Chapter 04: Time To Get Rid Of It

~Fiona~

"Wait!" I called out, my voice cracking. "Ma'am?"

"You will learn to maintain total silence in this part of the estate," she snapped over her shoulder, completely ignoring my panic as she disappeared around the corner.

Honestly, I wanted to shut her mouth permanently with a punch.

But I couldn't risk it.

I just curled my fists tightly into my sides until my knuckles turned white and my nails bit into my palms.

I had much bigger, terrifying problems to worry about right now.

The Alpha King.

Jesus.

The last time I had actually seen him in person was at his forty-fifth birthday party three months ago.

He had thrown a massive celebration, and every single member of the pack had been required to show up.

I remember standing in the back of the crowd, completely breathless, just watching him.

The Moon Goddess had been ungodly generous when she made that man. He was, without a doubt, the sexiest, most edible thing I had ever laid eyes on.

He had this dark, sinful edge to him that made your thighs ache just looking at him, with a jawline sharp enough to cut glass and lips that looked like they knew exactly how to ruin a girl.

Next to him, Rico looked like a boy playing dress-up. He couldn’t even compare to the sheer, intoxicating power his father radiated.

Though, of course, I had never dared to say that thought out loud to anyone.

It was honestly a tragedy that a man that perfect had never been lucky when it came to finding a mate.

His first wife had died years ago from Silver-Rot, a brutal, fatal blood illness that took out even the strongest wolves.

And his second wife… Rico's mother, well, nobody really knew what happened there.

All I knew was that they barely ever saw each other. She spent all her time traveling, partying, throwing lavish galas, and doing whatever it was that rich, older royal women did.

It was an extravagant, wasteful lifestyle that Rico had completely inherited.

I exhaled a long, heavy breath, trying to steady my shaking hands as I finally reached the end of the hall.

I knocked on the massive oak door.

Nothing.

I waited a few seconds, my heart racing and knocked a second time.

Still, there was no response.

Deciding to test my luck, I reached out and twisted the silver knob.

The door clicked open.

Which, looking back, was a totally bad idea. I should have turned around, bolted out of the palace, and never looked back.

But I stepped inside anyway, and the size of the room completely took my breath away. It was a massive, high-ceilinged office that felt more like a throne room.

Deep mahogany wood covered the walls, and a huge, dark leather sofa sat near a roaring stone fireplace.

Giant floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the entire pack territory, letting in the dim morning light.

Everything about the room screamed wealth, power, and royalty.

And the scent.

The heavy, intoxicating mix from earlier hit me like a physical wave, wrapping around me so thickly it made my head spin.

Seriously, what is your deal with scents lately? I shook my head.

"I was starting to think you wouldn't show up," a thick, velvety voice spoke from the center of the room.

A high-backed leather chair slowly spun around behind a massive desk, and my eyes finally met the Greek god sitting in it.

My heart completely skipped a beat.

The sudden rush of adrenaline was so intense that an involuntary hiccup tore from my throat.

"Your Majesty!" I gasped, immediately dropping my head so I wouldn't dare look him in the eyes.

The panic completely took over, and the words started pouring out of me in a desperate rush.

"Please, please forgive me. I don't know what the housemistress or anyone else told you, but I swear it isn't true! Please, I’ll accept whatever punishment you give me."

I don't know or care about what I did wrong.. all I know is that in such a scenario, you just plead your case.

I stood there trembling, seriously contemplating if I should just drop to my knees right on the floor and beg for mercy.

“Is that the reason you think I summoned you?” He asked.

What?

Could there be other reasons?

Fi. Fi. Fi. Your reckless behaviour will land you in trouble one day.” Ivy's words echoed at the back of my mind.

“Ye..yes. Your Majesty. I mean, what other reason could someone as powerful as you have to call out a lowlife like myself? Please don't hesitate.. I promise I can endure any punishment.” I said.

But then my eyes widened.. “Except death.” I blurted.

"Oh, I can think of a much better punishment for you," he growled low, the sound vibrating straight through the floorboards. "Starting with the fact that you entered my office five minutes late from when I called you."

I swallowed hard, keeping my eyes glued to his expensive leather shoes. "My apologies, sir. It won't happen again," my voice shook.

A low, dark chuckle rumbled from his chest.

I blinked, freezing in place.

Wait.

Was I mistaken?

I swear I heard him laugh.

But there was no way a chuckle that amused could come from a man this terrifyingly dominant.

"I'm Richard Blackwood," he said simply.

I blinked hard, my eyes still glued to the floor.

My mind went completely blank.

What the hell was he talking about?

Why was the Alpha King introducing himself to a maid?

Was there someone standing behind me, or was he on some kind of wireless phone call?

"Look at me, Fiona," he commanded, forcing my face up instantly.

My breath caught in my throat, and holy shit, I was met with the most striking, piercing silver eyes I had ever seen. They looked like liquid moonlight, tracking my every movement with terrifying intensity.

My throat went completely dry.

He leaned forward, a dark, dangerous smirk spreading across his handsome face.

"So... now you've seen my face," he murmured, his silver eyes dropping deliberately to the front of my shirt. "Time to get rid of that name on your chest."

What?