4. The proposal

She couldn’t speak.

He was angry. She watched his anger grow but yet no matter how she tried, her mouth wouldn’t open.

“Don’t let me repeat my question” he said and she gulped loudly.

“It’s….” She stammered “It’s nothing. I fell down recently” she laughed awkwardly “I’ve got two left legs sadly”

He didn’t laugh. He just kept staring at her. He knew she was lying but that was all she could give him.

How could she open her mouth to say it was her step mother, Lila that hit her just because he had chosen her to be his mate instead of her stepsister, Lydia?

It would infuriate him and he honestly didn’t look like someone that one would want to infuriate whether at themselves or at others.

She dreaded what he would do to her for lying to him but the next words that left his mouth, stunned her

“You need a bath” he said, changing the topic and Jenny almost sighed in relief.

She looked down on herself, suddenly self conscious “Yes, I do need a bath” Agreeing with him while also cursing Henry in her head for not letting her know it was that bad.

He snapped a finger and almost immediately a guard appeared

“Take her to her chambers and let the servants attend to her. She is my guest and you know what that means”

The guard bowed “Yes my Alpha” then turned to Jenny “Please come with me”

Jenny turned immediately and followed him, wanting nothing more than to be out of Alpha Maurice’s presence. He was too intimidating.

Her ‘chambers’ looked like heaven and there were three servants standing outside to be at her beck and call. She didn’t know if she liked that.

She showered and had some food; a whole platter and apart from the occasional check-ins, she wasn’t spoken to. Just alone in her ‘chambers’

She didn’t know how long it was since she had been there and the only option she had wasn’t working. Sleep.

Jenny couldn’t sleep.

At this point, she was beginning to think sleep simply didn’t like her.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed door then around the room again.

A large bed sat in the middle of the room, covered with thick blankets. There was a wardrobe against one wall, a small fireplace on the other and a window overlooking the gardens.

There was even a private bathroom.

Jenny had never had a bathroom to herself since she was born.

She thought she would be staying at some servants house but again Alpha Maurice seemed to have surprised her.

She should have been impressed.

Instead, she felt trapped. She wasn’t naive to think that all this didn’t come at a cost. She was a healer and that was why she was here, she just didn’t know the full story yet.

She got up and walked toward the window, looking down.

She had no idea what time it was but it seemed the pack was still awake.

Lights glowed from several houses and some people moved through the streets.

Jenny wondered what it would feel like to belong somewhere safe enough that you could walk outside at night without wondering who might hurt you. Back home every one was already indoors by 8pm.

********

A knock sounded at the door and Jenny stirred on the bed. She had in fact slept. The knock came again and without looking she answered,

“Come in.”

The door opened and she turned to see a young servant girl standing there, holding a tray.

“Breakfast.”

Jenny stared at the tray.

“At night?”

The girl looked confused.

“It’s morning.”

Jenny blinked and looked toward the window.

The sky was grey and the window was open. She left it open last night.

“Right. Good morning”

The girl stepped inside and placed the tray on the table and began arranging the plates.

Jenny watched her curiously,

“What’s your name?”

The girl hesitated a bit,

“Emma.”

“How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

Jenny frowned. She looked younger but didn’t comment on it.

“Do you live here?”

“In the servants’ quarters,yes.”

Jenny looked toward the bed.

“Then why am I here?”

Emma went very still.

“You’re our Luna”

Jenny frowned at that,

“What did you call me?”

Emma’s face paled.

“Say it again.”

“Luna.”

Jenny stared at her.

“I’m not the Luna.”

Emma looked at the floor.

“Alpha Maurice said you are.”

Jenny’s stomach dropped by degrees

“He said that?”

“Yes. To everyone”

Jenny stared at her.

Everyone. So Maurice had already decided. She thought she would be put through some tests first. He didn’t even know her.

He had chosen her and apparently decided the rest of the pack and her included simply had to accept it.

She hated that.

She hated that he’d made the decision without even speaking to her.

“Okay thanks. You can leave”

“Are you sure you’re okay Luna?”

Jenny cringed at the title but she managed a smile,

“Yes. Thanks”

Even though the uncertainty didn’t clear from the young girl’s face, she still turned and left.

After she left, a lot of thoughts crossed her mind but she was too hungry to get into them. She opened up the plates in the tray and took a bite of some bread.

It tasted good.

Much too good.

She hadn’t eaten anything this fresh in years.

She hated how much she liked it.

She added some honey. Ate the fruits and she was thankful she was alone because she wasn’t exactly being ladylike.

She was almost done eating when another knock sounded at the door.

“Come in” she said and the door opened to Alpha Maurice.

“Hello Jenny”

She almost jumped out of her bed. What was he doing here coming in unnoticed when she was in her undergarments?

“Oh goddess” she swore as she turned her back to him

“Good morning Alpha. I wasn’t expecting you”

“Of course your weren’t” Maurice agreed “Sorry for my intrusion”

Jenny swallowed and remained silent.

“How was your first night here?”

“Okay”

The silence between them only continued to grow and it was starting to make Jenny really uncomfortable

“Do you know?” She suddenly asked and he raised an eyebrow

“Know what?”

“That I’m a Maychild.”

He didn’t bat an eyelid but his prolonged silence answered her.

“Wonderful.”

Jenny laughed bitterly.

“You brought me here knowing fully well what I am? What do you need me for? For your own personal convenience I suppose? You have to tell me now so I know.” She went on “ Because I would not accept the lie like everyone else that you want to make me your Luna. Impossible”

He only continued to stare at her and it continued to piss her off further.

“Are you going to say anything?”

He looked like he would smile suddenly but the smile never fully materialized,

“Jennifer Mayfield” he started and Jenny recoiled at the mention of her full name “I know what you are and I do intend to make you my Luna whether you like it or not. You will lack nothing and be kept safe”

Jenny bit down on her lips in anger

“What type of man threatens a woman to become his? And you still expect me to feel safe?”

“I expect you to understand that nobody will touch you while you’re with me.”

Jenny looked at him in disgust

“How many if your people know my true nature? I know Henry does”

“Only few people that want the best for you are aware. You don’t need to be afraid. You’re safe here”

“You can’t promise that.”

“I can. I’m the Alpha”

“You’re not everywhere though, are you?”

“No.”

His eyes hardened.

“But my orders are.”

She didn’t know whether that was comforting or terrifying.

Maurice then turned toward the door.

“I’ll see you at dinner.”

Jenny frowned.

“Dinner?”

“With the pack.”

Her stomach dropped again

“I don’t want to.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you making me?” She almost yelled

“Because you’re going to be Luna and you have to be introduced to your people”

“I haven’t agreed to that.”

He looked at her with a small smile

“Oh you will” he said “You must”