4: FIRST DAY AT UMBRA PACK PALACE

EVE

DAYS AFTER….

I could walk now, and my stomach has been stitched, but one thing that still amazes me is why I still can't talk.

I didn’t see much of Alpha Lucian, and I guessed he must still be mad about what I did, so I didn't bother asking for him.

A nurse was assigned to take care of me and it was through her that I learnt that I was a Vampire… like a motherfuckin vampire, the creature that I hate the most.

It’s a shock I couldn't cope with immediately, but to whom do I tell? Or what do I do? I just have to accept it.

The pain of Mike’s cruelty hasn’t faded, but it gave me more energy to want to survive.

The nurse said it’s strange that I didn't heal like other vampires even after unlocking the trait in me by sucking a werewolf's blood at first hunger as they called it. But I didn't want to know, so far I survived…Survive with whatever means and go back to the Rave pack to pay Mike and Sheila back tenfold.

I sat before the mirror and stared at my face, and a tear slipped down my face. My pretty face now looked so scary that I almost felt like a stranger to myself. But I clenched my fists, “I will survive this no matter what”

The nurse came in later, “Miss, get ready to be discharged. The Alpha says you should be taken to the palace”

I nodded. Now that I’m well again, I know Alpha Lucian won’t want to keep me again. Werewolves and Vampires are enemies by nature, which Alpha in his right mind will keep me?

The nurse gave me a cloth to change into, and then with a Limo, I was taken to the Umbra pack palace.

In comparison to the Rave pack, everything here is different and very beautiful. But of what use is a beautiful palace now?

The guide and I passed the large throne room, and I wondered where I was being taken, but I couldn't ask.

Just as we’re about to cross the bridge that leads to another wing, my eyes caught the TV screen from another room, and I stopped.

On the screen, was him…. Mike Ferdinez, my ex-husband. I staggered back, as if I was seeing the real him, but another person joined him on the screen, and they both smiled happily while flashing the peace out sign to everyone.

“Dr Mike Ferdinez of Rave pack has finally shown the world his fiancéee, who happens to be a nurse under him, Nurse Sheila Banks, and….”

I looked away expressionlessly. I didn't feel anything — I don’t want to feel anything.

Except Sheila, no one knew me to be his wife anyway, so showing off Sheila as his hidden partner definitely made good news headlines.

My guide looked at me critically for a while, as he asked, “Are you okay?”

I nod with a curt smile and we continue.

~

The old man banged the table for the umpteenth time, “Are you mute from birth?” “Where are you from?” “Are you aware you’re a vampire before Alpha Lucian picked you up?”

I just listened as he ranted on and on. I had thought I was being taken to see Alpha Lucian, but instead, I was brought before this man.

I wanted to ask why I’m being interrogated but his temper didn’t give me a chance to ask for a pen.

My head hung limply, eyes closed, exhausted. “Talking to her is useless. I guess she was mute from birth” the other man standing there tells him.

“Fine. Since you can’t talk, let’s wait and see what awaits you” His dark eyes locked on mine, scanning me to see if I was lying or really dumb.

He drew a dagger, yanked my hair back, exposing my neck, as if ready to slit my throat. “This is the test we give to hardened criminals who don’t want to speak up. Alpha Lucian said you’re injured and given all the resources you’ve wasted at the hospital, your voice should have returned”

“Alpha, you’ll kill her,” the other man yelled, but the old Alpha sneered, “I have to test her! Alpha Lucian will kill us both if she turns out to be a con”

He placed the dagger to my throat, I gulped hard, anticipating the pain, but I’m sure that I won’t be killed. Alpha Lucian won’t keep me all this time only to kill me now.

“Why are your wounds not healing. Aren’t you a full vampire?” The other man, who seems to be more gentle, asked, and I shook my head in negative affirmation.

I don’t know anything about the quick transition in my life. But I’m not anxious to know that now.

The old man pulled my hair again, “What vampire clan are you from? Why are you….”

The sound of the door opening stopped him and he dropped my hair unceremoniously.

“Maidservant Bella, what brings you here?” His inquisitive voice turns submissive.

Curious, I turned my head in the direction of the door, and there was a robust woman, dressed like a maid indeed, but who looked very classy and elegant.

“Alpha Clyde, what are you doing to the girl?” She quips. Her cold grey eyes flash towards me, and I lower my gaze.

“Alpha Lucian says I must get her talk and….”

“Get her talk!” She cuts in sharply. “He says to get her talk and not to kill her”

“Maidservant Bella, can we discuss this outside? You don’t have to disgrace me, and besides, she—” The woman stops his word with her hand raised.

“I understand. So did she talk?”

“No. She’s mute,” Alpha Clyde says, and the woman freezes for a while before advancing toward me.

She pats my shoulder gently before asking, “What’s your name dear?”

I open my mouth to form a word but I fail at that attempt then she smiles as she pats me again, “Don’t overexert yourself” Then she faces Alpha Clyde, “Get me a pen and paper”

“Oh oh yes” Alpha Clyde leaves the room and come back a second later with a pen and paper.

“Write your name, my dear,” she asks with a broad smile, and I gently lift my hand and grab the pen.

It took me a while before I could finally scrabble the word ‘EVE’ down

“Wow,” she giggles, “Eve. Your name is so pretty"

I manage a smile before she bang the table hard, almost sending me to the ground with the amount of adrenaline that rush to my veins.

I looked at her with trembling eyes, wishing I could ask why the sudden change of attitude.

Then with a smile that doesn’t reach her face, she spoke, “Nothing goes for nothing here, Eve. You have to repay the pack for everything we did to keep you alive and not kill you as other packs do to a Vampire”

Tears burn my eyes, and I instantly understand that this is right. They can’t just take care of me for free and let me go scot free.

I tremble under her scrutiny as I manage to grab the pen again and scrabble “I’ll do anything”

Yes. Anything so far I can survive and get answers to my questions.

She chuckles, “Good decision babes. Can you do any household chores?”

I instantly nod. “Good”

She faced Alpha Clyde again, “She’s an easy girl, why are you interrogating her like she was a criminal?”

“Maidservant Bella, you won’t tell the Alpha right?” His voice starts to tremble even though it feels like they were joking.

The woman raised her eyebrows gingerly, “Time will tell”

“Come with me,” she gestured to me before leaving the room, and I follow after her.