*****CHAPTER 50

ALCOT’S POV
 
I couldn't bring myself to forget about Mae and how she looked so weak and disturbed in my room. I didn't care that my mother saw me hug her. She was not concerned with my love life and absolutely knew I hated it whenever she tried to interfere in my life. At first, when she went mute and didn't ask me any questions about Mae and I, I felt relieved. But I knew it was only for a moment. She would most definitely bring up the topic sooner rather than later.
 
I knew my mother just like the back of my own hand.
 
I knew I wasn't supposed to hug Mae, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to do anything, just anything, to share in her pain. I had grown to deeply understand pain, and seeing that she was always in pain like I was, I felt very comfortable around her. Her eyes looked distressed, and I wished I could do more within my power to ease her from her burden.
 
Later that day, my mother visited me in my chamber while I was trying to have my rest, without failing to mention how I shouldn't get attached to any servant. I knew she was referring to Mae.
 
"You have to fire her." She told me as she sat beside me on the bed, watching me with keen eyes as if trying to read into my mind and know what I was thinking.
 
"You can't trust anyone, Alcot. She might be a weapon our enemies are using…"
 
"That's enough, mother." I was already tired and frustrated with her so called advice. I got up from the bed and strode to the center table to get a glass of water. "Mae is…just a simple girl."
 
"Why do you keep defending her all the time?" My mother snapped at me now. I did not turn to see her face, but I could tell she looked visibly enraged right now.
 
"I am not defending her, mother." "I am only speaking the truth."
 
"The truth?" My mother scoffed at my reply, ridiculously. "Don't be so dumb, Alcot. If her reason for being here is to get into your arms, then it is obvious she is being used to get to you. They are going to use her against you to find your vulnerable point!"
 
"You have to trust me, mother." I took a sip of my water, staring into the blank walls of the room. "I am the strongest alpha in the realm. No one would dare attack me. And even if anyone is foolish enough to do so, then they better have it coming."
 
I would snap off their necks and feed their heads to the birds. I swear by the blood of my father and brother.
 
…
 
 
After Mae left, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I wondered how she was doing and if she was doing fine. Later that day, I made up my mind to follow Mae and render my assistance in any way I could. I only hoped she would allow me to help her. I figured I needed to disguise myself to blend in with the village and not create awareness. So, I did the craziest thing I had never done in my entire life.
 
I removed my mask.
 
It felt weird walking around without my mask, but it felt good. At first, I was a little nervous and afraid that someone might recognize me. But nobody did. However, they had their eyes on my face. Most definitely because of my scars. Because of that, I secured my face with a cloak and focused on Mae. She was the reason I dropped my mask, not the others.
 
I followed her to her home, and on getting to the village, I hung around and waited for the right time to announce my presence to her. I saw when she got into a fight with her sister and when she left the house. I followed her closely behind as she walked through the village, heading to the market, looking confused about whatever she wanted to do.
 
She walked into the market looking very observant, and it hit me. She wanted to steal. She was going back to her old ways to raise money for her mother's treatment. I had overheard her and her sister raising voices over the money. I felt so bad for her because I knew she was only stealing. After all, she had to.
 
I was so lost in my thoughts that I lost sight of Mae, I became worried that something bad had happened to her. I searched for her, following the trail I felt she should have followed in the market. I looked everywhere I thought she should have been until I finally saw her.
 
My eyes widened as I saw Mae on the floor and a man strangling her. His weight was on her, and she struggled to get away. I dashed at him so Mae could be set free from his tight grip.
 
After sending the man away, with his wallet, which Mae had stolen, I reached for Mae and consoled her. Life wasn't fair to both of us. She saw my scars and touched them, it was as if a burden was dropped from my body as she touched my scar. She cried in my arms, and I just held her tightly and protectively in my arms.
 
I wished I could keep protecting her this way forever. The world was a tough place and was never fair to people like Mae and me. I had never felt understood, and I never felt understood until Mae came around. And everything else was history.
 
I wanted to protect her. I wanted to keep her by my side forever. I wanted to be free to have feelings for anyone the way I wanted. It didn't matter if she was a servant. I cared deeply about her, and I wanted her. I had never felt comfortable being vulnerable around anyone.