Kayla had looked forward to turning eighteen for as long as she had known. In the abusive hands of their Alpha King and at his mercy, she craves for freedom. What happens when she finds herself in the hands of another Alpha who steals her heart from just a look?
Chapter 1 Nightmares
"No! Please, no. Leave my mother alone" I begged on my knees and wept furiously as I latched on to the man's legs.
He looked down at me and cocked a thoughtful brow that almost gave me hope. Every shred of hope I had disappeared when he turned to my crying mother, who his guards were holding and in one swift movement, snapped her neck.
Someone screamed. It took a second for me to realize it was me. I watched helplessly as she fell to the ground and ran to her side.
I shook her shoulders but she didn't open her eyes. I begged her to come back to me but nothing. I turned to look at the evil man who killed my mother but he and his guards were just laughing sinisterly. I was confused and angry and I got up on my feet and wanted to talk but I could not. My lips felt stuck together and I started to panic. What was going on? I kept trying as my breath quickened and my vision started to blur.
Just as it felt like I was going to faint, I screamed and I woke up, immediately sitting up. It was a dream. It was a dream, Kayla.
I wiped off the tears that streamed down my face and wondered if anyone heard me scream but then reminded myself that every room was sound proof including the rooms in the slave quarters.
I was in one of those rooms. It had a mattress that was so small, it was barely enough for me and without a bed frame. My body was covered in cold sweat and I pushed aside stray hair that was matted to my forehead and sighed in frustration. This happened almost every night. I always had nightmares and the sad part was that part of it was something that had actually happened.
Nine years ago, my mother was killed by the same man I saw in my dream, the same man whose palace I now lived in. Crazy, I know.
Alpha Dexter killed my mother right in front of my eyes and there was nothing I could do about it. He was an Alpha King after all. My heart ached as I remembered how he barely allowed me to touch my mother's body and had his guards drag me away, leaving her body on the cold ground in front of where I called home.
All the anger I had in me has been at bay for the past eight years after trying endlessly to escape the first year I spent here. No matter how hard I tried, he always found me. So, I eventually gave up.
The only shred of hope I had left was because he promised to let me go when I turned eighteen. He said it would be enough to pay my mother's debt. I hope for the best as I remembered I turn eighteen in a few days.
I thought of a better life out there, just waiting for me. I prayed to the moon goddess to let me out of this hell hole.
It was near dawn and I knew I needed to get ready for the day. I immediately cleaned up and changed to an old gown whose color was already fading. Almost all my clothes were like this. The rest were worse. I quickly tied the auburn mass of curls on my head into a bun and made my way to the kitchen where some other maids were already at.
I greeted them "Good morning" but as usual, I got ignored. I was the youngest one and they hated me for reasons I did not know but I dared not greet them. The last and only time I tried that, they cornered me and left bruises that lasted for days on my body. I shivered involuntarily from the memory. I got to work immediately. I started cooking and most of the others just relaxed and chatted. Although we were many, most of the work load was left for me while they had fun but I was used to it.
By the time I was done, it was thirty minutes to the time for the royal breakfast, so I was rushing. I quickly dished out the food onto plates and saucers and placed them on the trolleys the waiters would used to serve them. I sighed in relief as I managed to beat the time yet again. My arms were exhausted from kneading dough and I rolled them to provide some relief. The royal family was to have brunch today and I had to make food for the other palace workers as well. I started with the breakfast for the workers which included myself. No matter how much I cooked, they would leave little or nothing for me and I was to be the last to dish my food. I sighed as I increased the portion again today and cooked. As usual, they served themselves heaps and left nothing for me. I wished they left little for me but today's not my lucky day. My stomach growled in hunger as they ate and I noted that I needed to get started with brunch for the royal family.
I was done earlier than expected, leaving some of the food less hot. Not cold, not even warm, hot but not steaming hot. I prayed that they'd overlook this because it was too late to start again. The waiters did their jobs and by the time they were back, my heart was pounding in fear.
I almost sunk when one of them pointed at me "You"
My heart skipped a beat as I gave him my attention.
"The King summons you" he said.
I swallowed and my feet felt rooted to the spot.
One of the maids, Vera, spoke up, mockery seeping into her voice "Are you deaf? Alpha called on you. What did you do this time?" She barely contained a giggle.
I braced myself and walked out of the kitchen, making my way to the royal dining. Goosebumps erupted on my skin as I reached the grand doors. I sucked in a breath as the guards opened the doors.
I walked into the big space, my eyes zeroing in on the family seated at the table. As soon as they noticed me, I diverted my eyes to my feet and walked to where the king sat, placing myself at a safe distance from him.
"Good morning Your Majesties, Your Highnesses" I said as I curtsied with my head still bowed.
I could feel the heavy glare of the family on me.
The King, Alpha Dexter, finally spoke up "You sure have grown some balls recently, Kayla"
I almost stammered "I'm not sure what you mean, Your Majesty"
He chuckled humorlessly "Oh, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean"
My palms grew sweaty. He was most definitely referring to the food. I fell to my knees immediately "I am so sorry, Alpha. I made brunch too early and I couldn't start from scratch because I didn't want you to miss brunch. It was a mistake, it would never repeat itself. Please, forgive me"
His wife's vile laughter pierced the air "What a foolish child"
The King hummed in agreement "Well, now, I have another reason to punish you"
Another? Did I just dig my own grave? Fuck.
But then, what was the first reason?
My body trembled with fear as I heard a chair scrape backwards and Alpha Dexter walked towards me, stopping right in front of me. I dared not move an inch.
I'm so screwed.
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