Another presence

DAPHNE’S POV

I followed Amelia into a small, dark room. The room wasn’t well furnished. I could feel her eyes on me, assessing my every movement. I tried to remain calm, but Amelia's gaze made me feel like a caged animal.

So I confidently met her gaze and inquired why she stared at me in that manner.

"Do you question me now?"

I complained about the way she looked at me because it made me feel very uncomfortable.

Amelia chuckled. "You have no idea what it means to feel uncomfortable, chosen one."

"Chosen one? Why do you call me that?"

"Because the king has chosen you."

"Look, do you think I wanted this? To be here? No, I do not want to be here. And I do know what it means to feel uncomfortable."

The head maid said nothing, but her expression softened a bit. "You are afraid," she said finally. "That is understandable. I was afraid when I was brought here, I did not know what would become of me at the time but you must understand that you have no choice. The Alpha king has chosen you, and you must obey him."

I bit on my lower lip, my anger giving way to despair. "Why me?" I asked, though my voice was barely above a whisper.

Amelia's eyes met mine and I saw something in them that I had not expected: compassion. She took me towards the dressing place. There was a mirror there and when I looked at our reflections, my fear was very clear as day.

"You cannot expect me to possibly know how that is possible," she said. "I cannot tell you that. But I can tell you that it is not a curse to be chosen. It is an honor."

"An honor? I am far from convinced," I said, wholly skeptical. "Look at me. I do not feel honored. I feel trapped."

Amelia sighed as if she had heard this argument before. "I know it is hard to understand now. But perhaps in time, you will see things differently."

I shook her head, my eyes filled with tears. "I do not want this life."

"Then you should not have come here, Daphne. You should not have let the guards capture you."

"I was not even aware there were guards in the place until it was too late." I sat down on the soft bed, my head in my hands. "I want to go home."

Amelia said nothing for a moment, I thought she might not reply. But then, I felt a hand touch my shoulder. "I am sorry," she said. "But you cannot go home. You must stay here, with us."

It was as if my world had crumbled before me. I slid off the bed and sat on the floor, sobbing. Amelia's hand was on my back, it was gentle and comforting.

"I know this is difficult," she uttered. "But you are not alone. Look at the number of girls at King Ares's beck and call. You look at one of them and you see your reflection. We all went through the same thing you are about to. And while you may not believe it now, I promise that you will find your place here. You will grow accustomed to the things that happen here, and it will eventually become a part of you."

I looked up at my companion. "How is that even possible? I do not even know if I can do this."

"We shall see about that.”

“Where are you from?” She demanded.

“I am from the ELISIVA pack,” I replied and at once Amelia's countenance became very serious.

She looked like she saw a ghost.

“What is wrong?”

"You must not tell anyone that you are from the ELISIVA pack," she warned with an urgent tone.

"Why not? What is wrong with that?"

"Everything. Did you tell the guards? Any of them? Did they hear you mention where you are from?"

I shook my head, “no, even if I did, they wouldn’t have believed me.”

She was convinced by my answer.

“Very good. If not, you would not be sitting there with me.”

“Why? What’s the problem?”

“The Alpha King had made it clear that any traitors from the ELISIVA pack would be punished. So you must keep your identity a secret, or you will be in great danger.”

My heart pounded in my chest. I had not realized that it was this serious. I did not understand how this was possible, so I questioned her further.

"The ELISIVA pack is our enemy," Amelia explained, with her eyes hard. "They have betrayed us, and we cannot trust them. If the Alpha King finds out that you are from their pack, he will see you as a spy. You will be killed. Beheaded, or worse."

My hands trembled as I thought about the consequences of my actions. I had never imagined that being from the ELISIVA pack would put me in such danger. I felt like a fool, realizing the danger I had put myself in. But it was not entirely my fault. Darius made me run into their hands.

"I am sorry to have to tell you all of this," Amelia sympathized. "But you must understand the importance of keeping this a secret. Your life is at stake."

"Fine. I will keep it a secret. Between us?"

"Yes, of course," she agreed. She ended the conversation by refusing to answer any other questions. It was time to get me ready for King Ares.

I was disappointed. Inwardly, I had hoped Amelia would be more willing to talk. I stood up and followed Amelia to a space where there was a bath, but there was a sudden noise at the door.

Someone was eavesdropping on our conversation.

We both stood frozen in place. I listened for any sign of what had made the noise. But there was nothing else. We exchanged a worried look.

"What was that?" I whispered.

"I do not know," she shook her head, her mouth was in a thin line. She walked towards the door to check.

I got close to her and asked, "Do you think someone heard us?"

Amelia shrugged in reply and placed a finger over her lips. She opened the door and we both looked out. The hallway was clear, it was empty.

Indeed there was no one there.

But then where did the noise come from?