*****CHAPTER 26

MAE'S POV
 
The tall, gorgeous lady strode towards us, her face emotionless and blank. She was dressed in royal regalia and had a crown resting on her flaxen-colored hair. From the mere sight of her, I could tell that she was the woman Taylor warned me about.
 
Luna Scarlet.
 
Fuck.  I had definitely landed myself in fresh trouble again.
 
I backed away from the Alpha so quickly that I almost tripped on my heels. But it was an effortless effort, as she had already seen me standing too intimately close to the Alpha. My heart raced as I watched her advance closer to us, and when she was finally standing directly before the Alpha and me, she looked from the Alpha to me and back to the Alpha again. Her eyes rested on his body, and a puzzled frown crossed her face for a moment before she looked back at his face again.
 
"This... is what you have been hiding from me?" "From everyone else?"
 
The Alpha ignored her question and moved towards his bed, picking up his shirt and slipping it on to hide his body from view.
 
The Luna's eyes feasted on me again. This time, there was something like hatred and distaste in it.
 
Okay, Mae. This is your hint to get the fuck out of here right now before your head gets used for dinner.
 
I bowed in respect to the Luna and the Alpha and quickly made to escape from their presence, but the Luna's voice stopped me again.
 
"Why was a filthy servant standing so close to the Alpha?"
 
I pressed my lips together and shut my eyes tight for a moment, slapping my face inwardly for getting lost in the moment and spending time with a shirtless Alpha in his chamber. Everyone was definitely going to think of me as a slut if word got out.
 
"That's enough, Scarlet." "If you have anything to say, say it to me and let the girl go." Alpha Alcot's voice warned her, but she remained stubborn and wouldn't let it go.
 
"Well, I have every right to know why she gets to see you this way and I don't!" This time, the Luna had her voice raised, visibly angry. I quickly turned around and bowed my head to her in an apologetic manner.
 
"Forgive me, my Luna. "I only brought tea to the Alpha and happened to meet him this way.
 
But before I could finish my sentence, a slap landed on my face, and the sharp pain shot throughout my face. Still, I bore the pain and refused to look her in the eyes. I could see her fists tightening and her body hyperventilating in rage.
 
I deserved it. I really did. What was I thinking about getting interested in the Alpha's scar? and saying the most audacious thing about caring for him the same way he cared for me. The Alpha and Lycan Kings Audacious should be a subtle word.
 
"That's enough, Scarlet!" The Alpha yelled at her this time. I could sense the anger in his voice too.
 
I felt disgusted with myself that I was the reason they were having a disagreement right now.
 
"Why?!"  The Luna was screaming over her voice now, and I was sure anyone passing by would be able to hear her. "Why does it have to be her of all people?!" A petty servant! "Do you think she's prettier than me?"
 
Immediately, the door burst open, and an older woman walked in with Oliver beside her. She was dressed in royal regalia as well, and her beautiful jet black hair was straightened and neat.
 
She was the Alpha's mother.
 
"What in the name of the gods is going on here?" She ignored me like I was nothing but air and focused her attention instead on the Alpha and Luna. Oliver had his eyes fixed on my pathetic state, and his facial expression read curiosity.
 
"Ask Alcot.  "He is in the best position to answer your question, mother. The Luna replied, eyeing Alcot with so much disgust.
 
"What did you do, son?" The Alpha's mother directed her question to him this time.
 
The Alpha exhaled frustrated air and ran his fingers through his hair before sitting on his bed. He looked my way, and his gaze softened for a moment before he moved his eyes to Oliver and ordered.
 
"Take her away."
 
"By your will, my Lord." He bowed to the Alpha before walking to me and taking me by the hand.
 
"Come on. Let's go."
 
I gave the Alpha one last look before allowing Oliver to take me away. I could not help worrying about the Alpha and how he could get into trouble all because of me and my stupid curiosity.
 
When we were out of the Alpha's Quarters and headed towards the Servant's Quarters, Oliver finally decided to break the silence between us and said,
 
"Did you see his scars?"
 
I looked at Oliver's face this time. He looked slightly worried and concerned, but I couldn't tell what he was worried about. Me or the Alpha?
 
"Yes," I answered.
 
He did not say any other word, and we continued to stroll towards the servant's quarters. I could not stop myself from looking behind me and toward the Alpha Quarters again, worry clouding my heart again. I had caused everything. It was all my fault. I should have ignored the scars on his body when I first saw them.
 
"Are you beginning to have feelings for him?" Oliver's question caused me to look at it again.
 
"No."  I jumped in to defend myself quickly. "Why would you think that way?" How absurd!"
 
His lips lifted in a small smile.
 
"I'm not going to judge." He looked at me now, locking eyes with me. "You are one hot chic." "No man would be able to stop himself from looking twice at you."
 
"Stop it."  I warned him, and even though I tried to maintain a stern countenance, my face betrayed me, and a smile crossed my face, my cheeks warming up as I blushed.
 
"I mean… I would be more than pleased if the Alpha ended up falling for you too. He deserves someone to love. "The only person he's ever truly liked after several years was a girl he met at a bridge."
 
"Oh," I replied. At that moment, the thought of the stranger from the bridge crossed my mind. It has been a while since we exchanged letters. I was sure he would be dead worried about me by now. "I guess a bridge isn't just meant to connect waters, but souls too."
 
"I guess so." Oliver agreed with a shrug. "I was surprised when he had a bracelet done for her the other day. "It's crazy how mere strangers can break your hard walls."
 
I frowned this time, and I subconsciously felt the bracelet on my wrist. He gave a stranger from the bridge a bracelet?
 
"A bracelet?"
 
"Yep."  He replied and stopped at his feet. "I have to get going now." "Stay safe and don't get into trouble, okay?"
 
Before I could open my mouth to say a word to him, he had already turned his back on me and began to walk away.
 
A stranger from the bridge and a bracelet Why did it sound oddly familiar with my own story?