5

5

Alyssa’s Pov

Ingrid and the Alphas looked towards the direction in which Reynold ran off to and they looked disturbed. Even I was a little concerned about him because that was so unexpected. Never have I seen him lose his composure that way.

But then, this wasn’t a situation for me to butt in because to them, I’m invisible and showing my concern might only lead me into punishment. I turned around quietly and headed towards the stairs, then climbed up quickly until I was very much out of their sight. It’s better that I’m out of their sight in situations when they can be cranky or I might as well just become the person they would vent their anger on.

I got to my room and sat on the bed, leaning my back against the headboard and thinking about when my twin sister with no soft heart towards me had to add to my mockery.

“Why exactly does she resent me so much? It can’t possibly be because of mother’s death because she never really seemed to show me any form of love when mother was still alive.”

The only difference between before my mother’s death and after was that she never spoke against me or did anything bad to me. I got down from my bed again and walked to the balcony and leaned on the rails. My heart felt so restless and I couldn’t seem to stay calm.

I guess it was because I was still a little worried about Reynold. Or should I just go back to the dining room and ask if he’s okay? I can just overlook the mockery in case it came up. What was more important was to find out if he was doing okay.

As I turned to step out of my balcony, I heard a loud knock on my door and that made me feel a little anxious on who it could be.

“Who is it?” I inquired as I moved closer to the door.

“It’s a guard. Open up.” A man in a deep tone, urged me.

I opened the door and stepped out to look at the six-foot-tall man, but when I noticed that I had to look way up, thereby allowing my hair to uncover my scar, I only stared mid-way at him.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, out of curiosity.

“Go over to the living room. All maids’ attention is needed.” He informed me.

It was a little slap to be called a maid by the others, and especially a guard, but what could I do about it? Absolutely nothing.

“Okay.” I responded and gently made my way through the hallway and down the stairs until I got to the living room where the maids all stood, trembling with their heads bowed.

I also joined them, but rather than trembling, I fiddled with my fingers. My mates were sitting on the same long sofa with Ingrid, but Reynold had an angry look on his face. But I was glad that it seemed like nothing happened to him.

“The maids who were not in charge of kitchen duties today, step to the left.” He ordered them and I watched as they moved to the other side.

Anita wasn’t among them, so I couldn’t ask her what was going on. The others who were with me would definitely not answer me due to their current fear. We were about six who had kitchen duties today, and we all stood before the Alphas and Ingrid.

“Those who were in charge of the morning and afternoon meal should join those who didn’t have kitchen duty.” He instructed, and four ladies went on to join the others.

Now, I was left with just one lady; the one who cooked the food. But what exactly was going on?

Just then, Reynold squeezed his facial expression and his face turned pale. But it was like he was trying to hold whatever pain he was going through, in.

“Are you… okay?” I asked him, feeling concerned about his current state.

Then he looked at me, but before he could speak, Ingrid sat up with an angry look.

“Shut the hell up and stand upright!” She voiced, and my eyelids fluttered as I was taken aback by her sudden attack.

Reynold cleared his throat to bring back the attention to him, and I bowed my head a little to avoid looking into his eyes.

“So, you two were involved in preparing dinner and other things this evening, right?”

“Yes.” I and the lady affirmed.

“One of you put something in my food to upset my stomach, and if you do not confess, both of you will go through a lot in my hands.” He threatened and I gasped in shock.

Now, I understood why he made such expressions on his face, but what was more shocking was how he could think that I would poison his food.

“I didn’t do it.” I defended myself in a soft tone.

“Oh, my goodness. Is that… Was that what you were doing when I walked back into the kitchen?” The other maid questioned, looking surprised.

“I… I don’t understand. What do you mean?” I asked, wondering where this conversation was leading to.

“When I stepped out of the kitchen and came back in, you looked shocked like you were doing something behind my back. I thought it was because you were weird, but now that Alpha Reynold spoke about poisoning, I’ve been able to connect the dots.” She said, pointing an accusing finger at me.

“Stop it! Why are you lying against me? I did none of that. You only asked me to serve, and that’s what I did.”

But Reynold slammed his wrist on the table which made me almost jump out of my skin. I raised my head to look at him and I saw his eyes burning with rage. His upper lip was twitching to show how hard he was trying to hold his anger in.

“Guards!” He called out to them, and I took a step backward.

My heart skipped a beat and I felt an iron taste fall on my tongue.

“Please believe me. I dare not poison your food.” I pleaded while rubbing both palms together.

“We have done things the way you don’t like it. You might call it mistreatment, but that’s what you deserve, and you might want to take revenge, so I’m not surprised.” Ryan uttered, also sounding angry.

“N…no. Please don’t do this to me. I beg of you. I can never do that to you, regardless. Ingrid, please tell them. I have never poisoned you or anyone before, have I?” I asked her, hoping that she would help me in this situation. 

But she only looked away from me like no one was speaking to her, and I felt so hurt by that. Why exactly would she be this wicked to me? 

“Guards, take her to the cell, right now.” Reynold barked at them and the guards grabbed my arm.

Tears fell from my already filled up eyes and the other batch streamed down my face.

“Please you have to believe me. I would never do this to you.” I continued pleading as the guards dragged me away.

They dragged me until we got to the cell and they threw me on the cold bare floor and locked me up like an animal. I couldn’t stand to hit the bars as there was nothing that would do for me. I only kept crying with so much pain in my heart.

“I wish you never died, mother.” I said, crying with a shaky voice.

When she was alive, I was never treated badly by anyone, and now, I’m just so fed up of the treatment. When will I be free from the humiliation?

~

Later that midnight, I was sitting up, my back against the cold wall and my arms wrapped around my legs while I leaned my chin on my knees. It was difficult to sleep off because this was my first time somewhere here and it was scary at some point.

All of a sudden, I heard the sounds of footsteps coming towards my direction. I raised my head to watch out for who those could be, and when they stepped into the space where light was, I discovered it was the boys.

But my eyes traveled down to their hands and I noticed whips, pegs, and chains. 

Someth ing in my mind whispered to me that I was about to be fucked so hard with these tools.

Fear gripped me.