☉NAIDA “Come here, pretty little bird,” One of the male servants stalked closer, “Let me see what precious little lady bits you have hidden under that hideous garment!” I could smell his rank breath from where I stood, along with the odious odor wafting out from his bushy underarms. Grime lined every joint in his body, he was the biggest of them all, and his tunic was grossly stained with goddess-knows-what. My heart broke into a churn of dread, as I stepped back, holding my arms out as if to stop his advancement. “Athelia,” I said, barely able to hold back the terrible anger bubbling up my throat. “Tell your little minions to get away from me, right now.” The men jeered, encroaching into my space one step at a time. Athelia had taken up a spot by the far wall, twisting two strands of her hair together, leisurely. She was smiling giddily, eyes glinting with so much excitement, it made me wonder if she had done something like this before, to some other unfortunate maid. A t
☉NAIDA I looked up to see Eolia cutting through the crowd to where I sat in the corner, in a puddle of water. “Oh my goddess, were you in there? I heard that there was a fire in this part of the male quarters…what happened? Are you hurt?!” “I'm fine, Eolia, I was only caught in the smoke. The fire started way deeper down the building.” I lied. I had been in the fire. Even before it exploded, I had felt it under my skin, rising with my anger…before everything went up in flames right before my eyes. But how was that possible? The fire didn't miss any of the pigs that had been trying to rape me. No, it sought them out, licking their skin and drying their blood… almost like it was avenging me. But I could not tell Eolia any of that. Not yet. Not here. I couldn't quite understand or believe what had even happened back there. She sighed, looking back at the building, where most of the fire had already been extinguished, leaving blackened walls and white smoke. A few men had hur
☉NAIDA The rumble of thunder jolted me out of my daze. I straightened up, clenching my thighs against the persistent throb of need that had plagued me for days now. It was useless, nothing could abate the rising desire and lust writhing under my skin. The Alpha king was sinfully gorgeous, that was common knowledge, but thoughts of him had me feeling things that were completely out of place. I had only run into him twice, and the second time, he was some demon trying to fuck me in the dark catacombs. My breasts were heavy with twisted arousal, nipples hard and aching with each brush against the fabric of my maid dress. Something had to be really wrong with me if that was what I was attracted to. I had been able to shove these inappropriate sensations away for some time, but recently, they took over my thoughts, my dreams, my every breath. It was only made worse by the suspicion, that I might be experiencing my first rut. It was impossible for a human, but not for a werewolf
☉NAIDA Their yells of outrage echoed down the hallway, but my eyes were strained on the door to the room, my safe haven. I was running so fast that I barely stopped in time when I saw the door hanging wide open. “Are you sure you're not trying to play smart with me, young woman!” Freya's voice boomed out of the room, “Who has been staying on that empty bed?!” “No one else but me, Headmaid,” Eolia answered calmly, “I must apologize for my greed, sometimes the other bed is cooler so I lay there.” Oh no. I clung to the wall, peeking in. Freya, and some poor maid she wrangled as her assistant, stood in the middle of the room. Eolia, Mother bless her, had hidden everything that might betray my presence, away, leaving only her belongings all over the room. Still, Freya was not particularly convinced. She picked something up from the bed, holding it up to Eolia's face. She snarled, “Who owns this hair strand?! Its color is lighter than yours!” What? She had to be a curse upon m
Nausea bubbled up inside me, and I was waiting to feel that rage. The one that lit me up in flames and burned five full-blooded men. There was nothing. Nothing but the cold embrace of dread, fear, and panic. I was helpless. It only seemed like a few heartbeats before two royal guards appeared from the corner, pushing and cursing at Eolia. She did not look panicked, just calm. She did not plead for herself, struggle with the guards, or curse them for manhandling her. However, that changed the moment our eyes met across the distance. Worry took over her features and genuine sadness. I had never felt more guilty in my entire twenty-three years of existence. She had helped me, and now her life was ruined. Just like the old witch who got her throat slit by the Ivorythorn guards. Everyone who helped me… got nothing but misery in return. “Guards! Throw them out of the castle gates! I want to taste their shame and humiliation! Every swine and traitor who has eyes will see what h
☉NAIDA Vicious whispers followed me. “The Alpha King picked her himself.” “She was nothing but an imposter. If witches were not extinct, I would think she was one. She must have bewitched him.” “She’s not even special. Nothing but a pretty face. I hope he gets tired of her soon.” “Of course, he will. He never takes mistresses. I heard he rejected even the most exotic and foreign beauties brought to his chambers. She's a mere peasant, lower than a slave, she snuck into the palace for the goddess' sake. She's nothing. Below us, even.” I kept my head high and face forward, as I hurried after the Headmaid. I had to appear calm and unaffected by the whispers, even if I was screaming and panicking on the inside. Beads of sweat rolled down my spine, because the events of today had my head reeling. “Naida,” Eolia whispered. I looked at her. She smiled at the panic on my face. “Relax. The worst is over. The king won't be cruel to you, you'll be okay.” I nodded, trying my hardes
☉NAIDA A single candle flared to life. It illuminated the royal chambers, as I made my way in. I had not really seen anything the last time I was here, but now, I could make out as far as the candlelight allowed me. The headmaid had knocked a thousand rules into my head, whispered a thousand tips and specifics into my ears, and gave me a detailed mental map of the royal chambers. “No mistakes or I'll have your head.” She had said as a way of encouragement. Someday, I might grow fond of that old wench. The royal chambers had six varying, cavernous rooms, all differently built and molded to suit the Alpha King's tastes. The first room, which I stood in, was bathed in the golden light from the flame. On the far window, the dark blinds were half-open, allowing just a few rays of illuminating moonlight. I paused, eyes widening in awe. It was like the night I arrived in Ravthorn. The riches, the wealth, the sheer difference in power from the other packs, stumped me. But that had
☉NAIDA “I'd like that.” He answered silkily, running the soapy washcloth down his abs. Goddess curse me. I made my way forward to grab more soaps from the shelve. I felt his gaze following me. Kneeling at the edge of the pool, I cleared my throat subtly, waiting for him to move closer so I could reach him. He waded closer, and faced me, waiting. An awkward silence ensued, but that just had to be me. His confidence levels had to be through the roof if he could maintain eye contact with me while literally washing himself. I was ready to evaporate into steam, looking everywhere but at his face, or soaking wet body and I wasn't even the one naked. “Um,” I muttered, “I think it would be more effective if you turned around.” “I’d rather have my eyes on you, Naida. You're interesting,” He said, arching one perfect eyebrow. “Never seen anyone get under Freya's skin as much as you did.” I wasn't sure what that meant, but I blushed all the same. Resigning myself to my fate, I
☉NAIDA “I'd like that.” He answered silkily, running the soapy washcloth down his abs. Goddess curse me. I made my way forward to grab more soaps from the shelve. I felt his gaze following me. Kneeling at the edge of the pool, I cleared my throat subtly, waiting for him to move closer so I could reach him. He waded closer, and faced me, waiting. An awkward silence ensued, but that just had to be me. His confidence levels had to be through the roof if he could maintain eye contact with me while literally washing himself. I was ready to evaporate into steam, looking everywhere but at his face, or soaking wet body and I wasn't even the one naked. “Um,” I muttered, “I think it would be more effective if you turned around.” “I’d rather have my eyes on you, Naida. You're interesting,” He said, arching one perfect eyebrow. “Never seen anyone get under Freya's skin as much as you did.” I wasn't sure what that meant, but I blushed all the same. Resigning myself to my fate, I
☉NAIDA A single candle flared to life. It illuminated the royal chambers, as I made my way in. I had not really seen anything the last time I was here, but now, I could make out as far as the candlelight allowed me. The headmaid had knocked a thousand rules into my head, whispered a thousand tips and specifics into my ears, and gave me a detailed mental map of the royal chambers. “No mistakes or I'll have your head.” She had said as a way of encouragement. Someday, I might grow fond of that old wench. The royal chambers had six varying, cavernous rooms, all differently built and molded to suit the Alpha King's tastes. The first room, which I stood in, was bathed in the golden light from the flame. On the far window, the dark blinds were half-open, allowing just a few rays of illuminating moonlight. I paused, eyes widening in awe. It was like the night I arrived in Ravthorn. The riches, the wealth, the sheer difference in power from the other packs, stumped me. But that had
☉NAIDA Vicious whispers followed me. “The Alpha King picked her himself.” “She was nothing but an imposter. If witches were not extinct, I would think she was one. She must have bewitched him.” “She’s not even special. Nothing but a pretty face. I hope he gets tired of her soon.” “Of course, he will. He never takes mistresses. I heard he rejected even the most exotic and foreign beauties brought to his chambers. She's a mere peasant, lower than a slave, she snuck into the palace for the goddess' sake. She's nothing. Below us, even.” I kept my head high and face forward, as I hurried after the Headmaid. I had to appear calm and unaffected by the whispers, even if I was screaming and panicking on the inside. Beads of sweat rolled down my spine, because the events of today had my head reeling. “Naida,” Eolia whispered. I looked at her. She smiled at the panic on my face. “Relax. The worst is over. The king won't be cruel to you, you'll be okay.” I nodded, trying my hardes
Nausea bubbled up inside me, and I was waiting to feel that rage. The one that lit me up in flames and burned five full-blooded men. There was nothing. Nothing but the cold embrace of dread, fear, and panic. I was helpless. It only seemed like a few heartbeats before two royal guards appeared from the corner, pushing and cursing at Eolia. She did not look panicked, just calm. She did not plead for herself, struggle with the guards, or curse them for manhandling her. However, that changed the moment our eyes met across the distance. Worry took over her features and genuine sadness. I had never felt more guilty in my entire twenty-three years of existence. She had helped me, and now her life was ruined. Just like the old witch who got her throat slit by the Ivorythorn guards. Everyone who helped me… got nothing but misery in return. “Guards! Throw them out of the castle gates! I want to taste their shame and humiliation! Every swine and traitor who has eyes will see what h
☉NAIDA Their yells of outrage echoed down the hallway, but my eyes were strained on the door to the room, my safe haven. I was running so fast that I barely stopped in time when I saw the door hanging wide open. “Are you sure you're not trying to play smart with me, young woman!” Freya's voice boomed out of the room, “Who has been staying on that empty bed?!” “No one else but me, Headmaid,” Eolia answered calmly, “I must apologize for my greed, sometimes the other bed is cooler so I lay there.” Oh no. I clung to the wall, peeking in. Freya, and some poor maid she wrangled as her assistant, stood in the middle of the room. Eolia, Mother bless her, had hidden everything that might betray my presence, away, leaving only her belongings all over the room. Still, Freya was not particularly convinced. She picked something up from the bed, holding it up to Eolia's face. She snarled, “Who owns this hair strand?! Its color is lighter than yours!” What? She had to be a curse upon m
☉NAIDA The rumble of thunder jolted me out of my daze. I straightened up, clenching my thighs against the persistent throb of need that had plagued me for days now. It was useless, nothing could abate the rising desire and lust writhing under my skin. The Alpha king was sinfully gorgeous, that was common knowledge, but thoughts of him had me feeling things that were completely out of place. I had only run into him twice, and the second time, he was some demon trying to fuck me in the dark catacombs. My breasts were heavy with twisted arousal, nipples hard and aching with each brush against the fabric of my maid dress. Something had to be really wrong with me if that was what I was attracted to. I had been able to shove these inappropriate sensations away for some time, but recently, they took over my thoughts, my dreams, my every breath. It was only made worse by the suspicion, that I might be experiencing my first rut. It was impossible for a human, but not for a werewolf
☉NAIDA I looked up to see Eolia cutting through the crowd to where I sat in the corner, in a puddle of water. “Oh my goddess, were you in there? I heard that there was a fire in this part of the male quarters…what happened? Are you hurt?!” “I'm fine, Eolia, I was only caught in the smoke. The fire started way deeper down the building.” I lied. I had been in the fire. Even before it exploded, I had felt it under my skin, rising with my anger…before everything went up in flames right before my eyes. But how was that possible? The fire didn't miss any of the pigs that had been trying to rape me. No, it sought them out, licking their skin and drying their blood… almost like it was avenging me. But I could not tell Eolia any of that. Not yet. Not here. I couldn't quite understand or believe what had even happened back there. She sighed, looking back at the building, where most of the fire had already been extinguished, leaving blackened walls and white smoke. A few men had hur
☉NAIDA “Come here, pretty little bird,” One of the male servants stalked closer, “Let me see what precious little lady bits you have hidden under that hideous garment!” I could smell his rank breath from where I stood, along with the odious odor wafting out from his bushy underarms. Grime lined every joint in his body, he was the biggest of them all, and his tunic was grossly stained with goddess-knows-what. My heart broke into a churn of dread, as I stepped back, holding my arms out as if to stop his advancement. “Athelia,” I said, barely able to hold back the terrible anger bubbling up my throat. “Tell your little minions to get away from me, right now.” The men jeered, encroaching into my space one step at a time. Athelia had taken up a spot by the far wall, twisting two strands of her hair together, leisurely. She was smiling giddily, eyes glinting with so much excitement, it made me wonder if she had done something like this before, to some other unfortunate maid. A t
☉NAIDA The demon I had encountered in the catacombs could not even be called “small” as a joke. His aura and power alone swept through stones and boulders, making torches light themselves up. Those dark wisps of power encasing his naked form were ominous, curling through the air for prey to devour. His physical form was even more imposing than usual, and he was already built like a muscled tower. But he had recognized me. A shiver tore my spine, heat bubbling under my skin. Those stormy grey eyes had seen my fear, he had heard my cries far beyond his possessed state. And he had carried me off to safety. Something ached between my legs, shocking me. I should not be feeling this easy towards a situation that almost cost me my life. But I was. My traitorous body wanted nothing more. “I'm just glad you weren't hurt,” She said. “If he had had his way with you… your cover would have been blown, Naida. Everyone within the castle would want to know the maid the Alpha king had chose