CHAPTER THREE - The Alpha’s Return

LIORA'S POV

The next morning came too quickly, dragging me from restless dreams into the harsh reality of another day. 

My body protested as I dressed, the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind. But it wasn't the pain that made my hands tremble as I fastened my apron, it was the memory of Anna standing in the corridor.

In the kitchen, I kept my head down and tried to make myself as invisible as possible. But I felt Julian's eyes on me the moment he entered.

His stare was cold and venomous, and although he said nothing, I could see the threat in his eyes.

I swallowed hard and focused on my work, praying he would simply let it go.

The household buzzed with excitement about the alpha's return. The whole estate seemed to vibrate with anticipation.

Alpha Lucas Hart had been away for nearly a year on a conquest to the northern territories, and his homecoming would be celebrated with a grand festival at the palace.

"Liora." Old Marta touched my arm, making me jump. "You've been selected to go to the palace. They need extra hands for the festival preparations."

My heart leapt because a chance to leave this house, even temporarily, felt like a reprieve. "When do we leave?"

"Within the hour. Go make yourself presentable."

I hurried to change into my cleanest uniform, my fingers fumbling with the buttons in my haste. As I gathered my things, Anna appeared in the doorway of the lower chambers, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Going somewhere?" she asked, smirking with her hands crossed.

I froze, my bag clutched in my hands. "The palace. I've been selected to help with the festival."

"How fortunate for you." She stepped closer, and I fought the urge to back away. "I wonder what Lady Becca would say if she knew you were sneaking around with men after dark. Having affairs is punishable, you know. Especially for lowly maids."

My blood turned to ice. "I wasn't-"

"I saw you, Liora." Her eyes glittered with malice. "Coming in through the entrance well after midnight, grass stains on your dress and that guilty look on your face." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "One word from me, and you'll be cast out. Or worse."

I stepped forward, my fingers twitching. "Anna, please.”

"Liora! We're leaving!" someone called from upstairs.

Anna smiled, slow and satisfied. "Run along then. We'll talk more when you return."

I fled up the stairs, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. 

There was no time to process the threat, because minutes later, I was loaded onto a cart with five other servants, bouncing along the road toward the palace as Anna's words echoed in my mind.

I wasn't even attentive when we arrived at the palace, one of the girls had to jab me with her shoulder and that was when I looked up. 

There were banners in the pack's colors hanging from every surface and the air thrummed with energy that made my skin tingle.

I had never seen so many pack members gathered in one place and the sight of it was overwhelming.

We were directed toward the kitchens and given our assignments. I was to help serve refreshments in the outer courtyard where various competitions and demonstrations were being held. 

As I carried trays of wine and honeyed cakes through the crowds, I couldn't help but drink it all in. I had never belonged anywhere like this.

"Have you seen the warriors from the northern pack?" one of the other servants whispered excitedly as we passed each other. "They're magnificent!"

I smiled and nodded, but my attention was caught by a sudden commotion near the training grounds. Horses thundered past, their riders shouting and laughing as they raced toward the palace stables. 

The crowd surged forward to watch, and I was caught in the press of bodies, unable to move as more horses approached.

I tried to step back but there was nowhere to go, as people packed tight on all sides. 

One of the horses reared, its hooves flashing dangerously near my head, and I gasped, frozen with fear when strong arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me clean off my feet. 

I was pulled up and back, landing hard against a solid chest as a horse moved beneath me. My tray clattered to the ground, as I grabbed onto the arm holding me steady.

"Careful," a deep voice rumbled against my back.

I turned my head and every thought in my mind scattered like leaves in the wind.

Alpha Lucas Hart.

He was shirtless, his skin gleaming with sweat from the ride, and I was pressed against the hardness of his chest as he controlled the powerful stallion beneath us.

There was more silver streaking through his dark hair at the temples, more than I remembered, but otherwise he looked exactly as he had a year ago. 

Stronger, if anything. 

His presence stole the breath from my lungs because he was looking at me.

His ice blue eyes widened slightly in what might have been recognition or surprise. For a moment, we simply stared at each other, and I felt something pull tight in my chest.

Then his gaze traveled slowly down my face, to my throat, lower still, and I felt every inch of that look as if it were a touch. 

A sizzling kind of warmth flooded through me, pooling low in my belly, and making my thighs press together involuntarily.

"My lord," I breathed, barely able to form words.

He frowned, leaning even closer and I felt like I couldn't breathe. “Liora? Is that you?”

I bobbed my head slowly and he sucked in a sharp breath. 

“Fucking hell.” He whispered and the words sounded so hot coming out from his lips. 

My world… what on earth was happening to me?

“You've changed… a lot.” He muttered, but it was more to himself than me.

I smiled wryly and shrugged. “A lot can happen in a year.”

He didn't say anything but his jaw tightened and then he was lifting me, lowering me to the ground with a strength that made my knees weak. 

His hands lingered at my waist for half a heartbeat longer than necessary and when he pressed me closer, my stiff nipples brushed against his chest….

I couldn't help but wonder what he would do.