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Chapter Eight

 Faelen’s POV

I sat on the edge of my small, creaky bed, staring at the worn floorboards beneath my feet. The room was dim, with just enough light creeping through the single window to remind me it was still daytime.

I let out a heavy sigh, thinking about the girl who seemed to have made it her mission to make my life a living hell here. Lucy. The way she smirked when she saw me, the satisfaction in her eyes as she mocked me. 

it was clear she resented me just for being here. Her words stung me, and every time I came across her, I could actually see her anger and hatred for me.

I squeezed my eyes, trying to hold back my frustration. “I didn’t mean to take your job, Lucy. It was a misunderstanding.” I remembered saying to her. 

“A misunderstanding?” she had sneered. “You think that matters now? You’re a thorn in my side, and I’m going to make sure you regret ever coming here.”

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Lucy, I get it. You’re angry. But taking it out on me isn’t going to make things better for you.” I’d told her. 

She had stepped closer, her face twisted with hate. “I don’t need things to be better for me. I just need them to be worse for you.”

With that, she shoved me hard against the wall. The impact knocked the wind out of me, and I winced in pain. I looked up at her, my eyes blazing.

“You’re pathetic,” I’d said, my voice low but firm. “Taking your anger out on me isn’t going to change anything. You’re just making yourself look desperate and cruel.”

Her eyes had narrowed after I said, and for a moment, I thought she might hit me. But instead, she took a step back and smiled coldly. “Enjoy your time here, Faelen. Because I promise you, it won’t be pleasant.”

She had then turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me leaning against the wall, breathing hard. I straightened up, feeling a mixture of relief and anger.

This place was proving to be more challenging than I had anticipated, but I wasn’t going to let Lucy or anyone else break me.

As I sat there on the bed, I replayed the events of the entire day in my mind. Hunter’s fierce gaze, his anger, the strange attraction I felt towards him even though every inch of him hated me and I too wanted to hate him back.

I needed to stay focused, to keep my emotions in check. I couldn’t let anyone see my vulnerability, or I would risk ruining my mission. 

But deep down though, with what I felt towards Hunter, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. This place was full of dangers, and I had to navigate them carefully.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and tried to relax. Tomorrow was another day, and I needed to be ready for whatever it brought.

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the soft texture of it. I had to keep my head down, blend in, and do my job if I was going to succeed in my mission.

Although with Lucy constantly on my back, I worried about how I’d manage. There was no doubt she’d keep stirring up trouble, making it harder for me to focus on why I was really here.

The thought crossed my mind to try and make peace with her, but I knew how futile that would be. Lucy wouldn’t be satisfied unless I gave up my spot here, handing over the opportunity she felt she deserved.

That wasn’t an option. I couldn’t let her push me out. This mission was too important, and I’d worked too hard to get this far.

Maybe there was another way to get her off my back, but nothing came to mind. No amount of friendliness would change the fact that she hated me. 

The weight of it all made me feel heavy and tired. I needed to clean up and shake off the day, so I pulled off my clothes and grabbed a towel.

When I reached the bathroom, shared with about give other girls, I heard voices inside. I paused at the door, recognizing the voice of one of maids from the estate.

I was about to turn around and come back later when I caught a snippet of their conversation that made me freeze.

“I can’t believe you took it,” one of the girls whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

“What was I supposed to do? He walked in before I could put it back,” the other girl replied, sounding defensive.

“You’re crazy. If the Alpha finds out you took something from his room… Anna…”

“I know, but what was I supposed to do? I couldn’t just leave it out in the open, he’d know I had taken it. It was addressed to the Alpha anyway. Who knows what was in it?” the girl said to her companion. 

My heart skipped a beat. A letter meant for the Alpha? And she took it? I pressed my ear closer to the door, my mind racing. If I could get my hands on that letter, it might hold valuable information in it.

This could be just the thing I needed to start my mission. 

“I have with me,” the girl continued. “I’ve been too scared to open it, though. What if it’s important?”

“Well, you can’t keep it forever. You’ll have to put it back somehow.” The other girl advised. 

“I know, I know. I’ll figure something out. Maybe I’ll leave it somewhere he can find it. At least then he wouldn’t know it was me.”

I quickly stepped back from the door, my mind already working on a plan. If I could get close enough to that girl, maybe she’d trust me enough to let me see the letter.

Or, if I was lucky, I could find out where she was keeping it and get it myself. When the door opened, I turned away, pretending to be adjusting my towel.

One of the girls walked out, still giggling about their discussion. I figured it was the one who had the letter, and I gave her a small, friendly smile. She returned it, though it was a bit hesitant. 

“Hey,” I said, keeping my voice light, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard you talking about something you found in the Alpha’s room. That must have been scary.”

The girl looked at me, a little surprised, but she nodded. “Yeah, it was. I didn’t mean to take it. It just…happened.”

“I can imagine. It must be tough, especially with how strict things are around here.” I responded.

“My God, I was scared to death.” The girl said rolling her eyes and placing a hand on her chest. 

I glanced at the bathroom where her friend seemed to be still in. “Well, if you ever need someone to help do anything about it, I’m here. I know what it’s like to be in a tough spot.” I offered. 

She seemed to consider my words, her expression softening slightly. “Thanks. I might take you up on that.”

“I’m Faelen, by the way,” I said, holding out my hand.

“Anna,” she replied, shaking my hand. “

As Anna and I exchanged hands, I heard the bathroom door creak open behind me. I turned to see who it was, and to my shock, Lucy emerged from the bathroom.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me standing there with Anna. Lucy’s face quickly twisted into a sneer. “What are you doing here? What do you want, you little bitch?”

My heart sank as I realized that my attempt to befriend Anna had just backfired spectacularly. I froze, struggling to find words. “I… I made a mistake. I thought you were someone else.” I said, confused what to say or do that moment. 

Lucy’s stare intensified. “You think you can just waltz in here and make friends with everyone, huh?”

Anna looked between Lucy and me, her confusion clear. “Lucy, calm down. Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding.”

“No,” Lucy snapped, her eyes never leaving me. “She’s just trying to stir up trouble. I told you, Anna, she’s here to cause problems.”

Anna’s face immediately changed once she realized I was the subject of one of their gossips, which no doubt Lucy had painted a dark picture of me. 

Feeling the situation slip further out of my control, I decided it was best to retreat. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude,” I said quickly, backing away. “I’ll just… leave.”

Ignoring the stares and whispers, I hurried into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. The cool, dim light of the bathroom was a complete difference to the tension outside.

I leaned against the sink sighing, my breath coming in gasps as if I had just finished a hundred meter race.

This was not how I had planned things to go. Lucy’s sudden appearance had ruined any chance I had of making Anna a potential ally, or more accurately a tool for my mission. 

I rubbed my face in frustration, trying to think of what to do next. It was clear now that Lucy’s hatred would make it difficult to get close to anyone in the servants’ quarters.