Chapter Two

“What are you doing?”

I heard the voice but I was too weak to see who they were talking to. Moreover, it was not my business who the person was talking to. I was dead tired, my back hurts so much. My waist was on fire. I needed to rest else I might end up faint from exhaustion and malnourishment.

“Am I not talking to you, Tasyra?”

Anger and irritation dripped heavily on every spoken word, and I had to look up to see who knew me enough to talk to me that way. I forced myself to hastily stand and bow when I saw who it was.

“Good day, Alpha.”

“I asked you a question.”

He said, purposely ignoring my greeting. His gaze was sharp and unfriendly. 

I sighed sadly. 

“I was resting.”

“What are you doing here?”

That was when I got what he was trying to say.

“I was sent to work on the farm.”

“Women are not allowed on the farm.”

“The Luna sent me here.”

I looked at him, hopeful that he might take in my ill condition and show mercy. He might let me off the hook and ask me to go and rest.

“Why? What did you do?”

I saw the rest of the unspoken words in his eyes. This time. That was the unspoken words. He wanted to know what I had done this time as though I was some adamantly stubborn child that needed to be grounded or punished for always going against a laid down rule, but it was not true. I was not like that and he used to believe me. The Alpha and I were once-upon-a-time very close, he used to be my source of escape from the harsh reality I was born into, not until he also became part of that harsh reality. And now, it was just me.

“I unintentionally poured tea on a guest.”

I bowed my head, the hope of him helping me out of here dwindled considerably. There was a fat chance he’d let me remain here.

“Unintentionally?”

His tone was mocking.

“It was a mistake, I swear it.”

I blinked back tears. No one ever believed me, and it hurt. It stung my integrity badly. The only person who used to believe me was gone.

“It is always a mistake for you, Tasyra.”

“No, this was truly a mistake. I would not intentionally pour drink on a guest.”

I tried to plead my case to him. Try to see if I could get on his merciful side. Honestly, I didn’t think I could finish this portion all by myself. I was seriously ill. Every part of me hurt. My bones were too weak to carry on and my meals were usually too small to refuel my weary body.

“So how did it happen?”

Maybe there was hope. Though his expression was stern and unsmiling when I skimmed my gaze over his face, I did not want that to discourage. Maybe if he knew the full story, he'd realize it was not my fault.

“I had been feeling down for some days. The Luna called me to make tea for her guest. I had just entered with the tea when my fever acted up and shivered causing my hands to tremble and headache blurred my vision. I swayed and in trying to steady myself, the tray slipped from my hold and the cup emptied its content on the guest.”

“You were clumsy.”

“But I was attacked by fever, Alpha. Please, it was not intentional.”

“Who is this guest?”

“The Beta’s daughter.”

“Zaryn?”

“Yes Alpha.”

“Hm.”

“I swear on my life Alpha. It wasn’t intentional. You know me.”

I tried to appeal to his conscience and also our relationship in the past to make him consider my own side of the story.

“Know you?”

I swallowed. Maybe I had gone too far.

“Y-yes.”

“As what?”

I became tongue-tied. What was I thinking? Trying to use memories of our past to appeal the conscience of a full grown man who now hated me and did not want to see me.

“I’m very sorry, Alpha.”

My head was bowed but in respect and shame. Respect for him, shame for what I’d done. 

“Raise your face and look at me.”

The order was direct and harshly compelling.

“We do not know each other, you hear me?”

I just stared desolately at him, not saying a word.

“Do you need me to repeat myself?”

“I’m sorry. No. I hear you.”

I avoided his gaze while trying to swallow the hurt and pain that lodged themselves in my throat like a stubborn boulder refusing to budge even after several push.

“And never make such comment in public.”

“Yes Alpha.”

Other laborers on the farm stole glances at us. They were curious to know what was happening but were scared of being caught poke nosing in the Alpha’s business.

“Good. Now back to your offense, what you did was a very serious crime.”

He said. I became dispirited. Why? What happened to the Alpha? He used to be protective of me even as a child. He stood by me and it was because of him everything had been bearable.

“I’m sorry Alpha. But please believe me it was not on purpose.”

“You are going to continue serving your punishment and I do not want to find you seating idly or lazing about.”

Fresh tears poured. My eyes swept the remaining untouched portion, there was still much to do. My gaze went back to him.

“Please Alpha. I can not do this alone. Please.”

His sterling grey orbs turned granite and his lips curled in a snarl. I jolted from the unpleasant sound that came from his throat.

“Are you trying to disobey my orders?”

I shook my head so quickly, I thought they’d spin right off of my shoulder.

“No.”

It was a struggle trying to talk and also stand upright.

“Now get back to work.”

I wiped tears away and picked the farm tool I was using to harvest the crop produce. I took weak steps to my portion of the farm when the world swayed, I was almost hitting the ground when I felt a firm grip on me.

“Mate!”