Marked by Moon Fire

“Where is servant number 16?” Madame Julie’s voice rang through the room. Her eyes were sharp as she searched for servant number 16.

“Ma’am,” Nyssa replied almost immediately from behind her. She was dressed in her usual faded green servant wares. Her blonde hair tied in a knot and her chest heaving up and down, she had been running.

“You’re late!” The woman yelled. The noise around didn’t help either and Nyssa bowed to the elderly woman.

“I’m sorry, ma. I started bleeding today.” she explained quickly, hoping the woman would understand but Madame Julie only scoffed,

“What does that get to do with anything?” her voice sharp.

Nyssa didn’t know how to respond so she didn’t.

“Get your ass down there and serve the Alpha’s guests. I don’t care if you are bleeding, every woman bleeds.”

Nyssa bowed and rushed into the room to get the wines and some glasses. As she arranged them on the silver tray, she could hear the malicious voices of her colleagues as they ridiculed her like they always do.

“Bleed. Like we all don’t bleed,” One of the ladies scoffed and another muttered in-between. “You see, when one cannot morph, they should be able to bleed.”

Their laughter worsened. Every of the servants heard and laughed but Nyssa didn’t find it funny. She has seen many of the servant girls take permission to rest for the day if they were bleeding. She made herself available but came late, she expected Madame Julie to cut her some slack especially since this was her first time running so late.

Today is a special day. A special day for the prince, Prince Lucien, so all servants were supposed to be available.

“Servant number 16!” Madame Julie yelled again. Nyssa’s finger trembled slightly. She picked up the tray of wine and glasses and then made her way to Madame Julie.

“Go for the third row. I don’t want you anywhere near the Alpha, the prince, or his wife-to-be. You can serve the nobles. Leave the Alphas and their queens. Okay?” Madame Julie warned and Nyssa nodded in understanding. When Nyssa was about to leave, she was stopped by Madame Julie,

“What are the rules?”

Nyssa recited like a robot. “Don’t be seen. Don’t breathe too deep. Don’t draw attention. Head down.”

Madame Julie raised her chin indicating that Nyssa could leave and the girl hurried away.

The grand hall of Moonrage Pack shimmered under golden chandeliers and beautiful decorations. A series of laughter echoed through the hall as Nyssa stepped in— in her washed green outfits and sandals. Her eyes shone at how beautiful the hall was but she was quick to avert her gaze to the ground. She was a slave and was not permitted to look or fantasize about anything.

She was silent as she performed her duty, making sure to avoid eye contact with anyone. One would think she was schooled to be so invisible.

The scent of roasted chicken, beef, and alcohol filled the space. She went about refilling nobles' glasses and making sure not to make a sound even while walking past those who had no manner on how to keep their pleasure in check till they got behind closed doors but chose to do so in the hall with thousands of people present.

The tingling sound of iron against glass caused everyone to pause. Those who were once chatting stopped, and those who were pleasuring or getting pleasured all paused. All eyes fell on the Alpha.

Alpha Mark stood tall on the podium. He was dressed in expensive clothes that didn’t meet the standard of any other Alpha in the hall. His eyes shone as he spoke,

“Thank you all for honoring my invitation. This bald man is grateful” Everyone chuckled at his words.

Again, Nyssa didn’t find his words funny. He was bald with a big belly too. She wondered why they were laughing but didn’t voice her opinion obviously. Her head was down, as well as all the other servants who were in the hall at the moment.

“Today is a good day. Not only is it the day of my son’s return from the Alpha’s academy but also the day of his engagement with his betrothed, Princess Sarah of Westfing Pack. It is a day of joy so I want everyone to eat, drink and celebrate the return of their future Alpha.”

Everyone clapped. Some whistled along.

“He is so handsome.”

“Princess Sarah is so lucky”

“I wish I was Princess Sarah”

Nyssa could hear the whispers of the noble's daughters by her side. They spoke of how dreamy he looked yet she couldn’t raise her head to take a look at him. She only wished to have a glimpse of what the prince looked like. He’s been out of Moonrage Pack for years.

After the Alpha’s speech, everyone continued their activities. Nyssa also continued her activity, pouring drinks and serving the nobles. Just then, she heard someone call,

“Hey you, we need some wine over here,” She turned and noticed that it was someone from row one. She isn’t allowed to go so close.

“Are you daft?!” She didn’t know what to do as she looked for who was in charge of row one.

“Get your ass down here, bitch!” Another roared and Nyssa without a choice made her way immediately to row one.

With her head bowed, she began to serve the Alphas there. She was pouring wine into one of their glasses when she felt a slap on her butt. Her eyes widened and she froze, only for a split second. Once she was done, she quickly tried to run away but was called by a feminine voice,

“Here, please. I want more”

Nyssa without seeing who it was knew it was the prince’s wife-to-be.

Madame Julie had warned her not to head that way but she couldn’t say ‘No’ either. With a racing heart, Nyssa forced herself to keep walking towards the head table without looking up.

Her palms were sweaty, her breath shallow. ‘Please, don’t let Madame Julie find me here.’ She prayed in her mind as she poured the wine with trembling fingers.

She was done. Thank the goddess. She bowed and was about to leave when she heard the growl from before her.

“Mate.” Low but sharp.

Her head flew up to meet the dark brown eyes of Prince Lucien staring back at her. Dark hair, fair skin, tall and lean; he looked like a demigod. Yet, his nostrils flared as his chair scraped back violently on the ground causing a sharp sound that turned every eye to them.

“Mate!” he growled again louder this time, through gritted teeth. Nyssa’s breath caught. The room had gone silent, but her heart beat loudly like a war drum.

Lucien’s body tensed as well, his breath caught as he looked into her eyes.

Nyssa could see her life flashed before her eyes, it was over for her. Madame Julie would kill her. Princess Sarah who jerked up from her seat in shock would kill her first.

“No…” Lucien spat, stepping forward towards her as if drawn by instinct. “It can’t be…”

But his wolf howled within him—in need—in need of his mate.

“Prince Lucien,” Princess Sarah tried to stop Lucien from going to her.

The more Lucien moved towards her, the more Nyssa moved away, “A fucking omega? A slave?!” he growled.

Nyssa’s eyes flickered with fright. She turned on her heels and moved before her mind could catch up and ran.

“Get her!” The Alpha roared, pointing at her.

“Don’t let that witch leave this hall!”

All the guards on armors who stood by every corner of the hall went straight for Nyssa. She didn’t make it far; she was grabbed by one of the guards who dragged her back to the Alpha.

The Alpha, bald with a pot belly stood tall before Nyssa on her knees, with unshed tears. His voice a whisper of venom,

“You will not ruin this night, servant girl.”