Chapter 07~ Jealousy

ASHLEY

I thought I was going to explode when he kept saying he knew me from that night. It was almost like every disguise I had created on myself was as useless as a waste. I almost pissed on myself when I thought he'd kill me if he realised I was the same girl.

Tonight, I just realized something about him. He wasn't just a monster, he was a nightmare. For some reason, I tried to question myself if I made the right choice walking here. Or maybe, I should have let Zeus have the revenge instead.

“My apologies for frightening you. You're not who I thought you were.”

He was close to figuring me out and that's all he could say?! Sorry?

His apology wasn't enough to die of the fear that had stormed in my inside, and I prayed for even the slightest chance to escape his sight.

“Return to your duty,” with all due pleasure, I left the room.

I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding, staring back at his room as if that would clear the storm of fear I was feeling. I knew from the start, things wouldn't be as I expected. But then, my quest for vengeance was greater than my fears.

I hadn't reached the ceremonial hall when I came across the Alpha's lover. The look in her eyes was like I had stolen the most precious thing in her life. I didn't know why she hated me, but that shouldn't be my problem, right?

“Where are you coming from?” She questioned. “From the Alpha king's room, right?”

I didn't want to raise suspicions, or cause her to hate me more than I already did. I didn't know why, but for some reason, I didn't want to be the reason why they broke up.

“No, ma'am.” I lied. “I haven't seen the Alpha since then.”

She stared at me for a long time. Her nose widened a bit, like she forced herself to breathe. “Why then do you have his scent?” She pointed at me.

I sniffed myself, a faint of his scent was on me. How? I didn't remember our skin touching, though he was an inch closer to me. But that was the least we could get.

“His scent?” I asked, pretending not to know what he smelled like. “I don't have his scent?”

She stepped closer to me, leaning closer to sniff me. “You're telling me you don't have his scent, huh?” She snapped.

“I don't know what you're talking about.” I tried to defend myself. What have I gotten myself to?

I thought that monster was the problem, I was wrong. She is.

I don't know if it was jealousy, or just the fact that she hated me, but I was sure she wouldn't let me go until she got the answer she needed.

“I knew from the start that you have a motive.” She hissed. “From the moment I saw you in his room, I knew you wanted every chance to get to his heart. But let me make this clear to you, Kael is mine, and mine alone. So, get that at the back of your skull.” With that, she walked away angrily.

Why would she even think I wanted her man? Besides, who in her right mind would want to be around a man who thinks of nothing but how to kill his prey? A man without the slightest hint of mercy.

Another face I didn't want to see was Madam Hilda.

“Arin!” She found me. “Where the hell were you?!”

“I was…”

She cuts in. “Always giving excuses for your disappearances?”

“I'm not!” I half-yelled. “The Alpha king sent for me, I'm just returning from his office.”

For the first time, she didn't look like she didn't believe me.

Then she said. “Quickly, join the others. Our guests need more meals.”

“Alright, ma'am.”

****

ALPHA KAEL

I hated myself for being too curious to have assumed she was the same girl from that night. I tried to snap off the memories, but it kept replaying in my head over and over again.

The door flew open, and I was close to yelling when Lorna's voice sounded. “KAEL!”

I knew what was coming, honestly, I wasn't in the mood. “Lorna, not now. Please.”

“Not now?” She scoffed. “You told me you wanted to settle something real quick. Tell me, was she the ‘something’?”

“Lorna, please…” I turned to look at her, obviously not in the mood to explain myself. “can we have this conversation later? I need to focus.”

“Focus on what?” She snapped. “On her?”

I didn't say a word.

“You're snubbing me, aren't you? Is it because she looks more beautiful than I am?” I looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

“In fact, she doesn't even look so good like I do. With those scars on her face that makes her look more stupid than she already is.”

At this point, I knew if I didn't clear the misunderstanding, things would get worse. “Lorna, I'll be sincere with you. Ashley was never here.”

“Lies!” she cried. “You can't lie to me, Kael. I perceived your scent on her. You two… you two…” the words choked in her throat as tears streamed down her cheeks.

I hated it when I watched her cry. It hurt me so badly, like a part of me was ripped off. So, I walked towards her, pulling her to myself.

“Nothing stupid happened, I promise. I would never have someone like her in my life, you know that. It's you, and you alone.”

“I was scared,” she sniffled. “I thought you'd pick her over me.”

A small smirk played on my lips. Lorna was as jealous as damn.

“No one is ever taking your place in my life, and that's just the plain fact.”

I felt her relax on my chest, like my words had calmed her stormy heart. “I love you, Kael.”

“I love you too.” I replied, gently tapping her back.

“Can we have her changed?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Changed?”

“Yes. I don’t like her,” she said plainly. “I don’t want her to be your maid.”

“Why not?”

She looked at me, like she'd been holding back the anger in her far too long. “She’s hiding something. And… I don’t know, I just don’t like her. She makes me uncomfortable.”