Myra was shocked beyond words. Seduce? The Alpha?

She had expected many things from Henry. But not this.

“What?” she hissed sharply. “You expect me to do what?”

Henry tensed, prepared for another round of shouts. “You need to get close to him Myra. It's the only way”

“Only way?” she shouted, dumbfounded. “By being close to him? Are you mad?”

“Shh. You don't want to attract other people, do you?”

“I can't do what you ask of me. That is utterly disgusting”

The mere thought of touching Arthur and letting him touch her, made bile rise in her throat.

“Myra we don't have time for this. This is the only way considering what's at stake”

“At stake?” she repeated, her blood boiling. “So I have to let him touch me just because of what's at stake? You amaze me Henry”

“I.....” Henry trailed off.

“How dare you think of such? How could you even....."

Disgust filled her. She didn't dare think of such yet that was what was on his mind. The main reason why he was here, and not to plead forgiveness. “I'd rather die than crawl into his bed like some whore”

“Don't say that” Henry reached for her but she moved away. “You don't have to necessary sleep with him. You just need to gain his trust”

“How? By singing lullaby?” she questioned with a slight touch of sarcasm.

She crossed her arms, not at all happy. “What if that's what it takes to gain his trust?”

Henry didn't have anything to say and his lack of response was all she needed to tear him apart. “I can't even believe I was just warming up to you. If you truly love me, you wouldn't suggest such”

His eyes grew colder. “Do you think I want this? That I will enjoy seeing you in another man's arms? I've thought of every possible alternative but all proved abortive”

His words fueled her anger. “So I should just jump into his arms then? Allow that monster touch me?”

She remembered Arthur's mocking looks as he lowered her to a maid, disgracing her before her people.

All she wanted to do was carry out revenge even if it meant murdering Arthur in cold blood, so she couldn't imagine herself with him, even in her nightmares.

Henry's voice was pained and tired. “There's no other way”

Myra shook her head and began to pace. “There has to be another way. Anything but this”

It was his turn to be sarcastic. “If you have a better plan, let's hear it”

She paused to shoot him a glare. “Anything is better than your plan. For the life of me, I can't see myself in that Alpha's arms. The very same man who destroyed my life”

“But he's the only one who can unknowingly bring about his own downfall”

Myra was conflicted. Revenge was all she wanted but to sleep with the Alpha to get it?

She felt sick. “You're telling me to do something unthinkable”

“I'm telling you to do what's necessary” he corrected. “If I had any other way—”

“There's always a way” she interrupted with a snap. “I can't believe you would choose this one. You don't love me, I can see that now”

“I do love you. That's why I need you to do this. I feel horrible thinking about it but it is the only way to bring him down. You know it. I know it”

That was the ugly truth. There was no other way.

Her stomach churned as she stayed quiet.

Andrew tugged at her sleeve. “Please princess. You're our only hope. People are suffering in the dungeons. They're starving. Many are close to death”

She looked down into his big, hopeful eyes and felt guilt twist her chest.

“But I can't”

“Please princess" Andrew's voice had lowered to a whimper. “We need you please"

“Your people depend on you Myra. They are looking up to you, don't disappoint them” Henry coaxed her gently.

She remained stubborn. “You're asking too much of me”

“Then prepare to watch your people die”

It struck a chord, weakening her resolve. Her people needed her but did that mean sacrificing whatever dignity she had left?

She squeezed her eyes, navigating the storm inside her. Was there no other way?

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Arthur moved through the trees.

His massive paws barely made a sound as he scanned for a lost deer that would become his prey.

Above him, high up in the sky, the moon hung low like a silver ball, emitting soft glows against a backdrop of a black sky.

The wind carried the scent of damp earth and flowers mixed with leaves.

Arthur inhaled deeply as he listened to every rustle, every twig that snapped under his paws.

He lived for this feeling. In his wolf, there was no burden of leadership that came with the throne. No politics.

Just him and his primal instincts.

When he heard a sound, his ears twitched and he sniffed the air. His prey was near.

Soundlessly, his paws moved him in the shadows to where a small, blissfully ignorant deer was grazing.

He lowered his body and moved closer, careful not to make any sound to alert it.

The deer straightened immediately, sensing something. Too late. Arthur shot forward with a low growl, his jaw clamping around the deer's throat before it could even move an inch.

The deer struggled, but he held it down firmly, sinking his fangs into its flesh. A second later, its heartbeat stopped and blood filled his mouth, warm with the metallic taste of iron.

He felt the thrill of the hunt in his veins, a desire that had nothing to do with food.

He let the taste linger before releasing the dead deer and lifted his head to the sky, letting out a low howl that echoed through the forest.

This was the sole purpose of his wolf. The howls, the hunt..... everything that lifted the heavy responsibilities that rested on his shoulders.

When the high of the moment faded, he retreated back into his sane self and wiped his muzzle against his forearm.

With one last glance at his kill, he shifted back into his human form and returned back to the palace.

When he arrived, something felt...off.

He felt a foreign presence, awakening his senses. Without hesitation, he walked toward the scent, alert and ready to attack.

************

“So, what's it going to be Myra? Are you going through with this or not?"

Myra inhaled deeply, pulling out of the storm that raged through her. “I don't know Henry. I don't know" she admitted.

This was just too much to take in. Seduce? The very word made her coil.

Henry's response was final. “Make a choice Myra. Or your people will pay the price"

Myra bit her lip hard. She was faced with an impossible choice.

Then she heard footsteps approaching and she froze. “Oh no, someone's coming"

“You haven't given me an answer yet" Henry said.

“Not now. Hide before anyone sees you" In a state of panic, she pushed Henry and Andrew behind a stone pillar, then straightened just as Arthur stepped into view.

His presence was intimidating, his voice smoothened with suspicion.

“Sneaking around here you don't belong princess?”

She held his gaze, summoning every ounce of courage she had left.“I walk where I please”

His golden eyes raked over her. “How strange that you prefer the darkness”

She stared at him blankly. “That's none of your business”

“That's where you're wrong princess. Everything you do is my business”

She crossed her arms, attempting to look bored. “I'm not really in the mood to entertain your delusions”

He hummed as he walked closer. “Why do I feel like you're hiding something?”

Her heart was hammering in her chest but she played it cool. “I have nothing to gain if I hide something from you. You're not worth half my sweat”

His mouth slanted in a smirk. “I can see right through you. I know someone is here”

Her breath hitched. “I don't know what you're talking about”

“Really? Then why do I smell a strange scent?”

She spun on her heels, eager to leave. “I can't believe I'm wasting my time with you when I have better things to do”

“Keep this in mind while you go princess. Not every corner is safe for you to wander. You never know what could be hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike”

His words sent a chill down her spine. She threw one last insult over her shoulder before she left. “Paranoia isn't your forte Alpha. Wickedness is”

He watched her go, knowing beneath all that toughness, she was hiding something.

His gaze flickering to the pillar as his mind ticked like the seconds of a clock.

He walked to the pillar and stepped behind it. Nothing.

His brows furrowed. His instincts never lied.

Someone had been here. And they had been smart enough to disappear.

The cold, early morning nipped at her skin as Myra stepped into the servants hall. The tantalising scent of roasted meat and hot soup slid in from the kitchen, tickling her nose as she settled down onto a bench.

She had arrived earlier today, to escape punishment and unwanted attention from other maids which was increasing as the days passed.

While she waited to resume the hard chores for the day, her mind drifted back to her conversation with Henry.

A plan to seduce the Alpha.

She wanted revenge, she breathed it in everytime a herculean chore was forced upon her, often accompanied with mockery.

But she hadn't fully digested the frightening idea of seduction. Her skin crawled with loathing as she pictured herself carrying out the plan.

Myra twisted her dress between her hands. No. She couldn't go through with this.

There had to be another way. Anything but this.

Please Lord help me, she prayed fervently, hoping blindly that heaven would be on her side.

But no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the truth gnawed at her.

“Myra?"

She turned to find Nora standing by the door, her expression blank yet stern.

“The Alpha has given orders that you alone will serve the royal family's breakfast today" said Nora, her voice clipped and formal.

The news hit her like a force. “W-What?"

“You heard me Myra. Don't make me repeat myself" Nora said, narrowing her eyes.

Her stomach churned with dread. Serve breakfast?

This was a new low. Now, she knew just how far the Alpha was willing to degrade her. He wanted to make sure she had no pride left, to exert his lordship over her.

“He ordered me?" She asked, processing the information as she stood up slowly.

“Of course he did" Nora nodded, as if it was an everyday request. “You will carry the meal and serve them in the dining hall"

Such an order was a dream come true for many maids. To be in close contact with the royals and serve the charming princes and king's was a rare opportunity.

But Myra saw no glory in such work. Hell, she saw no glory in any work she was tasked to do. She only saw humiliation written in plain letters.

She gritted her teeth. She had to obey, there was no other choice.

A quick flash of sympathy passes in Nora's eyes. “The meals are in the kitchen"

The room grew smaller in her eyes once Nora departed, the burden of a maid's life pulling her down.

To serve breakfast to the monsters that ruined her. They would laugh, look down at her with scorn while humiliating her.

She took in a deep breath. She refused to crumble.

Her shoulders rigid, she walked into the kitchen. Whispers and Snickers filtered into her ears but she paid no need to them.

“Ex-princess is going to serve breakfast today"

“Tsk! Such a pity. I actually feel sorry for her"

“I admire her courage. It's definitely a low blow to her pride"

Under the judging gazes of the kitchen maids, Myra pushed the trolley out of there.

The walk to the dining hall was long and silent as she moved reluctantly down the corridors.

The Alpha's orders. She had once been the one who gave orders, a royal too. But now, as she got closer to the dining hall, she realized she was no more a princess.

She was a maid. Slave. Captive.

When she finally reached, her blue eyes met the heavy, polished wooden floors, looming before her. She could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation from within.

Myra gulped in a huge breath of air and squared her shoulders. “It's just breakfast. That's all" she pushed her courage along with the doors.

The moment she entered, the laughters ceased.

She could feel their eyes on her—cold, silently mocking her.

All around the table were the royal family members.

Arthur was seated at the head of the table, commanding attention without a word. By his side was Christine, wearing a smug smile.

To his left and right were the concubines of the late Alpha, the princes and princesses.

Her legs felt like stone as she drew nearer hesitantly, conscious of the heavy stares she was subjected to. Her eyes closed with Arthur's in a brief second, seeing the pure amusement in his golden orbs.

She quickly averted her gaze and focused on setting the meals on the table, all the while biting the inside of her cheek.

“So this is the beautiful, fallen princess of Vespera" Prince Darius commented, eyeing her thoughtfully.

“Don't tell me you find her beautiful Darius" his mother, Lady Beth said. She was a refined beautiful woman who hid behind the mask of arrogance.

Darius smirked. “I was only trying to make her feel better mother"

Myra kept her head low and continued placing the dishes in front of them. She couldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her pain.

“Tell me princess" mused Arthur as he swirled his goblet idly, “now you're a poor servant of mine, how does it feel to be so...... insignificant?"

The words stung but she kept her expression neutral, never glancing his way.

“It must have been so hard to come to terms with your ugly fate" Christine gave a murmur of sympathy but her eyes held a mocking glee.

“A terrible fate, I might add" Lady Beth chuckled softly. “And my glass is empty maid"

Myra didn't know how she managed to put up with holding a flat expression, considering the thin line that held her sanity was slipping.

Obediently, she filled the woman's glass. Never did she allow her emotions to break for even a split second.

“It would be lovely if we want focus on our meal and leave the poor soul alone" a woman interjected, looking all but amused.

Beth clicked her tongue in disagreement. “Stop being so mushy Rachel. Some women are meant to rule, others to kneel"

“And yet, fate often plays cruel tricks on us all. Even those who think they are untouchable" implied Rachel firmly.

Beth's eyes narrowed the same degree as the rising tension in the room.

“You pity too much Lady Rose." uttered Princess Amber. She was cool and poised, her blonde hair twisted into a neat bun.

A thin frown appeared on Rachel's face. “And is that a crime? Mustn't we all exude kindness when needed?"

“Not in this scenario" Arthur finally spoke, barely glancing at Myra. “Not everyone deserves kindness. Cruelty sometimes, is the perfect antidote to a stubborn pride"

Myra's fingers trembled at his words, almost spilling wine while topping Darius' glass.

“Careful there" Darius murmured. “I'd hate for you to spill. The again, I wouldn't mind seeing you on your knees cleaning it up"

She kept her expression blank, refusing to react.

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “It would be a waste if a beauty like you is only a maid. Why don't you make yourself useful in other duties?"

His tone was casual but the underlying meaning in his words made her coil with disgust.

“Come on now, I could be generous" Darius continued. “For a night, perhaps. A taste of the luxury you once had, before you return to..... your regular life"

Beth's voice cut in smoothly. “You have standards Darius, and they do not lie with low class women, especially maids"

For lack of a better reaction, Myra's face went red with shame.

Don't listen to them. Ignore them and hurry up, she told herself, eager to get the hell out of there.

The only thing holding her back from lashing out was her sister. Evelyn depended on her patience.

Arthur merely raised an eyebrow with a slight smirk tugging at his lips, but he said nothing. As if her humiliation was just another trophy to win.

Rachel sighed with evident disapproval. “One should not speak so carelessly to a woman"

“She's not a woman Lady Rose. She's a maid, and a very unimpressive one" Amber stated calmly then addressed Myra, “I mistakenly spilled wine on my shoes, so come clean it up"

Myra hesitated. She couldn't descend to such level.

“Come on now" Amber waved her fork nonchalantly. “Don't be shy, it's your job"

Everyone's eyes rested heavily on her, waiting. Testing to see if she would submit.

A minute passed yet Myra's feet didn't move. She stood rooted to the spot, her back rigid with stubbornness.

This was one thing she couldn't do.

Amber's eyes narrowed. “Hmm, what a disobedient little thing you are"

“Maybe your sister could teach you how obedience is done" Arthur said coolly, his voice icy with warning.

Myra swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat, fixing her gaze downward.

She knew better than to provoke Arthur.

Stiffly, she lowered herself to her knees, holding back tears as she wiped the extra polished shoes of Amber.

“Very humble of a princess. You're definitely a role model to your subjects" Beth nodded, glancing down at her with barely concealed disdain.

Laughter dominated the atmosphere, lightening the earlier tension in the room.

Myra dug her fingers into her knees, blinking away tears.

She couldn't afford to show weakness, not after everything she had sworn to protect.

The banquet hall was alive tonight.

Merriment and music filled the air, combined with the mouthwatering scent of roasted meat and spiced wine.

Nobles indulged themselves in exquisite dishes while clinking glasses, toasting to a kingdom they barely knew.

Myra stood outside, watching through the windows, her heart aching with pain and fury.

All this luxury, celebration, laughter, were once in her world. She had sat at tables that glimmered under chandeliers, drinking and eating fine food.

Now, she was nothing but a shadow within the walls of this palace, forced to work as a slave while she couldn't do anything but watch these wolves toast to her downfall.

She hated it.

“Myra?"

She turned around quickly to find Nora standing there with two guards.

Her mind rose in alarm. “What?"

“The Alpha has summoned your presence in the grand Hall"

Her stomach plummeted. Summoned her presence.

No doubt, he wanted to show off his new trophy for all to see.

Myra wanted to refuse, to damn him to the blackest part of hell, but she knew better.

Her mouth tightened. “Oh I see"

“Don't take it personal. Many have been through worse" Nora said, her voice almost kind. Almost.

Myra gazed at her, somewhat baffled. Take it personal? Being humiliated was personal?

The guards reached for her but she took a step back. “I can walk on my own" she spat.

Without a word, they fell into step beside her, leading her to the hall.

It irritated her how they treated her like a prisoner, then she remembered bitterly that she was one.

Her legs felt heavy with each step she took closer, the sounds of music and laughter getting louder.

She wasn't given any chance to gather her composure because the guards hustled her in, clearly impatient with her slackened pace.

They pushed her to the cold floors, earning stares as the chatter quietened.

Myra kept her head down, unable to bear the weight of meeting so many eyes.

Arthur's voice came clear and cutting as he approached her. “This is the prize for my victory over Vespera. Crown Princess Myra, or at least she was a princess until she chose to become a maid"

The words hit her like a slap.

Everyone burst into laughter, while some wiped tears from their eyes. The sounds were like a thorn in her chest, pricking her heart slowly.

Arthur grabbed a handful of hair and yanked her head up forcefully. “Enjoying the limelight princess?"

The pain in her head was nothing compared to the one darkening her soul. She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced out, “I'll make you regret this. Mark my word"

Arthur chuckled. “Desperate times call for hopeless promises"

He let her go and stood up, abandoning her before the eyes of these vultures.

“She is beautiful" Alpha Eric said, smacking his lips.

Alfred nodded in agreement. “A pity she has to be a maid. A beauty gone to waste"

Darius concurred readily. “I couldn't agree more. An epitome of flawless beauty"

Myra shrank as many stares turned lascivious. She prayed no one dared touch her.

“Is she up for grabs Arthur?" Eric asked, unable to keep his desire to himself.

His wife pursed her lips and shot Myra a glare.

“Why are you so interested in the woman? Planning to take her to bed already?" Alfred laughed lightly.

Myra coiled with disgust. She would kill him if he even tried to touch her.

She glanced at Arthur and found him holding her gaze with concealed amusement.

He had the guts to tilt his head and pretend to consider the question. “What do you want exactly Eric?"

“Well" Eric said, briefly glancing at her. “As a slave, she ought to know how to please men already"

Rage as hot as hell swept through Myra yet she kept her head down.

Keep calm till they touch you, she told herself, gripping her dress tightly.

“She is too beautiful to let go Arthur. At the very least, let one man have her tonight" a nobleman suggested.

Arthur crouched down to her eye level, hooking a finger under her chin. “Beautiful" he murmured then smirked. “I agree with you. She needs to know how to be a real woman, don't you think princess?"

“Why are you doing this?" She whispered. “What do you stand to gain from this?"

An unidentified emotion flickered in his eyes before they darkened. “I gain power princess. Victory over the human kingdom that dared to oppose my wish" he said in a low voice.

“Your wish was evil and brutal. You wanted to invade our borders and take over our lands. That is evil"

His lips curved into a frosty smile. “I am evil"

“She is a ripe woman" he said aloud, holding her gaze. “But she is not available for any man at the moment"

“And why exactly?" Eric wasn't pleased. “Do you plan to keep her to yourself?"

“Are you questioning my order concerning my own slave?" Arthur dropped the calm tone, his eyes narrowing.

Eric's jaw tightened but he forced a smile. “Not at all. This pack is yours, and the slaves too."

“Let us forget about this lowly good-for-nothing maid and focus on our meals. She is too low for us to notice" Christine said, rolling her eyes.

Everyone laughed again, drifting their attention away.

“Get out right now" Arthur stated slowly. “And don't ever forget you are a slave here. I can protect you and I can definitely tear you down"

“I will rise again and free all of us from your bondage" she promised tightly.

“It's okay to console yourself with such thought. But if you couldn't save your pathetic father, then you obviously can't save yourself"

“Don't talk about my father like that" she grated angrily.

“Or what?" He taunted.

“Or I'll kill you"

“Try it. And I'll feed you to these wolves right now" he replied, challenging her.

Myra's lips remained sealed like a button, lowering her gaze.

“Exactly. I'm your Alpha, never forget that"

She couldn't take it any longer. She had to leave before he crushed whatever pride she had left.

She stood up, dangerously close to tears but determined to walk away.

Tears blurred her vision as she walked down the corridors. When she couldn't hold it in any longer, she tipped behind a pillar and slid to the floor, tears pouring down her cheeks in rivulets.

Everyone saw her as a failure—the wolves, the humans, even her own mind.

She hugged herself tightly, wondering if the universe hated her.

Some weeks ago, she was the beautiful princess of Vespera who held her head high as she walked.

But now, her father was dead, her subjects held in captivity while she was reduced to a slave.

Minutes passed as she cried for a long time, feeling heavy and depressed.

Here she was, feeling weak and useless with nothing but hopeless promises to an Alpha who was stronger than she could ever be.

Myra wiped her eyes with the back of her palms then stood up.

“Stop feeling sorry for yourself" she encouraged her weak spirit.

She needed to find solace and escape the failure that clogged her heart.

As she wandered deeper into the corridors, the sounds of banquet became fainter, replaced by the empty silence of the corridors.

She breathed in deeply, trying to clear her head.

A breathy moan snapped her out of her thoughts.

She stopped and looked around. No one.

Next was a muffled giggle and a sigh.

She paused before a slightly ajar door and curiously reached for the handle. But as soon as she pushed it open, a startled gasp passed her lips.

Inside, a woman was wrapped in the arms of a man, locking lips passionately. The man's hands were eagerly traveling down her body.

Heat burned Myra's cheeks as her eyes widened in embarrassment. “Oh—!"

Suddenly interrupted, the couple turned in alarm, but she immediately slammed the door shut, her heart racing.

She hurried away, quickening her pace as she ascended the staircase. She was still flustered when she reached the upper floors.

Myra walked around aimlessly, wondering if she was the only one drowning in misery while the rest of the world carried on with enjoyment.

Nobles were drinking themselves to death, couples were living in romance, and she was here looking for a quiet place to cry again.

It was quieter up here, the distant sounds of the feast fading into the background.

Her fingers trailed along the railing as she reached the last room at the end of the corridor.

It was different from the others, with a darker and heavier door like it belonged to a different place.

She felt a strange sensation in her chest as she stared at it, almost as if it called to her, beckoned her closer.

’Mine'

For a split second, she thought she heard a howl from the other side.

Her heartbeat quickened. Maybe she was just imagining things but she couldn't shake the word feeling that someone was waiting beyond that door.

'Come closer, closer" a low growl echoed in her ears.

She turned but saw no one. Her instincts screamed at her to run away, but her fingers itched to push the door open.

She hesitated, unsure of herself. What if there was another couple in there?

Myra took a step back, ready to leave but a painful howl stopped her.

She glanced around, anxious if a wolf was nearby but there was not a single soul in sight.

Her heart squeezed painfully as she heard another low whimper, as if a wolf was in pain. It tugged her closer to the door.

She heard another howl and couldn't stop the burning curiosity in her chest.

Slowly, she pushed the door open.

Thick darkness welcomed her as she stepped inside. The room was eerily silent, like a shadow was watching her expectantly.

You never know what could be hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike

Fear prickled the hairs on the back of her neck.

Something didn't feel right.

Myra gulped and turned to leave.

But before she could take a step, a hand shot out from the darkness and slammed the door shut with a force that rattled the windows.

A gasp escaped her lips as her heart leapt into her throat.

Then, a deep, husky voice whispered, “Where are you going little mate?"