Chapter 3: They Hid Her From Him

“What are you still doing here?!” Maya barked, startling Hailey. “Come here you ugly scarred girl!” she pulled her ear, dragging her outside towards the dungeon, making Hailey's body tremble with fear. “Didn't you know it is time for the King's arrival, what are you still doing in the house?!” A cry escaped Hailey's mouth as she violently twisted the ear.

“I I-I'm-I'm sorry,” her lips trembled. “I wasn't done cooking.”

“Shut up your stinking mouth!” Maya tossed her into the dungeon, and she crashed on the cold, dirty floor, her elbows hurting. “Never step foot out of this place, do you understand?!” She was furious when Victoria informed her that she was still inside the house even after she had sent her a warning to leave before the Alpha King's arrival, a warning that never got to her because like always she didn't inform her.

Hailey couldn't defend herself, she knew it would only make matters worse so she kept mute, tears running down her face. She hated how she could never get used to being treated like she was nothing.

“You disgust me Hailey! Just because I gave you the opportunity to handle the cooking for our elite guests you think I'd let you stay in the house so they'd see all those ugly scars?” Maya hissed. “If you even try to come close to the Alpha, I will make sure you lose your vision!”

“F-forgive me mother!” Hailey's voice cracked.

Maya banged the door shut and locked it with heavy keys before she left, leaving Hailey in the cold darkness, the poor girl broke into tears.

She wished the Alpha hadn't felt better, because when doctor Jackson announced that he was now alright and could continue his journey, Ryder sent a message to the Moonlight Pack, assuring them that they'd be coming. Maya had to make the necessary preparations for dinner and the special maid who was supposed to cook had gone for another job. Maya was left with no choice but to call Hailey who was the only one who could top the special chef's cooking.

She cried so much until she fell asleep.

Meanwhile, the King, alongside his Beta, were having dinner, he sat with a blank face. Shaking his head, clearly unsatisfied.

“Is everything okay, my lord?” Ryder leaned forward in his chair, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked the King.

“Hm,” Alpha Killian groaned softly.

“My lord, you need to soften your expression a little, let's at least serve the real purpose that brought us here.” Ryder said, referring to Killian's search for his mate.

“Purpose?” Killian scoffed. It was very evident that the girl's were fighting each other to get his attention. He understood their games very well because the girls in the previous packs he had visited acted the same way and it was as if all the girls had practiced at the same time; they did the same things just some going overboard by shooting him seductive glances.

He wanted to leave, he grew impatient with the so-called dinner. He just wanted to go back to the hospital and search for his mate even though Ryder had tried to convince him that he had only been dreaming and it wasn't even possible for his mate to be in the hospital.

“Take a look at that fair blonde,” Ryder signaled with his brows. “She is gorgeous, I'm sure you will like her, she looks like she could be your mate.”

Alpha Killian rolled his eyes, he was clearly not having it.

She was not here. His mate was not here.

Alpha Killian was not impressed when Maya introduced her daughter to him, he agreed that she was beautiful, and could make a great queen but he wasn't feeling it, she was not his mate.

“This Victoria, I can't help but feel she's the perfect mate for you, her aura is everything.” Ryder said, searching Killian's eyes for an interest in the girl.

“She's not the one,” Killian said firmly, staring at Victoria who was having a drink with her friends, she glanced at him seductively, her eyes calling him to speak to her. But Killian was not naive, he knew what she was up to, just like every other girl, she was trying to get his attention.

Alpha Killian felt uneasy, this was the last pack and yet he hadn't found any girl suitable to be called the Queen. He had been told there was only one mate created for him and if he searched well and couldn't find her it only meant she was dead. He wouldn't accept that, he felt her presence, he could still remember her scent, but where was she?

“I'll be right back,” The King whispered.

“My king … where are you going?” Ryder was asked when Killian rose from his royal seat and walked out. His royal guards hastily returned, their faces downcasted. Ryder understood the King must've stopped them from following him.

The pack members exchanged glances, wondering why the King darted out all of a sudden but Ryder gave them an assuring smile and they nodded, understanding it meant nothing and the King would be back.

Ryder wanted to follow the King but he knew he wanted to be alone so he sat back. The King was being difficult, if only he'd listen to him. He sighed.

Hailey's stomach growled with hunger, it was so intense it woke her up from her sleep. She hadn't eaten since morning because she busied herself cooking and instructing the maids for the grand dinner. She smiled when her mind flashed back to the delicious meals she had prepared.

“I'm sure the King will love them.” She said, “If only I could see the look on his face when he tastes the food.”

Hailey had hoped she'd be allowed to attend the dinner, especially since she had prepared all the meals with the help of the maids. She wouldn't be acknowledged as anything, unlike the way the Alpha would see her the other girls, she wouldn't expect the King to think she was beautiful no matter how nicely dressed she was or beautifully she made her hair, no one would, no one has ever, the only thing she wanted was to be acknowledged for her great cooking skills.

“It's okay,” she smiled. “This isn't the first time I hoped and it never happened.” Her stomach continued to growl, at that moment, she wished Martha, the only maid who liked her, would secretly bring some water for her to drink.