Free Web NovelChapter 17: Chapter 17
Selena
I narrowed my eyes as I watched Sally disappear around the corner.
The corridor was dimly lit by lanterns hanging from the stone walls, making it easier for her to move unnoticed. If I had not been paying attention, I would have missed her entirely.
But I had been paying attention. Ever since I saw her sneaking away with that pouch earlier, something had felt off.
Marqee would probably tell me to mind my business but unfortunately, that had never been one of my strengths.
I carefully followed behind Sally, keeping enough distance so she would not hear my footsteps.
The castle was quieter than usual at that hour. Most servants had already returned to their quarters while the guards remained stationed at key points throughout the estate.
Sally moved too quickly like someone who had always done this before.
I turned another corner after her and then I froze as a figure stepped into my path. Actually, two figures.
The first one immediately made me groan internally as it was the same servant I had beaten with a metal spoon.
His bruises had faded slightly, but they were still visible. Then his face twisted into a grin.
It wasn’t a pleasant grin. It was the kind that usually preceded bad decisions.
His friend stood beside him holding a short blade but neither of them looked interested in conversation.
"Well," the servant drawled. "Look who wandered into the wrong corridor."
I folded my arms and glared hard at him. "You still look ugly."
His grin vanished almost instantly while his friend snorted and that made me almost laugh.
The servant pointed at me angrily, "You think you’re funny?"
"I think you’re pathetic."I retorted back and his face darkened instantly.
"You humiliated me."he yelled into my face.
"You deserved it."I said with a small grin.
"You attacked me."he yelled again.
"You deserved that too."I said with a more widened grin.
His hand clenched and I noticed the weapon hanging from his belt. It was a hunting knife and it’s not so special to frighten me.
Back in Nightbane, I had trained with warriors far deadlier than him. I might be dressed like a servant now, but I was still an Alpha even if nobody here knew it.
His friend stepped forward and said. "You should apologize."
I stared at him then burst out laughing that the servant immediately looked furious.
"I should make you apologize." The friend said and drew his blade.
My body instantly tensed...not with fear but with readiness to retaliate.
I could already picture the movements.Disarm him,break his wrist, put him on the ground and the second one would follow shortly after.
Unfortunately, revealing that much skill would attract questions. Questions I could not afford.
The servant smirked. "Not so brave now, are you?"
I tilted my head. "You know, for someone who talks this much, you certainly spend a lot of time losing."
His face turned red and I sighed dramatically. "Honestly, if I scream right now, who do you think they’ll believe?"
His confidence faltered and I smiled. "Two idiots cornering a female servant."
The friend shifted uncomfortably as I pressed further. "Or perhaps I should scream that you’re trying to assault me?"
The servant swore under his breath.
I wanted him to be angry because angry people made mistakes.
Just as he took another step— A familiar voice echoed through the corridor.
"That would be a very foolish mistake." All three of us turned to see Beta Bastien standing at the opposite end of the hallway.
His expression looked as pleasant as a thunderstorm while the servant immediately paled.
"So would disobeying pack laws." Neither servant spoke as Beta Bastien slowly approached.
His boots echoed against the stone floor as the closer he got, the more nervous they became.
Interesting. Apparently I was not the only one who found him terrifying.
The Beta stopped before us as his gaze moved to the servant. "Leave."
The order was simple, immediate and absolute that both servants practically fled.
Cowards!!!
Beta Bastien watched them disappear before turning toward me. His expression did not improve. In fact, it somehow became worse. "You."
I raised an eyebrow. "Me?" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
"You attract trouble."
I gasped dramatically. "What a horrible thing to say."
His eyes twitched as I felt oddly proud of myself.
"Do you enjoy creating problems?" he asked.
"No."
"Then why are you constantly involved in them?"
I thought about it. "Should I say bad luck?" I asked like someone deep in thought.
He glared at me while I smiled but he did not reciprocate the smile..
Beta Bastien folded his arms. "If you want to remain in Blackbourne, keep a low profile."
My smile faded because that annoyed me. "Aren’t you overstepping?"
His expression hardened. "What?"
"Isn’t that the Alpha’s decision to make?"
The silence that followed felt dangerous as I almost smiled again.
Beta Bastien looked genuinely irritated now. I was beginning to understand why he and Alpha Kael got along.
Both were equally grumpy although Beta Bastien had a few years on him which made it worse. For someone older, he behaved remarkably similar.
"If Alpha Kael wishes you gone," Beta Bastien said slowly, "you will be gone."
"Then I’ll wait for him to tell me himself." His jaw tightened and I smirked, feeling victorious.
The Beta exhaled slowly... Probably counting to ten or imagining ways to throw me out of the castle.
Either was possible so I decided to switch topics. "When is Alpha Kael returning?"
He totally ignored me. I frowned then reasked again. "When is he coming back?"
Still no response from him.
"Did the Council meeting go badly?Did my father—"
"Return to your duties."he curtly snapped at me.
I sighed. "You’re no fun."He walked away without another word.
Honestly, I was beginning to think smiling physically hurt him.
With Sally long gone and no chance of finding her now, I returned to my chamber.
The room was empty as Marqee was still working and Sally was nowhere to be found.
I sat on my bed and began arranging my washed clothes. For a while, everything felt normal.
Then I saw my father’s cloak. It was the one I had taken when I fled.
My hands froze as the fabric was familiar beneath my fingers. Suddenly painful and vivid memories returned.
Training fields, hunting trips,long evenings spent listening to stories, my father teaching me pack history, correcting my sword stance, telling me about courage, strength and leadership.
Back then, I adored him. Back then, he had been my hero.
A lump formed in my throat as I hated that the memories still existed. I hated that part of me still wanted to believe the father I remembered was real.
My fingers tightened around the cloak as another thought surfaced. It was the thought of my mother whom I barely remembered.
Everything I knew came from paintings and stories. What had she sounded like? Did she laugh loudly? Was she strict? Did she like hunting? Did she sing?
The questions felt endless until a knock interrupted my thoughts and Marqee entered.
She immediately noticed my expression. "Are you okay?"
I quickly folded the cloak. "I’m Fine."
She sat beside me. "You don’t look fine."
I hesitated then asked quietly, "What were you told about fated mates while growing up?"
Marqee blinked as the question surprised her. She thought for a moment. "Honestly?"
I nodded.
"Nothing."
I frowned at the word. "What do you mean by ’nothing’?"
She laughed and said, "My mother died when I was young."
Her laughter faded as she continued. "My father worked most of his life.He never talked about romance or mates."
She shrugged and continued. "Everything I know came from watching other people."
I looked down, already feeling bad for her. "And?"
Marqee smiled. "Some people expect too much."
"What do you mean?"
"They spend years imagining perfection."she said and unfortunately I immediately thought of Alpha Kael.
Marqee continued. "Others don’t care at all."
"Like you?"
"Like me." She said and I laughed softly.
Then she nudged my shoulder and asked, "What about you?"
I hesitated, then lied. "My father told me good and bad stories."
"What do you remember most?" She asked, watching me with so much interest.
I looked away and said, "The loneliness. I always saw him alone."
Marqee sighed tapping on my back while I let out a small smile.
Hours later, the castle had gone silent as Midnight approached but Sleep refused to come.
I stared at the ceiling while thoughts raced endlessly. What happened at the Council? Did my father convince them? Did Alpha Kael expose me? Had anyone discovered I was here?
The thought made my stomach tighten. If they found me... the vampires would get me and I knew exactly what awaited me there.
There would be no freedom, no future and no escape.
A soft rustling sound interrupted my thoughts and I immediately sat up.
The chamber door opened slightly as a figure slipped inside and I discovered it’s Sally.
I watched her carefully as she moved quietly toward her bed.
I climbed down from my bed to question her. "Where were you?"
She froze, then sighed. "Just go back to sleep."
"Where were you?" I wasn’t ready to back out without an answer.
Her expression hardened. "It’s none of your business."
I crossed my arms.
"Go to sleep." She snapped at me then I opened my mouth to argue— but the chamber door exploded inward making myself and Sally flinch backward.
Several masked and armed figures rushed into the room.One immediately grabbed Sally with a machete pressed against her throat.
Sally screamed but the man tightened his grip and snapped in a low tone. "Quiet!"
The room instantly fell silent as my heart began pounding.
The intruder’s eyes swept across us. "Dont make a sound."
Then another figure stepped through the doorway. It’s a familiar figure and I quickly discovered it’s the servant I had beaten.
He looked at me and grinned devilishly.
