Chapter 06~ His Uncertainty

ALPHA KAEL

The hall was filled with noises, the sound of clinking glasses, laughter, and howls of celebration. I should have been focused on that, but I wasn’t. My eyes kept drifting to her.

I watched her from across the room while pretending to listen to the Alphas talk. They laughed loudly, shared old stories, and praised my victory, but I didn’t hear half of what they said.

She moved through the crowd, serving drinks with her head slightly lowered. And I hated how I felt every time her eyes met mine, it was like she tugged at something I didn’t give permission to be touched. And yet… I wanted more, I wanted to know exactly why she held such will power over my mind.

She moved past a few guests with a tray in her hand, when someone stepped backward and bumped into her. The tray slipped, and she stumbled, causing the drinks to spill on her even before she landed on the floor.

Almost all eyes fell on her. One of the older servants began scolding her loudly, even though it clearly wasn’t her fault. I nearly stood up, my body shifted forward on instinct. I wanted to stop it, to tell them to leave her alone. But I clenched my jaw and sat still.

"It’s not your concern, Kael." I reminded myself. "She’s just a servant."

But then… I saw her face. The way she sat on the floor, shaking, with her lips pressed together, trying not to cry. It hit me hard to the core. It wasn't my imagination, it was the fact: she was the same girl from that night.

The night I had led an attack in a small village, the same night I bit a girl who ran from me in the woods. It was her, and I could see it clearly now. No doubt, the family mark on her neck could be the scar from my bite.

If what my instincts say is true, then how is that even possible? No one had ever survived my bite. No human, at least.

I couldn’t stay in that room anymore. I whispered to Alfred, “Get Arin. Bring her to my chambers. Now.”

I turned to leave, but Lorna stopped me. "The ceremony is still on, where are you going?"

"I need to settle something real quick, I'll be back before you know it."

****

I stood by the window, loving the cold air that blew my skin. I didn't realize I had so much patience until now. It's been ten minutes since I asked Alfred to send Arin in, yet she hasn't shown up!

"Where the hell is she?" I stormed at Alfred through mindlink.

"Forgive me, sir." He apologized. "She'll be in your room in the next second."

Just then, there came a knock on the door.

"Come in." I permitted.

The door creaked open behind me. Even as I didn't turn, her scent hit my nose in a way I hated.

“You sent for me, sir,” she said quietly.

I didn’t turn around yet.

Instead, I asked, “Who are you?” There was a pause. “And don’t even think about lying to me.”

I heard her breathing shift. “I… I don’t understand what you mean, sir.”

Of course she did.

“Don’t play that game with me, Arin.” I said, now turning to face her. “You know what I’m talking about.”

She looked scared, taking a step back.

I stepped forward. “How do you know who I am? And why did you choose to serve me of all people?”

“I didn’t choose,” she said quickly. “The chief maid, she’s the one who put me here. I swear, I never asked for this post. I—I can be switched. Please, I don’t want trouble.”

She kept stepping back until her back hit the wall. I closed the distance, one hand pressed above her head against the wall. She flinched, trying to look away.

“You’re not a very good liar, Arin,” I said slowly. “I know who you are, I remember your face.”

I watched her eyes closely, they widened but only for a second.

Then she shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

I slammed my fist against the wall beside her, the sound causing her to gasp in fear. She trembled, holding the fabric tightly around her neck like it was a shield.

My eyes dropped to it. “The mark,” I muttered. “Let me see it.”

“No, please,” she begged, “Don’t touch it... please, just don’t.”

I reached for her hand. The moment my fingers brushed her skin… she went still, like something inside her weakened. Slowly, I pulled the fabric down from her neck, my eyes widened.

It wasn’t… what I expected.

It looked like a tribal mark I'd seen once in an ancient book. I stepped back, shocked at what I was seeing. It wasn’t her? It wasn’t the same girl?

I was wrong to have thought it was her. No wonder she never looked at me like I was a monster.

Then why… why did everything in me still say it was her? Why couldn’t I just walk away?

I walked steps away from her, now backing her. “My apologies for frightening you. You're not who I thought you were.”

I could hear her breathing heavily. I knew from this moment, she wouldn't be looking at me like her Alpha, I'll be her nightmare. And I hated that's how things would have to be.