Chapter 6 - An Escape Plan.

Of all the people she expected Agnes to mention.

Not this one.

The meal hung in her throat as she tried to process what she just heard.

Maybe - just maybe she didn't hear correctly. Nyssa looked up at the head of the maids who waited while smiling. “What did you say?”

“Alpha Zevran, my lady. This is his Palace.”

Fuck no.

The older woman repeated the same words she assumed she hadn't correctly heard.

“The Heartless Alpha.” Nyssa opened her mouth, swallowing crumbs of meat that hung in her throat. “The wicked Alpha Zevran.” She looked at the woman who was confused.

“I'd be back to lecture you, my lady.”

And she was left alone - to and with her thoughts.

This couldn't be.

It just could not be.

Did the moon goddess remember who this man is and what he did to her so many years ago? Zevran, her parents’ killer. The same man who caused the war that took their lives - and started her misery. What was she doing in his Pack?

How did she get here?

Definitely, it wasn't fate.

It could not be fate. Nyssa dumped the tray of food and got up, pacing the space like a lost wolf. She was lost, after all. She was lost in her thoughts and lost in a place she shouldn't be in.

What the hell happened?

She's pacing when she heard a sound.

It came from the lower part of the building.

A few steps had her caught up with the window. Nyssa took a peek and saw him - the same man she was just thinking about.

He wore a nice regalia - unlike a while ago.

There was a smile on his face as he addressed the members who did not stop bowing. For a fleeting moment, Nyssa asked herself if these people knew the kind of man that ruled them.

A beast.

A heartless man.

It sounded to her like they did.

The way they worshiped him, it told her everything she needed to know.

And how could a man be so handsome?

A man as wicked as this man, so handsome.

Who could have thought a face like that could be responsible for the misfortune she had been experiencing for a long time?

Nyssa shifted from the window, plopping down on the bed as she began to sob.

Everything, unlike before, came back.

This time, it was like it happened yesterday.

She recalled the war - how it began, her parents’ death, and the first reign of Alpha Duskryn - an Alpha who had another kind of beast in him.

If only wild wolves took her.

It was better than making this discovery: from being mated to a man and finding out his connection with her past. More tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought about it.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

She snapped out of her thoughts, moping at the entrance after picking up the tray of food. “Yes. Come on in.” She managed to be cheerful as the door opened, revealing Lady Agnes who smiled.

“I know I said I'd give you enough time—” She shut the door. “But we don't have enough time. Alpha Zevran asked me to tell you everything you need to know.” She walked closer and sat on the bed. “You are his personal maid, as you know.”

Nyssa didn't speak.

She could only manage to listen.

“From tomorrow morning—”

“I was told to begin tonight. Why did it change?”

“Alpha Zevran asked that you be filled in today. He says you must resume tomorrow morning.” The old lady explained as she adjusted. “Tomorrow is the beginning of a new week. On the first day of the week, you're to clean his chamber thoroughly - arrange his stuff and wash all the clothes you find in the clothes’ bin.”

Nyssa nodded.

“You wake up early on such days. Very early. Maybe an hour before sunrise, although I'd advise you to make it two so you can have enough time.”

“Right—”

“The Alpha is in his chamber at this time. You may touch everything except his bed, and don't make any noise, mm? When you're done, you make his meal. Some days, he wants what I prepare, and other days, you're the one in charge of everything he eats. He has his fruits, you'll be shown.”

“Will that be all?”

“Not yet.” Agnes got up. She paced and resumed. “Other days, you do everything you should do. Sweep, clean, and change his sheets. Changing sheets doesn't happen all the time, but it does when you notice he was laid the night before.”

“Laid?” A confused Nyssa asked.

“What do you mean by ‘laid’?”

“Alpha Zevran has his women. Overnight. Sometimes it happens every time, sometimes it doesn't. You change the sheets on the days you meet him with a woman in his chamber, my lady. And the days you don't, simply make the bed.”

“Okay.”

“Do you maybe - have some questions?”

Nyssa shook her head. If there was something she wanted to ask, it was why the Alpha did what he did to her family. But the man wouldn't even know what she was talking about - not with the much blood he had in his hands. She hated him - more than she hated Alpha and Luna Duskryn, their devilish daughter, whose death she would love.

“My Lady?”

“Yes—” She snapped out of her thoughts. “I have no questions at all.” She let out a fake smile that was fake. “Thank you. That should be all.”

“I was also asked to show you around the pack.” Lady Agnes announced as she reached the door. “Come with me. Ask questions if you have any, now or later, my lady.” She opened the door while Nyssa got up, catching up with her.

Together, they walked out.

Already, Nyssa lost her appetite.

She needed to think, but she couldn't. Not with the confusion she felt. “What's your name?” The head of the maids interrupted her thoughts again.

What was her name?

The Alpha could recognize her if she said her real name. She couldn't risk such.

“Emilia.” She smiled. “My name is Emilia.”

***

As Nyssa - now Emilia, strode down the hallway with the head of the maids who talked about what or who each chamber belonged to, or what they were used for, Nyssa could not help but admire the fine walls. The marbled floor marveled her, even Lady Agnes could see it.

“They're marbled floors.”

Of course, she knew. Nyssa thought.

If only they knew she was royalty. “Hmm. Marbled floor.” She nodded. “It looks rich.”

The old lady chuckled. “Of course. Alpha Zevran isn't a poor Alpha. I don't understand how and why you haven't heard about him somehow. Who doesn't know the Alpha? Where are you from?”

Now that was something she didn't want to share. “I don't know.” There was no hesitation at all. “I was bought, and then I ran. I have no idea about my history. I come from a strange land - but I am a werewolf. There are humans too. Many of them.”

“Oh.” Lady Nyssa gave a nod as she opened a door. “Welcome to the kitchen, Emilia.”

Women in uniform turned in their direction.

Some smiled at her, some didn't care - just as she didn't. Some of them faced what they were doing while some moved around checking pots. It was a large kitchen with many sections - leaving Nyssa to wonder how many maids the Pack had.

“These are maids, Emilia. There are more but they are out in the garden.” Old Lady Agnes announced, breaking the silence. She looked at the curious women and then continued. “Meet Emilia. She has come to serve the Alpha as his personal maid. You shall address her as Lady.”

“Yes, my lady.” Many muttered.

“Come.” The old lady urged. “This is the part you should see.” They were on their way to a section now. Nyssa wondered how the Pack acquired so many maids - and a kitchen so big.

“This is your space.” Old Agnes cut short her thoughts. “This is where you cook what the Alpha wants. Everything you need to make these meals is in there—” old fingers pointed at a door. “That's the store where we store all food stuff and meat.”

“Right—” She spoke now.

This was the least of her trouble, as a matter of fact. Many thoughts ran around in her head but one superseded the others. “When do I begin?”

“I told you, my lady. Tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, my lady.” Agnes sounded. “Is there a problem? You look like you have many questions. Feel free to ask anything at all, Lady Emilia.”

“I shall begin my duties to the Alpha by morning, then.” She looked around the kitchen space. “Thank you for showing me around, Lady Agnes. I must get back and have some rest before I begin my duties.” She bowed like she's seen others do, heading for the kitchen entrance.

Never will she serve that man as his maid, Nyssa thought as she checked around for escape doors.

It was high time she found her way out.