Chapter 9

Seraphine's pov.

I turned my head toward the direction of the bedroom Alpha Agora had left me and dashed.

I heard a little of what was said, but by the time I had put on my garment and walked into the room, there was no one there, aside from a tray of food scattered on the floor.

I looked at Agora, and instantly had a feeling in the pit of my stomach. Just as I had guessed, he smirked and stared daggers at me.

"Pick it up with your bare hands and dispose of it in the palace incinerator. I think I've let you become too comfortable," he said without any emotion in his voice.

I obediently bent down to pick up the glasses, careful not to cut myself.

"After that, go to the kitchen and eat with the other maids. We want them to know you're still alive," he said, as if teasing me or warning me.

I didn't respond. What was I supposed to say? Thank you, Alpha, for letting me go outside and see the outside world, where I'll probably be bullied more than I am here.

"And make sure to be back here before nightfall, or else you'll face a date worse than death," he assured me, and I swear he meant it with that look ok his face.

I slowly nodded and bowed before leaving the room. Once I was outside the door, I felt a wave of dread, mixed with relief, wash over me. I didn't enjoy being punished in his room, but at least he wasn't hell bent on killing me. These animals in the palace that disguise themselves as maids would do anything to lay their filthy fingers on me.

I slowly walked down the stairs as my garment touched the ground. I stared at the fabric clinging to my body and sighed. How long have I been wearing this same robe? I don't even have anything to change into. I would give anything for a change of clothes.

The palace seemed gloomy as everyone's faces were buried in the ground, carrying out their duties. It looked like they didn't want to offend someone invisible or say anything to one another. I walked past a maid who was sweeping under the garden as I approached the incinerator.

"You look tired. Why don't you take a rest?" I politely advised.

"Says the one who made herself a spectacle on her first day and now ended up in the Alpha's chambers, awaiting slaughter," she snarled at me without looking up.

I felt offended, but it was true. I did make a spectacle of myself on the first day. Marrying the Alpha? How absurd that sounded to me now that I have been in the palace.

"I was only trying to be helpful. You looked so tired," I said, shaking my head and making my way to the incinerator.

Just as I tossed the broken glass in the hot furnace, I felt someone push me, and I almost fell face-first into the fire, but my quick reflexes kicked in. I turned around sharply and spotted a few maids behind me snickering.

"What did you do that for?" I asked, eyes wide. My heart almost fell out of my chest as I panted.

"Oops. If it isn't the Alpha's bride," one said, laughing viciously.

"Did we hurt you, Luna?" the second said, while she high-fived the duo.

"What did I do to you? I barely know you guys," I said, my voice rising.

"You don't have to know us to be bullied, silly."

I bit my lips hard as I took two steps forward. "I would..."

"I wouldn't advise you to start a fight. Who do you think they'd believe? The good maids who finish their work on time and don't cause trouble. Or the slave you think she wanted to marry the Alpha and almost beat up her fellow slaves?" the first one said, staring me down.

"Leave her alone, or you'd be reported. I am a witness," the maid sweeping the courtyard said, her voice calmly dangerous.

The three maids frowned and walked out huffing.

I sighed and walked up to the maid, who had resumed her sweeping without looking at me.

"Thank you," I said, my voice shaking with incomplete fury.

"You don't have to thank me, Seraphine. It's just a matter of time before the Alpha kills you. But before then, you should pass through your own hell like everyone else," she answered nonchalantly.

"How does everyone..." I began

"Knows?" she interrupted.

"Yes. How does everyone know about me being in the Alpha's chambers? " I continued.

"It's no news, Seraphine. You were the only person who brought a little bit of fun with your stunt when you arrived. And you also created a scene when you tried to escape. The whole servant looked for you. Then there's you slapping that maid. Naturally, everyone would be interested in you. When you finally got to be sent to the Alpha's chambers, it went viral like wildfire," she explained.

I sighed.

"Is he really going to kill me?" I asked, unsure if I wanted to hear the answers.

Finally, she looked up at me. Her eyes were a deep sea blue, and her body was frail. She looked like she hadn't been fed for quite a long time. Her blonde hair was loose; it flowed around her shoulders and waist. She was weirdly beautiful. Like the beauty you wouldn't see from afar unless you stood close to her.

"Maids sent there have never been alive for more than a month. We don't know what he does to them, but we know they don't make it out alive after a month. He is the devil, and the person who appointed you to his room must have really hated your face," she said, her eyes boring holes in mine.

"Maybe he wouldn't kill me. He might decide to have mercy," I tried to argue, not believing my own words.

"You want to know why he won't spare your life?" she questioned, her eyes still not leaving mine as she held the broom in an oddly familiar way.