Chapter 16 - It Begins.

-Aurelia-

Azura jerked backwards almost falling but Sorya caught her instead, they both stared at me with concerned looks, my sudden yell had startled them.

I forced out a laugh, “Oh, I mean Ah?” I plastered a smile on my face, “but how did she smell out her fated, when his scent had been suppressed?”

Azura took the basket of clothes and went to the side of the river, “Well, the moon goddess knows best and I have also heard that it's actually rare.” She bent down and began washing the clothes beside me.

Sorya nodded, “The moon goddess sure knows best, she might have decided that it was time to have them come together. It was such a beautiful sight.”

My mind recalled my encounter with the Alpha King when he woke up, how it seemed I was possessed and then how my wolf had whimpered quietly within me.

I was fated with the male I swore to kill.

I shook my head…. That wasn't a beautiful sight at all. It is a nightmare.

Azura sighed beside me, I looked up at her to see she was staring at the sky, lost in thoughts.

“My queen.” Azura turned to me, “I want all this to be over soon, so that we all would meet our fated and be together.” She smiled, and I returned it with a forced small one.

“The goddess is on our side. I am sure we would be victorious.” Sorya smiled as she began folding the washed clothes into the baskets.

Silence descended as we continued washing but my mind was raging at the thoughts…

I am certain that the Alpha King didn't get any indication that I was his fated, he couldn't even smell me at all, I had seen his face each time he tried to smell me out, he thought I wasn't looking but I was.

I have to keep it this way… he mustn't be able to smell me out no matter what, because the day he can, that's doom for me and it would ruin my plan.

Because…. Fated or not, the Alpha King of the West is going down and that's by my own hands.

I cleared my throat and turned to Sorya, “Write to Uncle about our progress and request for more suppressants for myself, a stronger one this time.”

Azura's eyes widened at me, she frowned a little, “That's dangerous, your majesty. We have taken the potion for these days, taking more could be harmful.”

“Azura, I am sure the queen knows better. She is closer to the Alpha King.” Sorya turned to me and nodded, she stood up and carried the full baskets of washed clothes, she went to the ropes to hang them.

“What?” I asked, seeing that Azura still has her gaze on me, she has been staring at me since she spoke.

Azura sighed as she stood up straight, “I understand we have to complete our mission, “ She came to me and pulled me to my feet, she held me by my shoulders, “But my queen, not at the detriment of your health.”

“I…”

“Why do you need more suppressants?” She asked as she stared right into my eyes, not once did she blink, it was as if she was staring right into my soul, as if she wanted to fish the answer right out of me.

Azura, maybe my maiden, may act childish and playful most times but when she has this serious look it was difficult for me to say otherwise.

But, sorry Azura… you can't know the truth.

I reached for her hands and held them, my gaze holding hers, “As Sorya has said, I am now closer to the Alpha King, I can't risk the chance of having him smell me by chance or mistake.”

“But, your health -”

I cut in gently, “It's fine, Azura.”

She pouted and nodded, leaned in and then wrapped her hands around me, “The goddess will always be with you my queen and after this, she will bless us with wonderful lives to make up for this.”

I sighed deeply, “So be it.”

Azura disengaged from the hug and went back to washing, “You look worried and bothered more than before, anything the matter?”

I waved my hand dismissively at her, “Just trying to be cautious and complete the mission.”

Azura nodded, “The goddess will give us victory.”

I smiled and continued the washing.

Being fated to that monster meant nothing at all, he is going to have a taste of the misery and pain he had caused.

*

I piled up the dirty dishes and began to wash, my mind wandering away…

Alpha King Alaric's eyes are the greenest I have ever seen.

Waking up and opening those eyes, made his once lifeless face look so…

I paused as I caught myself just in time… what the hell?!

“Those are the pecks of being a monster.” I said to myself, shaking my head to rid myself of the nonsense going on in them.

“Where is that stupid Omega slave?! Dirty piece of dung!”

Sonia, the bully’s voice reached me before she even appeared before the door.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as she stared angrily at me, her minions behind her, frowning their ugly faces at me.

Sonia stepped closer, “What did you do to get to be the Alpha King's caregiver till now?” She gave me a glance over and looked back at her minions who shook their heads, obviously not seeing what's so great about me.

“I mean, you are just a worthless wolfless dirt, you are so ugly that you stay veiled, so what did the Healer see?”

Jealous? My lips spread into a smile beneath my veil, she tried to hide the pain and jealousy in her voice but even the deaf could hear it.

So many sarcastic replies were lined up in my head but I forced them back down, I couldn't afford to risk a fight or quarrel with Sonia. It's not worth it.

“Well, you can't say Aurelia is ugly. She is veiled.” The girl who was sweeping the ground had said, I knew she didn't like Sonia, no one did.

“Yes. Besides Aurelia has beautiful eyes and lashes-” The other girl didn't finish her words when Sonia dashed angrily to her and raised her hand to land a slap.

I rushed to them, held Sonia’s hand and stood between them and that only infuriated Sonia more.

“How dare you?!” She screamed into my face and suddenly yanked her hand from mine.

“She did nothing to you-” My words were cut off when Sonia suddenly grabbed my veil and pulled on it so hard that I felt it loosen.

I gasped in fright.

No!

“What is going on here?!” Elder Sage’s angry voice cut through the room.

Immediately Sonia let go, I turned my face away, Azura and Sorya were already around me, quickly I tuck it back in.

Only then, did I release the breath I was holding.

“I…I..” Sonia stammered, fear filled her face.

“Aurelia dear,” The healer called, “Are you fine, child?” He asked, his eyes boring his concern.

I nodded.

“Come with me. You have to serve his majesty.”

I nodded and went to his side.

He turned to Sonia, “You were asked to go get Aurelia, but here you are bullying her. Your mistress will hear of this.”

Sonia swallowed as she dropped to her knees, “Healer, I am sorry. I didn't -”

Elder Sage ignored her and gestured for me to follow him which I did.

Counting down from now, the love Uncle Diomar talked about and the trust I had also mentioned, this was the time to put it into action.

I followed behind with another thought in mind… There must be a way to tie my veil hard enough that a single tug won't have it coming loose.