Chapter 3 My feeling is not a joke

Hailey, overwhelmed, sank to her knees, her forehead touching the cold stone floor.  "I've overstepped," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I apologize, but I can't deny my feelings. Is love ever truly wrong? My heart belongs to him, always has, always will."

 

Whispers slithered through the air behind her, casting doubt on her sanity.

 

"Such a foolish woman! Look at her rags! Can't the Alpha see she's mad?"

 

"Absolutely shameless! A worthless girl like her dares to dream of Alpha Rowan?  This is what happens when peasants have delusions of grandeur."

 

Their cruel words felt like stones pelting her. A guard's boot grazed her hand, but before she could react, strong arms lifted her. Alpha Rowan raised a hand, silencing the jeers. "Leave her," he commanded.

 

Hailey's eyes widened as the hands retreated.  His mother, exasperated, turned to him. "Rowan, we have important matters. A conniving maid's words won't derail this event."

 

Ignoring his mother, Rowan rose and approached Hailey, kneeling to meet her gaze. He gently cupped her chin, tilting her head, studying her face intently. "The fire in your eyes won't make you Luna.  Forget this fantasy. I, Alpha King Rowan, would never mate with a lowly maid. Your feelings mean nothing to me, and they never will."

 

A searing pain ripped through Hailey's heart.  She stared into his cold, indifferent eyes, each word a sharp dagger.  Despite her low birth, she knew she’d seen more of him than anyone else in the castle.

 

She'd watched him from the shadows, witnessing his anger, sadness, grief, and joy.  She'd removed his boots after drunken nights, tucking him into bed as he slept.  He remained oblivious to her silent devotion, but betrayal and anger burned within her.

 

Goodness, Hailey, you've made a complete fool of yourself.

 

Humiliation flooded her cheeks, making it hard to breathe.  Everything swam before her eyes as she fought back tears.

 

She wasn't insane. She truly loved him, with every fiber of her being...and yet, he'd rejected her. Why? Because she wasn't what he wanted. She was nothing, nobody.

 

They laughed at her confession, dismissing it as madness. They insisted she could never be Luna, branding her a crazy woman. But their cruelty stung less than Rowan's words. He saw her as nothing but a lowly maid, insignificant.

 

But she vowed to make him regret that. She would make him fall deeply in love with her, ensnaring him in an obsession he couldn't escape.

 

Taking a deep breath, Hailey met his gaze, a new fire ignited within her. A cool smile touched her lips. "Then it shouldn't be a problem for me to participate in the selection."

 

His hand fell away from her face.  A flicker of surprise crossed his features. "That's true... But it's not your place," he said firmly.

 

"Then you have nothing to fear, Alpha," Hailey retorted, her voice sharp. "Unless... you're worried... Perhaps, I might win your heart."

 

Rowan's jaw clenched.  She sensed she'd awakened the predator within him, the one who thrived on a challenge. He turned to Beta Ruel. "Hailey Griffin will be a contender." Then, to Hailey, he added, "But if you fail, you will be banished from this pack and every other. You will be a rogue."

 

Those words might terrify others, but Hailey had no intention of losing.

 

…

 

After that day, Hailey became the castle's – and perhaps all of Maldivian's –  chief topic of gossip. But that was the least of her worries.  Her impulsive act resulted in Luna Renesme ordering the Head Maid to drastically increase Hailey’s workload, including the unpleasant task of cleaning the stables.  She wasn't just a conversation piece; she was a laughingstock – "Mad Hailey," they called her.

 

Luna Renesme's plan was clear: keep Hailey so busy she couldn't compete with the other contenders.

 

With a frustrated groan, Hailey flung her rake against the stable wall. A grand ball was scheduled that evening to mark the start of the selection. Tonight, Alpha Rowan would choose the most elegantly dressed woman to dance with him. To ensure fairness, the ball would have a masked theme.

 

But Hailey had no dress, no shoes, and the smell of horse manure clung to her.

 

Still, she was determined to attend; it was the first step in her plan.

 

An hour before the ball, she finished cleaning the stables and hurried back to the castle.  Spotting Lovie on the grand staircase, she waved. "Lovie—"

 

Lovie glanced at her, then quickly turned away, walking briskly in the opposite direction. Ignoring the disdainful stares from the maids and the snickers from the elegantly dressed contenders, Hailey jogged after her. "Lovie!" she called, grabbing Lovie's arm. "Why are you avoiding me?"

 

Lovie turned, tears welling in her eyes. She yanked her arm away. "You promised you wouldn't do anything reckless! And I should have known better than to help you. Now I'm being punished."

 

Hailey frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

 

Sniffling, Lovie wiped her tears. "Beta Ruel found out we started the fight to distract everyone so you could get your name on the list. I'm being banished."

 

Hailey's heart sank. "What?"

 

Angrily, Lovie wiped her cheeks. "Don't you see past your selfish fantasies? I have nowhere else to go. Lone wolves don't survive without a pack. Why did you do this, Hailey?! Can't you be happy with what you have, hoping for a mate? Why does it have to be the Alpha?!"

 

Lovie's words hit Hailey hard. "I'm so sorry, Lovie. I didn't think—"

 

"No. You never think of anyone but yourself."

 

Hailey reached for her, but Lovie stepped back, fury in her eyes.  A sob escaped her lips. "I'm truly sorry. I'll talk to Alpha Rowan—"

 

Lovie laughed bitterly. "And he'll listen to you? After your stunt, you'll never gain his favor. You insulted him in front of everyone! I'm surprised he didn't throw you in the dungeons."

 

"Then I'll talk to Gamma Luis. He'll listen to me." Hailey grasped Lovie's hand, desperation in her voice. "Trust me, Lovie. I'll handle this."

 

Lovie pulled her hand away. "I'd be a fool to trust a crazy woman."

 

Lovie walked away, and Hailey understood her mistake. She hadn't considered Lovie's consequences. They'd been friends forever, sisters.  Hailey couldn't bear the thought of Lovie's expulsion. Lovie was right; lone wolves didn't survive.

 

The Alpha King's castle towered six stories high, and Hailey was heading to the third floor, where the Beta and Gamma's quarters, libraries, and training halls were located.

 

As she hurried up the stairs, a voice called her name.

 

"Hailey Griffin."