Chapter 2

In a realm beyond the werewolf world, there lies a celestial garden, a place of unimaginable beauty. Waterfalls with crystal pure water and silvery swirls that shone like stardust tumbled from cliffs in the moonlight. The air was sweet-smelling from the enchanting fragrances released by brightly coloured flowers.

Above this garden is the Moon Goddess’s palace, where she sits to oversee the affairs of the werewolf world and judge the souls of dead werewolves that slowly drifted along on the Golden Thread of Souls.

A few souls were bright and pure with some darkness, but most were purely dark and glittery. The pure souls were destined for the pearly gates, while the dark ones would go to the Underworld.

The Moon Goddess is a creature of exquisite beauty with beautiful, silver, flowing hair that glistens like moonbeams. Her pale blue eyes are deep and mysterious and can captivate the beholder. She radiates a strong celestial aura with a serene, gentle smile and otherworldly elegance.

While sorting the souls drifting before her, her attention snags on one of them. It shone brighter than all the others with some glittery darkness. However, the most unusual feature was the dark red colour mixed in with the other colours of the soul.

Red usually signified a deep-rooted desire for revenge or untimely death. This soul had unfinished business in the living wolf world.

The Moon Goddess placed a graceful hand under her chin as she pondered the soul before her. Drawing a deep breath, she decided to send the soul back to the werewolf world to complete the rest of her life. But the soul also had some lessons to learn.

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Fate’s POV

I jerked upright with a loud gasp.

“Oh! Thank the Moon Goddess!” A young girl’s voice sounded very close to me.

“You are awake. I was so scared you wouldn't get better.”

"What?" I mumbled.

I sit upright on the bunk bed, looking at my surroundings in confusion.

"Where am I?"

"Did someone save me from my killers?"

"Where am I?" I ask the bubbly girl I had never seen in the pack.

"You're in the maid hostel, silly." She said, giggling.

"But the Grayhedge Pack has no maid hostel," I said, frowning.

"Grayhedge Pack?" The girl repeated with a disgusted look on her face.

"Of course not! This is the Bloodmoon Pack."

Are you sure you're feeling alright?" She asked, placing her palm on my forehead.

I froze and turned pale as I realised that there was a problem.

The two packs were sworn enemies and the Alpha of Bloodmoon pack was rumoured to kill any Grayhedge pack member who trespassed into his territory.

How did I get here?

Where are my parents?

Thoughts ran across my mind as I struggled to understand what was going on.

I only vaguely remember being in pain in the forest.

And then….

I sighed in frustration as I failed to remember anything after that.

"I must have stumbled into this pack while I was in pain," I silently concluded.

"Y- yes. I'm fine," I stuttered, trying to reassure her.

"What's your name?"

The girl looked hurt for a moment and she got up from the bed and moved towards the window.

"Is that a joke?" She questioned in a small hurt voice.

"Nevermind. I still feel a little fuzzy. I'm sure I'll remember soon."

"It's Ava," the girl said, excitement creeping back into her tone.

"Don't worry. I'll help you until you regain your memory."

"But now, we have to hurry."

"Hurry? Why?" I asked, feeling slightly dizzy as I got up from the bed.

"Oh! I forgot you were out of it earlier." The girl giggled, bouncing on her toes.

"Today, one of us will be selected to serve as the Alpha's personal maid!"

"I hope I'll be picked!"

"Oh," I said, unimpressed.

I had no interest in becoming the Alpha's personal maid because I intended to return home as quickly as possible before my identity was uncovered.

Also, in my experience, Alphas were wicked people with a short temper. I pitied whoever would be chosen to serve the Alpha.

Soon, I was dressed in the plain, brown maid gown and followed Ava into the courtyard where about fifty maids were bustling around.

We were all dressed in the same brown gown and everyone seemed excited at the prospect of being the Alpha's personal maid.

One of them, a short curvy lady, gave me the stink eye and sniffed disdainfully before strolling towards Ava and me.

"Look what the cat dragged in!" She said, eyeing me.

"You finally decided to rejoin us so you can get selected as his maid, right?"

"I don't understand," I replied, trying to avoid the curious gazes of the other maids.

"Of course! You'd come up with the innocent act again!" The maid said, glaring at me.

I stared at her in confusion, not understanding why she hated me so much.

She probably mistook me for another maid she hated.

Ava spoke up in my defence, "Leave her alone, Briella."

"You know she has been ill for a while."

"Oh shut it! Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes!" Briella shot back at Ava contemptuously.

"I'm not even surprised that you two weaklings would stick together." She said, laughing.

As the other maids tittered and giggled, Ava's face reddened in embarrassment and she kept quiet.

I instantly forgot about keeping a low profile and I opened my mouth to tell her off,l but an authoritative voice cut in.

"Settle down, girls!"

A short, matronly woman stood at the entrance to the courtyard, leaning heavily on a walking stick. Her head was tightly wrapped in a white scarf and her expression was quite disapproving.

The hairs on the back of my neck raised as her gaze rested on me.

Oh shit! Have I been caught already?

She slowly made her way into the courtyard and the clomping sound of her stick made my heart beat fast.

Finally, she stood before me and peered into my face.

"Are you feeling better now, child?" She asked.

Although her voice was gruff, it was also kind and I let out a shaky breath in relief.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

"Good!" She replied, nodding her head and turned away.

"Today, one of you will be chosen as our Alpha's personal maid." She said, raising her voice to address the maids.

"Ensure you conduct yourself properly."

"Anyone reported to me for wrong behaviour will be immediately dismissed!"

"Have I made myself clear?" She questioned, glaring at us.

"Yes, Mrs Briggs!" Everyone yelled, and I echoed belatedly.

Briella sniggered, and my face turned hot as I flushed.

"Good!" Mrs Briggs said and walked off to a corner of the room.

I dropped my stiff shoulders in relief even as I wondered why no one seemed to have noticed yet.

"Stay out of my way, Fate." Briella declared, pushing into my face.

"That position is mine!"

I shrugged unconcernedly. If she wanted the position, she could have it.

But why did she call me Fate?

I shook my head. Not my business!

I couldn't help but wonder about him though. This Alpha that all these maids were so eager to serve.

Maybe he wasn't all that bad.

I quickly shrugged off this stupid thought and focused on Ava who was telling me about my chores for the day.

Two hours later, I was bone-tired! All the work I had done at my former pack didn't prepare me for this!

In the past few minutes, I had washed, cleaned, and scrubbed till my palms felt raw.

Being a maid is hard work!

Suddenly, a bell tolled twice, cutting into my pity party.

All the maids shuffled into a single file, and I hurried to join them, wondering what was happening.

"The Alpha has arrived!" A male guard shouted, announcing the Alpha.

Ava gave me a slight encouraging smile while Briella shot daggers at me with her glaring eyes.

I rolled my eyes before bowing my head. I knew I needed to avoid this Alpha's attention if I wanted to live.

I knew exactly when the Alpha stepped into the courtyard. I felt as though electricity zapped through my body as I immediately became hyper-conscious of him.

The urge to look at him was so strong that it was a struggle to keep my head bowed.

My breath escaped in shallow gasps when he advanced further with slow, steady steps.

He continued walking until he stopped before Ava, who was beside me. He was close enough that I could smell his delicious scent; he smelled like clear rain and the forest.

I jerked slightly as he abruptly moved on from Ava and stopped before me. I kept my head bowed and tightly shut my eyes, praying he would proceed to the next maid.

But it seemed the Moon Goddess hated me because the next thing he said was;

"You!"