THE FIANCEE

Ginnie**

I didn’t sleep all through the night, every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. Those cold, merciless eyes that pierced into me last night. His voice still echoed in my head, low and lethal, wrapping itself around my spine.

Leaving the Blood Moon Villa wasn't an option… Not yet. Even though every instinct screamed at me to run.

“GINNIE!”

A familiar voice shattered my thoughts like glass. I flinched so hard the knife slipped, slicing my finger. A rush of blood welled up, bright and red, and I quickly wiped it away on my apron.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” The chief maid, Maria stormed towards me, her face twisted in irritation.

“I…I’m preparing the vegetables,” I stammered, straightening my position to meet her eyes, “Like I was told.”

She slammed her palm on the counter beside me. “Are you stupid? Those were meant for the main dish, they were supposed to be prepared hours ago!”

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I wasn’t told—”

“Of course you weren’t,” she snapped, “Because filthy humans like you never listen.” Her eyes narrowed slightly, “Do you know who’s arriving today?”

I shook my head, fear creeping into every inch of my bones.

“The Alpha’s fiancée is arriving today,” she said sharply. “And if even a single thing is out of place when she steps into this mansion, it will be your head on the line.”

“…Fiancee?” The word left my mouth before I could stop it. 

The kitchen seemed to go quiet for half a second, before Maria's lips curled, “Yes. Varkos’s mate and future Luna.”

Something twisted painfully in my chest, even though I couldn’t quite figure out why. Varkos? Engaged? 

I didn’t know why it hurt—only that it did. A sharp, ugly ache bloomed where I’d buried everything connected to him six years ago.

“I…I didn’t know,” my voice came out as a whisper.

“Well, now you do,” she hissed. “And stop asking stupid questions, get back to work!” She leaned closer, her voice dripping venom. “Also, wipe that stupid look off your face. You’re here to work as a slave, so act like one.”

 I nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am.”

As she walked away, my hands resumed their task, though they shook now. Of course, he has a mate, I thought bleakly. A man like him would never look twice at a human.

Some parts of me felt bitter, angry…foolish for ever thinking that night between us had meant something. 

“She’s arrived!”

One of the maids barked as she came rushing into the kitchen. The words sent a ripple of panic through the staff, we began to line up quickly, trays in hand, backs straight, eyes down. My heart hammered so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.

The dining hall doors opened and we started to make our way out one by one. Then—

She walked in.

She was tall, draped in an elegant black and silver dress that clung to her body like a second skin. Her hair fell in glossy waves down her back, dark and perfect. Her eyes swept the room, cold and assessing, as though she were inspecting livestock.

This was Varkos’s chosen mate?

My hands tightened around the tray as she took her seat at the head of the table with effortless authority, crossing her legs slowly. “So,” she began, her voice smooth and cruelly amused, “this is the famous Blood Moon Pack Villa.”

A few of the higher-ranking Lycans chuckled nervously. But then her gaze dropped—to us.

To me rather.

Something in her eyes sharpened as she stared down at me like I was garbage. “You,” she said suddenly, pointing at me with one elegant finger. “Come closer.”

I stepped forward on trembling legs, lowering my head not to dare meet her eyes “Yes, my lady,” I whispered.

She smiled, but nothing about it was funny. “What are you?” she asked, tilting her head.

“A human slave,” I replied softly.

“I can smell that,” she shot back, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Laughter rippled faintly around the table at the humiliation thrown at me. 

“Make yourself useful and serve me,” she said flatly. I stepped forward, my hands steady only because I forced them to be. I placed the plate carefully in front of her, lowering my gaze the moment I was done.

For a moment she said nothing, then she picked up her fork and took one bite of the food. But then immediately spat it back onto the plate.

The sound echoed through the dining hall like a slap as she stared at the ruined dish in front of her, her expression darkening with open disgust. She slowly wiped her mouth with a napkin, as though she’d been poisoned.

“What,” she said calmly, “is this garbage?”

Her eyes lifted—sharply, piercing through every one of us without looking away for one second. “Who cooked this?”

The room went deathly still.

I swallowed hard, my throat burning with the words I was about to force out. “I… I did, my lady.”

Her gaze locked onto me instantly, “Oh?” She moved her head slightly, studying me as one might examine a cracked plate. “You cooked this poison?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

A bitter laughter escapes from her—sharp, humourless. “That explains everything.”

Heat flooded my face as she pushed the plate away with two fingers, “Do you humans truly believe this is food?” Her voice thundered through the entire dining hall. “Or is this some sort of stupid joke?”

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her eyes piercing into mine. “Answer me when I talk to you, fucking bitch!”

“I—I followed the instructions,” I replied, my voice barely holding together.

“The instructions?” she repeated, “How adorable. As if humans ever get things right.” Her gaze flicked to my hands. “So these hands made this” she mocked, “I should have known. Filthy things produce filthy results.”

Tears threaten to spill from my eyes, but I force them back. I couldn’t afford to break in front of these Lycans, not even for a second.

“Take this garbage off my table and go make me something nice. Now!” She barked, tossing the food away on the floor.

“Y…yes my lady,” I whispered. “I’ll go and prepare another dish immediately.”

A cruel smile tugged at the corner of her lips the moment I sank to the floor and began to clean up the food pieces.

“Oh, you better do,” she snapped. “Because if you don’t present me with something edible within the hour, I’ll order your execution for attempting to poison your future Luna.”

The word execution rang in my ears, but before I could part my lips to speak again, she waved a dismissive hand. “Get out of my sight.”

I turned quickly, my vision blurring as I fought back tears.