Chapter 54
My eyes fluttered open as I felt a cold, damp cloth on my forehead. I looked around and realized I was in the servants' quarters, lying on one of the soft beds. Everything started coming back to me quickly: being captured in the forest, imprisoned in the Lycan King's castle, assigned a job as a servant, and then meeting the king himself. I remembered everything, and I wished I didn't.
"You passed out in the rose garden after we met the king. Well, that was unexpected," a voice said beside me. I recognized that blunt tone. I turned my head slowly, as it felt stiff, and saw Emma sitting on a stool with a small bowl of water in her hands.
I took a deep breath before speaking. "What did he say before I passed out?" I asked in a raspy voice. I thought I knew, but I needed confirmation-maybe I had misheard him.
"I think you already know what he said, Lucy. He wants you to stay silent about it. You're lucky enough that you won't be sentenced to death like most humans who end up in the castle dungeons. Being the mate of a Lycan King is rare, even for our kind. But a human mate to a Lycan? That's unheard of," she whispered, though her voice was louder than she intended. Shock and confusion were written all over her face. I was sure my own expression looked like someone who had seen a ghost.
"How can this be? Why is this happening to me?" I muttered aloud as I sat up straight. There was no way I could live like this! I grabbed Emma's hands and looked at her desperately. "You have to kill me! Please, do it now. I can't live like this anymore. Every day something terrible happens to me, but this... this is worse than anything!"
She looked at me in shock, then pity. "I can't kill you, Lucy, even if I wanted to. Killing a king's mate is worse than treason, but killing a Lycan's mate? That's asking for a fate worse than death. He would not only skin me alive, but he'd also burn down my entire village, including everyone I love-my family. He would kill everyone I've ever known."
I shook my head. "He won't. He doesn't even like me! I'm sure he'd reward you if you killed me... please!" I begged.
"No! You don't understand our kind. Even if he doesn't like you now, his wolf has already bonded with you the moment he saw you. His human side might be in denial about having a human mate, but his wolf would have my head!" Emma said, pulling her hands away from mine.
"He wouldn't know it was you. Suffocate me and let the other servants find me. They'll say I died in my sleep. Please, you have to do this! Don't make me live the rest of my life with a Lycan. Take pity on me and grant me this, please."
She looked as if she were considering my request but then shook her head. She grabbed the towel I'd dropped and stood up. "I might hate your kind, but I'm not a murderer. Don't tempt me; we also have a goddess who would burn me with the flames of hell. Rest some more. It's already past ten; I'll bring you your supper." She quickly took her bowl of water and left the room.
I had so many questions about my future now, but the only solution I could think of was death. The anger on the Lycan's face when he realized I was his mate gave me goosebumps. How could I be mated to the beast that killed my friends and whose kind murdered my family? I would rather die than live among these hell-bound creatures.
Emma returned with a plate of rice and soup. She handed it to me along with a spoon. "This is all that was left over. Eat up-you'll need your strength."
"What does this mean for me, being mated to the king?" I asked, taking the plate.
"I don't know. He just told me to keep this a secret, and he wants you to stay silent as well. If word gets out, he said he'd have my head. He didn't say anything about your fate. You'll resume your duties tomorrow as usual," she said sternly, and I nodded.
\---
I was allowed to sleep early last night after the incident that made me pass out, so it wasn't surprising when I woke up very early without anyone waking me. I had been assigned to the kitchen today, so I was helping the other maids prepare breakfast for the royals.
I was getting used to the hatred, glares, and bullying from the omegas. They seemed to take pride in being more superior than me, even though they were at the bottom of the pack. Bullying me soothed their pain and boosted their self-esteem, but for me, it was miserable. I had already been hurt over ten times, and it was still early in the morning. They tripped me, shoved me to the ground, or purposely spilled boiling water on my hands.
This time, I was standing on a chair, trying to reach some glass plates for breakfast. They were stored high up in the cabinets, and I was unfortunately short. Suddenly, an omega with a grudge against me kicked the chair. I fell hard, and the glass plates came crashing down like rain. I closed my eyes, bracing for the pain.
But nothing happened. Everything occurred so quickly-one moment I was on the floor watching the plates fall, and the next, I was in someone's strong arms and placed on the kitchen counter. My eyes widened as I watched the plates shatter into tiny pieces on the ground. I was sure I'd get into trouble; those plates were probably expensive, like everything else in the castle.
"What the hell were you thinking, climbing on that chair just to get dishes? Don't you know it's dangerous? Are you stupid?" a deep, angry voice snapped, making me flinch. I looked up at the man who had saved me, and when I realized who it was, I felt like fainting again. It was the Lycan King. Why me?
"I... I... I needed them. It was just an accident," I stammered. I almost rolled my eyes at how foolish I sounded, but I couldn't admit that someone had caused the fall. He might decide to kill me if I accused one of his own.
He scoffed, still standing close, only inches away. "You needed them? So you decided to risk your life for some dishes? Do you realize how ignorant you sound? Who assigned you to work in the kitchen? Your job here is done," he said, lifting me off the counter and placing me on the floor. I stood there, stunned. I heard gasps and realized the other servants were frozen in place, watching as their king grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room.
\---
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
