chapter three

Emmeline POV

I smiled, my heart racing as I gazed at my mate. He stood tall, his chiseled physique radiating power. His broad shoulders and defined jawline left me breathless. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad if the goddess had truly led me to my mate.

But my optimism was short-lived.

As I took a step closer, he pushed me to the floor with a harsh growl. His eyes blazed with hatred, making me tremble.

"Mat..." I tried to say, but a stinging slap silenced me.

"It's Lord to you... Lord Cedric to you, spawn of Satan!" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

I cowered, quivering under the intensity of his gaze. The same look of contempt I'd received from everyone in the manor.

The Council had dumped me here earlier than scheduled, and already, I'd faced unimaginable hostility. Some had even spat at me.

"Lord... Cedric, I am your mate," I stammered, speaking softly, fearful of provoking him further. I'd heard stories from my father about the rogue pack's brutality.

Cedric's glare intensified, his eyes flashing with warning. "You dare claim to be my mate?" he sneered, his voice laced with disgust.

I nodded, hoping for a glimmer of understanding. But Lord Cedric's expression twisted in disgust.

He clicked his tongue, annoyance flashing across his face before erupting into laughter. The sound sent shivers down my spine, his eyes remaining cold and unyielding.

When his laughter faded, he spat, "You're no mate of mine. I'll never want you, devil's spawn."

Tears streamed down my face, but I dared not wipe them. I was paying for a sin I knew nothing about.

"Please, Lord Cedric, don't do this to me," I begged, desperation creeping into my voice. "I knew nothing about what my father did. He wasn't even that kind of..."

Another slap silenced me, my hand instinctively cradling my stinging cheek. Cedric's eyes remained icy as he grasped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"You're a monster in disguise, just like your father. I want nothing to do with that."

My heart shattered into a million pieces. Finding a mate had been my dream, and now I had to lose him because of my father's sins.

Cedric's grip on my hair tightened, and I winced in pain. "One word to anyone about this, and I'll end you." His voice sent shivers down my spine; I knew he wasn't joking.

With that, Cedric stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him. The loud thud unleashed a flood of tears. I wept for myself, for the family I lost without a chance to mourn, for my tarnished reputation, and for the mate I couldn't have.

The goddess seemed to be punishing me mercilessly.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally composed myself. I stood up, wiping my dirty hands on my soiled clothes. The empty courtyard seemed to mock me, a reminder of my isolation.

I trudged towards the servants' quarters, where hostile glares and scornful whispers greeted me. No one bothered to hide their contempt.

Lost in my misery, I collided with a short girl, sending her tumbling to the ground.

"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, rushing to help her up.

To my surprise, she smiled warmly. "It wasn't your fault; I wasn't watching."

Her kindness was a balm to my battered soul. We exchanged introductions – Elara and Emmeline – and her smile never wavered, even when she recognized my surname.

"Lord Gray's daughter, right?" Elara asked, her eyes sparkling with understanding.

I nodded, shame washing over me. Who would have thought I'd be ashamed to admit my lineage?

Elara nodded sympathetically. "I see."

As we walked into the cramped servants' quarters, Elara inquired about my damp clothes. I hesitated, sharing the story of the coachman's cruelty.

Elara listened attentively, her expression empathetic.

Upon entering our tiny room, she gestured to the bunk beds. "We're sharing. Top or bottom?"

I stood frozen, struggling to grasp the reality of four people sharing this minuscule space. But what did I expect? I was now a maid.

Elara's laughter snapped me back to reality. "I forgot you're a Lord's daughter. This must be a shock." She gestured to our cramped quarters.

I shrugged, still reeling.

Elara handed me fresh clothes and pointed out the river for bathing. Thankfully, the area was deserted. After a quick wash, I changed and hurried back to our room, grateful for the bottom bunk.

Sleep claimed me swiftly.

_______

Elara's vigorous shaking jolted me awake. I blinked, disoriented.

"What's going on?" I mumbled.

Elara's expression was tight. "Madam Colima needs me at the central market. Would you please fill Lord Cedric's bath?"

Fear clenched my heart, thoughts of my rejecting mate flooding back. But I couldn't disappoint Elara, my only ally.

Reluctantly, I agreed.

Elara swiftly briefed me on Cedric's preferences: temperature, fragrance, and water level. She handed me the fragrance and a jug.

With a reassuring smile, Elara hurried out, leaving me anxious.

I turned to face two girls, their expressions twisted in disgust. Apparently, Elara was the only one who didn't despise me.

"Good morning, nice to—" I started, but one of them cut me off with a menacing growl.

"Don't ever talk to me!"

I shivered, nodding hastily before turning away. The hostility in Elgin was suffocating.

With a heavy sigh, I left the room, resolved to face Lord Cedric. Elara's instructions echoed in my mind: arrive early, while he's still asleep.

As I approached his door, I took deep breaths to calm my racing heart. But just as I balanced the water to knock, a woman's moans and Cedric's grunts of pleasure froze me.

My heart shattered. I knew he didn't want me, but the pain was unbearable.

In shock, I dropped the water, and it splashed onto the floor, flowing into his room.

"No, no, no..." I whispered, panic setting in.

The noise ceased, replaced by Lord Cedric's irate growls. "Elara! Why are you being so clumsy today?"

I steeled myself, pushing open the door. My heart heavy with pain, I kept my head down, determined to show no weakness.

Cedric's scowl deepened upon seeing me. Realization dawned, and his expression shifted to amusement.

"Ah, not Elara, after all," he sneered, his eyes glinting with malice.

He turned to his companion, who was vying for his attention. "Emma, leave us. I need to discipline this insolent brat."

Emma's gaze lingered on Cedric, but his glare silenced her. She shot me a venomous look, which I matched with equal hostility.

Cedric's laughter broke the tension, his red eyes locking onto mine. The distinctive rogue wolf trait seemed to burn with intensity.

"Look at me, Santos's daughter," he commanded, his voice dripping with contempt.

I hesitated, fearing what would follow. Cedric rose from his bed, his chiseled chest on full display. My gaze lingered, transfixed despite myself.

Cedric's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Last night, I thought you were just a pathetic omega. But today, you've proven me wrong."

I frowned, unsure what he meant.

Cedric clicked his tongue, annoyance flashing across his face. "You certainly know how to make an entrance, darling."

He strode towards me, grasping my hair harshly. "Fix this mess you've made."

With that, he exited the room, carefully avoiding the water.

I didn't have time to ponder his words or their implications. I focused on cleaning the mess.

As I scrubbed the floor, my mind replayed Cedric's words. What did he mean? Why did he call me "darling"? And what entrance was he talking about?

I pushed aside my thoughts and focused on cleaning the mess. I quickly grabbed a nearby mop and bucket, sopping up the spilled water.

After rinsing the floor, I refilled Lord Cedric's wooden bathtub with warm water, adding the fragrant essential oils Elara had given me earlier.

Just as I finished, Cedric stormed in, his face twisted in an angry scowl.

"Are you done with the bath?" he growled, his red eyes flashing with impatience.

I nodded, stepping back, trying to blend into the shadows. "Y-yes, Lord Cedric."

I stepped aside as he submerged into the water. But just as I turned to leave, he grasped my hand.

The sparks were undeniable, a jolt of electricity that left me breathless. It was the mate bond – nothing else.

"Scrub me clean," Lord Cedric ordered, his voice low and husky, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I blinked, bewildered. His demand jarred me back to reality: I was now a maid.

"My Lord?" I stammered, unsure.

Lord Cedric's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes burning with intensity. "You heard me," he said, his tone firm.

As my trembling hands made contact with Lord Cedric's skin, the sparks erupted into a raging inferno. His back muscles relaxed beneath my touch, and a low, rumbling sigh escaped his lips. The sound sent shivers down my spine.

My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage like a wild animal trying to break free. Every stroke of the soap felt like a caress, sending waves of electricity through my veins. I couldn't help but wonder if Lord Cedric felt it too.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. His gaze was inscrutable – a mixture of curiosity and something else, something that made my pulse skip a beat.

Lord Cedric's stare held me captive, his eyes burning with an unspoken question. I felt like he could see right through me, into the depths of my soul. My cheeks flushed, and I looked away, focusing on the soap suds.

"Your hands are cold," Lord Cedric said, his voice low and husky, breaking the silence.

I swallowed hard, deliberately avoiding Lord Cedric's piercing gaze. "It's just the weather, My Lord. I'm not accustomed to Elgin's chilly temperature," I explained, trying to sound composed.

Lord Cedric hummed thoughtfully, then suddenly rose from the bath, water droplets glistening on his skin.

I quickly averted my eyes, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks, and waited until he had entered his room to dress.

Once I sensed he was decent, I lifted my eyes and began gathering the cleaning items, eager to escape the charged atmosphere.

But before I could step outside, Cedric grasped my hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Who dismissed you from your duties?" he asked, his voice low and commanding.

I bowed my head, adopting a submissive tone. "No one, My Lord. I apologize for any intrusion."

Cedric's smirk grew, his eyes glinting with amusement, as he drew closer, his face inches from mine.

"...I haven't..." My words were lost in the fervent press of Cedric's lips on mine.

His kiss was a branding, a searing claim that left me breathless. The world around us melted away, leaving only the thrumming pulse of desire.

His mouth devoured mine, tongues clashing in a frenzy of passion. Cedric's lips were scorching, his kiss a maelstrom of lust that swept me under. Every nerve ending ignited, my senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of his desire.

I felt consumed, lost in the whirlpool of his passion. His hands cradled my face, holding me captive as he deepened the kiss. Time suspended, leaving only the thrumming beat of our hearts, pounding in tandem.

The kiss was tempest, wild and unbridled, its fury unleashing a torrent of emotions. I broke out of the kiss breathless, as Cedric smirked, leaning in for another. But suddenly, a shriek pierced the air.

"Gray's spawn, what are you doing with my husband?"

I stepped away from Cedric, shock and confusion etched on my face. My mate was married?

Cedric swiftly moved to the woman, embracing her tightly. "Honey, don't worry, she's just a maid, a mere servant. Why would I want someone with traitorous blood?" His voice dripped with disdain.

I stared, frozen in surprise. Reality hit me like a cold wave: I was nothing but a maid, a traitor.

The woman's gaze locked onto mine, her eyes blazing with fury and triumph. Cedric's smirk grew wider, his eyes glinting with secrets.

And then, everything went black.