REVEALING THE SECRET

CHAPTER 7: REVEALING THE SECRET

VENUS:

The sound of the gunshot startled me out of sleep. I sat up on the bed and held my heart as it thudded against my chest. I covered my ears with my hands as if that would silence the echo still ringing in my head.

Another gunshot.

I stumbled to the window, my legs shaking beneath me. It was already dawn. I had slept so deeply after having a good meal.

I looked through the curtains as my fingers trembled. Then I saw him—Alpha Maxine—lowering a smoking gun, his face was expressionless as a man lay crumpled before him, lifeless.

My stomach churned.

"What the freaking heck..." I whispered, backing away from the window. My knees trembled and I collapsed to the floor, curling into myself. I hugged my knees tight to my chest, trying to make myself smaller, or even invisible.

He shot someone dead without batting an eyelid. What a ruthless Alpha! If I made him angry one day, would that be me lying in the dirt, discarded like a broken toy?

I couldn't stop myself from shaking.

The door creaked open moments later, and I flinched.

"Venus?" Mira's voice was soft but she looked worried. She walked into the room, holding a tray. "Breakfast time. The Alpha said you must eat."

I didn’t look up. "I don’t have an appetite."

She placed the tray on the small table by the bed and sighed. "You must eat. It’s dangerous to disobey him."

I raised my head slowly. "Why did he kill that man?"

Mira paused, then sat on the edge of the bed, looking directly at my face. "He was a spy. From the Stormfang Pack. He crossed into our borders last night. The warriors caught him trying to sneak into the supply wing."

My throat tightened. "He should have put him in a prison instead of killing him."

"That's not how things work around here, Venus. Alpha Maxine doesn’t give second chances to enemies." She hesitated. "Or to those who make a habit of defying him."

My heart sank. "And what about people like me. Does he kill his slaves in that manner?"

"You’re not just his slave, Venus. You’re... chosen."

I snorted bitterly. "Chosen to do what?"

Mira didn’t respond. She just looked away.

I rose shakily to my feet and walked into the bathroom. Maybe a bath would calm my nerves. Maybe if I scrubbed my skin hard enough, I’d wash away the fear that clung to me like a second layer. I didn’t even know how long I stood under the warm spray, letting it run down my back as I closed my eyes and tried to breathe.

When I emerged again, wrapped in one of the oversized towels, Mira was still there, arms crossed.

"Eat," she said, nodding toward the food.

I stared at the tray and uncovered the plates. Scrambled eggs. Sausages. Toast. It was a feast. And the aroma should’ve made my stomach grumble, but all I felt was dread.

"Mira... why does he want me to eat so badly?"

She hesitated, then sighed. "Because he wants you to be healthy enough to carry his child.”

Then realising what she had done, Mira covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide with shock. She had blurted out the truth without meaning to.

I gazed at her and nodded. “It's alright. I won't let anyone know you told me.”

“Shit!” she cursed. “I'm done for if the Alpha gets to know about this.”

“What's the use of hiding it when I will know eventually?” I reached out and took her hand. “Mira, I want you to be my friend. Please don't be scared. I will never disclose any secret you tell me to anyone.”

She nodded but she still looked terrified.

I wondered how such a handsome young man could instill so much fear in people around him. What a monster.

“Has he always been this way?”

Mira nodded "Alpha Maxine is never questioned. Never challenged, He feels his father was killed because he was too weak. By being so ruthless, he has conquered more than a dozen packs in this country and made their Alphas his subject."

"And he wants me to carry his heir? Why me?"

Mira looked at me with tired eyes. "I'm sorry, Venus, but that's not for me to tell. But I have one piece of advice for you, though. We survive by doing what we’re told. That’s the only way. And you should do the same.”

There's no way I'm getting pregnant for a monster like him. I will rather die than give birth to a smaller version of that monster.

I pushed my food around with a fork. I didn't feel like eating anymore.

“Do you like it here?”

Mira hesitated. "Yes.”

But I knew she was lying.

“Where are your parents?” I didn't mean to pry into her private life but I just couldn't help asking. I wanted to know what I was up against.

“I was brought here as a slave when I was nine years old,” she muttered. “It has been years and I don't know anything about my parents’ whereabouts.”

Her words hit me hard. She wasn’t just a maid. She was a prisoner, too.

I took a bite of the eggs. Then another. My throat still burned with unease, but I forced it down.

Mira nodded in approval. "Good. Keep eating."

I chewed slowly, then asked, "Are you a human too.”

Mira shook her head. “No, I'm a werewolf.”

I nodded. She has that glowing eyes and that unique scent.

“Does Alpha Maxine hate humans?”

“If he hated humans, he wouldn't be willing to buy one to bear his child, would he?"

And just then, the door swung open and we both gasped in shock.