CHAPTER 3

(RHEA'S POV)

"Rhea Stirling... I should've ended you years ago, the moment you soaked me in the garden," Atlas's voice seethed with fury as his grip tightened around my throat.

My thoughts raced as he lifted me off the ground, my feet scrambling for traction on the scorching courtyard floor. Breath became a luxury, his iron grip constricting my windpipe. Each gasp for air felt futile, my strength draining rapidly. My hands, once fiercely resisting, eventually hung limp as darkness encroached, stars flickering in my dimming vision.

Just as consciousness threatened to slip away, a sudden interruption pierced the tension.

"Atlas! The Ragnoraks are here!"

Atlas' grip instantly slackened. I collapsed onto the unforgivingly hot and coarse ground, gasping for air and coughing, my lungs ablaze with relief. Though dizziness threatened to overwhelm me, I summoned the strength to steady myself, thankful for the unexpected reprieve.

Thank the Moon Goddess for granting me another chance at life!

Atlas pivoted towards the newcomer, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You mean the Geisterfell’s pack alpha? He didn’t come alone?"

"The one and only. And yes, he brought along his daughter, Hera," came the confident reply.

"Yes!" Atlas's laughter filled the air as he pumped his fist. "Score!"

As Atlas celebrated the news, my gaze shifted to the speaker. It was Lucien, a beta from the Moonstrider Clan, a prominent figure in Nightspire. Known for his strategic prowess, he was Atlas's trusted advisor and confidant, often guiding him through crucial decisions.

Lucien tilted his head slightly, a hint of disapproval flickering across his features as he observed Atlas's antics. With a shake of his head, he handed Atlas a formal shirt, then resumed his report.

"It appears the Geisterfell's pack alpha arrived in our city earlier this morning," he explained, frustration evident in his voice as he raked a hand through his ashen blonde hair. "Unfortunately, those fools at the border guards failed to recognize Alpha Mortis and his daughter immediately. Can you believe we only received word a about them few hours ago?" he said, ending his rant.

"At any rate, are you finished with that omega?" Lucien said as he indicated on my direction with a nod of his chin.

Atlas shot me a cold glance, a silent warning lingering in his gaze before redirecting his attention to Lucien. "Lead the way, Luke!" he ordered, a smug grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

As Atlas strode off the basketball court, he slipped into the blue shirt Lucien had provided. Lucien fell into step beside him, continuing his report as they disappeared into the main mansion.

I was finally left alone, after yet another grueling morning. Tears, which I had forgotten until now, flowed freely down my cheeks, a release from the heavy tension that had been haunting me.

However, I knew I needed to gather my strength if I ever hoped to leave Nightspire. With determination fueling me, I brushed away my tears and turned back to my duties as a maid. The other servants must have already begun preparing for tomorrow's banquet, and I had been gone for too long.

--

As I finished up my errands and reported to the head maid, a weird feeling crept up from inside my body like a sneaky intruder. I mean, sure, I had felt the feverish soreness since my trip to the city earlier, but I'd shrugged it off, blaming it on the crazy morning rush. But now? Now, it got more and more intense, like a neon sign flashing "pay attention!" in my brain.

"Ugh, seriously? Not now!" I muttered under my breath.

Thank Moon Goddess that the head maid had let the morning shift maids off duty. I took the chance to make my escape without anyone noticing. I dashed away from the main manor, not wanting to draw too much uneeded attention.

All I could think about was finding a spot to deal with this growing discomfort. I maneuvered through the halls, using walls for support while doing my absolute best to avoid bumping into anyone.

"Almost there," I panted, my heart racing.

My brain shifted into autopilot mode, and before I knew it, I was strolling past the maze garden and arrived in the blissful solitude of the swimming pool area. A grin of relief spread across my face.

I had a hunch this place would be deserted at this hour of the day. So, without a second thought, I made a beeline for the small shelter, tucked away by the poolside amidst the grandeur of the estate, seeking refuge for my pain.

Fate, however, decided to throw me a curveball. Just as I reached out for the sanctuary of that small haven by the pool, my body rebelled, sending me crashing to the ground in a whirlwind of pain, like fiery tendrils wrapping around my insides.

I groaned as Starlight slightly intrueded into my consciousness, breaking my attention. "Our mate is at it again with another wolf!" she lamented, her words echoing my own frustration.

"Oh, joy," I muttered, the sarcasm dripping from my lips like acid, my own misery a mirror to hers.

I tried not to misplace my anger on Starlight, I knew deep down that this connection, this bond with our mate through the spirit of the Moon Goddess, was something she had to endure too.

Just when I felt like I was sinking into a bottomless pit of discomfort and unwelcome revelations, another voice—this time external—familiar and distinctly feminine, sliced through the haze in my mind, yanking me back to reality with a force that stole my breath away.

"Slacking off from your work, are we, Street Pup?"

My heart skipped a beat—I knew so well whose voice that was.

Slowly, cautiously, I turned around, I was met with the formidable sight of Kaida striding towards me, every inch the picture of authority. Clad in a sleek tailored suit, her belt adorned with her gun and battle whip, she exuded a commanding presence that demanded attention. The walkie-talkie snug against her chest harness just above her dagger sheath served as a stark reminder of her duties.

Stopping just a few paces away, Kaida's piercing gaze bore into me, wordlessly demanding an explanation. Despite the composed smile on her lips, I could sense the simmering impatience beneath, her silent expectation hanging heavy in the air.

With a sinking feeling, I lowered my head, my disappointment palpable. All I had wanted was a moment of peace and solitude, a chance to escape the chaos, only to find myself face-to-face with Kaida.

'Ugh, my luck couldn’t be worse,' I grumbled inwardly, resigned to the inevitable interruption of my solitude.

In my haste, I had forgotten Kaida's crucial role as one of the highest-ranking security guards in Atlas' employ. And unfortunately, her patrol route coincided precisely with my chosen spot for a moment of respite.

"Hey, Kaida," I began, summoning all my resolve as I rose to meet her gaze, mustering a smile that felt as forced as it was feeble. "The head maid let us off, so I'm just taking a breather and came here," I said, attempting to keep my tone casual, even as my nerves brittled at the coarsing pain from within me. It wasn’t a complete lie.

“To the swimming pool,” Kaida stated flatly, her unwavering gaze locking onto mine.

‘Oh shoot!’ My heart plummeted into the dephts of my stomach.

I sneaked a quick glance at Kaida, but her expression was as inscrutable as ever. Instead of launching into her usual barrage of criticism, she tilted her head slightly towards the sky, a gesture that caught me off guard. It wasn’t like her to show restraint.

But then I realized, she wasn’t just gazing at the sky. With a slow, deliberate movement, she took in a deep breath, her nostrils flaring as she likely assessed my condition through the scents swirling around me.

After a few moments of steady inhaling, Kaida’s face remained tilted upwards. Then, in an instant, her intense gaze snapped back to mine, locking onto me like I just did her wrongly.

I could sensed her growing displeasure along with a earthy and primal pheromone coming from Kaida mingling in the air. It wrapped around my emotions, coercing me to comply.

Lowering my gaze once more, I could feel the tension radiating off Kaida, despite her outward calmness. Something was stirring beneath the surface.

"You're in pain," Kaida remarked, her voice dropping slightly. "So, Atlas must be with that Hera girl now, right?"

Her words hung heavy in the air, carrying a weight of sadness that prompted me to look back at her. For a moment, I felt the urge to step closer, to offer some semblance of comfort for the pain she must be feeling after being used by Atlas. But the fear of upsetting Kaida, of stirring up her wrath, rooted me to the spot.

Instead, I replied in hesitant whisper, "I've told you. I wasn't lying, Kaida."

We stood in silence, the tension thick between us. I was always at a loss when it came to predicting Kaida's next move.

Suddenly, without warning, Kaida summoned her wolf form, her rage evident in the bared teeth and the savage breaths that escaped her. Her wild presence filled the space around us, her dark eyes ablaze with fury as a low, threatening growl rumbled from her throat.

"I wish you were joking about being Atlas's mate, Stirling," she spat, her bitterness palpable. It was clear she despised the reality of it.

Every instinct screamed at me to flee, to escape the fury of the gamma woman before me. But before I could react, Kaida seized my arm, yanking me close with a strength that bordered on inhuman. Her grip tightened around neck, threatening to crush it.

All I could see was the murderous intent blazing in her eyes.