns and elaborate tapestries a stark reminder of the vastness of Alpha Zane's power. My eyes darted around as we passed servants in the halls, their faces masked with professionalism but their eyes betraying an occasional glance at me.
We stopped before a new door—one that seemed grander than anything I had expected. Mrs. Marlowe turned to me and gestured for me to enter.
"Your new quarters," she said, her tone barely concealing her annoyance at my presence. "Alpha Zane's orders. You are to be on standby at all times. He'll expect you when he needs you."
I took a deep breath before wheeling myself inside, the door closing softly behind me. The room was much larger than my previous quarters, with a four-poster bed draped in luxurious silks and a large vanity by the wall. The window overlooked a beautifully manicured garden, and I could see the sprawling grounds of the palace beyond it. The room was comfortable—almost too comfortable.
But comfort didn't matter now. I had two purposes: to uncover the truth and gain his trust. Alpha Zane's personal maid. This was my chance to get closer to him, to see the man who held so many secrets.
The door to my room opened again moments later, and Mrs. Marlowe's voice rang out from the doorway. "You're to prepare yourself for service. Alpha Zane needs you shortly. Don't be late."
I nodded without a word, my mind racing. I had no choice but to do what she said. My role here had changed so drastically overnight, and now I had to act the part, at least for the time being.
As Mrs. Marlowe left, I wheeled myself over to the bed, glancing at the uniform I'd been given. It was pristine and well-fitted, but I knew it wouldn't matter if I didn't perform my duties perfectly. I had to make an impression. I had to make sure Alpha Zane noticed me—not just as a maid, but as someone he could trust.
I quickly adjusted the uniform and checked my appearance one last time. As much as I hated to admit it, I was nervous. This was a step into a world I wasn't prepared for, but it was a world that would offer me the answers I so desperately needed.
Once I was ready, I wheeled myself out of the room, moving toward the hallway where Mrs. Marlowe had led me. The sound of my wheels against the polished floor echoed in the quiet corridor, but I pushed the unease down. The further I walked, the more I could feel the eyes of the other servants on me. They were all just going about their work, but I couldn't shake the feeling that they were judging me. Whether it was my disability or the fact that I was now stepping into a position of greater proximity to Alpha Zane, I couldn't tell. But I had no time for hesitation.