1.||Stranger Danger.

Lilliana’s POV

“Keep it moving, bitch!” One of the ladies snarled at me from behind as I tried to keep up with my pace while also carrying the supplies for the sick Lycan King.

My fist clenched and anger rippled through me as they hurled insults at me but I let them go, “she must be so weak or a cat already got her mouth.” Another lady said to me.

I was still ignoring them when I lost my footing and landed face down on the ground. Everything I was holding flew around and my blood boiled with rage.

My anger spiked as rage rushed through my veins and I could feel Nala, my Lycan, getting ready for a fight but I did all I could to calm her down.

Being an omega and a maid, I’ve had nothing but bullies and insults to deal with but today was going to be different, instead of fighting back and getting in trouble with the house mistress, I’d decided to keep quiet.

They have the whole of today and tomorrow to do what they want with me, to enjoy the pain they cause me because as soon as I turn eighteen, I’ll finally be free.

I can make decisions on my own by then and they really are going to regret treating me like I was a piece of trash but now, I have to endure the torture because I’m currently weak and unable to take them on.

“Let me teach them a lesson, Lilliana!” Nala roared inside me but I refused as I picked my things back up to resume my duties.

“Watch where you’re going next time or you’re going to get yourself killed for disrespecting the king.” One of the maids said before kicking me as she walked past.

“I wonder what he sees in you for him to ask that you become his personal maid.” Another added and soon the hallway was left with only me in it as I gathered the rest of my spilled contents.

Calm down, Lilliana, you’ll be out of here before you know it soon.

Drawing in a deep breath, I let it all out before making my way to the Lycan King’s room. He was asleep and I carefully made sure that nothing was out of place as I sat beside him.

Alpha King Demitri has been nothing but nice to me, “moon goddess, please grant him good health and bring him back on his feet.” I prayed.

Turning to leave him to rest, I turned off the lights before walking back to my room. I felt excited seeing all my bags packed and I just couldn’t wait for my eighteenth birthday so I’ll finally be able to leave.

“You have to put those brats in their place sometimes, Lilliana.” Nala’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts and I only smiled as I stretched to relax my aching bones.

Ever since I met Nala when I was sixteen, she has always been fierce and I knew that if it was left to her, no one would dare bully me because I might be weak, I can feel my Lycan’s strength.

“I haven’t put them in their place in years,” I responded as I laid down on my bed, “why start now when I’m just two days away from finally getting my freedom?” I finished and Nala sighed before retreating.

“I just hate how they think they can walk all over us and we won’t do anything.” She added.

“Well, we can’t really do anything to them.” I agreed.

“Whose fault is that?!” Nala snapped at me and I knew better than to keep talking to her. My body aches and my eyes hurt so bad.

It’s been months since I’ve had a good sleep because of all the responsibilities. Sighing, I curled like a ball as I closed my eyes to take a nap before going to check on Alpha King Demitri.

I had no idea how long I’ve been asleep for until the loud bang on my door jolted me awake. It was so urgent and my thoughts immediately ran wild.

“The King!” I almost yelled as I jumped out of my bed to answer the door, “what’s going on?” I asked the house mistress.

She might hate me but she usually has no choice than to talk to me considering how I’m the king’s personal maid and all of his medications get sent through me.

We rushed out of my room in the servants quarters as we both hurried into the mansion. All my questions fell on deaf ears as she thought that it was better if she didn’t answer me.

“The king is deathly sick,” she finally said when we got into the mansion, “he won’t respond to anyone, he keeps asking for you so you have to be there.” She added.

Fear engulfed me. I could feel cold chills running down my spine as I hurried to his room. He’s been sick for a while but not once has anyone come to get me with so much urgency.

It must be really bad if everywhere is this dark and everyone is still awake. Rushing into the room, I hurried to his side but with just one touch of my hand, the King relaxed.

“I don’t think I can make it, Lilliana, I’m sorry.” He said. His face had gone paler than they used to be, his body was so fragile that they shook and tears lingered in my eyes.

His eyes that were usually so full of life had gone dead and even though I didn’t want to believe it I knew that Alpha Demitri only had a few days left.

He’s not responding to treatment and worse, he wouldn’t take anything we try to give him because he thinks it’s all going to be a total waste of time.

“I want to die knowing that I’ve tried my best and nothing is working,” he’d told me. I blinked back tears because I have to be strong.

“I can’t have you placing all your hopes on seeing me hale and hearty, Lily,” he continued, “tell them to stop the medications and just let me rest. You’ve tried your best.” He finished.

Reluctantly and defeated, I returned the drugs back into their container as I rubbed his palm, an act that helps him sleep quickly and better. I arranged his room and cleaned him up.

I felt tired and weak and it felt as though I was going to pass out if I didn’t rest. I yawned as I walked out of the room to prepare a special tea for him.

“Do you think he’s going to make it through the night?” One of the maids asked me and the shock I felt was unexplainable.

They usually never talk to me. They avoided me like I was some sort of plague and I’ve even heard them spread terrible rumors about me.

“I don’t know,” I lied, part of me knew he might not make it through while the other part prayed that he makes it through three nights because I need him to sign my release papers.

“He’s resting now and he just needs his tea.” I added as I focused my concentration on the tea I was making. The maid hissed before walking to the other group.

“Poor thing,” I heard one of them say, “I heard she’ll be eighteen soon and is supposed to be released but the king is sick and might never be able to set her free.” She added.

My brows drew together in an agonized expression and tears clouded my vision as I kept my gaze on the cup and kettle.

What if the king doesn’t get better? What would happen to me?

“Lilliana!” The house mistress’s voice made me push down the lump that had formed in my throat with so much force that I couldn’t help but cough.

What have I done now?

“Nikolai will be returning from abroad tomorrow,” she informed me and a sense of resentment toiled inside me, “it seems like the Alpha might not make it past the night.” She added.

“Ho… but… but you don’t know that.” I stuttered and she tilted her head sideways as she looked at me like I was out of my mind.

“I don’t know that but the professional doctors tending to him told me that he wouldn’t be able to make it.” She responded and my heart dropped to my stomach.

I still didn’t want to believe it. My hopes were still held out and as I listened to her tell me about how Nikolai could possibly be taking over his father’s position, my mind wandered.

She finished talking and walked out of the kitchen while I followed behind her to go into the Alpha’s chambers. He was already deeply asleep when I walked in and not wanting to wake him, I made up my mind to wait until he was awake.

“What the hell is going on in here?!” The masculine voice of a man yelling woke me from my sleep and I mumbled with the thought that it was probably a dream but as I placed my head back to sleep, I was yanked up.