Lyanna's POV

The Viladae Palace was ruled by the Alpha King, who governed the north, east, west, and south. The palace united different tribes of my race, and even though many were dissatisfied, they couldn’t go against the king because he was a ruler who never negotiated.

He was given the name the Hideous Alpha because he spared no one who crossed his path, so no one truly knew what he looked like. I can’t go there. It’s just as risky as it sounds! I mulled in my head.

“Can I not go to the palace? I mean, I’m weak, and there is nothing much I can do there,” I reasoned, but the man shrugged it off.

“You don’t have a say,” he growled, and I cowered in fear as he resumed his trip.

I dragged my feet behind the man who had just bought me, and a sigh escaped my mouth as I entered the Viladae Palace. I never could have imagined that I would step into the palace I had only heard rumors about on the streets at night. It felt surreal.

Viladae Palace was ruled by Alpha King Eldric Sylas, known to be a ruthless Alpha. He had defeated many packs who dared to go against his rule, and he built an empire no pack could infiltrate. It was even rumored that he killed a maiden every night to keep his health divine.

“But that could all be a rumor,” I whispered under my breath, already on the verge of a panic attack.

“Are you surprised to be in the palace?” the man asked, and that was when I noticed my mouth hung open as I stared at the palace.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know… “I’m sorry,” I apologized. It was just my first day, and I was already making mistakes.

“No, it’s fine. Everyone always loves it when they get here, since that might be the last time they ever see the wall of the street,” he said, and my breath seized.

Last time they would be seeing the wall of the street? What does that mean? I pondered.

“Oh, but I heard nasty rumors about the palace. But now that I’m seeing it, it doesn’t look that bad,” I mumbled slowly.

“No, those are not rumors,” the man said, and I felt a lump rise in my throat.

“What do you mean?” I asked with wide eyes.

Did it mean that, while I was trying to escape the grasp of my stepmother, I had actually chosen the quicker route to death?

“Yes, most…” he began, but a stern voice interrupted his words.

“Is this the girl? But why did you only bring one?” A middle-aged woman asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

“What could I do? All the slave traders refused to sell them to me whenever they heard they were going to the palace,” the man said. And that was when I realized who he was. He was a broker. How could I have been such a fool?

Everyone avoided coming to the palace to work. What could be the reason? I wondered, biting my lip, but the woman interrupted my thoughts.

“But why can’t I smell any energy from her? Can she even work?” the woman asked, glaring at me.

“Yes, she might look weak, but she can do a lot of things,” he replied, and the woman handed him a bag, which I suspected contained gold coins...but I immediately kept my head down so as not to get criticized.

“Follow me,” the stern woman said, and I dragged my sore feet as I followed behind her. She took me through the vast palace, which screamed of luxury, but I was too tired to be in awe.

“This is your room. You are going to share it with another maid. Settle in,” she instructed, and I was surprised that I was expected to start work that very day.

“Seems like the palace’s integrity is falling. Even an omega could dream of coming into the palace now,” I heard a group of girls whisper as I walked toward Madam Rosa’s office, which she had shown me earlier. I knew I was going to get bullied yet again for being weak...even here, in the palace.

I entered the room and greeted Madam Rosa.

“Are you done? Go get ready. You are going to attend to the king tonight,” she said.

“What?” I asked in confusion.

“Did you not hear me? I just said you should go get dressed. You are serving the king starting today,” she repeated.

“But I heard that a new maid doesn’t serve the king,” I said, remembering what others had told me, but Madam Rosa’s glare got me to my feet.

“Says who? I make the rules around here, and you are serving the king because the last one quit,” she said. But she avoided my eyes after saying that, and I guessed that things hadn’t gone well for that maid.

“Scram!” she roared, and I sped out of the room.

I bumped into another maid, and I bowed my head, wanting to walk away, but she dragged me back.

“You must be the new maid. You’ll be sharing the room with me,” she said with a smile, and I felt she might not be like the rest, since she didn’t mention my identity as an omega...which was a relief.

“I heard you are working in the king’s chamber. I hope the goddess saves you,” the girl said, patting my shoulder as she walked off. I contemplated not going into the room, but what would be my fate if I refused?

I sauntered into the chamber after a long time of hesitation, and the chilly atmosphere made me shiver.

“Why is this place so cold?” I muttered under my breath.

I decided to start working, but a voice interrupted me.

“Did I get a visitor?” I heard a cold voice ask, and my stomach turned in fear as I looked around, wondering where the voice came from. Then I was shocked to see a strange sight on the floor.

It was a body lying in a pool of blood. A masked man came into view, and I knew at once that he was the one who had committed the atrocity.

An assassin was in the Alpha’s chamber!

“Could that be a human body?” I asked, even though the sight was painfully obvious. I hoped I was wrong.

“What did you think it was?” the cold voice asked, and my stomach churned as I struggled to endure the sight.

“Do you mean… you killed someone just like that?” I asked, taking a step backward.

“Yes. What are you going to do about it, young lady?” the masked man asked, walking toward me, and I panicked. I knew the man was dangerous and strong, so there was no way I could win in a fight.

“Don’t you dare take another step!” I screamed, trying to intimidate the towering figure coming toward me.

“What are you going to do?” he asked, and my throat went dry at his question.

“What do you mean?” I asked. But before I could comprehend what was happening, he was standing right in front of me. I couldn’t think of any way to defend myself other than to hit him hard, but a voice from behind stopped me.

“What are you doing? How dare you raise your hands on His Majesty!” I heard Madam Rosa’s voice, and I froze.

His Majesty? Does she mean the masked man could be the king? I thought, my mouth falling open in shock.