CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 42
VALERIA.....

His cold, menacing aura surrounded me , crushing my will collapsed to my knees on the icy floor as his shadow loomed over me.

I had forgotten how dangerous the King was , and now, perhaps, I would pay for my stupidity.

I felt him rummaging through the album and then the boxes, probably making sure I hadnt damaged his precious memories.

Suddenly , he came closer , and I lowered my head even further , biting my bottom lip to stop my teeth from chattering He gripped my chin tightly , forcing me to raise my gaze to meet his.

His eyes were nearly red , like his beast , filled with fury and murderous intent.

Never , ever in your life dare to go through my private things again! Dont you dare take advantage of the trust Ive given you , Valeria ! This place is forbidden to you.

You have no right to touch them ! Is that clear ?! Y yes … yes, sir, I stammered , feeling the pressure on my chin and as if an invisible hand was squeezing my throat.

Get out ! he barked , releasing me roughly.

I stumbled back , trembling as I fled the suffocating room and ran down the corridors toward my small safe space.

I reached my room , slamming the door shut and locking it with shaking hands.

I walked to the bathroom and turned on the faucet , splashing cold water onto my face.

When I looked up , frightened , into the old mirror on the wall , I saw the tears falling from my blue eyes , one after another , until they turned into a muffled sob.

My hands went to my damp cheeks , digging my fingers into the scarred skin of my distorted face.

So ugly, so horrible, so broken.

What man would ever fall in love with me or even consider starting a family with a woman so scarred , both inside and out ? How could I have been so foolish to confuse things ? When had I started letting my feelings get involved ? It had to stop.

I had to go back to being the original Valeria 1 braced myself against the white sink , breathing deeply with my eyes closed, trying to calm down.

I turned on the faucet again and splashed more cold water on my face , driving away the fear and sadness.

After washing up a bit, I decided to return to my maid duties thats what I was paid for so I went back to the laundry area.

I didnt know how they looked at me or what they whispered.

I just sat in front of a tub and started scrubbing and soaping, scrubbing harder and harder to forget my miserable life.

lost track of time , but suddenly , I heard the housekeepers voice.

Valeria , thats enough , she said , and I looked up , confused, Thats when I noticed the sun setting on the horizon , filtering through the branches of the dark forest.

Night had already fallen.

At some point , all the other maids had left.

Except me.

Why on earth are you trying to wash the entire castles laundry in a single day ? Its time to stop , she insisted , watching me with those critical green eyes.

I lowered my gaze and pulled my pale , wrinkled hands from the soapy water.

The pain in my raw , red knuckles was sharp I had literally scrubbed the skin off during this task.

I … I still need to hang the clothes , I replied , staring into the water.

You can do that tomorrow.

Or someone else can.

No , please.

I need to do it myself , I answered stubbornly , and after a few seconds , I heard her defeated sigh.

Fine.

Do as you wish , she said , and I heard her footsteps leaving .

I lifted my head and watched her walk away with that firm , composed stride she always had.

Sometimes, I envied her.

I wished I could be as unyielding as she was...

Nothing seemed to affect the housekeeper.

Valeria , she suddenly stopped and turned back to face me The rules I gave you from the start never forget them, little maid.

They were meant to protect your neck from death … but also your heart.

She spoke with the gentlest tone she had ever used , her eyes no longer so stern and intimidating.

Something complex stirred behind them.

She turns her back and finally leaves , abandoning me completely alone, staring into nothingness and lost in thought over her words.

I got up before nightfall ; I didnt want to be left alone so close to that eerie forest.

I was hanging large white sheets on the clotheslines, needing to clitub onto a small stool to reach the rope and secure them with wooden pegs.

The cold breeze blew, making the sheets billow while also clearing my mind.

I lowered my head to search for more pegs in the apron I wore , and when I lifted it again I saw him.

On the other side of the sheet , the massive shadow of a lycan stood silently , and I knew very well it was him.

The wind howled through the trees , like a sorrowful wail echoing from the forest.

I stayed still for a few seconds , staring at that terrifying and powerful presence , knowing that the King was watching me too from the other side.

He had every reason to be angry , as he had made perfectly clear.

I had no right to touch the precious belongings of his loved ones.

I was nothing but an intruding maid.

I turned my back on him without speaking , pretending not to know he was there, and walked back into the castle, into that dark place that I no longer knew if it was my home … or my prison.

The next day , I went back to being nothing more than furniture in the Kings chambers no speaking , no eye contact, no listening.

I focused mechanically on my tasks , the tension in the air so thick it was impossible to ignore.

Truthfully , I just wanted to leave , to find another way to survive.

But then I remembered I was cursed, and my best chance of finding a cure was staying close to King Aldrics power.

I remembered all too well that overwhelming sensation , that unbearable need burning me from the inside , and I didnt want to become the prey of some bastard during one of those fits.

Better the devil you know than the one you dont.

Valeria , I received an invitation to visit the Silver Lake pack , and well use the opportunity to look for clues about the next Altar.

Prepare everything for the trip , he ordered while I finished clearing the breakfast table, and I nodded silently in response.

I picked up the tray and was about to leave when I felt his hand grabbing my arm , pulling me close to his chest.

Wait, Valeria.

We need to talk , his warm breath brushed my ear, but I tried to take a step back, to escape his hold except he tightened his grip, not letting me go.

Does Your Majesty need something for the trip , something … No , Its not about the trip.

Its about what happened.

Knock , knock , knock .

Suddenly , someone knocked on the door, interrupting his words and giving me the perfect chance to yank my arm free.

The dishes clattered dangerously , but I didnt care as I hurled to open the door, hearing his frustrated huff behind me.

Forgive the interruption, Your Highness.

The seamstress has sent word that everything is ready, said the housekeeper, and I stepped aside to let her into the room.

I was about to slip out through the door when Aldrics deep voice stopped me cold.

Valeria , go with Sasha , he ordered from behind me.

I didnt understand what he meant , but I obeyed , waiting silently in the hallway for the housekeeper.

Through the door, I heard him return from his room and hand her something metallic.

Judging by the sound, it seemed like gold coins.

Do everything as I instructed no less than three pieces , no excuses.

I might join you later, he commanded with his usual inflexible tone.

The housekeeper left, and I followed her, a swirl of thoughts filling my mind.

A spark of hope lit inside me, and I felt strangely glad to visit the Silver Lake pack.

Id been here for a while now , working in the castle maybe they wouldnt reject me as much as a foreigner anymore.

Could it be possible to find another job in the Golden Moon pack? Mrs.

Sasha , weve been expecting you , a cheerful , slender woman with chestnut hair greeted us warmly.

Hello, Mrs.

Betty.

Weve come for His Majestys order , the housekeeper replied while I stepped down from the carriage and glanced up at the sign above the shop : Elegant Stitches Tailor Shop.

Displayed in the windows were beautiful gowns for women and tailored formal suits for men, perfectly crafted.

Despite the gloomy atmosphere from the fog and the dark forest surrounding this pack, Golden Moon seemed very prosperous.

The few times Id had the chance to glimpse its streets , I had noticed it was the most advanced pack I had ever seen

We entered the workshop, which was spacious , with a cozy waiting area and a long counter where a friendly young woman attended customers.