16
Alexia pushed herself up, her body shaking with the kind of rage she's never felt before.
Without a word, she stormed past the Luna, her feet hitting hard on the mable floor as she went. She's trying to feign strong when in reality, her bones are aching so bad at the fall..
The maids rushed after her, following her through the hallway in silence, empathy visible from their..
"Princess, please," one of them said, her voice a whisper of worry. "Let us help you. You must have hurt yourself."
Alexia was adamant. "No," Rather thah treating herself, she wants to punch at the wall for being such a pushover for the Luna. "I don't need help."
The maids glanced at each other, their faces growing even more concerned for her. Finally, one of them spoke, her voice a hesitant murmur so as not to piss her off.
"We must tell the Alpha. He must know what has happened." They all drew back away from her to say among themselves. The others nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on Alexia's retreating figure.
"The princess is hurt. He must know."
And so they hurried to the Alpha's chambers, their steps quick and urgent. They knew how obsessive their Alpha was over her, if anything happens to her, they might lose their jobs.
When Steele let them in, he listened to the maids, knowing they couldn't be interrupting him over a trivial issue.
"Tell me what happened." He urged, putting down his cigarette to lit it up later. The maids recounted the story, one after the other.
"The princess was heading back to the palace. She stumbled and fell. We think she may have hurt herself."
"Where is she now?" he asked, bracing himself rather than jumping into a swift action.
The maids exchanged a glance, uncertain since they left Alexia in the hallway to come and report to him.
"We do not know, Alpha. We tried to help, but she refused us. She was very upset." one of them mustered enough courage and responded on the behalf of the rest..
"Alexia must be found," He stood up from his seat and kicked his feet into his shoes. "She may be hurt. She may need help."
"Come with me," He ordered them and they followed. And so they hurried to Alexia's chambers, following closely behind him.
As they approached the door, Steele knocked. Rather thah the usual low voice he would speak with her with, he emphasized some command..
"Alexia, it is the Alpha. Open the door."
"I'm fine. I don't need help." Alexia called from inside winching as she let her gown down. She had just miserably failed to to discern any wounds. Her pains seemed to be internal.
"The maids will stay with you. They will tend to your injuries. I will return when you have recovered. Until then, you must rest." He kicked the door opened, the maids scurrying inside.
Alexia opened her mouth to protest, but the Alpha silenced her with a single look.
As the days passed, Alexia's wounds began to heal, her bruises fading, her strength returning little by little. However, her anger and resentment remained, her heart filled with fear and hatred for Luna Celeste.
She didn't want to hate her. She thought that the Luna was going to be capable for some redemption later but it were all a lie..
One day, as she was chopping vegetables in the palace kitchen, she sensed the Luna's presence, her shadow falling across the countertop as she cooked. Alexia tensed for a moment, her body rigid as she awaited one or two words to come from her.
Luna Celeste chuckled instead. Although she has her back on her, she can sense the slyness that followed the Luna in..
"Excuse me!" The Luna's shoulder brushed against Alexia's arm, and she flinched feeling the knife brush against her hand.
"I didn't see you there." She cried out, her voice dripping with false sweetness. She made to touch her but Alexia stepped back. "My apologies."
"It's okay." She lied. No, it's not okay. As Alexia spoke, she felt a sharp pain in her hand, a hot, searing sensation that spread across her palm in no time. She looked down, her eyes fixed on her hand, her breath catching in her throat at the sight before her eyes.
The knife had slipped, slicing across her skin, a thin line of blood welling up across her flesh. Alexia gasped, her body rigid as she became shocked the core.
"You did this. You did this on purpose." She had yelled, turning to face the Luna's fading figure.
The next morning, Alexia rose early, for her duties. Her mate asked for a meal prepared by her today.
She walked to the bathroom, and stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading over her body, soothing her tired muscles.
As she stepped out though, she reached for her clothes, her eyes fixed on the fabric she ought to wear.
Her fingers shook trembling by her sides.
Every piece of clothing was soaked, her dress, her blouse, even the new clothes the Alpha had bought for her.
Right there in the middle of the bathroom stood Alexia shivering with cold. She knew the Luna was behind this. How could she have done this? Not even a single dress did the Luna leave untouched.
She knew she was hated but did she have to go this far just to pass the message of her hatred across?
Alexia dried herself off with the towel she grabbed on the railing. A maid brought her a fresh set of newly bought clothes after a few hours of having to wait.
"Thank you." She expressed her gratitude.
She dressed quickly and then she headed to the Alpha's chambers, her feet moving in a fast speech than ever before.
She's been trying to bear the hardship but it's not become too much for her to withstand.
She arrived at his chamber to find the Alpha deep in thought, his face buried in pile of files, his mind focused on the pack's affairs.
Alexia hesitated in the doorway, her eyes fixed on the Alpha, hesitating as she wondered whether or not to proceed.
"Alpha." She called and stepped in, offering him a slightly bow. "I apologize for interrupting, but there is something I must speak to you about."
Steele looked up. "What is it, Alexia?" he asked, his voice low and questioning. His eyes showed an enormous lack of sleep as he waited. "Is something wrong?"
Alexia took a deep breath, again hesitated in the doorway, her eyes fixed on the him. Was it too late to turn back?
Alexia opened her mouth, her lips trembling and her mind racing doubt she can proceed with her complaint. She knew her mouth were still open but no words came, no sound escaped her lips.
She knew what she wanted to say, what she needed to say but she could not find the words, could not find the courage to speak.
The Alpha's brow furrowed, his eyes searching Alexia's face. Could she be here because she wanted his attention? moreso, he's been so much busy lately.
"Alexia? What is it? You can tell me." He tried not to laugh at the contemplating look on her face. Was she that nervous to seek him out?
Alexia shook her head, her eyes fixed on the floor as she slowly moved backward.
"Nevermind. It's not important."
It's not her. Spoiling a son and mother relationship isn't what she does, nor would she ever stoop so low. She turned and walked away, dismissing anything she ever wanted to say.
She returned to her room, opened the door to retire to her but she stood fixated on the spot, her eyes fixed on her bed. Her bed was soaked, her duvet heavy with water, and her pillows sodden and wet.
Alexia paced the room, the tears she's trying to hold back streaming down her face without permission. She thought staying back, she was going to finally win Luna Celeste over and make her like her.
Until now... she's realized there was no trying. She's been hopelessly deceiving herself her togetherness with Steele was going to work. She let herself stay in a house she's unwanted when she has a home awaiting her.
She's passing through the ordeal too big for her too handle. Now, she's letting all the meaningless hopes go. She can't do this sny more.
"No," she whispered, her voice low and desperate for a help she's never getting.. "No, no, no."
"I won't let you win. I won't let you destroy me." She fell to the floor, her knees hitting the carpet, her body wracked with sobs.
She walked to her desk, her feet dragging across the carpet, her body expressing her despair. She found a piece of paper, her hands shaking as she picked up a pen.
With that, she wrote a letter home. "I'm coming back home, father." It reads.