Asena
My legs gave out, and I hit the ground.
For fifteen years, my father, Alpha Riven, has never called me Asena.
I was 'the maid' or 'the girl' or simply nothing at all. So, hearing him say it now and in the softest voice I'd ever heard him use, did something to me.
My palms pressed against the cold ground. My throat burned. I swallowed hard, forcing the tears back before they could slip down my cheeks. If I cried now, the twin Alpha would revel in it.
Above me, the yard had gone quiet. Then I heard footsteps.
When I looked up, it was my father. He was coming down the stairs, his gaze fixed on me.
The tears I'd been fighting gathered in my eyes as I watched him approach.
Was this it? The moment I'd dreamed about since forever? Was my father going to acknowledge that I was his daughter? Perhaps even reprimand the Alpha on my behalf?
He reached the base of the stairs where the twin Alphas stood and walked past me.
He went straight to them, a smooth smile settling on his face.
"Forgive the disruption," He said warmly. "Most of the household servants aren't trained to handle aura exposure at this level. I can assure you it won't happen again."
Servants? Not daughter. Not even Asena. Just a maid with substandard training.
"No worries, Alpha," the other twin stepped forward, gently pushing his brother back and extending a hand to my father. "We should have been more careful. The journey was long."
"Of course," my father continued graciously. "Welcome to Black Seed Pack. We're honoured to host you. I trust your trip was good? I heard you refused to fly, and the mountain roads can be difficult this time of the year."
"It was rough, I won't lie," the same twin answered. "But as soon as we drove into your territory, it became enjoyable. You have beautiful scenery, Alpha Riven. We truly enjoyed the drive to the pack house."
"I'm glad to hear it," My father nodded with another pleasant smile. "Please, come in. Freshen up and rest. Breakfast would be served within the hour."
The group started toward the pack house.
Then the first Alpha—the one who'd been rude to me—paused and turned back to where I still sat sprawled helplessly on the ground.
"What happens to the maid?" he asked, glaring down at me.
My father, who'd already moved ahead, stopped. For a few seconds, he said nothing. Then he turned back with a patient smile.
"Alpha Harl," he said smoothly, his gaze settling on the twin who'd spoken. "I expect you'll overlook it. We shouldn't spoil such a beautiful day because of the foolishness of a mere maid."
Alpha Harl's mouth curved into a cold smile.
"Foolishness?" he repeated. "I know what a foolish maid sounds like, Alpha. This maid disrespected me in front of your entire household." He paused, then turned to face my father fully. "If you let it pass without consequences, your other servants will think they can disrespect me too."
"Alpha Harl, I can assure you, our servants are not trained to disrespect anyone. This is just—"
"And when the Council hears that a mere maid disrespected a candidate who might become the Alliance Leader someday, what would you think they'll say?" Harl interrupted with a smirk. "I'd hate for there to be speculations that you can't manage your staff, Alpha Riven. She must be punished."
My father stared at Harl with the same patient smile. Harl didn't bother looking away.
"Brother." The second twin broke the tense silence, smoothly inserting himself between Harl and my father. "I'm sure the Council has more important things to occupy its time. They won't pay mind to something as trivial as this. Let it go."
"The girl must be punished for her impudence," Harl bristled. "Even right now, she shows no remorse."
That part was true.
"That's enough, Harl."
The dark-haired Alpha, who'd been quiet throughout the entire exchange, spoke up suddenly. His voice carried quiet command.
He turned to my father and bowed deeply. "I apologise for Harl's behaviour, Alpha Riven. He's the youngest, and the journey must have taken a toll on him. There's no need to punish the maid. We were at fault too."
"Don't you dare—" Harl started.
The dark-haired Alpha turned and stared him into silence.
Harl clenched his jaw, then turned stiffly to my father. Copying the dark-haired Alpha's movement, he bowed.
"I apologise, Alpha Riven. I didn't mean any disrespect."
My father nodded to the dark-haired Alpha, completely ignoring Harl.
"Alpha Ruel, I appreciate your generosity. Don't worry, the maid will be cautioned, and it will not happen again." Then he tilted his head towards the doors again. "Come, let us get you settled."
The twins moved first, climbing the steps behind my father, who was ahead, and Alpha Ruel followed.
As he passed me, his green eyes flicked down to me for a heartbeat. It wasn't pity I saw there. Or kindness. It seemed like a quiet warning, like he already understood what kind of house this was.
~~~
At the laundry room, I could feel the glares and stares from the other maids, but I ignored them and went straight to the sorting table.
I'd barely started when two kitchen maids arrived, which I'd expected. News moved fast in this pack house, and the arrival of three Alphas was too juicy to ignore.
"The one in grey, did you see him?" Fia squealed, dropping onto the stool by the linen shelf. "I nearly fell over when he stepped out of the car, and it had nothing to do with his aura."
"The twins," another kitchen maid sighed, pressing her hands together. "They're identical. And so handsome. Moons, isn't it illegal to look that good?"
"The dark-haired Alpha is mine," another maid called out, sighing dramatically. "His eyes. Guys, did you see his eyes?"
"I heard they're the candidates for the position of the Alliance leader and Lycan Heir, respectively," Fia supplied, lowering her voice conspiratorially. The other maids bunched around her eagerly. "And apparently there's a fourth one coming. Rumour has it that the last candidate is a bit of a mystery. No one knows the pack he's affiliated with or who his father is. No one even knew he existed until the Council made the selection."
"So that means it's true what the rumours say?" one maid giggled.
I perked up slightly, curious despite myself.
"Yes," Fia nodded, her big brown eyes widening. "The Festival of the Seven Moons would be held in our pack."
"Which means we get thirty nights of those beauties, walking through our halls?" another maid asked excitedly.
"Yes," Fia nodded, giggling. "The fun part is the galas. Every unmated male and female, regardless of rank, has been mandated by the Lycan King himself to attend. Girls, you might be looking at the next Queen."
More excited giggles and squeals filled the laundry room as the girls fantasised about the Alphas.
Suddenly, the chatter died, and I could feel their eyes turning toward me.
"Asena," Fia called out sweetly. "I heard you'll be attending the festival this year. Will you be going as the Alpha's illegitimate daughter, or as a maid?"
The other maids burst into laughter, but I concentrated on my task. If I had powers to kill, Fia was on the very long list of people who I'd eliminate without second thought.
"Though," Fia tilted her head, studying me with performative sympathy that didn't reach her eyes, "what would happen if you found a match at the festival? Will you tell them you're Alpha Riven's daughter or simply a maid in his pack house?"
"Mind your business, Fia," Trixie, the only maid who shows me kindness in the entire pack house, spoke up. "She's a maid, yes, but she's royalty and can make claims to her royal lineage anytime."
"You're one to talk, Trixie," Fia fired back. "You've spent the past nine months trying to get her to acknowledge your one-sided friendship. Isn't it time to stop being her dog?"
Before Trixie could reply, the door of the laundry room slammed open.
Agatha, the housekeeper, entered in her usual sour mood, glaring at the girls who had already scrambled to their feet and back to their tasks.
She walked straight to where I stood, but I didn't look up.
"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "The famous Asena decides to return to work after embarrassing us in front of the guests."
I kept folding.
She clicked her tongue. "So, you're not going to apologise for making us look bad? Have you no shame?"
I tossed the blouse I was holding onto the sorting table and looked up at her.
"Do you want an apology for something your guests did?" I asked. "Because I can write one. Should I address it to Alpha Harl's ego, or to you?"
The laundry room went silent. Even the boiling water seemed quieter.
Agatha's face tightened. "Watch your mouth."
"Or what?" I asked, leaning slightly forward. "You'll pour water on my bed again? Beat me? Lock me out on the porch to freeze? Deny me food rations for days? Tell lies about me to the Luna? Choose something new, Agatha. I'm bored."
Her lips parted, and fury flashed in her eyes. She lifted her hand like she might strike when a voice cut through the room.
"Agatha."
Everyone turned toward the doorway.
Beta James stood there, with a cold gaze, and Agatha's hand dropped instantly.
"Yes, Beta," she said quickly, changing her tone.
But Beta James ignored her and looked straight at me.
"Asena," he said quietly. "Alpha Riven wants to see you. Now."