Chapter 3

LUCY.

The sound of the shattered cup drew out lots of people. They all stood, staring at me. I was dumb, short of words. How do I explain what just happened? Will they believe that I was pushed and didn't do it intentionally?

My eyes landed on the lady who had pushed me without even saying sorry. She was staring back at me, but I would call it a glare because I could see envy written boldly on her face. What was wrong with her? Did she intentionally do this because I was brought in as the Alpha’s breeder?

“Who is the riff-raff that did this?” The voice of an elderly woman drew my attention. But from the look of things she was older than the king himself. Was she Alpha's stepmother? No, that can not be, I was so sure I heard the news of the Alpha King losing but of his parents. I looked behind the woman and then I saw a young lady who would be the same age as me.

I swallowed every saliva in my mouth as she walked closer ad picked up a piece of the cup. She looked at it intently while my limbs trembled and felt so weak instantly, and then her gaze met mine. I felt my heart beating harder. Those looks of hers aren't saying anything good.

She let the pieces of cup slip off her palm and fell on the floor, and then her brows arched. “You just came in here as the Alphas pet, and you are already destroying everything in the palace?”

I shook my head. How would that ever be my intention? I glanced at the lady who pushed me, and from the look on her face, she wasn't ready to speak, and I'm certain no one will believe whatever I say right now.

‘We have to explain what happened, Rosa, or we will be punished or worse, sent out of the palace.’ My wolf cried out. We were already exhausted from caring for my mother and needed a rest. ‘Say something now!’

I bit my lips, mustering the energy to say a word. “It wasn't intentional I promise you. I stumbled on her, and it fell off my hands.”

The elderly woman walked closer to me, and soon she was standing face to face with me and I held my breath immediately. “You expect me to believe that you didn’t do this on purpose? Do you know how much this cup costs? It would feed you and your generation for years to come….”

I felt chills all over my body. Was it true? Was the cup that expensive? Then, will Alpha hold back my payment as compensation for the cup? Will it even be enough for the price of this cup or will I have to sell myself to him just to pay up?

I tried grabbing the woman’s hand, but she stepped backwards. She seemed to be a tough one, but if she was Alpha's stepmother, then she's the only one who can help me in this situation. I can't afford to lose the money that I need from Alpha.

“Please, believe me. I didn't intentionally break it.” I gulped and sniffled. “I don't want Alpha King to know about it, or I won't be paid. Please, help me out of his wrath. How do I replace it without the king finding out about it?" I was breathing faster. Since Alpha wasn't out of his room till now, then it meant that he wasn't interested in anything that was happening and would definitely not pay me because of the cup.

The elderly woman released a deep breath. Her brows furrowed. “I can help you, but on one condition.”

Her voice wasn't audible enough for someone else to hear her.

“Whatever, so long as Alpha King won't be aware,” I replied, and she smirked.

She turned to the ladies watching, including the one who had dressed me up. “She is new here and doesn't know anything, and so, we must protect her from the wrath of the Alpha King. None of you must spill what just happened to another. It must be kept from the Alpha, or the penalty is execution." She stated to everyone that was present, and that relieved me a bit.

When she turned to me, I could see the mischievous smile on the corner of her lips. “Walk behind me!” She instructed and made a move, and then I followed her.

I locked eyes with the lady who dressed me up and continued following the elderly woman until we entered her room, and I was offered a seat.

My heart was beating like it was about to explode any moment from now. I was so nervous and anxious to know what I would pay as a price to her in exchange for protecting me from Alpha's wrath.

She got seated before me and relaxed her shoulders. “I am the Luna Dowager!” she began. I expected that, so the least I could do was to bow to her as a respect. “In exchange for protecting you from the Alpha, you would have to sign a contract with me.”

My eyes widened. “contract?” I asked, and she gave a single nod. “What does it say about?”

“I shouldn't tell you, but I'll pardon and let you know.” She stretched her hands to the side, and a maid handed her a file that she placed on the table and opened. “This file contains the contract that you will sign, and the contract is letting you know that you will never conceive a child for the Alpha King….”

My nose wrinkled. How was that possible? How can I be a breeder and not conceive a child? I rubbed my nose and adjusted. This isn't some simple contract, so I have to get things clear. “My lady, how is that possible? Alpha expects a child from me. How can I not conceive for him a child and still get my money?”

She snorted and closed the file. “I love that question. That was why I didn't want you to know at first. As for the child, leave it to me. You will be pregnant, but not pregnant, and I alone know how it's going to happen. So, make sure to be on morning pills until I get you pregnant, and,” she stopped.

I exhaled hot air. It's one difficult, ridiculous, and complicated thing I am about to witness.

“You must keep it a secret and keep pretending that you are pregnant for the Alpha King.” she completed her sentence.

I nodded. She said I would be pregnant but not pregnant. That makes me wonder what she's up to exactly. But, I shouldn't care. That wasn’t any of problem, I was here for money and that was it.

“What about the cup? What will you do about it?” I inquired about the most important part of the deal.

Only she knows her plan, and I aim for my money alone. 

“I have already ordered another one. You don't have to panic.” She assured me and opened the file again. She brought out a paper that she gave to me with a pen.

I signed at the space left for me and handed it over to her again.

“Good! You can now go.” 

As instructed, I stood and bowed to her before exiting the room. I entered my room to find the lady who had dressed me up on her knees, and before her was the Alpha King. 

He turned to me and sneered. “What business do you have with my stepmother, huh?” his voice reverberated in the room.