WREN
I staggered slightly, resting my weight on the edge of the table. I need you. The
words rung in my head as I reread his words. So neat, so fucking merciless.
I turned to the clock. 7:00pm. Shit. That's a lot of hours. Work officially ends
11:00pm for cleaning maids.
Caius and I only ever met in his room, to be safe. And sneaking around does
get tiring, but I was definitely not complaining. He was a Prince, an Alpha. I was a
maid, an Omega.
Mates or not, I knew my place, and I didn't hate him for knowing his. He'd
asked for time, to be able to ease the Alpha King and Luna into the idea of him
marrying an Omega.
He didn't know it, but he could ask for years and I'd give it to him.
There's a thrill in being a secret, in wanting something that's so publicly out of
reach. In watching him put up a strong face for the world, and absolutely melt for me
when it was just us. In being wanted so much by the Prince of a pack as large and
strong as this one.
There were bad days, sure. Times he'd leave the Castle for a few days for royal
assignments the maids like to call; Noble fuckfests. I'd be in over my head,
wondering if it's true; if the nobles like to meet once in a while and fuck all weekend.
But it doesn't make any sense.
They could do the same here, in the Castle, at Noble inns or Noble bars. He
didn't have to pack his things and leave just for that.
I told Caius once that I wouldn't mind if he were to seek pleasure in someone
else. I wanted to save myself for our wedding night, and he was not exactly a virgin.
But it was a lie. I was trying to get him to stop asking for sex. Imagine my
relief when he said he would never do that.
That he was ready to wait.
"Goddess, she's gone."
I blinked, slowly registering the woman in front of me. Then I opened my
mouth to speak, but a hand came over my face in a harsh slap. My blood boiled, and I
fisted my hands to keep from mirroring the action.
I'd learned the hard way that fighting back was futile, and would only get me
more bruises.
Aerin Vale was one of the only three royal maids born in a Beta's line. She lost
her parents in a Pack war years ago, and was sold to the Castle by her uncle. But that
didn't matter here. Because she was a slut. And sluts who sleep with members of the
High Court have power.
As a High class maid, she'd slept with all the male Royals, except the Alpha
and his son —yes, Caius too. September last year. He made me privy to this
information in his bid to be "completely honest."
She'd gotten a few royal staff fired for crossing her, so that had made everyone
wary of her, scared of her, perhaps.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, folding her arms. My ears rung with
the force of her slap, but I cleared my head and lifted my hand from the table.
"Cleaning," I deadpanned.
She clicked her tongue. "I can see that. But I think you're lost, baby girl."
When I didn't say anything, she narrowed her eyes. "Look around."
I didn't make a move, so she grabbed my chin, and forced me to turn my face.
"Look around, you bitch! This is a private room. Dirt like you shouldn't be here."
"The Matron told me to—"
"Yeah, I've heard that one before! Fucking liar. You should not be here. The
Matron would never put you here, she knows better than that."
I wished she did.
"I'm sorry, alright? I'm finished here, anyway. You can stay here and serve the
Royals when they come down for dinner. You don't have to—"
The click of the Matron's heels made us turn to the door. When she walked in,
her eyes perused the space, and she nodded slowly. "Good job, Starling."
I didn't tell her I did nothing. I merely gave a slight bow.
Before she could say more, the kitchen high-class maids walked in with silver
bowls, more and more until the table was filled from head to the end.
One of the maids turned to Aerin.
"Your earrings are gorgeous," she whispered, and I dropped my eyes to Aerin's
ears. They are pretty. Prettier than anything I'd ever owned.
Not that it meant any much. I had my maid uniform, a few worn t-shirts and
pants, toiletries, and that was it.
One glance at the pink diamond revealed the noble who gifted her. Lord
Gaston. His wife had a collection of pink jewellery —clean-cut diamonds like this one
especially— everyone knew that.
I hardly judged Aerin for sleeping around, but I hated it when she did it with
married men. I'd always hate the men more, though.
She smiled, caressed the jewel. "Thank you, Joan."
The kitchen maid —Joan—nodded with a flush, and walked away.
Aerin turned to me, and her face twisted in heavy dislike. Then she walked
away.
It's Fucking mutual, bitch.
Regardless, I exhaled. That could have gone much worse.
"You should leave now," one of the Server maids said. Three of them were
stationed at different parts of the room, waiting.
"Oh, sorry!" I walked to the door, eyes on the piece of paper in my hand.
"Oh—" I clashed with someone, and looked up. My heart raced immediately as
the Prince looked down at me and frowned.
I stepped back immediately, eyes on his chest. "I am so sorry, your highness."
I risked it and looked at him, let my eyes run over his straight features.
Cropped black hair, blue eyes, straight pink lips. So fucking handsome. Then I gave
him a small smile.
He didn't return it.
"Are you planning to move anytime soon?" His voice was cold and harsh,
nothing like the words on his paper.
"What?" I whispered in shock as I instinctively took a step back.