Chapter 5

MAEVE’S POV

I felt stupid and cheap after what just happened with Alpha Zane. What was I even thinking? No, Scratch that, what was my body thinking?

I walked to the kitchen because whenever I was sad or worried baking always made me feel better. When I got into the kitchen I saw some of the kitchen staff.

I wondered what they were still doing here because it was already nightfall. I greeted them but they gave me a nasty look in response.

I found that odd because, just this evening before I was accused of stealing, they were very nice to me.

I ignored them and walked over to the oven to check if anyone was baking for me to decide if I would bake or cook something instead.

When I opened the oven and saw that no one was baking, I exhaled with relief and went to mix some flour, but a firm hand gripped me and pushed me to the ground.

I fell to the ground and looked up, only to see my co-workers standing in front of me. The way they looked at me with disdain scared the hell out of me, but I’d be a fool to give them the satisfaction of seeing me scared.

“ What’s the meaning of this? “ I asked them with annoyance as I tried to stand up but I felt a leg kick me, making me fall again.

“ You’re nothing but a petty thief. According to our pack’s doctrines, you should be dead by now. Some of our loved ones have died due to the tradition so why shouldn't you die too? What's so special about you, huh? Shouldn’t we just kill her and report her missing? “ One of the kitchen staff asked with a malicious look on her face as she stared at me.

“ Oh, So you all are family to thieves. I thought as much, after seeing how you all are acting like uneducated scoundrels now, “ I said to them and scoffed as I stood up.

“ She even still has the nerves to talk back at us, “ Another worker said and forcefully held my hands which I shoved away.

I was outnumbered, but I was determined not to let them bully me. I hated bullies so much. Ever since I was a child, I hated seeing my rights trampled on.

They lunged at me and began to fight me while I dodged all their punches and fought back to protect myself. It was a good thing that I was a little bit good with martial arts.

My mom thought it wise that I learn martial arts to protect myself since my wolf hadn’t surfaced yet. Who knew it would come in handy at this moment?

I yelped in pain when a kitchen knife came in contact with my shoulders before I had the chance to dodge it. This made me weak and they took advantage of this.

It was a three-against-one fight and I couldn’t fight them off anymore due to how I was bleeding profusely from the deep cut on my shoulders.

That was when he opened the door and came in like my knight in shining armor. He was perplexed at first when he saw what was going on.

When he saw me bleeding profusely excessively, his eyes darkened and his voice changed into that of a growl.

It was the first time I had ever seen a wolf taking charge without the person shifting into his or her wolf. He looked smokingly hot.

“ What’s going on here, “ Alpha Zane angrily growled as he looked at them with a deadly and fearful aura emanating from him.

My co-workers stopped immediately in fear and they began to plead with Alpha Zane. Again, he saved me when I needed help the most. It made me think that Alpha Zane wasn't as bad as I tagged him to be.

“ Alpha, we just felt it’s unfair that she gets to be one to live after some of our relatives also died because of the Zero tolerance to stealing, “ Our head in the kitchen department said, trembling in fear.

Oh, so they could get scared too? Yet, they had the nerve to want to bully others, I thought to myself as I used my palms to clench my bleeding shoulders.

“ How dare you question the decrees of your Alpha? “ He growled and his eyes color switched to red. This made all the staff instantly go on their knees.

“ We are sorry, Alpha, “ They all said in unison while I sat down on the floor sobbing.

“ You all would be punished for this, “ He said with a sneer as his eyes still blazed red.

He then walked over to me and scooped me into his arms. I wanted to protest and tell him to let me down, but I studied his mood and decided to keep my mouth shut.

The last thing I wanted was to annoy his wolf. I wrapped my hands around his neck and snuggled in closer to him.

I felt him tense up at my touch, but it was just for a split second. In silence, he walked to my room carrying me in his arms all the while which gained stares and whispers from those who saw us.

But he didn’t mind. He just kept on walking. When we got into my room he gently placed me on the bed and squatted in front of me. His eyes were still red which signified that his wolf was still in control of his body.

“ Are you okay? “ Alpha Zane’s wolf asked me with concern laced on his face as he dressed my wound and bandaged it.

I couldn’t heal fast like other wolves because my wolf hadn’t surfaced yet. He brushed a strand of hair that was on my face. It felt so intimate and It gave me butterflies in my belly.

“ Yes, I’m fine, “ I managed to say because I was terrified and still in shock. But, I was grateful that he came into the kitchen the moment he did.

“ Alright then, “ He said softly and with a blink of his eyes, it went back to its normal color signifying that Alpha Zane was back in full control of his body again.

“ Did you save me to tell me you own me again? “ I summoned courage and asked him.

“ No, No, of course not. I did what a normal person would do when he sees another person getting bullied. Also, when I said I owned you, it just came out in the spur of the moment. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way,“ Alpha Zane said to me.

I studied his countenance and facial expressions for a while and he looked like he was being honest. I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it.

“ Look, I know I’ve been a jerk and I’m sorry. Whenever I’m with you, I begin to feel things I haven’t felt before. I was trying to process the whole thing and know how to go about it, “ He added.

“ I’m sorry about the way I’ve been speaking to you with disrespect. Most of all, I’m also sorry, my body responded to your touch. Trust me, I didn’t want it to.“ I said, avoiding eye contact with him, but when I looked into his eyes I saw hurt in them. Did what I say hurt him?

“ It feels good now that we have settled our differences. But Please Maeve, I need your help, “ He said desperately and stood up from his previous squatting position to sit beside me on the bed.

“ So that’s why you came to apologize to me? Because you need my help? “ I asked him.

“ Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been wanting to apologize because to be honest, I felt we started off on the wrong foot, “ He said honestly.

“ So what can a werewolf without her wolf possibly help you with? “ I asked him with raised brows.

“ You know who an Elder is, yeah? “ He asked me and waited for my response.

“ Of Course, I know about the Elders, “ I said with a chuckle. Did he think I was 3? Even three-year-olds were always been told stories of the Elders.

“ The last of our Elders in this pack is missing. She is suspected to have committed suicide. This signifies that doom is going to befall this pack. Only your mom can be of help right now and I can’t face her right now. You already know why. All we need from you is just a phone call. Please call your mom and ask her to come here, that’s all, “ Alpha Zane pleaded with me.

I didn’t give it much thought before I decided that I would help him. It was the least I could do for him. I wanted to call my mom, but my door opened revealing my mom.

She was stunned and worried when she saw Alpha Zane sitting beside me on the bed with a first aid kit in front of us. I wanted to stand up, but Alpha Zane held me back.

“ Mom, I was just about to call you. Before you panic, I’d like you to know that I am fine. I just slipped and fell on the floor. It’s nothing serious, “ I lied with a nervous smile. Knowing my mom, I knew she would be worried seeing me injured.

“ Good evening Alpha Zane, “ My mom greeted Alpha Zane with a slight bow and he nodded at her.

“ Good evening evening Mrs Barlowe “ Alpha Zane answered her with a tight-lipped smile.

“ I came to check in on you before retiring to bed, because, for some reason, I find it difficult to go to sleep. Maybe this was the reason, “ My mom turned to me and said before walking into the room to inspect my shoulders with a frown on her face.

“ You came at the right time because this may not be the only reason you are finding it difficult to sleep, “ I said to her and she looked at me with creased brows.

Alpha Zane then took that opportunity to explain everything about the Ceremony Of Mate’s situation. When he was done explaining, my mom sighed deeply.

“ The only Elder from this pack who is still alive is Aradia Laveau. At this point she is the only person who can perform the rites, “ My mom said with a look on her face which I couldn’t decipher.

The atmosphere began to tense up at the mention of the name. I felt like I had heard that name somewhere before.

“ What? I thought they said she’s dead? Why her?! “ Alpha Zane exclaimed with widened eyes and a frown on his face. He groaned and began to pace back and forth in my room.

“ Hold up, is there something I’m missing here? Who is this Aradia Laveau that has you both this tensed up? “ I asked with curiosity.