The Alpha’s Slave

S POV

“Come in!” I said as I sat down.

The door pushed open and the head maid nervously walked in, glancing around as though she was in a strange place. This was my workplace. I had never summoned her or any of the other maids here before. And she must be wondering why I did.

“You sent for me, my lord,” she dipped to a bow.

Age was starting to show its presence on her features. Streaks of white hair were beginning to weave through her locks, and her skin was becoming saggy with eye bags and dark circles forming underneath her eyes. But it was nothing hair dye and makeup couldn’t conceal, even though I had never seen her wearing any since I had known her. She seemed content with her natural appearance.

She had been in the castle longer than Amelia. I’ve known her since my preteen years, while Amelia arrived when I was in my late teenage years. Amelia’s parents were friends with my parents for a long and were well-known healers in the kingdom, which is where Amelia learned her medical skills.

“Yes,” I said, trying to control my anger. I didn’t want to lash out at her. It would be disrespectful considering her age which I was sure was in her early fifties and also how she had helped take care of me while I was growing up. “Do you mind explaining to me why the castle was empty yesterday with no maid on duty? Is this what y’all normally do? Take the day off whenever I wasn’t around…without my permission? I’m so disappointed. I never expected this at all.”

“No,” she answered, shock and surprise etching her features in a way that made my brows furrow in confusion. “We only acted based on Luna Catherine’s orders. After you left for the Alpha King’s funeral, she granted us a three-day leave, saying we should go and rest, that we have been working hard and we deserved it. We thought you knew about it.”

“Catherine?” I muttered, looking away to hide my surprise, trying to figure out why she could have done such.

Every piece of the puzzle started falling into place, and it dawned on me that Catherine must have done that so they wouldn’t know she was bringing the man she was cheating on me with into the castle. So that they won’t in turn tell me about it.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

How clever and shameless of her! How could she have done such a thing?

“Has this happened before?” I inquired, turning my gaze toward her.

“Yes,” she blinked severally as if trying to understand what was going on. “It has been happening occasionally. Whenever you’re off to a meeting or trip, she usually grants us the day off—”

“Fuck!!” I ripped out from my throat, cutting her words short.

My suspicions were right; Catherine had been cheating on me right after we got married. I felt every need to get a divorce paper, sign it and get on with a divorce right away. But being an Alpha King, I couldn’t. And taking another woman to be my Luna was definitely not on my list. I didn’t have the mind to do that. Moreover, I known how hard my parents worked to match us together. Even in their grave, they’d frown at me if I wanted to take such a step. But I bet they won’t after they’ve seen what she did.

I looked down, clutching my forehead and stifling a wince. The anger I was feeling was making the headache worse.

“I’m so sorry, My lord…. We thought you knew all about it.”

The head maid’s sorry tone snapped me out of my thoughts and the ache in my head. I realized it wasn’t their fault. As she explained, they were only acting based on orders. I found it hard to believe Catherine could do something like this. She was in a fragile condition, or else I would have confronted her about this. But if I did, who knew what she might do to herself next? I wanted to stop arguing and fighting with her for her safety and well-being.

“Don’t worry. You have given me all the explanation I need to hear. You can go now.”

“You…you don’t look too well, my lord,” she said, gently moving closer to the table and peering as if to get a closer look. “Can I get you anything?”

“Yes,” I said, exhaling heavily. “Maybe a cold glass of milk and some cake, croissants, or bread.”

“Ok, my lord,” she dipped to a dismissive bow. “I’ll be back in no time,” she quickly headed for the door.

“Wait…” I said, stopping her as she turned back to face me after jerking the door open. “Bring me an ice pack and pain reliever as well.”

“Okay, my lord,” she said before leaving, and I slumped back into my seat like a sack of meat.