CHAPTER 4

Lyra stood there, nervous and happy at the same time. Her hands started shaking and she giggled, quickening her breath. She stayed still, observing Alexander sip his drink bit by bit.

"Prepare to talk me to sleep," Alexander grinned.

Lyra stared at him, tasked with putting him to sleep. She stuttered, "Y-Y-Yes, my lord."

Alexander finished his drink just as Jack walked inside, his face red as he clenched his fists in anger. He drew Alexander's attention, who turned to him swiftly staring into Jack's eye's he asked.

 "What happened?"

"My-my-lord, he didn't make it," Jack stuttered.

Alexander's mood changed immediately. His eyes darkened, and he had a fiery look in them. He was both angry and heartbroken.

"What happened?" he growled. But Jack was mute he didn't reply, instead wiping the tears from his eyes.

Swallowing his saliva, Jack reiterated, "He couldn't make it."

Instantly, Alexander's face turned red. He clenched his fists in anger, his eyes turning dark and fiery.

One of his most trusted associates had been fighting off advanced cancer but he couldn't make it anymore. Alexander was both heartbroken and furious. His face turned bright red and his eyes filled with intense emotions. He waved his hand at Jack, signaling him to leave.

"Thank you, my lord," Jack bowed out.

"Go get me wine," Alexander ordered Lyra, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Sir, you've just had..."

Alexander bellowed, "If you ever question me, you'll have yourself to blame."

Lyra found her way to the kitchen; it wasn't hard to locate since she had just been there a few minutes ago.

She didn't know the other maids. She looked around, but she couldn't find Lena. She asked the other maids in there, but they treated her like thin air.They didn't bother to respond to her. Lyra sensed Alexander's anger and didn't want to waste his time. Fortunately, Jack entered the kitchen.

"Jack, the king requested another wine. Which one should I offer him?" She asked.

Jack handed over a large bottle of wine, and she took it along with her. She reached his sitting room and found it empty. "Better," she muttered with a sigh of relief and turned back to the kitchen.

"What happened?" Jack asked.

"He's gone."

"To where?" Jack scowled at her.

"I don't know," she stuttered, fixing her gaze on Jack, her eyebrows stiffened.

"Go find him in his private quarters," Jack sneered before continuing."Don't leave. Make sure he's alright after drinking."

Lyra furrowed her brows. She didn't know where Alexander's chamber was. She decided to trust her instinct. She tried to use their bond, but Alexander didn't know she was his mate. Only she felt it. She sniffed his scent and opened the door, only to find him already drunk. She served him another drink while she covered her mouth. He reeked of alcohol and cigarettes.

Lyra stood still until he was done drinking. Alexander got up but almost fell back to the ground but Lyra quickly helped him.

She took him to his room. Being so close to him, her wolf was excited, and she began to heat up. Despite their age difference and his hostility, she loved Alexander. Now he was her mate, but he was unaware. She gently laid him in bed, but he clung to her. "I want you to stay."

Lyra couldn't resist anymore; she was already heating up from being so close to him, and now he was requesting this.

He pulled her closer. Putting his hands over her waist, their lips met in a soft kiss. Lyra didn't care if he reeked of alcohol.She kissed him passionately as Alexander began to undress her. He pulled her clothes down, kissing her, while Lyra attended to his manhood.

That night, they broke the curse! Alexander had mated with his fated mate without knowing. Alexander was never supposed to recognize or sense his true mate until he mated with her. The curse had dampened his ability to even sense his true mate.

Alexander had given up on finding his true mate; he saw it as impossible. But, being with Lyra had changed that.

The next morning Lyra was excited about the previous night. She expected a more kind and caring person after that night but Alexander still remained cold towards her. She had mated her mate. But did Alexander even know he had just mated his mate?

Lyra worked tirelessly to serve Alexander. Most maids were jealous of her, but she didn't care; she knew they would give up their lives to be this close to Alexander.

Sometimes Lyra would bathe Alexander, and they would end up mating in the bathtub. It was unusual, but Lyra found no disgust in it. She had fallen in love with Alexander along the way, yet Alexander seemed indifferent.

He continued to scowl at her. Despite her dedication and the challenging tasks she took on, she hoped that one day he would change. Her heart felt heavy and broken, particularly now that she knew he was her fated mate.

******

"Lyra!" Jack called out.

"The king requests your presence."

Lyra sighed. She was exhausted, having worked tirelessly for the past two days.

"Is it urgent? I'm tired. I can't stand it right now," she asked.

Jack looked at her and sighed. "You have to answer the him. You know how he is."

"I'm tired," she whispered.

"But you accepted this position," Jack reminded her, his gaze fixed on her.

"I didn't know it would be this exhausting; I'm worn out," Lyra sobbed silently.

She heard footsteps coming from Alexander's chambers and quickly wiped her eyes.

"What took you so long?" he bellowed. "I need a hot bath."

"I'm sorry, my lord. I can't give you a hot bath now. I burned my hands from cooking yesterday. I can't," Lyra whimpered.

"Do you dare disobey my orders?" Alexander scowled.

Lyra shook her head disapprovingly. "No, my lord."

"I better meet you in my chamber before I get there," he sneered.

Lyra couldn't take it anymore. She devoted her whole life to him. She took care of him and endured gossip and humiliation from other maids. Yet, he still saw her only as his maid.

"I'm done with this life," she whispered to herself.

She turned and walked into her room, took the back exit, and ventured deep into the forest. It was a lonely journey, and she was scared, but she reminded herself that she was no longer a slave. She was now a fully grown werewolf, and she had her wolf by her side.

Alexander reached his chambers but found them empty.

"Jack!" He growled. "Where is she?"

Jack went into Lyra's room, but it was empty.

 "My lord, I can't find her."

"And you're just standing there?" He bellowed, his fists clenched in anger.Jack went out to look for Lyra but couldn't find any traces of her in the palace. Alexander stood on the balcony, fuming with anger.

As negative new stories about Lyra's disappearance surfaced, it continued to weigh heavily on him.

"My lord, she's no longer in the palace," Jack said. 

"But one of the guards said he saw her leave through the back door."he added.

"And he did nothing? Useless!" Alexander scowled. "Get that coward to me."

"Of course, sir," Jack bowed and left.

Alexander couldn't comprehend why he was so angry, but then his heartbeat increased, and suddenly he could smell her scent all around his room. He smelled her scent and realized she had left the Wintermoon pack. Now he only smelled her in his private chambers, where he used her to satisfy his desires.

He stood on the balcony, his eyes strained, but nothing happened.

"Lyra!," He yelled.

I'll go through hell to bring you back. I can't cope without you," he swore.

"Lyra, I'll find you wherever you are."