Malrik frowned, incredulous. "What is that supposed to mean?" He turned to an elder. "What is he saying? Is he serious?" Then he faced Valex again, disbelief sharpening his tone. "Are you serious?"
Malrik laughed once, a harsh, dismissive sound. He waved a hand. "Stop it, Valex. Return her now. She is not yours."
Valex looked down at Odesse, unconscious in his arms, then back at Malrik. "She has my mark," he said quietly. "Which makes her mine."
An elder scoffed. "It is impossible for a human to bear the mating mark. This must be some ploy or a trick."
Malrik's voice dropped, cold as a blade. "If you do not hand that servant girl over, I will take her by force." At his command, the men behind him drew their swords. Immediately, a man from Valex's side matched them, blade biting the air.
"Try it," Valex said without flinching. "And there will be bloodshed."
An elder leaned toward Malrik, whispering urgently, "Your Highness, we do not want to provoke Master Valex. You know what will happen."
A female voice rose above the murmur. "Enough." Valex's mother stepped forward, her presence calming the storm. She turned to Malrik. "What are you doing?" Then she faced Valex. "I invited you because it has been long since I saw you, but I did not expect this."
Valex met his mother's eyes. "Mother, I do not wish to be here either. I did not expect this. It was never my doing."
Malrik's laugh was bitter. "It was never your doing, was it? And what will you do with her if you take her? She will die when she mates. All five of your dead wives are witnesses, are they not?"
Kael, the man who had stood beside Valex, leaned close and murmured, "Sir, I think we should go."
Valex's voice was steady. "We will be leaving, Mother."
Malrik gestured. "Leave the girl."
Valex bowed his head toward his mother, then turned to the exit, cradling Odesse carefully as one would a child. Malrik drew his sword, but his hand was caught by his mother before he could strike. An elder spoke up, sharp and warning: "Sir, that would be a foolish thing to do. You know it."
Valex passed through the entrance and made his way to the carriage, still carrying Odesse. He settled into the seat with her on his lap, careful and reverent. Kael sat opposite, worry etched across his face. "Sire, are you sure about this? She is human and this could cause a war."
"Exactly why I must know why a human bears the mating mark," Valex said. He stroked Odesse's hair, curiosity and concern in his eyes. "Find out everything there is to know about her," he ordered Kael. "In the meantime, she will be my personal servant."
Kael hesitated, then inclined his head. He did not look wholly convinced, but he would not refuse. "Yes, sir."
Aron, who had watched the chaos, ran back toward the servant house and slammed into Cara, who waited anxiously outside. She flung her arms wide. "Aron! Where did you go? Where is Odesse?"
Aron trembled, breathless. "Cara..." he began. His voice broke. "Odesse...she fainted. The Cursed Alpha...he took her."
Cara's eyes went wide. "What?" She grabbed his shoulders. "Where is she? Show me."
Aron managed to point, words spilling out. "He...he carried her. The carriage...`"
Cara spun and ran toward the mansion, heart pounding. She reached the spot where the carriage had been only to find it gone. She crouched behind a hedge, forcing herself unseen as hot tears blurred her vision. Then she trudged back to the servants' house, each step heavier than the last.
Miss Miris stood in the compound, Aron by the ear and scolding him loudly as he protested. Cara crept closer, her chest tight with dread. Miss Miris glared and demanded, "What are you two doing out here? You will be in big trouble."
Cara could not speak. She walked inside, unable to stop the flood of tears. Miss Miris looked up, startled by Cara's state, then at Aron, still holding him by the ear. "What is wrong with her?" she snapped, pulling him inside and shutting the door behind them.
The night slipped away quietly, carrying the echoes of chaos with it. Outside, the moon dipped low, surrendering its throne to the pale blush of dawn. A soft breeze drifted through the curtains. The golden light of morning crept gently across the room, over the carved wooden walls, the silk sheets, and finally over Odesse's face.
"Yawn…" Odesse rubbed her eyes as she slowly woke up, mumbling, "Ough… my head… it hurts."
She blinked, the light filtering into the room making her squint. Then it hit her, this wasn't her room. She sat up quickly, scanning her surroundings. The place was clean and elegant, with polished wooden floors and gold-trimmed curtains. It looked rich, though not overly extravagant, refined, almost royal.
Her voice trembled. "Where… where am I? Aron? Cara?"
The door creaked open. A middle-aged woman dressed in a black-and-white gown stepped inside, followed by two younger girls wearing blue and white dresses.
"You're awake," the woman said with a composed smile.
Odesse frowned, backing slightly toward the bedpost. "Where am I? Who are you people?"
"It's good to see you awake," the woman replied calmly. "Our master has been asking for you." She gestured for one of the girls, who stepped forward with folded clothes in her hands. The woman took them and handed them to Odesse. "Put this on and come out. Master Valex wants to see you."
"Wait... slow down," Odesse began, but the three women had already left, shutting the door behind them. She stood there speechless, clutching the clothes in confusion.
After a few moments, she sighed, deciding there was no other choice. When she emerged, she was dressed in a sleek black gown that hugged her figure and flowed down to her ankles. The woman was waiting in the hall.
"Follow me," she said. "Master Valex has been waiting for you."
Odesse hesitated before following, whispering under her breath, "The Cursed Alpha… Val..."
"Shh!" The woman turned sharply, eyes wide. "We don't say that name here, child. Do you want to get yourself killed?"
Odesse shook her head quickly.
"Then watch your mouth," the woman warned, resuming her pace down the long corridor.
Odesse trailed behind her, taking in the grand halls and high ceilings. "You're a servant, aren't you?" she asked softly.
"Yes," the woman replied.
"Then why are you allowed in the palace? Shouldn't servants stay in the quarters?"
The woman chuckled lightly. "Is that how they treat you all in Silverclaw?" She turned briefly toward Odesse before facing ahead again. "Well, honey, here in Moonlight we don't live like that. We may be below, but we are still part of the house. We come to the palace to do our duties."
Odesse tilted her head, curious. "And you wear nice clothes too."
The woman laughed again and stopped before a pair of tall double doors, their handles carved in silver wolves. She knocked twice, and the doors slowly opened.
She turned to Odesse. "Go in. He's waiting."
Odesse took a deep breath, steadying herself. As she stepped inside, the doors closed behind her with a heavy thud, making her jump.
The room was dimly lit, warm light spilling from a fireplace. From behind a grand chair came a deep, familiar voice.
"Odesse."
Her pulse raced as the chair turned slowly. The man rose, his sharp eyes finding hers.
"Welcome," Valex said, his tone calm yet commanding. "I've been expecting you."