Chapter 6: The Step-Child

“I need you to pull yourself together pretty,” Killian whispered, trying to calm Hailey, she was tense and having a mental breakdown.

She clinged to the king, never letting him go; it was as though if she did, some monster would eat her up.

That monster was Maya, she feared her more than anything.

Doris the royal healer stared at Hailey in awe, the girl wouldn't let anyone come close to her, she would begin to shiver the moment anyone neared her, except the king.

“My King, the girl is trapped in a toxic cycle, she's under a dark cloud,” Doris said, shocked by what she discovered.

“What? Why?” Killian asked worriedly, who could've done such evil to his mate?

“I will have to examine her, my King,” she said, stepping closer to Hailey who began shivering.

“It's okay my lovely, she's a friend,” Killian whispered to Hailey.

Doris knew the only way to help Hailey was to put her to sleep so she quickly made some herbs and gave it to the king to give to Hailey.

“She's going to be alright my King,” Doris assured him and he nodded.

“Take care of her, I'll be back,” he said, darting out of the room in anger.

****

“That cursed child! I cannot believe even after being locked up in the dungeon the king still found her!” Maya's anger was palpable, she was fuming. “I will make sure after today she doesn't step foot in this household!”

“Maya you need to snap out of it!” Alpha Lucas said. “Do you not understand the severity of this situation? The Alpha King is angry with us!”

“Let's tell him she's a witch, she tried to sabotage dinner by poisoning the king's food!” Maya said with determination, she was ready to say or do anything to get herself out of the mess even if it meant killing Hailey.

“Are you out of your mind?” Lucas thundered. “The King will order her immediate termination, you want your own daughter murdered?”

“I don't care, Alpha, and she is not my daughter!” Maya was irritated by hearing Lucas call Hailey her daughter.

She was the one who raised Hailey but had never had any connection to the girl, she hated and maltreated Hailey right from the very first day Andrea, her husband and the then Beta of the Pack brought her home.

She was the daughter of his mistress.

“Don't forget the promise you made to Hailey's father,” he reminded her. “There will be consequences if you go back on your words.

Maya thought for a second, her mind flashing back to the horrible scene of Andrea's death; before he died he made Maya promise to take care of Hailey and get her married to a good man, she never intended to keep that promise but it was the only thing that has kept Hailey alive all these years.

A knock on the door interrupted them, it was a guard, notifying them that the Alpha King was on his way to meet them. They immediately composed themselves.

“My King!” Ryder called, following Killian behind. The Alpha was boiling with rage, his footsteps thudding heavily as he walked to the study.

Maya and Lucas' hearts began pounding as he approached the room, they jolted to their feet, their gazes downcasted.

“My King,’’ they bowed to him as he took his seat. The king didn't bother to answer them or even give them permission to sit down, he threw dagger glances at them, making them shiver.

“M-my king, we regret everything that happened today, we deeply apologize for the inconveniences.” Alpha Lucas said, his heart racing.

“Yes, my Lord, I apologize for the trouble we've caused you,” Mary said, swallowing hard.

“Trouble?” Killian gestured for them to look at him and they did but not for long, their eyes couldn't stand his piercing glare. “I need someone to explain clearly to me what you are talking about.”

Their fingers trembled, they had clearly forgotten what they wanted to say.

“M-my king, the girl was locked up for treason!” Maya said and Lucas shook his head, warning her not to lie.

“Treason? What has she done?”

“She let her dirty pig into the kitchen when the maids were busy cooking for you!” Maya said quickly and Lucas sighed.

“I see,” Killian leaned back in his seat, his legs crossed. “Who is this girl to you?”

“She is Maya's daughter!” It was Lucas who hastened to reply, sensing Maya was going to say another lie.

Maya clenched her hands, how could he call that demon her daughter? “She is my step-child, my King,” Maya hurried to add.

Killian gritted his teeth. “Why did the other girl say she's a maid?”

“I apologize for that my King, we do not see her as a part of our family or associate ourselves with a witch like her.”

“A witch?” Killian narrowed his eyes in anger. “What has she done to be labeled a witch?” His voice was hot.

Maya's face twisted, she hated to be reminded of the reason Hailey was labeled a witch. But she wouldn't tell the Alpha King.

“She is associated with a demon,” Maya said and the king could see that she was clearly lying.

If she was really associated with a demon, why hadn't she saved herself from the cruelty towards her? Why would she let them lock her up? This thought reminded the king of something.

“Is that why you laid your hands on her?” He asked, getting to his feet and they stepped back with a gasp, his massive frame had swallowed the room, covering them in fear.

“W-we … My King! S-she almost sabotaged the food.” Maya replied.

“How? Hasn't she been at work since morning?! She was my doctor!” He thundered.

Maya and Lucas’ eyes narrowed in disbelief. So that was how Hailey met the king.

“S-she had to come back home, s-she had offended the doctor!” Maya continued to lie through her big mouth, this angered Lucas because the more she lied, the more trouble she was getting them into.

“Is that why you laid your hands on her?! Is that why you threatened to beat her up?!” Alpha Killian thundered, slamming his massive hand on the table.

Ryder shook his head, he was irritated by the actions of the so-called mother and Alpha.

“My King, the girl is good for nothing,” Maya said with hatred.

It was very evident to Killian that Hailey was despised for being a step-child.