Seraphina sat in the VIP section of the feast, feeling dejected. She was supposed to be Alpha Alex's future Luna, but she sat there alone and discarded. She felt hundreds of eyes on her, judging in disapproval. Chuckles and snickers echoed in her head and found their way under her noble skin.
Seraphina eyed a servant that stood just outside their section with a bottle of wine.
"You."
The servant turned their head towards the sour noble fairy and scurried over.
"Yes Lady Seraphina? May I help you with more wine?"
Seraphina scowled at the servant, "Give me the bottle."
Seraphina snatched the bottle out of the servant's bony fingers, before they could react.
"Leave", Seraphina spoke without looking at the servant.
The servant bowed and scurried away, trembling.
She opened the wine bottle and poured herself glass after glass, hoping to drown her sorrows. Her father, Lord Edmond, shook his head at her in disappointment and it made her wince. Tonight was supposed to be a success but she felt like a failure. Alpha Alex proved to be more rebellious than she had ever expected, but she was not done with trying to secure her role. She would be made a fool, no more. Seraphina was done playing nice.
—————————————————————
Priscilla sat in her room in the attic, trembling in fear and anxiety. She had left the feast abruptly, without finishing her tasks. But as soon as she saw Seraphina within feet of her, dread filled her body within an instant. Her feet had moved on their own, seeking safety and distance from the noble woman. Priscilla lifted her calloused hand to touch her still tender cheek. She wondered about all the possible ways she would be punished later for not completing her tasks. Her thoughts spiraled with undesirable consequences.
Priscilla stood up to walk towards the mirror. She examined her face, covered in all the usual bruises but now with a faint red hand print on her left cheek. Despite her concerns for herself, she wondered if Alpha Alex was upset at her leaving so suddenly. He seemed to always want her around or to talk to her, but she didn't understand why. Priscilla became lost in her thoughts until a knock on the door sounded. Her head whipped towards the wooden door and her body froze before the door slowly began to open.
—————————————————————-
Alpha Alex roamed the hallways, taking in the art pieces that hung on the rustic marble walls of the Fairy Palace. Paintings of winged fairies on the battlefield, deer with antlers of crystal, and Fairy monarchs with silver and gold crowns. The paintings were lovely but he couldn't help but feel unsettled the longer he stared at them.
He knew the guests were waiting for his return, especially Lady Seraphina. He wanted no part in her antics in front of the court. They only had shared the bedroom a handful of times but she was acting as if they were fated mates. The pressure to unite his people and the Fairies fell hard on his broad shoulders. He felt torn between two choices that both felt impossible. He had no feelings for Lady Seraphina and he certainly did not trust her or her father but there would be peace. But, the other choice…the one he truly wanted… was Priscilla by his side.
She had been a servant all her life but she was sweet and humble and beautiful. And she was his mate. He had a strong feeling that if Priscilla were put in a healthy and stable environment, then she would flourish. Maybe even into Luna material. But, feelings should not decide permanent roles. As Alex started to make his way back to the feast, Raphael mind linked him.
"Alpha, are you there?"
"Yes, what is it?"
Raphael hesitated before speaking, "There seems to be gossip among the servants of this castle."
Alex never liked when Raphael would beat around the bush.
"So what? That has nothing to do with me."
"Maybe not", Raphael paused before speaking again, "But I thought you would have liked to hear about how your future Luna likes to slap disobedient servants."
Alex stopped walking.
"Is there proof of this? How do you know this?", Alex questioned.
"Yes… it seems Lady Seraphina disciplined that silver haired servant earlier. I overheard the servants talking amongst themselves in the halls."
Alex's jaw tightened and his wolf stilled. Silver haired servant? Disciplined? Alex took a deep breath before speaking.
"Take note of the servants who know about this. We will use this as evidence so Lord Edmond doesn't get too out of hand."
Alex paused before continuing, "Do you know where the silver haired servant is?"
"I am not sure but I did hear one of the servants mention her staying in the attic."
Alex's wolf jumped at this new piece of information. The attic… He wasn't sure if this was true but the strength of the mate bond pulled him towards finding out. Not only that, but he felt ashamed that he wasn't there to protect her from that wretched noble woman. How could he have allowed his mate to be harmed right under his nose? He felt like a failure.
"You and Charles can continue to enjoy the feast. I will be back soon."
And with that, Alex closed the mind link.
Alex found himself outside the attic door, his hand frozen on the knob. He smelled the sweet scent of warm vanilla from behind the door.
He knew it was his mate.
————————————————————
Priscilla tensed as the door to her cramped room opened. She stared, wide eyed at the tall, commanding figure that slowly walked inside.
It was Alpha Alex.
His figure looked like a giant compared to the smallness of her room. He stopped, a couple feet away from her. Their eyes locked for what felt like an eternity before Alex broke the silence.
"Priscilla…"
Her breath hitched at her name being spoken. Was this real? Was the Alpha really standing in her room? It felt like a dream before morphing into a nightmare. Did anyone see him come? Did Lady Seraphina know? Priscilla's head felt heavy and she started to tremble in fear.
Alex could not understand why Priscilla was so hellbent on rejecting him. But her safety felt more important to him right now than his ego. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"Come. Let me see your face."
Priscilla stayed frozen, too scared that Lady Seraphina would bust down the door and catch them. Alex noticed this so he slowly approached her. Every step Alex took was met with resistance from Priscilla. She slowly stepped back as her chest filled with anxiety.
"I will not hurt you. I only want to talk to you Priscilla. I have no reason or desire to harm you in any way. Please…"
Priscilla stopped backing away and felt shock and confusion at the Alpha's words. Was he begging?
"Why are you here?" Priscilla asked, barely audible.
Alex wore a concerned expression on his face as he looked at her with longing.
"I am here because I was worried about you."
Priscilla wondered if she heard him correctly. Worried? About her? None of it made sense and she wondered if this was a prank, set up by Lady Seraphina.
"Did Lady Seraphina send you?" Priscilla asked, voice shaking.
Alex frowned.
"No. I came because I wanted to. Seraphina does not know I am here."
Priscilla felt a sliver of the tension that tightened her body, easing up at the reassurance.
"I want to see your face. Please, Priscilla", Alex begged gently.
Priscilla hesitated before stepping into the light that illuminated from her window. Her face was covered in light bruises with a light red hand print on her left cheek. Alex slowly raised his hand, moving it towards her delicate face. She stiffened at the sudden, unusual movement but slowly eased into his touch. It felt forbidden and intimate and Priscilla didn't know exactly how she felt about this.
"Who did this to you?" Alex asked as he caressed her slightly swollen cheek.
Priscilla looked down at the floor and remained silent. She didn't want to get into trouble with Lady Seraphina or the guards or anyone. She thought to herself how things would be much easier if she could just disappear.
"Priscilla. Tell me who did this to you and it will never happen again."
Priscilla wanted to cry. She had been holding in so much and felt so alone. She didn't know if she could truly trust the Alpha but after years of abuse and loneliness, she couldn't hold it in anymore.
She began to sob and Alex swiftly wrapped her in his warm embrace. He held onto her snugly, his arms steadying her shaking. His heart deflated at his mate's cries. She had been through so much pain and hurt, and he wasn't there to protect her at all. However, he was now determined to protect her at all costs.
"Lady Seraphina thinks I am not staying in a servant's place. She warned me to stay away from you and she hit me", Priscilla said through her sobbing.
Alex's wolf roared with anger at their mate's words and questioned Alex.
What are you going to do? How are you going to protect our mate from that wretched woman?
Alex knew his wolf wanted justice for Priscilla and he did too. But he had to be careful and strategic. If he had it his way, he would snatch Priscilla from here and drive off with her back to his pack. But he needed to tie every loose end that may bite him in the ass later. He gently rubbed the girl's back before speaking.
"Seraphina will not touch you, ever again. It is not safe for you here."
Priscilla's sobbing calmed down and she spoke, "You can't do anything. Please, just forget everything I said. You need to leave."
Alex felt frustrated at Priscilla's defenses but understood that she had not known safety, if ever. He lifted her chin up to meet her at eye level.
"I'll have you know, I have more power than you think", Alex said with a grin.
He continued more seriously, "I will only leave if you promise to leave with me."
Priscilla's eyes blinked rapidly. She frowned at the Alpha's words. How could he tell jokes at a time like this? And at her expense? She pushed him away and hugged her arms.
"Please. Just stop", Priscilla spoke as her sobbing resumed.
Alex pulled her towards him again and lifted her chin up towards him once more.
"I am serious Priscilla. I am not leaving until you give me your word that you will leave with me."
Before Priscilla could respond, Alex mind linked Raphael and Charles, "You two, are you there?"
Both men responded promptly, however Charles' greeting was a tad bit slurred.
"The silver haired servant girl will be staying in my chambers tonight."
"Alpha, what do you mea—"
Alex closed the mind link before Raphael could finish.
Priscilla's eyes were red and watery. She had stopped sobbing and looked at the Alpha, trying to ascertain if he was truly serious about leaving with her.
"Why? Why do you even care what happens to me? You don't even know me", Priscilla said as she looked at Alex with equal confusion and wonder.
Alex smiled, "I care because you remind me of someone important to me. Besides, it's not in my nature to let a beautiful woman suffer right in front of me."
Alex felt bad for lying to his mate but he didn't have the time or patience to answer every single one of her burning questions. He just needed to secure her safety and their exit.
"Tonight you will sleep in my room. I want you to have a comfortable bed and not…" Alex trailed off and looked at the stiff futon on the floor.
Priscilla felt embarrassed and flustered, like all her flaws were being illuminated in front of his amber eyes. She also felt flustered at the fact that she would be sharing a room with the Alpha.
"Will you touch me?" Priscilla asked innocently.
Alex stared at the girl with wide eyes, taken aback by her bold question. Did he want to touch her? Of course he did, but absolutely not under these current circumstances. He wanted her to feel safe and get healthy before any physical intimacy. And he wanted to be chosen.
"No. I promise to the Moon Goddess that I will not touch you."
Priscilla chose to believe him. For the first time in her life, she felt hope. She would get to lay in a soft bed and not sleep in dreary solitude.
"Tomorrow, we will leave this palace. You will never have to serve or face abuse ever again. I promise you this, Priscilla."
Her chest filled with warmth at Alex's words. They felt sweet and nice to hear, but she could only feel hopeful one step at a time. For now, sleeping in his soft bed was the most important to her.
"Thank you, Alpha", Priscilla bowed.
"Stop."
Priscilla slowly picked her head up to see Alex's hardened face.
"Alex. Just Alex. Say it."
Priscilla's breath hitched and her cheeks turned pink.
"I'm sorry—"
"Don't apologize. Just say it."
Priscilla twiddled her fingers together, "Alex… Thank you."
Alex's heart soared and his wolf purred in approval. The Alpha helped Priscilla empty her room with her belongings in a small back pack and they made their way to his room.
Priscilla looked at Alex as they walked silently and stealthily, making sure to dodge the guards that patrolled the halls. She didn't know what to make of the Alpha just yet, but she started to look at him a light she hadn't before.