CHAPTER 38.The plan.>>>>>>>

“Get the wines to the hall right away. Don’t keep the noblemen waiting!” Ragnar’s voice shook the kitchen, and all the girls scrambled up immediately, moving to grab their respective trays and jars of wine.

“I’m sorry, my lord. Lyra will take them in right away,” Madam Estelle apologized.

Akira's breath hitched the moment Ragnar's shadow filled the doorway. She wished she could fold herself into her dress and disappear before his eyes found her among the girls.

Madam Estelle stepped forward, chin lifted. “My lord,” she breathed, grabbing Ragnar’s attention back to her. But this time, something about her voice was unusually soft, and it surprised Akira.

Her hands smoothed down the front of her dress in a nervous stroke, and a grin stretched across her lips.

Ragnar’s eyes flicked over her, sweeping over her at once. “My apologies again. We had a few minor issues this morning that took some of our time; we would have been done by now,” she said, and he nodded, his gaze returning to the young slaves moving out with trays.

“Get moving!” Madam Estelle barked at the girls scattered around. Everyone reached for a tray of drinks, moving out in a single file. They all took their already prepared trays of drinks, except Akira, who had none since she wasn’t there before.

Once they were gone, the snap of the kitchen doors left a silence inside, with only Madam Estelle, Akira, and Beta Ragnar remaining.

Ragnar spun around to Akira, and his eyes widened slightly at the sight in front of him. His lips stretched into a grin. “Nia, right?”

Akira’s heart dropped to her stomach; she swallowed hard, trying to force out words, but it felt like there was a lump in her throat. She nodded instead.

Ragnar stayed where he was, his broad shoulders, his gaze snagged on Akira.

A deep frown marred Madam Estelle's features at once at the sight of Akira. All attention from Ragnar was supposed to shift to her, not to Akira.

Ragnar's lips curled into a lustful smile. “You’re not supposed to be here. I already told you that you should be my cupbearer and pour my wines.”

Akira’s lungs forgot how to work; she tried to lower her head, but it felt like her feet were rooted to the spot, her eyes refusing to look at Ragnar or the angry Madam Estelle. Her gaze dragged across the floor, and the trembling of her hands as they gripped her dress felt tighter than needed.

Ragnar's jaw clenched at once, his nostrils flaring faintly; he had just caught a scent he liked.

“M-m-my lord…” Akira started, her knees buckling with fear. She ducked her head, tilting it sideways to Ragnar. “I would have loved to be your cupbearer, but I have some work to do. I serve Prince Brevin and the little lord Rex.”

Ragnar scoffed. “Scrubbing floors?”

“Come on, Nia. You're better than that. I know exactly what role would fit you in this place.”

“I’m sorry, my lord. I have to leave now to clean Rex's room,” Akira announced, turning on her heels toward the door. She scurried past Madam Estelle, brushing too close to her as she slipped out.

Madam Estelle looked furious, and Akira wondered what her problem might be in this scenario.

Beta Ragnar's gaze lingered on the door long after it had closed. His lips parted slightly, his tongue dragging across his lower lip as if he were tasting her right then. He sniffed her scent still hanging in the air, visualizing her in his mind—those trembling hands twisting at her dress. He wished it were her trembling hands twisting the sheets as he fucked her silly.

Then there were her wide eyes darting around; he wished it were her eyes rolling in pure pleasure from his cock. The way fear made her throat jump—Ragnar wished it were jumping because his cock was choking her mouth while she ducked, submissive and helpless.

His chest rose slowly, a slight ache tightening in his groin. He couldn't stop thinking about how Akira would look under him when he fucked her or how her beautiful cries would fill his ears.

“Ragnar!” Madam Estelle's voice cut through, and his shoulders jerked at once, nostrils flaring as he pretended nothing had just happened. He snapped his head toward her, forcing a smirk to cover the excitement in his eyes.

“Oh, my apologies,” he muttered, dragging a hand across his beard while his gaze flicked back to the door.

“That one…” he chuckled softly, “she’d fit perfectly under me. Fragile, but that mouth—the things I’d make her beg for.”

Madam Estelle's face went pale, her lips thinning with fury, nostrils flaring in jealousy.

She spun around dramatically, walking away from Ragnar at once.

“Come on, Estelle,” Ragnar rumbled, his voice dropping into a whisper. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Beta Ragnar moved quickly, his boots thudding against the floor. Before Madam Estelle could take more steps, he seized her waist.

She paused, her lips stretching into a wide grin at Ragnar's touch. His other hand slowly slid under her clothes, reaching for her thighs, while the one over her waist moved upwards to her breasts. He squeezed tightly through her clothing, fingers pressing against her nipples.

She couldn't help it,a breathless laugh escaped her lips.

“R-ragnar…” she whispered, though it wasn't resistance to his touch, it was a foolish, girlish giggle that spilled out.

Her cheeks shone pink, a little shy, though her eyes glittered with triumph at finally getting his touch again.

He bent lower, his lips grazing the shell of her ear, and her giggles only grew louder….soft and more breathless,while she caressed his beard with her eyes closed. She arched into his touch without hesitation.

Ragnar's jaw tightened as his thoughts briefly returned to Akira, and he wished it were her he was touching this way. His hands on Madam Estelle tightened roughly—not because of her, but because of what he imagined instead.

“I want you to get her to me tonight,” he whispered, and Estelle stiffened at once, her eyes flicking up.

She was taken aback. Just when she thought it was only them, he was still thinking of the young she-wolves.

Madam Estelle's lips twitched, the first sign of the storm brewing inside her, but she had to remain calm. Irrespective of their sexual relationship, Ragnar was still the ruling Beta of the northern pack.

Right now, he is like an Alpha king since the Grand Alpha king was currently feral.

The curl of her lips faltered. Though she tried to keep her expression soft for him, her nose flared in pure disdain.

“R-ragnar…” Her voice shook as she strained to keep her anger in check. “She’s nothing. You can pick someone else so it doesn’t get complicated; she’s serving Prince Dominus’s child.”

His grin only deepened. His thumb pressed harder into her waist, dismissing her words. “I don’t give a fuck about that. Do what I say. Make sure you bring her to me tonight!”

Madam Estelle’s eyes narrowed, her breath catching, and her lips tightened into a line that couldn’t hide her jealousy. Her cheeks burned, not with shyness this time, but with barely contained rage.

Ragnar bent closer, his beard brushing her cheek as he murmured, “Bring her to me tonight and make sure nobody knows about it. Just us two.”

She swallowed hard, even though she hated to do so. “W-where?” she said through clenched teeth.

“The dark hallway. Make sure you bring her there tonight.”

Madam Estelle gasped. The dark hallway? She spun sharply, turning to him at once. She couldn't believe he was picking the dark hallway. That was the hallway leading to where the feral Grand Alpha king was caged. It was far away, so if he broke out, he wouldn’t hurt anyone, as everyone was warned not to cross that area in the palace. It was the hallway where the torches died out, and not even the guards lingered around there. No one dared to stay too long in case he heard a voice and came out.

Her eyes darted up at him. “That's too risky, you know it. I can't bring her there.”

“Do as I say!” Ragnar growled. “And make sure no one knows about this—just us two.”

Before she could speak, his hands snapped down and smacked her ass hard enough to make her yelp.

Ragnar grinned, a little curl of satisfaction on his lips. “Make sure you do as I’ve instructed,” he murmured darkly, his teeth grazing her shoulder before pulling back and walking out.