Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Serene.
Nolla wrapped a towel around my body as I emerged from the bath she had prepared for me, a kind smile settling across her lips as pity swam in those dark brown eyes.
If I wasn't so exhausted, I'd feel sorry for myself as well. My body was not reacting to the abandonment as well as I had hoped. I was a lone wolf as a newborn, and I am a lone wolf again as an adult of twenty-four years. My wolf was handling it better than I was, and only because she didn't have a blood tie to the pack and refused to form any kind of relationship with any other wolf. It was clear who was the smarter of the two of us. I looked down at my ankle, which was now wrapped in a cloth to assist in healing, as is customary.
Nolla, the maid, tried to console me after my breakdown as I sat near the toilet, hands covering my face, embarrassed. She appeared to be my mother's age, with stray white hairs leaving the grip of the hair tie she used to wrap her, rather, brown hair. Soft wrinkles are beginning to form around her eyes, revealing her age but doing nothing to conceal the beauty she possessed. Her eyes were always filled with motherly love, which made me wonder if she had any pups of her own.
I thanked her after she made sure the towel was tightly wrapped around my body before rushing to put some clothes on, the biting cold causing goosebumps to appear on my skin and my teeth to clink together.
I looked over my shoulder when I heard footsteps behind me and saw her close behind.
"Please, Nolla. I'm capable of dressing myself." I pleaded, a sigh escaping my lips.
"We've been over this, my Lady," she shook her head aggressively, letting me know how much she abhorred not doing her job. "This is my job, and I will do it with zeal."
"We agreed you would only undress and bathe me."
"Did we?" She hums, her question tinged with phony bafflement.
With a sigh, I gave up and let her dress me. I wasn't particularly shy about being naked with women, but it still made me cringe whenever it was someone who would tend to me as Nolla is. I don't feel deserving of such care right now; we only met a few hours ago, for goodness sake.
My gaze was drawn to the fabrics neatly arranged on the bed just as that thought entered my mind. I silently expressed my gratitude to Nolla. She appears to have foreseen my impending struggle to put those on, and I was appreciative she was just as stubborn as me, if not more so. I let the towel fall to the ground before putting on my underwear and turning to face her.
She already had the skirt in her grasp and had allowed me to wear it easily. After that, she pulled on the white button-up shirt and let my arms enter each sleeve before finally buttoning it up. I looked down at the clothes that had so far kept me warm. The skirt was light and short, ending just below my knees, whereas the shirt was thicker and heavier.
I raised my head, a frown on my face, to see her holding up the maroon gown that I had completely forgotten about. I wore it sighing, knowing how hot and sweaty I'd be in the afternoon. Surprisingly, the fabric wasn't as thick as I expected. It was light and didn't add any heat to the other pieces I was wearing underneath.
I stood in front of the mirror, my hands drifting down the velvet maroon gown, noticing the extremely low neckline that ended up under my breasts and onto my stomach. Now I see why the shirt was necessary, as was the skirt, as it added volume to the dress.
I turned around with a grin, ready to thank Nolla for her assistance, but I froze when I saw her hold up a brush and point to the seat in front of her. I groaned my way to the seat and sat down, allowing her to work her magic on my silky, honey brown hair.
~
My gaze wandered around the corridors as I followed Nolla to the dining room to finally eat my breakfast.
I couldn't believe I was inside the palace walls, where the King and his brother reside. It made me nervous knowing that I could run into any of them at any time and that I wasn't looking forward to it; submission to them was expected from me in every encounter I had with them. To be honest, I didn't enjoy repetitive submission, and I dreaded having to lower my eyes and show them my neck in order to avoid being killed on the spot for allegedly challenging them.
For some reason, I've always had trouble demonstrating complete submission, which has landed me in hot water with various Alphas. There's a reason I'm no longer allowed to attend meetings with my former pack's Beta, my adoptive father.
I accidentally challenged an Alpha by looking him in the eyes, and he demanded my neck immediately after the meeting. My father tried to calm things down by giving Alpha Owen a stern look, but Alpha Owen's pride would not allow him to back down from such a challenge, feeling confronted.
Alpha Owen was the Alpha of the Moon Stone Pack, which was adjacent to the Shadow Pack, my former pack. They were neighbors who had no trouble communicating with one another until I arrived at the meeting. It wasn't really my fault that he insulted me and took multiple jabs at me in front of everyone at the meeting, knowing full well that I was the only female present. At the end of the meeting, I couldn't hide my disdain and lack of respect from him, and we ended up fighting each other until one of us gave up.
Considering that I still had ten fingers, it was fairly obvious who had lost a finger and given up.
Although my father was pleased that I had defeated an Alpha, he cautioned me about avoiding such conflicts in the future and allowing an Alpha to have their way regardless of the consequences. He also mentioned that the packs' friendship may be fraying. But it wasn't my fault; Owen needed to be humbled.
Nolla stood beside the doors, waiting for me to catch up after seeing me standing in front of the painting for a few minutes. I was looking at a painting of a man with a scar that ran from under his jaw and hid behind the collar of his shirt, possibly ending at his neck. His eyes were furious, dark green and staring back at me with such venom that I froze in place.
"That's Prince Gael; he's the one who brought you here," She said, peering at the painting I'd been staring at so intently. "He will also be joining you for breakfast."
Closing my eyes slowly, clasping my hands together, and taking a deep breath before opening them again. I was not looking forward to meeting the royals so soon, but it appears that it was inevitable. I couldn't have a day to myself to settle in and get comfortable.
To some extent, I understood it; I was an unexpected guest who he happened upon on his way back to the palace. He wanted to know who he had put under his roof and why I had been left for dead.
Secrets can't remain hidden behind veils for long, can they?
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