Maya's POV
I woke up to the sound of freezing water splashing into my face.
"Get up!" The darkness was broken by Connor's voice. "You're running late for work!"
I landed hard on the concrete floor after gasping and rolling off the small mattress. Sleeping on the thin pad that Connor referred to as a bed caused my entire body to hurt.
I wiped tears from my eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't hear the alarm."
"There is no alarm," Connor stated icily. "When I tell you to wake up, you should wake up."
Three weeks had passed since the ceremony. King Alexander had mysteriously vanished three weeks prior, trapping Connor and me. Living in this basement room that felt more like a prison cell for three weeks.
"Sophia is hosting a tea party today," Connor added. "She wants her friends to be served by you. Don't try to make me look bad."
I gave a quick nod. "Obviously, Alpha."
I tried not to flinch as Connor took a step closer. He had changed since the rejection had failed. Meaner. As if I had done something wrong and he was punishing me for it.
He grabbed my chin roughly and asked, "And Maya? Remember the consequences if you attempt to disclose our... arrangement to anybody."
I recalled. He had been very clear about the consequences of telling anyone about his treatment to me at night. How he would vent his anger on me when he came to my room over something else. He would constantly remind me that I was only a servant who grew too large for her britches.
"I won't tell anyone," I vowed.
"Good girl." Connor grinned ruthlessly. "Now put on your clothes. You have tasks to complete."
I sat on the floor and tried not to cry after he left. The mattress, a small table, and a bucket of water were all that could fit in the cramped basement space. It was always cold down here, and the walls were made of stone.
The room wasn't the worst, though. It was aware that everyone was acting as though nothing was wrong upstairs. Sophia was preparing to wed Connor. The pack was getting ready for Luna, their future. And I was merely the filthy secret that was kept in the basement.
After putting on my work dress, I made my way up the kitchen's narrow stairs. Mrs. Anderson was already there, getting breakfast ready.
She said, "There you are," without glancing at me. "Sophia wants her tea party to be flawless. Don't mess this up."
I wanted to ask her why she was treating me so coldly. Mrs. Anderson had been gracious prior to the ceremony. She hardly gave me a glance anymore, though.
As I began to wash the dishes, she whispered, "Maya. You should exercise caution; I'm not sure what transpired between you and Alpha Connor. Now he's... different. More irate."
Afraid to talk, I continued to wash the dishes.
"The entire pack is talking," Mrs. Anderson added. "They claim that you cast a spell on him. That you tricked him into believing you were his mate by using dark magic."
My hands froze. "That's not true."
"I understand, my love. However, people are afraid. They believe you to be dangerous."
Risky? Me? The world's least dangerous person was me. When Connor injured me, I was unable to defend myself.
Mrs. Anderson said, "Just keep your head down. This will all be resolved in due time."
However, I didn't believe it would end. It appeared to be getting worse instead.
Preparing for Sophia's tea party took up the morning. I laid out the fine china, arranged flowers, and polished the silver teapot. It had to be flawless.
I tried to blend in as I served the guests in silence when they arrived. However, I sensed that they were watching me. They were whispering to me.
"That's her. The servant who attempted to take Connor."
"I've heard she was a witch."
"She appears so unremarkable. How could she fool an Alpha?"
"Sofia, poor you. I'm glad Connor realized his mistake."
Every whisper pierced my heart like a knife. They all believed that I was a villain who had deceived Connor into believing that we were lovers.
"Maya," Sophia said sweetly. "Could you bring us more tea?"
I rushed to the kitchen after nodding. However, Sophia showed up next to me as I was adding hot water to the teapot.
Her voice was brimming with phony sweetness as she asked, "Having fun?"
"I'm just doing my job," I muttered.
"All right. Because you will always be a servant. Everyone knows that I'm Connor's true choice, even though he may be stuck with you because of that phony mate bond."
She bent over. "You know, he tells me everything. How you implore him to love you. How pitiful you are. He wishes he could get rid of you so badly."
My hands began to shake. "That's not true."
"Isn't it?" Sophia grinned. "If Connor truly desired you, why do you live in the basement? Why does he sleep in my room every night rather than yours?"
I was unaware that Connor was staying with Sophia at night. I felt sick at the thought.
"Maya, face it. You were defeated. You cannot change the fact that Connor is mine."
I was left alone with my broken heart when she left.
Connor arrived at my room later than normal that evening. His hair was disheveled, and he had the scent of Sophia's perfume.
He asked, as if he didn't genuinely care, "Did you have a good day?"
"Yes, Alpha," I told a falsehood.
"All right. Because you're going to have an even better day tomorrow." He grinned malevolently. "I am taking you on a brief excursion."
My blood froze. "A trip?"
"To go see someone who can assist us with our minor issue." Connor took a seat on my mattress' edge. "A witch resides near the border. Her specialty is severing unwelcome bonds."
"You wish to sever our mate bond?" I muttered.
Connor clarified, "I want to break the spell that made us think we had a mate bond. And if that doesn't work, well... there are other ways to solve problems."
I was afraid of the way he said it. "What other ways?"
Connor got up and made his way to the door. "Maya, get some rest. Tomorrow will be a significant day."
I lay on my mattress and stared at the ceiling after he left. Connor had a sinister plan. Something that could harm me or worse. What could I do, though? I had nowhere to go and no one to help me, so I was stuck in this basement.
I tried to fall asleep by closing my eyes, but all I could think about was Connor's gaze on me. As if I were an issue that required his attention.
A faint scratching sound came from the wall just as I was about to fall asleep. I initially believed it to be a mouse. However, the scratching was too deliberate and too frequent.
I sat up and touched the stone wall with my ear. The scratching sounded as though someone was attempting to pierce through from the opposite side.
My heart began to race. Was my room being broken into? Or let me out?
The scratching abruptly stopped. Then, so softly that I nearly missed it, I heard a voice.
The voice murmured, "Maya? Are you there, Maya?"
That voice was familiar to me. Alexander the King was there.
"I'm here," I returned in a whisper. "However—"
"I've been looking for you," he said frantically. "Pay close attention. You must be prepared to run when Connor takes you to the witch tomorrow."
"Run where?"
"I'll track you down. But you must have faith in me, Maya. Don't let the witch touch you, no matter what happens tomorrow. Do you get it?"
I started crying as I said, "I don't understand anything. Why am I experiencing this?"
"Because you're special," Alexander said softly. "More unique than you realize. I can't explain everything right now, though. Just tell me you'll be prepared to run."
"I promise," I muttered.
The scratching resumed, then ceased. With King Alexander gone, I was left on my own with more questions than answers.
However, I felt something I had nearly forgotten for the first time in three weeks. I hope.
Connor was taking me to a witch tomorrow. He believed he was going to find a permanent solution to his issue. However, it is possible that I was going to solve mine instead.
For the first time since the ceremony, I closed my eyes and grinned. Everything was going to change tomorrow.