“You’re no kitchen maid Ava.” Zaden closed the distance between them, making Avielle crane her neck up to look at him.
“You’re something extremely special.” “Alpha, I really don’t…” “Zaden, just call me Zaden.” He reminded her, like he had done everytime they’d spoken.
Yet Avielle had never heard any staff given the freedom to address the alpha by his name.
And just like always, Avielle nodded but couldn’t bring herself to utter his name.
She knew without a doubt he wouldn’t be smiling at her if he knew she was the mate of his greatest enemy even if she had been rejected.
“What are you thinking about?” He queried lowering his head to her height to look into her face.
“Take your time to decide how you want to show up at the ball.
Would you rather go as a kitchen maid, or the alpha’s date?” “I don’t think I’m worthy to show up by the alpha’s side.” “Ava, you’re easily the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He said, taking the liberty to lift his hand and tuck her hair behind her ears.
A warm shiver coarsed through Avielle when his finger brushed her ear.
His phone suddenly rang, breaking his gaze from her.
Avielle felt somewhat relieved for the distraction.
He picked up the call right in front of her, not walking away to give himself privacy.
“Yes?” A frown settled between his brows.
“What?
Has he finally lost his mind…?
Double up the security, we don’t want anything going wrong.
And make sure to show them that we won’t be showing them any courtesy.” He hung up the call and turned his attention back to her.
“You know that advice you gave me last time about the attack from rogues?” Avielle nodded.
“They have retreated, they won’t dare to plan a rebellion against Raven ever again.” Zaden resumed walking and Avielle joined him.
Avielle smiled in relief, “That’s great news.” “Yeah, but then there’s something else.” Zaden said gravely.
“An enemy alpha who has never wanted anything to do with our pack suddenly sent word they’ll be visiting on the night of the ball.” “That sounds sudden, do you think they might be planning something?” She asked.
“I do know he has another agenda, but judging by his personality, I can’t figure out what it is.” Avielle pondered for a while before asking, “Which pack is it?” “Obsidian.
Alpha Kyrian Dustwood from Obsidian pack.” Avielle felt her heart suddenly stop and her feet halted along with it, something shook her from the inside and she swayed on her feet but Zaden steadied her.
“Whoa, easy.
Are you okay?” She looked up to find him studying her intently.
“I’m fine, it’s just…
I’ve heard of Alpha Kyrian Dustwood.
They say he’s ruthless to his enemies.” She lied, feeling uncomfortable under his sharp gaze.
“Yes, he is quite well known for that.” Zaden replied, yet he still seemed to be studying her suspiciously.
Avielle knew she needed to tread carefully.
She couldn’t afford to keep having such a visceral reaction to the mention of Kyrian’s name.
If Kyrian was truly coming here to Raven pack, she couldn’t show herself at that ball.
If he saw her he would know she was still pregnant and she definitely couldn’t risk him deciding to take the babies away from her, they were all she had left now.
They were her very reason to live.
“Don’t be afraid, the pack will be well protected.
Besides, I’m sure he’s not here to take away your baby.” The teasing tone in his voice made Avielle freeze, realizing she was hugging her belly really tight.
“Oh no, that’s not why I was…” She sighed, “I do this subconsciously without realizing it.
I’m sure the pack will be safe, I’m not afraid of Kyrian Dustwood at all.” She said, forcing a smile.
Zaden nodded in agreement, “You should never be afraid of him, he’s the enemy, and now that you’re one of us, he should be your enemy too.
And we can’t have the enemy casually walking into our pack.” For some reason, those words made something cold trail down her spine.
She was the enemy too!
Madam Helen complained for hours after that as everything Avielle did in the kitchen, she did distractedly.
Avielle was sure the woman was on the verge of having a heart attack and Avielle must have said the word sorry a thousand times today.
She hurried home after getting off work, politely declining the car Alpha Felix had sent to take her home to take public transportation instead.
“Aunt Sarah.” Avielle’s voice echoed back as she entered the barely furnished two bedroom apartment they were renting.
The door creaked shut behind her and she was welcomed by darkness which didn’t bother her until she flipped the switch and the lights still didn’t come on.
“Aunt Sarah?” Avielle fished out her phone and turned on the flashlight, “What’s wrong with the lights?” She walked up the wooden steps which groaned beneath her weight, carefully supporting herself by the handrails.
“Aunt Sarah, where are you?” A sudden crashing noise from upstairs made her halt her steps, fear pouring into her.
Did someone break in…aunt Sarah wasn’t hurt was she?
“Aunt!” Avielle shouted, panicked, she ran up the stairs seeing some light below the door of her room she rushed in.
“Avielle, you scared the shit out of me.
How many times do I have to tell you to be careful how you move in this condition?” Avielle found aunt Sarah hanging up some decorations, standing on a stool to support her height.
“I called you repeatedly and didn’t get an answer so I was worried.” Avielle sighed out in relief.
“What happened to the electricity?” “I pulled the fuse so I don’t get electrocuted from what I’m doing.
We need to prepare your room for when the babies come.” Aunt Sarah plugged the fuse back in and the lights came on.
Avielle was stunned at what she’d done to the room, it looked like a beautiful nursery that Avielle almost cried.
The wood on the floor no longer made weird noises, it was covered by a beautiful pink carpet.
Two little cribs sat by the wall with beautiful trinkets hanging over them.
Her own bed looked neat and comfortable.
“Aunt, you shouldn’t have done all this.” “Of course I should have, my grand-niece or grand-nephew deserve the best.” Avielle hugged aunt Sarah, tears streaming down her face.
“Aunt, I don’t know what to do, he’s coming.” Avielle voiced what had been bothering her for the whole day.
Aunt Sarah pulled away from the hug to look at Avielle’s face worriedly, “Who’s coming?” “Kyrian, he’s going to be here on the night of the Raven ball, and I’ll have no choice but to work as a server that night.
Aunt what if he sees me, what if he wants to take my children away?”