Priscilla's heart pounded as she fled the Alpha's room. She knew she had made a big mistake not leaving when Lady Seraphina had ordered her to. And she knew she made an even bigger mistake by indulging in conversation with the Alpha. What was she thinking revealing to him that she was a slave? It wasn't a lie. But she feared that he would complain to the guards and she would be punished. Or would Lady Seraphina find her later to punish her personally?
Priscilla ran until her bruised legs found their way back in the kitchen. Her lungs burned, but she managed to catch her breath before finding the small pantry room to stow herself in. She sat next to the canned food, attempting to calm down. In an hour, she had to deal with serving the Alpha and his associates but he was the last person she wanted to see. She sighed dejectedly as she wondered what to do.
Who enslaved you here? Where do they keep you?
Priscilla couldn't stop thinking about the Alpha's questions. The way he looked at her— not with disgust, but with concern. Just for a moment, she felt cared for. Like she wasn't completely invisible. Her chest tightened at the thought. But, why did he care? It's not like knowing would make a difference in his life or even hers. She figured he was probably trying to make small talk. But then why kick out Lady Seraphina just to make small talk with a slave like her? None of it made sense to Priscilla but she knew she couldn't hide in the pantry forever.
She proceeded to get up, dusting her servant's dress off. Before she could leave, the door knob twisted and the door to the pantry slowly pulled open…
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Find her NOW
I am trying to!
Alex argued with his wolf as he ran through the palace halls, following the sweet scent of vanilla cupcakes. He didn't have time to think or process what the hell was happening. All he knew was that fairy woman smelled intoxicating and he wanted more. Or perhaps it was his wolf who did. The lines blurred and part of him didn't care to figure it out. He never experienced anything like this before. All his life, women chased after him. And now, he was the one chasing after a woman. For a moment, he thought the Moon Goddess was making a fool of him.
He worried for her safety as he searched relentlessly. The thought of her somewhere scared and cornered made something vicious inside him. He tried following her scent but it had started to thin into nothingness. He was frustrated that she ran away from him. How dare she run away from him, an Alpha? His ego was bruised and only she could make it better. There were a million rooms within the palace and he had no idea where she could even be.
How hard is it to find a servant girl?
Alex rolled his eyes at his wolf's impatience. But suddenly an idea hit him.
Beast
What, boy?
She said she was a servant, right?
What are you getting at?
There is a feast tonight. If she is a servant then she should be preparing food or linens.
His wolf didn't respond.
But Alex didn't need him to. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of himself getting closer to wherever the fairy woman was. He changed course for the kitchen, hoping that he would find the silver haired beauty there. The only issue was that Alex had no idea where the kitchen of this palace was located. The only way he could find out without drawing attention was to ask another servant.
As Alex walked through the corridors, receiving seductive stares and smiles from noble women, he eyed two servants exiting a room. He walked past the burning desire spewing from the smitten ladies to approach the servants for answers.
"Excuse me."
The two servants stopped in their tracks upon hearing the deep commanding voice behind them. They swiftly turned around to see a tall, handsome man. He clearly was not a fairy and he had a powerful aura. They slowly realized that this man could be no one other than the Alpha that was rumored to be attending the feast tonight. Without thinking another thought, they bowed their heads in respect.
"Are the two of you servants of this palace?"
The two fairies nodded with a smile.
"How can we assist you, Alpha?"
Alex carefully thought about what to ask them without revealing too much.
"I am a little hungry and was wondering where the kitchen was located. For a snack."
The two servants looked at each other before one of them responded.
"There is no need for you to worry yourself about food. We can bring something fro—"
Alex interrupted the servant, not wanting to waste precious time.
"No, that is unnecessary. I don't want to interrupt your preparations for tonight all because of a snack. I can retrieve it myself. Where can I find the kitchen?"
The servants glanced at each other again, giving each other nervous looks. They were ordered to cater to tonight's guests for every and any needs they may have. However, they did not want to make the Alpha angry by having him repeat himself. They nodded before speaking.
"The kitchen is down the main hall then you make a left until you see big gray doors. Past the gray doors is the kit—."
Before the servant could finish, Alex zoomed past them in the direction of the kitchen. As he got closer, he could faintly smell the sweet aroma of vanilla cupcakes. The thought of him seeing that woman again made his chest pound with excitement. His wolf wagged its tail in anticipation, as well. Alex pushed the kitchen doors open and found several platters of food prepared but no one present. He thought the sight was strange but couldn't dwell on it for too long because his nose was leading his body toward what looked like a pantry door.
He slowly approached the door and took one big sniff. Heat spread through his veins as satisfaction rolled through him. His wolf purred in approval. He slowly turned the knob.
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The door knob twisted and the door to the pantry slowly opened. Priscilla's eyes widened at the figure standing at the door. It was the Alpha. Their eyes locked onto one another's as silence stretched between them. Priscilla was too stunned to speak. The tall, broad man stood in front of her with eyes full of something she couldn't quite decipher. Sadness? Anger? He just stood there, staring at her. She didn't know if she had upset him and he had come to enforce punishment. Priscilla started to shiver in fear, unaware of the Alpha's intentions.
Alex noticed the poor woman shaking before his eyes.
You're scaring her.
Alex snapped out of his trance at his wolf's words and began to slowly make his way into the cramped pantry.
"Stop!"
Alex froze in shock and confusion at the silver haired girl's raised voice. He stopped moving and held his breath, afraid that even that might scare her.
"I don't want you to be afraid of me."
Priscilla slowly looked up at the Alpha, wondering if she heard him correctly.
"I am Alex. What is your name?"
Priscilla was too shocked to speak. She felt cornered and he stood firm by the doorway, blocking her only exit. Alex noticed her fear and frowned. How was he supposed to talk to her if everything scared her?
You're scaring her…again. Give her some room to breathe.
Alex felt offended at his wolf's words that always made it seem as if he was some creep. But Alex knew he was probably right. He slowly backed away from the pantry entrance, giving her breathing space and the opportunity to walk towards him.
The more he walked away, the more relief Priscilla felt. She didn't understand why the Alpha was here talking to her as if she mattered at all. She was a slave. A nobody. Someone with a burnt past and empty future. So what could he possibly want?
Alex noticed the tension leaving Priscilla's body with each step backwards he took. His heart sunk at the sight of his mate preferring him at a distance.
He cleared his throat and Priscilla snapped out of her thoughts.
"Did you hear me?", Alex asked. "I want to know your name."
Priscilla swallowed before speaking. "Priscilla"
Alex's heart fluttered upon hearing his mate's name for the first time.
"Priscilla… that's a beautiful name."
Priscilla blinked in confusion at the man, as a faint blush touched her cheeks.
"I am Alex. There is no need for you to be afraid of me. I don't bite."
Alex looked at her longingly, suffering from the painful distance that laid between them.
"You never answered my previous questions about your residency here", Alex continued. "Where do you stay within the palace? I want to see you again before I leave."
Priscilla couldn't register what the hell was happening. Was this a dream? Why on earth would the Alpha want to know where she stayed? Was he planning on hurting her? No one would ever notice if she went missing, after all.
"I cannot disclose that information, Alpha. I'm sorry but I will get in trouble if I am seen talking with you. You need to leave."
And with that, Priscilla brushed past him and started preparing the platters of food for the main hall. Alex was stunned at the girl's sudden feistiness. His ego was bruised but he also felt intrigued at the petite challenge that busied herself in the kitchen.
"You are very bold, rejecting an Alpha twice in one night, Priscilla."
His eyes were dark and primal as they locked onto her. Priscilla stopped her prep work and looked at the Alpha's intense gaze that fell on her. Her breath hitched as their eyes met once again.
"I will see you tonight during the feast. Afterward, we will speak again. I am not done with you yet."
Priscilla gulped and she watched as the Alpha walked away and out of the kitchen. She stood behind the counter stunned. The Alpha had set his sights on her and she had no idea what was in store for her.