NEW FACE

“I smell sex all over you” Mandy said the moment Carly returned to their room. “Secret escapades…” she teased her then placed her hand on her chin “Hmmm.. Naughty girl. Well, i love naughty” Mandy finished with a side grin.

“It's not that deep, honestly.” Carly tried to reassure her.

“Come on girl. It's okay if you don't want to spill, I get it.” Mandy replied then after a pause she added “But be careful, if he finds out about it…”

Her sentence was cut short by the hurried footsteps she heard approaching. Soon enough, Veronica barged in.

“Where is that wench called Carly?” her voice was loud enough to wake the others up.

Carly came out and flinched under Veronica's scrutiny.

“So, it's you?” Veronica gave her a stink eye that portrayed the venom in her question.

Carly’s back stiffened as she recognized her as the woman that Derek had kissed during the meeting earlier on.

'Did they have a lover's spat?

If she has an issue, she should take it up with the brute, not me.' Carly said inwardly. 

“I don't know what you mean?” Carly replied, breaking away from her thoughts.

“Watch your back, you vixen!” She pointed her index at Carly, while threatening her.

Others looked at Carly with curious faces, but none dared to ask the questions on their mind.

When Veronica walked out with her threat still in the air, Mandy pulled Carly back to the room and shut the door.

“What did you do to get on her bad side? She's worse than Zoya!” Mandy whisper-yelled.

“I did nothing wrong” Carly shrugged.

“Who were you with earlier on?” Mandy demanded.

Carly finally broke down and told Mandy everything.

“Damn! I knew he had zero feelings but treating his mate like this? That's pretty low. You will be fine, girl. Just chin up. I'll help you in any way that I can” Mandy consoled her.

“Thanks” Carly sniffed, in the process of telling her story she had cried without even knowing.

That night, Carly dreamt and for the first time in a long time, she slept well.

Alexis had appeared to her in her dream, showing her memories of when she still had her father with her.

She got lost in her newfound peace that she wished she never woke up. But dawn came, and she came face to face with harsh reality. 

“Ouch” she groaned and raised her head up to look at the wall she had collided with, only to be greeted with a strange face.

“I'm sorry, my lady. Did I hurt you?” The man said with a voice laced with concern.

“No, I'm okay… just give me a minute” she replied while messaging her forehead.

“Your face is quite strange, are you new here” she inquired.

“Not really mi lady, I'm Rick” He stretched his hand for a handshake.

“Carly” she replied and took his hands cautiously. His hands were calloused and firm and his smile was contagious.

Rick was not as sturdy as the Alpha, but he was like a ray of sunshine to the palace 

“I see you are busy, do you mind if I help? Please?” he gave her a puppy eye that was hard to ignore. 

“Aren't you busy? She asked, shuffling from one foot to another.

“No, I'm done with my duties…. Now if you may…” He took the basket of clothes from her and then grinned “Lead the way!”

They washed together in comfortable silence until Rick broke the silence.

“What's a doll like you doing here?” He asked “You are meant for the finest places in life not the confines of the backyard. What I meant is, you look like one from a noble home.” He added.

“Well, I guess fate doesn't always work the way we want it” She replied and sighed.

“I take it you don't like sharing, it's fine” he assured her with a side grin.

It made her feel guilty.

'This man is trying to be friends, and I'm chasing him away, way to go, Carly… Remember what happened to the man who grabbed your hand in a non-normal way?' She shook her head to stop her inner battle.

“It's just that… okay, you will surely hear my story before the week runs out. I don't even consider it to be a secret” She forced a smile but her eyes held so much.

“I like hearing it from the owner's lips, the others may spill adulterated versions and ruin a person's image. I promise, I won't snoop around until you're ready to share” he gave her his lopsided grin again, and he showed her his crossed fingers.

She smiled, and the tension eased from her body. She became more relaxed seeing the fun side of him. 

“Can I ask for your own story?” She asked cautiously, wanting to keep the conversation running.

“Sure! I can't promise it will be as interesting as yours though” he laughed a bit loudly and Carly got scared they might see them together and take it wrongly. Also, he was helping her which would make things even worst.

“Why do you think that mine is appealing?” she questioned, trying to figure out the stranger.

“You have an interesting personality. I mean, your hair is white and lush, even the hardship did not take a toll on your beauty. I'm already feeling relaxed around you.” His eyes settled on her face calmly.

She broke eye contact and looked away before responding “I beg to disagree though” she had a small smile on her face that showed she had blushed at his compliment.

“My father was accused of a crime he did not commit.” He said with a solemn voice. 

She turned to look at him, his eyes were sorrowful, and she could sense the grief that poured out of them.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't realize… you can stop… it's okay, really.” Carly stammered, feeling guilty to have opened his wounds back. She knew firsthand how hard grief can come knocking.

“It's fine” he said with a sad smile then continued “My Dad was killed, and his head was hung on a stake at the center of the village for all to see. My mum couldn't bear the grief, and she hung herself” he finished.

She wrung her fingers as she felt guilty for asking “I didn't know…. I'm sorry”!

He chuckled.

“It's fine, you did nothing wrong, I mean you can't leave this place, so there's no way you would know.” he said with a sad smile on his face.

“I have a similar story” she decided to share. 

“It's fine if you don't share, I didn't share mine to guilt-trip you” he said, halting her.

“Don't worry, you would have heard it somewhere else too, better you hear it from me anyway” She said with a bitter smile then continued, “My dad was accused of treason too…. He couldn't even hurt the innocent, but he was accused of treason and killed by the one he trusted the most.” she smiled wryly.

“By that you mean…? Oh.” his eyes widened at the realization.

“Yeah” she nodded.

“I'm sorry” he said in a husky tone like, he wanted to cry.

“It's fine. Just had to make it even.” 

'Oh moon goddess….you could have at least been merciful unto me and granted me this kind soul as my mate.' she thought to herself and sighed wistfully.

“Was your hair always this color?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“My.?” She placed her hand on her hair, “Oh, no… ever since I turned for the first time”.

“Oh, okay” he nodded with understanding.

“Is it bad?” Carly asked feeling awkward. 

“No, not at all. It suits you so well.” Rick complimented, assuring her it wasn't bad. “Let's meet here at dusk, I have something to show you” he added. 

“That's risky,” she whispered in shock.

“Don't worry… Nobody will know.” he whispered back.

“Okay” she replied, curious as to what he had in mind. “Hope I won't be kidnapped?” she replied, half teasing, half serious.

The question earned a chuckle from him. “No princess.” he gave her his signature smile. “We're all done. Let's go have lunch, I'm famished.”

At dusk, Carly snuck out with extra carefulness to avoid waking the others up. She arrived there to see him waiting already, his back turned to her.

“Rick?” she called out in her lowest tone.

He turned to face her, having heard her voice. “You're here already, come over” He beckoned, smiling that she trusted him enough to come out.

She walked briskly towards his direction. He placed a mat on the ground and laid down, she did the same.

“The stars are beautiful tonight, aren't they?” he asked, pointing at the sky.

“Yeah,” she whispered while observing the stars for the first time since her capture. “I haven't done this in a while or should I say, since caged in the palace.” she added. 

“At your service ma'am” he replied, earning a chuckle from her.

“What's your plan for tomorrow?” He asked with so much interest that Carly raised her brow too. 

“What's happening tomorrow?” she asked, genuinely confused.

“It's the full moon, princess”

“Oh…” realization dawned on her.

'Alexis… tomorrow we can finally roam…' This made her so happy. 

“I can show you the ropes, if you don't mind” he offered.

“Okay… a wishing star just passed.” she said gleefully.

“Yeah, you're right princess” he grinned and then placed a strand of hair that fell on her face back to its place. “make a wish!” he urged her. 

Carly closed her eyes and clasped her hands, 'I wish for freedom…

Wishing for the goddess wrath on the Alpha is asking for much…. just grant me freedom…'

And she felt the calm breeze brush her face like it was assuring her that her prayers were answered. That night, Carly slept with a smile on her face. The stranger turned a friend in a day.