Chapter 4

Alpha Xan's POV

There was a lightness in my chest as I strolled to my room, eager to see my new maid.

I've been trying to avoid thinking about the crazy attraction I felt towards her since the moment I laid my eyes on her innocent grey orbs.

At that moment, I felt a tight fist squeeze my heart and an overwhelming urge to keep her close to me, to keep her safe.

It was the first time in three years that another woman aside from my chosen mate snagged my attention.

Melissa has been my focus ever since she agreed to be my chosen mate, and I'd never been tempted to lose focus.

Until now.

So, where did this ridiculous attraction come from?

My little maid's innocence made me want to do dirty things to her.

Ruthlessly, I squashed the erotic images that immediately came to mind and took a deep calming breath.

This was not the time to think about the way I'd love to use my maid's mouth, no matter how pretty she was.

A lot was at stake and now more than ever, I needed to be in control, keeping my wits around me.

However, that didn't stop me from pausing outside to press my ear against my bedroom door.

I couldn't hear any sound from inside, and disappointment surged within me. I avoided closely examining why I was disappointed that my maid wasn't in the room.

Entering the room, I immediately stepped into the bathroom to freshen up after Melissa's help earlier. I was so aroused after meeting my little maid in the courtyard that I had to call Melissa to help.

She was only too happy to do so, foolishly believing it was about her. I chuckled because the silly she-wolf had no idea what was coming.

My pack has been secretly planning an attack on the Grayhedge Pack for years, and nothing will stop me from having my revenge.

All thoughts of revenge departed from my mind at the sight of a little bundle on the floor.

It was my maid!

I was at her side in two strides and lightly placed two fingers at her throat, trying to feel her pulse.

It was there but a little faint as if she was dying.

Maximilian, my wolf suddenly surged to the surface, taking control. My claws shot out and my fangs pierced my gums as my muscles bulged, ripping my clothes a little. Without looking in the mirror, I knew my eyes would have turned yellow, signalling that my wolf was in control.

"Mine!" He growled deeply in my mind while sniffing agitatedly around Fate's prone body.

What the hell?!

What does he mean by "mine"?

She's not our mate! Or is she?

Max doesn't even react this way to Melissa!

What is going on?!

These thoughts speared through my mind, even as I picked up my little maid in my arms. Her lovely eyes fluttered open, and she smiled as though happy to see me before sliding back into unconsciousness. A powerful protective feeling came over me, and I held her tightly to me, speeding out of the room to the pack clinic.

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It's been five days since the fainting incident, and it wouldn't be wrong to assume I was avoiding my maid.

I gave strict orders to Mrs Briggs to let her rest after the doctor cleared her at the hospital. She only fainted due to stress and would have recovered by now, but I've not called for her.

I am still confused by my wolf's unexpected reaction towards my maid.

She wasn't even my mate, or I'd have felt the mate bond. After six years of being mateless, I was sure I could identify my mate when I met her.

I wonder where she's from and why she hasn't gotten her wolf yet. I'd have loved to smell her. I'm sure her scent would be as sweet as she looks.

That means she's mateless, but that could change someday. Unreasonable fury and jealousy rushed through me at the thought of another male touching my maid.

When did I become so possessive, when no she-wolf has ever made my heart beat so fast?

Fate's body tempts me beyond understanding. Her innocence makes me want to protect and corrupt her at the same time. Her body was hidden by the shapeless gown all maids wore, but her face was what caught my attention.

It was heart-shaped with a pert, cute nose and full pink lips that I wished to bite and kiss.

I'd love to twist her long blonde hair around my fist while I ram-

"Oh! Moon Goddess!" I exclaimed, cutting off that thought as I adjusted uncomfortably on the chair, already aroused by my thoughts.

When did I become a pervert?! Lusting after an innocent maid!

Blowing out a frustrated breath, I shoved my thoughts away and tried to focus on the pack work piled before me.

The shrill sound of the telephone stopped me.

"Hello?" I said, raising the receiver to my ear.

"Two more victims were sent out yesterday night," a gruff male voice stated grimly, going straight to the point.

My heart ached at the thought of more innocents falling victim to these people's greed.

"And we still can't track them?" I asked, tightly gripping the phone to avoid throwing it across the room in anger.

"No, Alpha. Their scents disappeared as soon as they crossed the border," came the disappointing reply.

"Okay. Continue to keep an eye out," I ordered, pissed about my current helplessness.

"Soon, we will be ready to set things straight."

"Yes, Alpha," he replied.

"One more thing, though."

"What?" I asked impatiently, not wanting another bad news.

"One of the Alpha's daughters was found dead a week ago," he stated grimly.

"Hm. That makes it two deaths in six years."

"Someone must be out to get this pack."

"It's not like they're innocent anyway," I said, unconcerned about the pack's fate.

If only I could get the main culprit in the pack! Whoever it is keeps getting bolder. After foiling their plan six years ago, they were back again, trading wolves to the highest bidder.

My fists clenched as the heartlessness of this act made me furious, while the plights of their victims made my heart ache.

"Thank you for letting me know. Stay watchful. I'll talk to you soon," I said, ending the call.

Soon though, I will snap my net tightly around the evildoers, and they will pay dearly for their deeds. I vowed.

I managed to get in a few hours of work before the sounds of an uproar from the pack's courtyard reached my sharp ears.

I continued working, intending to ignore it because werewolves are a boisterous and unruly bunch so whatever was going on would soon subside.

Ten minutes later, things got louder, and I was forced to go looking, grumbling all the way to the courtyard.

Unsurprisingly, there was a teeming crowd surrounding the huge tree in the middle of the courtyard, yelling at someone in the middle.

The crowd quietened and parted as I strode forward to see the cause of the uproar. On reaching the front, I stumbled to a halt.

Firstly, surprise, then deep fury slashed through me when I saw my little maid stripped naked from top to waist and strung up against the thick trunk of the tree. Her back was reddened and torn from the whiplashes being delivered by my Beta, Adam.