The sunlight poured from the bedroom window as Priscilla slept. Alex watched her as he laid beside her in his bed. The fairy woman looked almost peaceful as she slept. Today was his final day at the palace and he didn't plan on leaving without Priscilla, his mate. He lightly brushed a strand of her silver hair out of her face, taking in her beauty. He wanted to move their bond past caution and awkward interactions. Patience was his worst virtue. Even though he could spend the entire morning taking her scent and cuteness in, Alex wasted no time and mind linked Raphael and Charles.
"Are you two awake?" Alex asked via the mind link.
There was a moment of silence before Charles answered, voice slightly slurred from the night before.
"Alpha yes Alpha…How can we assist…you?"
Alex sighed and pinched his nose bridge at Charles' obvious hangover.
"Yes Alpha, what do you need?", Raphael answered sleepily.
"Prepare our bags and get our car ready. We are leaving in an hour."
Upon hearing their Alpha's words, Raphael and Charles fully woke up.
"Is there an emergency?", Charles asked, prepared to fight despite currently recovering from last night's escapades.
"No. Everything is fine…" Alex spoke while taking in Priscilla's sleeping figure. "Be ready out front in an hour. That is all."
Raphael never liked when their Alpha was vague with instructions or explanations. They were childhood friends and as his Beta, he expected his Alpha to let him in more. After all, how could he serve Alpha Alex to his best ability if he was unaware of the current situation? Charles, however, didn't mind his Alpha's cryptic behavior as long as he got to fight, strategize, and drink.
Priscilla yawned as her eyes slowly opened. Before she could fully awake, the sweet scent of peppermint gently tickled her nose. It was subtle, yet intoxicating. She took the cool scent in, reminding her of the herbal garden she frequented sometimes in between her usual daily tasks. Eyes fully open now, she stared at the handsome Alpha with messy dark blue morning hair that laid next to her. He was staring at her with a mischievous grin on his face.
"Good morning, beautiful", Alex cooed.
Priscilla blinked slowly before staring blankly at him. It took her a moment before jumping up at the realization that she was sleeping next to the Alpha. And he was shirtless!
"Ahhh!"
Her sudden jolt made her almost fall off the bed, if it were not for Alex catching her at the last second. He pulled her back on the bed by the arm and brought her close to his chest.
"Do you always wake up with such enthusiasm?", Alex teased.
Priscilla did not find any of it amusing. She pushed Alex away and escaped his hold.
"Why are you here?", she asked.
Alex looked confused and slightly offended at his mate's words.
"What do you mean why am I here? This is my room, after all."
Priscilla's cheeks flushed a bright pink as she realized Alex was right. It was his room and technically she was the outsider.
"Sorry", Priscilla muttered.
She dragged herself out of the bed and started to collect her things.
"What are you doing?" Alex asked, confused as he watched her scramble.
When she didn't answer, he immediately got out of the bed and grabbed her wrist, making her stop to look at him with shock.
"I asked, what are you doing?"
Priscilla looked into his intense amber eyes as he asked her again. She didn't understand why but whenever she looked into his honey eyes, she always felt exposed.
"I am leaving. This is your room. I don't belong here. I need to go back to the attic before anyone notices I am not there", Priscilla spoke as if she had already made up her mind.
Alex sighed at his mate's stubbornness. It annoyed him how she always resisted or rejected him every chance she got. He understood that she had a hard and isolating past and things like this took time, but he thought he was being kind and accommodating enough. He decided to not hold back his words.
"Did you magically forget what you promised me last night?", Alex questioned her. "You promised me that you would leave with me and I leave today. You are not going back to that awful attic. You are coming with me and that's final."
Priscilla's breath hitched as she looked at the Alpha's stern face while he spoke. He was determined and spoke like the decision was finalized with no room for additional input or objection. Even though his dominant and commanding personality unsettled her, she oddly felt safe at him taking the reins and prioritizing her escape. She reluctantly nodded and he slowly let her wrist fall out of his grasp.
"Good. Now shower and get ready. We leave in less than an hour."
Priscilla's heart pounded in her chest at the thought of being able to take a proper shower for the first time in awhile. Most of the time, the guards handed her a single water bottle and a rag and gave her 15 minutes to wash herself. She also couldn't believe that she would be leaving the palace she knew all her life. She would be going with an Alpha she knew nothing about. Following blind promises that came from a man who was feared by all. She was either stupid or way too trusting.
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Lady Seraphina awoke before dawn and stood on her room's balcony looking into the distance. She had spent a handful of hours plotting on how to secure her Luna position. And how to properly punish that lowly servant girl, once and for all.
She knew that girl was responsible for Alex's sudden shift in behavior. It all started when she came to his room to deliver food. Did she hex the food? Seraphina's mind ran with many possibilities. Today was Alex's last day at the palace and he still didn't assure her that she was his pick for Luna. He didn't even visit her room to apologize after embarrassing her at the feast. How could he just up and leave her like that? In front of nobles and the elites. She had a bone to pick with the both of them.
The pressure of the dignified title and the expectations of the court weighed on her back, strong enough to crush her wings. She wondered if she disposed of that Priscilla girl then would that mean Alex would want her once again? She refused to waste away in this palace that suffocated her and stifled her growth. Who was she if not Alex's Luna? She had to come up with something quick. Something that would secure Alex. Permanently. She decided to make a quick little visit to the attic…
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Alex walked through the palace halls like he commanded them. He wore a black button down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and straight black jeans. He moved with a sense of purpose, past the servants that woke early to prepare for the day and its expectations.
He stopped once he arrived at his destination. He knocked once and slowly opened the door that led into Lord Edmond's study.
"Lord Edmond, good morning."
The fairy lord looked up from the paperwork he had been filing to greet the Alpha that entered.
"Alpha Alexander! What a surprise seeing you here this early. I hope your stay has been satisfactory?"
Alex wore the fakest smile he could muster, "Yes, everything has been lovely. I thank you for your warm and welcoming accommodations."
Alex continued, "As you know, I must leave today but I do have one last request before I depart."
Lord Edmond's ears perked up at the opportunity of the Alpha owing him a favor.
"A request? What is it? Ask and I shall make it happen."
Alex paused before speaking, "My pack has expanded its borders and with that comes the need for more grunt work. I am requesting a servant from your palace. Just one."
Lord Edmond stroked his long, gray beard as he took in the Alpha's request. He thought for a moment before responding with his own terms.
"That is fine. You may have one servant from my many. But…"
Alex straightened and tightened his jaw at Edmond's upcoming opposition.
"As far as I see it, it would not be fair for you to leave here getting what you want but nothing gained for this palace or the people of this kingdom. I will allow it only if you continue with what we discussed as far as your pick for Luna."
Alex held in a chuckle, obviously prepared for Lord Edmond's demand. He knew that Edmond would not have allowed him to just walk out of there without pushing his daughter onto him. He already planned the perfect response.
"Ah yea. Lady Seraphina as my Luna. She is desirable and intelligent but it seems that she does not know how to treat people with lower ranks. Lunas are kind towards everyone, regardless of status."
Lord Edmond's eyes widened as confusion struck him. He didn't understand what Alpha Alex was implying.
"Excuse me? What is this nonsense about my daughter? What are you talking about?"
Alex continued, "There are several eye witnesses who saw your daughter physically strike an unarmed and compliant servant hours before the feast. I have no issue with Lady Seraphina however I cannot have a Luna that already has gossip running within these halls. You do understand, don't you?"
Lord Edmond jumped to his feet and slammed his fists on his desk, "What eye witness accounts? Bring them here so they can testify. I don't believe you."
Alex feigned a hurt expression, "You don't believe me? What reason would I have to lie? I'm an honest man, Lord Edmond. Surely, you do believe me since you wouldn't be striking deals with me or trying to pair your daughter up with me if I was such a dishonest man…"
Lord Edmond felt sick and miserable. He cursed the wretched Alpha in his heart and wondered what game he was playing.
"Are you saying you will not make Seraphina your Luna?", Edmond asked through gritted teeth.
Alex looked at the fairy lord with an intensity that could command an entire army.
"I am saying I would like a servant for my pack as I appreciate the way you train your staff. In the meantime, your daughter should clean up her reputation and be on her best behavior. I am not the only person who decides who my Luna will be. My pack and your people must trust her or else misfortune will befall us all."
Lord Edmond kissed his teeth, "When will you be returning? So you can see if her reputation is clean enough for you."
Alex held his chin as if he were giving this deep thought. That annoyed Lord Edmond profusely.
"Why return here? If anything, she should come to my territory so my people can see her and feel her out. I would arrange for her to arrive in 3 weeks."
Lord Edmond thought about this carefully. He did like the idea of his daughter being in Alpha Alex's space. That way, she could better influence him and his pack. He liked that idea a lot.
"Fine. 3 weeks. I am holding you to that. She will have a welcoming stay and you will advocate for her as your future Luna. Take the servant of your choice and go."
Lord Edmond decided to give the Alpha what he wanted. As long as it meant his daughter would be Luna. Besides, what was one measly servant compared to his daughter holding a coveted position and him being the master that would be behind it all.
Alex nodded and thanked the fairy before leaving the study.
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Priscilla sat on Alex's bed, fully dressed with her backpack ready to go. He told her they would leave in less than an hour but half an hour had already passed. Did he change his mind? Did he leave without her? Anxiety started to creep under her skin as she thought of all the possible scenarios of why Alex was taking long to come back. Just as she started to feel tears form in her eyes, the bedroom door swung open.
It was Alex.
Priscilla stood up immediately when she saw him enter. Her heart felt lighter and she started to calm down.
"Are you ready?" Alex asked with a smile.
Priscilla nodded her head. Alex held out his hand for her to hold. She hesitated at this, not knowing what holding hands would imply.
"Take my hand Priscilla. You are leaving this place that chained you and I want you to hold onto me every step of the way."
Priscilla inhaled deeply, deciding to throw caution to the wind and for once in her life have hope. She placed her hand in Alex's and they swiftly left the room.
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"Where the hell is the Alpha?", Charles mind linked Raphael, who stood right beside him.
Raphael sighed. He didn't know where Alex was because his Alpha liked to keep secrets from his loyal advisers. Raphael absolutely planned on scolding him.
"Let's just wait. It's not like we can do anything", Raphael expressed begrudgingly.
Charles looked bored as he leaned on the driver's side of the black mini van.
"I swear if he's banging some fairy chick right now while we wait…" Charles complained via mind link.
"And just what will you do?"
Raphael and Charles both jumped to attention at the Alpha's voice that echoed in their head. They both looked around to catch the Alpha approaching the two of them with haste. And someone by his side…
"Alpha!" Both of the men called via mind link.
Raphael noticed the girl that walked by Alex's side and cocked an eyebrow. After taking a couple more steps their way, Raphael took a better look at the mystery woman. He suddenly remembered her from the kitchen and from the feast. He worried just what the hell Alex was thinking and if this might bite all of them in the butt later.
"Alpha… Why are you walking with the servant girl? Surely she isn't coming with us… right?" Raphael questioned.
Charles, as if in la la land, finally noticed the silver haired woman beside the Alpha and bombarded the mind link with questions.
"Who is that? Is she coming with us? How old is she?"
Alex felt annoyed at his men's questions and only cared about getting Priscilla as far away from this cursed palace as possible.
"I will answer all of this in the car. Just get in. We are leaving now", Alex said impatiently.
Without missing a beat, Raphael and Charles hopped inside the car and started it. Alex sat Priscilla inside before taking the seat next to her in the back. Excitement had mixed with fear as it finally had sunk in that she was really leaving the attic behind. And with the mysterious and bossy Alpha by her side. Charles drove away, leaving the palace and Priscilla's worst memories behind them.
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Seraphina made her way to the attic, furious and determined. She had had enough of the games and wanted all threats to her position neutralized. She swung the attic door open, prepared to unleash her anger on her target. But when she entered the room, no one was there. Only a stiff futon and dusty bowls with rotten food. She felt disgusted. Where was that wretched servant girl? Did she already start her morning tasks? Seraphina was determined to find her and would not rest until she did.
She checked the kitchen, storage rooms, bathrooms, the parlor, the dining halls, everywhere. But no trace of the girl. Was she in the garden or did she sneak off to the library? Those places were off limits for servants unless they were cleaning. Seraphina scurried to the library but no silver hair insight. She looked at the garden through the palace windows, but she did not see the slave. Something felt off and she planned on getting to the bottom of it.
Seraphina knocked on her father's study before entering.
"Father, good morning."
Lord Edmond looked up at his daughter and greeted her back. She rarely visited him in his study, because she was either occupied with running the court and keeping things in check or socializing with other nobles and elites. He wondered why his daughter was here.
"Is everything okay?" Edmond asked.
Seraphina looked around his office, as if its walls held clues on where the servant may have gone.
"Yes, everything is okay. I just noticed that one of our servants is missing. As Lady of this palace, it is important for me to know the whereabouts of the staff."
"Ah yes", Lord Edmond said. "You needn't worry yourself with that. I allowed Alpha Alex to take a servant of his choice back to his pack. But, on the condition that he would allow you to visit him in 3 weeks."
Lady Seraphina felt nauseous. What the hell did her father just say?
"He took a servant?? When and who?"
Seraphina's father cocked an eyebrow at his daughter's attitude.
"Why is that of such importance to you? Speaking of servants, Alpha Alexander had much to say to me about a recent incident of yours."
"What?"
"Don't 'what' me! Why were you seen slapping our staff? You are very lucky the Alpha still wants to see you within 3 weeks. That is no such way for a Luna to be acting. You could have cost me the entire throne!"
Seraphina felt sick. Why was she the one getting scolded and not that lowly servant? She had no time to be reprimanded when Alpha Alex was probably on his way back to his pack with that meddling temptress.
"Father! Please stop for a second."
Lord Edmond paused his lecturing to hear what his daughter had to say.
"That servant, the one Alpha Alex left with. Did you see them before they left? Do you know their name?"
Seraphina's father scoffed at such ridiculous questions.
"Why would I ever bother with a simple servant? Servants don't have names."
The noble fairy woman pinched the bridge of her nose at her father's dismissive attitude.
"Well you should start caring if you hope to be the father of a future Luna. That servant isn't just any servant. She is Priscilla Lunewell, the girl whose family we burned two decades ago…"
Silence fell between them, a pin would have echoed if dropped. Terror filled Lord Edmond as he realized what he had just allowed. The Alpha of the Shadow Fangs pack just walked out of the palace with their greatest weapon…