CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Silvana's Point Of View.

The water was heavenly, warm and fragrant, swirling around me as the maids scrubbed my skin with gentle hands. The sweet scent of jasmine filled the air. But even here, in the supposed sanctuary of my bath, I couldn't fully relax. The constant giggling, whispered secrets, the knowing glances from the maids...it was all aimed at me.

My gaze flickered towards the doorway where Clara stood, her arms draped with my plush white bathrobe. But it wasn't the robe that caught my attention, it was the smirk plastered across her face, the way she kept stealing glances at me, how her eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Clara," I spoke through gritted teeth. "What's so funny?"

Her face lit up in mock innocence as her eyes widened. "Nothing, Luna. I'm just happy! Today seems like it's going to be a great day!"

"Why so?" I pressed, my suspicion growing. Clara was never the happy type, sure, she was sweet, kind and gentle, but she was always professional and a bit stern. There was something behind this and I knew exactly what it was.

Nothing more than the fact she saw Garrick on my bed.

"The day is beautiful, isn't it, Luna?" I heard Betty say from behind me, her voice dripping with an almost sickening sweetness. I tilted my head over my shoulder to face her, narrowing my eyes. Just like Clara, Betty was usually the most demure of the maids, only once had I seen her disoriented and that was when Clara went missing a few weeks ago. But today, she seemed emboldened, partaking in Clara's amusement.

"Explain," I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

The girls all exchanged a knowing glance, a silent communicated passing between them, and then burst out giggling. The sound grated on my nerves, amplifying my already heightened sense of unease.

I rolled my eyes, splashing bubbly water from the tub towards Clara, then towards Betty, and finally, at the two other maids who were scrubbing my back. "Okay! That's it! Leave! Now!"

"But..." Betty started to protest, her giggles dying in her throat.

"OUT!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the bathroom, making all of them rush out of the room, their giggles muffled as they scrambled away.  Only Clara remained, standing her ground near the door, a sly smile playing on her lips. I turned to face her, one brow arched.

"Well?" 

"As your personal maid, Luna, I can't leave until I've prepared you for the day," she said, her tone dripping with formality. "So, please hurry with your bath,"

"Fuck you!" I retorted, splashing more water at her, the droplets beading on her unyielding grin.

"Harsh choice of words for the Queen," she countered, her smile widening.

"Fuck you CLARA!" I roared, my voice echoing through the now empty bathroom.

~

As I descended down the grand staircase, I could feel the stares of the maids and guards on me, their hushed whispers and smirks following my every step. Their greetings were more lively today, their voices filled with an almost palpable energy. The air itself felt different, charged with an undercurrent of excitement and knowing glances.

Oh dear Moon Goddess, what exactly had Clara told them?

I turned to Clara who was walking behind me, her expression annoyingly innocent. "What did you tell everyone?" I demanded, my voice low yet dangerous.

She arched a perfectly sculpted brow, feigning confusion. "I'm baffled, Luna. I haven't said anything to anyone."

I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists at my sides. "You know what....."

"Good morning, Alpha," she said, her voice suddenly filled with deference as she executed a perfect bow.

Immediately everyone in the hallway followed suit, their heads bowed low. "Good  morning, Alpha,"

I turned to see Garrick standing behind me, He's wearing a dark, fitted button up shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the top, hinting at his broad muscular chest. His hair is tousled, messy, dark and effortlessly sexy.

I want to run my hands through them.

Wait what?

I mentally slapped myself for having such useless thoughts.

My eyes betrayed me by trailing to his lips, instinctively I drew in my bottom lip, the kiss from yesterday flashing in my head.

Fuck- am I miserable for wanting more?

He was accompanied by his three guards, and his beta who slightly bowed at me with a huge smile tugged on his lips. The moment my eyes met Garrick's eyes, a slow smile spread across his face that made my stomach flip and my cheeks flush.

I quickly looked away, focusing on the intricate patterns of the floor titles and began to walk, walking past him as fast as I could without actually running.

"Morgana," I heard him say, his voice was a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very air around me, making me halt in my tracks.

I turned slowly, forcing a fake smile onto my face. "Yes, Alpha?"

"My office," he said, his tone strict and formal, devoid of any amusement that had been evident in his eyes. He simply nodded towards his office and walked off. Everyone returned back to their duties, the maids started bustling around while the guards stood in their positions.

I scoffed under my breath as Clara walked up to me. "Shall I escort you, do you need some privacy, Luna?"

I glared at her. "Just shut the fuck up and follow me!"

"Of course, my lady," she bowed and stood three feet away from me. Almost hinting at 'I'm ready whenever you are'

I began to trail behind Garrick, with Clara slowly walking behind me. When k reached his office, he was standing outside with his Beta, they looked deep in a conversation. He tilted his head over his shoulder, acknowledging my presence, and then dismissed everyone, including Clara with a curt nod.

A rush of adrenaline coursed through me. I turned to see that everyone had disappeared, leaving only us standing out in the hallway.

"Well?" 

I sucked in a deep breath and stormed inside his office ignoring the way my heart pounded in my chest. I crossed the room and sat down on one of the plush leather couches, folding my arms across my chest, trying to appear nonchalant.

He chuckled softly and walked in, gently closing the door behind him. He sat down on the couch opposite me, his eyes fixed on my face.

"Why are you so grumpy?" He asked, the corners of his lips twitching in amusement.

"Why do you want to see me?" I countered, refusing to play along.

He shrugged, his broad shoulders moving beneath his shirt. "I don't know, is it a crime to see my wife?"

"Your wife?" I snorted, leaning back into the couch. "That's rich coming from you Garrick,"

"Rich coming from me?" He burst out laughing, making my cheeks burn in embarrassment. "Says the woman who kissed me first," he retorted.

My eyes darkened. "You kissed me back!" I defended.

"Because I wanted to."