6

Ember’s POV

We climbed a veranda of another building, a few feet away from the enormous mansion I had been in. As we walked by, so many men, both old and young, walked past us.

Some were dressed like officials, warriors and soldiers, while some were guards like I've seen patrolling in our remote town.

I saw ladies in different uniforms walking around from one place to another.

‘So this is what the palace is all about?’ I thought, taking a good look at the doors that we passed through which I was sure someone was in, because I could hear voices from each of them and their windows open.

When the man halted, I did as well.

He rang the doorbell and slowly swirled his neck towards me.

I didn't know I wanted to speak to him, but a question slipped my throat before I could hold it back. “What's this place for?”

His jaw tensed before he managed to finally answer me this time. “This place contains the offices of the alpha prince, king, luna, and their subordinates that work hand to hand with them.” he didn't even glance at me as he spoke.

The door was opened by a male guard who walked out, and we went in, then it was slammed shut behind us.

My eyes moved from one corner of the office to another. It was so wide and well decorated that one would even think it was a sitting room. I was lost, staring around, until my gaze landed on the alpha prince who was seated on his table, his arms folded and eyes fixated on me.

My cheeks flushed.

He must be thinking of how sluggish and embarrassing I am.

“Alpha,” I bowed to him, my palms squeezing my dress.

I didn't hear his voice, but as I raised my face, he signaled me to come forward, which I did instantly.

He handed something over to me—a photo—my mum's photo—as she laid on the hospital bed.

Relief washed through me. They had found my mother and would certainly take care of her.

“She has been transferred to the pack's general hospital. There, specialists will see that she is revived since it isn't long since she went into a coma.” he stated and took his seat opposite me, who was standing beside the chair. “Get seated,” he gestured.

I glanced at the chair and got my butt glued on it, my fingers rubbing the photo constantly.

“There's something I would love to know about your mother…” he began, his voice unusually calm but cold. “How long have you lived with your mother in that remote town?”

His brows wrinkled. He stared at me like he was searching for the answer to his questions.

I gulped softly, my lips parted. “Mm, I've lived there with a nanny for years, and my mother always visits. But when I turned fourteen, she returned and began staying with me fully, thereby discharging the nanny.”

He tapped his middle finger on the table, and gaze glued at me. “You said you didn't get to see who your father was?”

He asked, and I gave a quick nod.

His questions were making my heartbeat increase.

“So, any idea why your mother didn't live with you until that time?”

I widened my eyes, trying to figure out if it would be safe telling him.

“You have to answer every one of my questions, lady.”

I nodded, “She told me that she was a servant in a pack palace, but did not mention which pack exactly. So, she returned because she had saved a lot to cater to our needs.”

“How often did she visit you when she was away?”

“Weekly. Sometimes, two or three times a week. She paid the nanny and provided for me. After she resigned from her job, she became a seamstress and bought a sewing machine from the money she saved up.” I paused, my heart rate releasing. “When I constantly asked about my dad, she said he died in a war before I was conceived, leaving her alone to cater for us.”

He winked, averting his gaze towards his cell phone on the table. He took it and gave it to me. “Who's that there?”

I looked at the photo, and my lips dropped. I looked at him and then at the photo again. How was he holding my mother's photo?

“Lady, who's that?”

“My mum. But, how come you're holding her photo? Is this the palace she worked in?” curiosity washed through me as I sat out of the chair, wanting to hear him speak.

He took back the cell phone and dropped it on the table. “For eight years now, your mother has been wanted by this pack.”

I shoved my hair to the side, pretending I didn't hear him well.

Why the hell will they want my mother? Did he commit any crime?

“Eight years ago, the alpha king was poisoned to death. When the incident was investigated, your mother happened to be the culprit, but she was nowhere to be found around the pack and in the other packs.” he breathed out, pulling a strong face. “Who could believe she was just in a remote town that was banned from trespassing?”

I shook my head. There was no way I would believe that.

My mother could never kill a fly, talk more of an alpha king.

“So, it's vivid to you now that this is the palace she worked in. she got rid of my father, and I lost my mother, who couldn't stand the loss of her mate.”

Having said that, he stood from his seat and walked out.

My body began heating up. My wolf wailing already.

He walked towards me like in his company, and a dirty smirk formed in his lips.

“Alpha, my mother could never do that. I don't…..

“I don't need you to tell me whether she did it or not. I just want to assure you that I will make sure your mother is revived so that I can do to her what she did to my parents.” he leaned closer, his eyes meeting mine. “You are not exempted, lady. You will still play your role for seven days, but the only compensation you will get from me is reviving your mother and torturing you until you are glued with nightmares.”

A lump formed in my throat. I couldn't even shut my lips.

“Just like my parents died before my eyes, so will your mother die in pain before your eyes. And you? I will make sure being a tool isn't enough. You will beg for your death instead.”

Chill ran down my spine.

My fist clenched in bitterness.

How could I put together what was happening? Why should I believe that my mother did it?

I bit my tongue to hold my sobs until I tasted my blood.

This was making me lose my senses.

I fell right into the trap of my mother’s enemy?

He walked back to his seat, opened his drawer, and brought out a file. In it, he brought out a paper and shifted it to me with a pen. “Sign the contract….”

My heart leapt into my throat. A knot twisted in my gut.

This was my chance to escape this deal. But could it be redone?