CHAPTER TWO - EMOTIONS

   I was utterly speechless, a whirlwind of emotions coursing through me like a raging river. The reality of leaving behind the dark confines of the dungeon and entering this opulent chamber was almost too much to comprehend. The drastic shift in my circumstances was overwhelming but despite the overwhelming rush of thoughts I composed myself and hastened towards the maid who had been assigned to care for me.

    "Aunt Cleo!" I muttered weakly.

    Tears welled up in my eyes threatening to spill over as I closed the distance between us. Overwhelmed by a mix of gratitude disbelief and relief I found solace in the arms of my maid. Her embrace was filled with a warmth that spread through my entire being reminiscent of a long-lost mother's affection. In that moment all the pain and suffering that had consumed me for the past hours seemed to fade away replaced by a sense of security and comfort that I had longed for.

    Her comforting presence seemed to cast a healing spell upon my fractured spirit. It was as if her strong arms wrapped around me were mending my shattered pieces stitching together the wounds inflicted by a life of confinement and misery.

    

   “Oh my Melina, what have they done to you? Why do you look so unkempt?” She asked and caressed my face, then, looked over my whole body. The tears that had threatened to overflow transformed into tears of joy cascading down my cheeks leaving trails of profound relief behind. Finally being able to speak with my maid again was like a dream come true for me.

   “Whatever is happening here is so weird. Initially they wanted to put me in the cellar but one of them suggested I go meet the doctor first who kept running non ending tests on me and after we were done in the pack hospital, I was left in the dungeon…”

   “What? They put you in the dungeon?” She looked up and that was when I realized the man that brought me here was still there. “Why would you take my baby to a dungeon? Does she look like a criminal?” 

   “Why not go question the council? Because you are given a bedchamber now doesn't change the fact that you are the daughter of a traitor.” He answered in a cold tone and before Cleo could say anything else, the door closed and we were both alone. 

    “Thank goodness he left." I sighed. "Cleo, do you really believe that dad tried to murder the king? We all know how dad loves the alpha king and how he praises him day and night.” 

    “I know, my dear. But no matter what, we will always support our pack.” She said with a sad expression. 

   It really hurt me to think my father could stoop so low and try to betray his King, when the King did nothing wrong that I knew. Even though he was treating me like a shit - and I could understand the reason - I had never heard of him treating anyone with injustice. And if I was in his shoes, I could do worse.

    "What do you think Cleo?"

  “Well, I don’t know, Casey. I really don’t.” She said with sincerity and a sad smile lingered on her lips. “But the truth will always prevail, no matter the circumstances.” 

    In here, if truth was to triumph and my father was really wrong here, he would be executed because, even though I don't want to admit it, he deserves it.

    "Why don't you let's forget about this. You are finally free from the darkness of the dungeon." Cleo suggested.

    Indeed, I suppose. The room they gave me was even more luxurious and exclusive than mine back home. Everything in the room was so quality and the fragrance was beautiful.

   “Meemaw, have you ever seen the king?” 

   “No way. Do you think I would ever see him? No omega in this pack has seen him, so who am I to see his Majesty. But I heard that he is truly attractive.” Cleo said and smiled.

    “Hmmm! How can you be so sure?” 

   “Well, well, all I know is that his hair and eyes have different colors from any other alpha. Like… Mesmerizing, glowing, magnetic eyes.” Cleo said and her smile widen.

    “We might later see him in the future. They will certainly summon us for questioning and stuffs like that.” I would really like to see the king even if it's gonna be once. Not just to analyze his features, but because maybe if I talked to him, he would understand that our pack would never betray him. My father would never do such a thing.

    "Meemaw, are we just gonna sit here starving? I am famished." I blurted out.

    "Don't have to worry. We should be served soon." She convinced me and I nodded. 

     In no time, at all our dining table was adorned with an impressive feast a veritable banquet fit for royalty. The maids glided in and out without uttering a word performing their duties with an air of silent efficiency. I attempted to capture their attention eager to express my appreciation but their impassive demeanor remained unaltered. Nevertheless I found solace in the fact that I could indulge in the delectable meal before me and retire to a comfortable bed at night. Above all else having my beloved Meemaw by my side was a source of immense gratitude.

    Later that night, with my Meemaw sleeping by my side in that enormous bed, I looked up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. The sheets were all white, but with small details, lines, in a golden color. I must even risk thinking it was made of gold. The King was wealthy enough to be able to afford it. The whole room was in pastels, pink, white, beige. And gold. The only thing that was different was the golden color. Even the ceiling had golden flowers drawn on it. 

   I should be more relaxed, but I could not. I had a bad feeling that all that care with me and Meemaw was for a reason they didn’t tell me or haven't told us. Truth be told, we didn't deserve that kind of treatment. Maybe they would tell us when the sun rises because I can't seem to think of any good reason why they would feed us that way.

   In the morning, we had another banquet for breakfast, again, no maids talked to us and that happened for the next two weeks. Nobody talked to us and we were not allowed the leave the four walls of the chamber. Apart from the maids, no one came to meet us in there and I and my Meemaw couldn't stop wondering what was happening.

   “This is driving me crazy Meemaw!” I complained as I paced back and forth in the large room. 

   “If you keep walking back and forth, you’ll sure make a hole on the floor.” She said and put aside her embroidery. “Just take a deep breath and relax, okay?"

   “What? You want me to relax?" I turned to her with disbelief. “I have no idea what happened to father! They tell me nothing! Do you even realize that we are being still treated like a prisoner? There is nothing so good about this privilege if they can't give us liberty to move freely."  

   “Put your mind at ease baby, It could be worse if you keep complaining this way."

    Maybe Cleo was right. I should remain thankful. But I just couldn’t because it doesn't feel right! I was suspicious of what was going on. Why were they treating us with all that good food, quality dresses, good bed, exclusive chamber?

    “I think this people want something from me.” I said intuitively and Cleo sighed. 

   “Maybe you are thinking it the wrong way? The alpha isn't so cruel and he is the nicest person you would ever meet, if eventually you did.”

    “No Cleo. I have a bad feeling. Something doesn't feel right." 

    A week after that, I was taken to the doctor again, by the another female from the military. She was cold but she didn't inflict it on me. 

    “You look really different and better this time!” The doctor said and smiled gently to me. 

    "Well, you're right. I have gained weight because all they let me do is sleep, eat and talk.” 

   “Well, you should do some exercises. It will help you, you just need to stay healthy.” He said and scribbled something down.

   “I agree, doctor. I would like to go to the gardens, at least. But, do you think his Majesty would allow it?”  I asked but then I saw a complicated expression on his face, as if he didn’t know how to say something or if he was deliberating whether to tell me or not.

   “I will see what I can do about that, Melina.” He finally said, but his eyes were not smiling anymore. It was not his fault that my life was a wreck. I nodded and remained silent during the way back to my chambers. 

    At night, maids entered our bedchamber but this time, not with dinner. They were full of dresses and fragrances. 

    “What are all these for?” I asked and then I sighted, Beta Kristen standing at the doorway.

    “Miss Haephastus, you’ll be washed and prepared for today’s event.” 

     “What event?” I asked, looking at the beautiful silk dresses before me. They were simple, but at the same time, I could tell they were expensive. 

    “The King wants meet you and you can't look dirty before the king.” He said and my eyes distended I'm astonishment.

    “His majesty wants to meet a prisoner?” I asked and looked at Cleo, who smiled back at me. 

    My heart filled with hope! I was going to be able to talk to the King, to ask about my father, about my pack! To try to be free! If he was as nice as people said, I should be able to convince him.

    “You can't be this confident in front of his highness. It's considered rude and you wouldn't want to know what the consequences are. Whatever is going to happen tonight, just flow with it.” Beta Kristen had a weird look in his eyes as he said the last statement, his posture was tense and he was not meeting my face when he talked.

   "What do you mean by that sir? What…” My throat screeched, so I paused for a while to salivate.. “What is going to happen if I go meet the king?” I asked nervously.

   I saw his jaw clench and then, our eyes finally met. 

    "You have a major purpose here, Miss Haphaestus." He said expressionlessly.

    "And the major purpose is...?" Cleo asked.

   “You are to give birth to the next King.”