Chapter 6

Alicia's POV

My stepmother never even bothered to search for my whereabouts, as she and her malevolent son had already decided to cast me away. At times, I wish they had simply sent me packing; that might have been a better fate than the life I now endure.

Upon being assigned as Queen Melissa's personal maid, I held hope for a change in my circumstances, believing things would finally take a gentler turn.

However, my expectations proved futile, and my situation only worsened. Despite having the opportunity to see Alpha Astor at any time as I serve his future queen, I find myself strangely attached to him.

"Alicia, why are you standing there like a log of wood?" Queen Melissa berated me, and I could only wonder what wrong I had committed this time.

"I...yes, your highness," I stammered, trying to steady myself.

"Are you slow?" she asked, her voice filled with anger.

"I'm deeply sorry, your highness. Do you need something? Shall I..." I began to inquire, but my words were cut short as she summoned the guards.

"Seize her and do not feed her for two days," she commanded sternly.

"But your Highness... I haven't done anything wrong. Have I offended you in any way? Please, I can rectify it. Please don't let them take me away," I pleaded desperately, tears streaming down my cheeks uncontrollably.

However, my pleas fell on deaf ears as Melissa remained indifferent. It seemed she was just as heartless as her wizard husband, who turned a blind eye to the mistreatment inflicted on his Queen's personal maid.

"Leave her," she commanded, and the guards released their hold on me. I hurriedly crawled towards her feet, bowing my head in submission.

"I despise you, girl. Nevertheless, I'll still make you my personal maid," she retorted, yanking at my hair to force me to meet her gaze. To be candid, her appearance wasn't particularly attractive.

I couldn't fathom why Alpha Astor chose such an unappealing figure to be his Luna. Though physically pretty, her character was undoubtedly worse.

"What can I do to make amends, your highness?" I asked, trembling at her feet. It was unfathomable that a princess like me had to endure such a life. My stepmother would pay dearly if I ever survived these trials and hardships. Every day of my existence was filled with unbearable agony.

"Prepare me for my coronation tomorrow. I'll become the Queen and Luna of the Ravkian kingdom, so get accustomed to it," she replied coldly, kicking me away before departing.

After she departed, I glanced at Alpha Astor, who seemed completely undisturbed. 

"What are you looking at?" he asked in his deep, masculine voice. 

"Nothing. I..." I began to reply, but he descended from his throne and approached me, the only ones remaining in the room. He came close, almost invading my personal space, and continued speaking.

"You are so pretty and alluring. I couldn't help but notice when I first saw you at that bidding spot. You look like a princess, and I couldn't resist being the charming prince," he uttered, and before I could react, his hand reached for my left breast, which rose and fell due to my rapid breathing. My clothing inadvertently revealed the uppermost layer of it.

"Astor...please, stop," I said abruptly, feeling an intense and undeniable connection between us. It had always been that way; it was as if he was my destined mate, and I sensed he felt the same.

"Look into my eyes and tell me to stop, and I will," he urged, his words dripping with romance. My world seemed to freeze, and my head spun from the overwhelming emotions.

"Astor...someone might..." I began to protest, but my words turned into a moan as he reached for my nipple. I knew we were heading into dangerous territory when suddenly, the door broke open, causing him to swiftly withdraw his hands from me.

"Your Highness, Queen Melissa needs her presence immediately," one of the guards who entered responded.

"Very well. You can take her. I'm finished with her," Alpha Astor replied as he returned to his seat. I couldn't help but notice his evident arousal, and being the virgin that I was, a sense of discomfort and unease washed over me.

I felt a strange sensation in my legs and a moistening sensation below, which left me feeling vulnerable. For the first time in my life, I was touched by a man without any consent or ability to question, and strangely, I found myself strangely accepting of it.

As I trailed behind the guard, I couldn't help but notice all eyes on me, accompanied by hushed whispers that seemed to fill the air. Among them, I overheard a soldier commenting to his colleague, "I can't believe she's so beautiful. She's fit to be a queen."

His words caused a blush to spread across my cheeks, momentarily boosting my confidence. However, as soon as I reached Queen Melissa's door, my newfound boldness quickly dissipated, leaving me feeling timid and vulnerable once again.

"Your Highness, she is here," the guards announced my arrival before departing. Part of me wished they would stay, as the suffering I endured felt immeasurable, and having someone by my side might bring a glimmer of comfort.

"Come in, Alicia," she commanded, and I cautiously opened the door, entering her room. Despite being engaged to Alpha Astor, she hadn't moved in with him yet, but they were scheduled to be joined together tomorrow.

"Bend down and wash my feet in the water until I fall asleep. Once I'm fast asleep, you will tidy up this room. Clean the toilet and the mirror, leaving not a speck of dust behind by the time I wake up. Is that clear?" Her yanking gesture frightened me, but I managed to compose myself.

"Yes, your highness," I replied, watching her rest her head on the bed while I washed her feet in the water until I grew exhausted. Only after she fell asleep was I able to begin the chores she had assigned to me. I completed each task with tears welling in my eyes, burdened by the weight of my circumstances.

"I don't deserve this. Mom... dad... I don't deserve this... You guys left me to endure this. It's not fair. Please help me," I sobbed while mopping the final floor, unaware that Queen Melissa had awakened. She caught me off guard with a sudden slap from behind, causing me to hastily regain my composure as my cheeks flushed red.

"Do you realize you could have perished with them, rather than disturbing my sleep? Are you out of your mind?" she scolded angrily, and I shook my head in response.

"I'm deeply sorry, your highness. But what have I done to deserve such hatred from you? Why do you treat me this way?" I mustered the courage to ask, looking her in the eyes for the first time since she arrived at the palace.

"Now!" the captain barked the order, and immediately, the sound of thundering lashes on my buttocks filled the air. I wailed and screamed in agony, but no one came to my rescue, not even Alpha Astor. The pain was unbearable, and I eventually lost consciousness. I couldn't fathom why Melissa harbored such intense hatred towards me.

When I finally regained consciousness, it was already dark, and Nora was at my side, tending to my red and swollen buttocks from the brutal beating.

"Nora," I whispered quietly.

"Shhh... don't move. What did you do this time, Alicia?" she gently inquired, but I could only sob quietly, my voice too weak to be heard clearly.

"I... I don't know. She just hates me," I concluded, wincing as I adjusted myself. The pain was unbearable, and it seemed I couldn't stand or sit properly. My buttocks had been severely injured, and some flesh appeared to be torn as well.

"Jeez... she's so evil. I think Astor gets what he deserves. He's evil too. And I've noticed the way you sometimes look at him. Do you love him?" Nora asked unexpectedly.

"Nora... why would you say such a thing?" I attempted to feign ignorance.

"Oh, so you think I don't know? Come on, girl. Everyone can practically see it. It's obvious," Nora responded candidly.

I gasped, turning to look at Nora with a pained expression as my buttocks continued to throb with pain.

"Could that be..." I hesitated, glancing back at Nora.

"Could that be what? What's happening?" Nora inquired, noticing my troubled expression.

"I think Melissa must have noticed too. I mean, for you to have noticed," I replied, trying to maintain a neutral tone.

"Girl, you are in for some serious trouble," Nora warned as she finished applying the balm and tidying up the used treatments.

Once she was done, Nora cleaned my room, helped me put on a comfortable outfit, and left me on the bed. However, she would return in the morning to prepare me for Queen Melissa's coronation.

"I don't deserve to be treated this way. It's inhumane," I whispered to myself as I drifted off to sleep. The weight of my situation was suffocating, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the hardships I endured.

I awoke to the sound of birds chirping, and I felt the lingering pain all over my body. The previous night's rain must have added to my discomfort. It was just past 7 am, and as I tried to get up, I realized I was too weak to do so. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and I felt a wave of fear, worried that it might be Queen Melissa.

"Who is it?" I asked, feeling somewhat helpless.

"It's me, Nora. Alicia, come and open the door," she replied, and I mustered the strength to get off the bed. Making sure to sense her heartbeat and energy, I cautiously opened the door and stepped back.

"How are you feeling now?" she inquired, carrying a toolbox filled with medicine.

"I feel pain all over, Nora. Who will attend to Melissa?" I asked her, carefully lying back on the bed.

"Did you just call her Melissa?" Nora questioned with laughter as she placed the toolbox on the bed.

"Well... it's just the two of us here. I can't do that outside," I replied abruptly, feeling a tinge of embarrassment.

"It's okay. They assigned a temporary maid to attend to her while you recover," Nora finally revealed the news, and I couldn't help but smile throughout her stay. Her presence brought some comfort, and before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.

As a result, I missed the coronation of the Luna, as I slept throughout the day. I needed the rest after enduring those brutal lashes with the big stick; no one could endure that without needing proper rest.

Days passed, and I didn't venture outside my room. I continued to recover, and Nora remained a constant presence, becoming like the sister I had never had. Even Mrs. Sinclair would sneak into my room to chat with me, bringing a sense of comfort to my otherwise lonely and tearful days. Their presence brought me happiness and solace.

As night fell and it was already 8 pm, I yearned for some rest after a long day when a knock startled me. I hurriedly put on my clothes, placing my ears against the door to sense the approaching presence.

A fierce male energy emanated from the other side, making me apprehensive. My ability to sense energy was keen, and this aura surpassed any male werewolf energy I had encountered before.

"Alicia, open the door," the voice demanded, its owner knocking insistently.

"Okay," I replied, cautiously opening the door, only to find myself face to face with the devil himself – Alpha Astor.