Selene's POV
I remained in the prison cell. I was worried for my life now. Spending the night in the prison had awoken doubts in my mind. Kaiden might not care about me or feel the connection I felt. It must be a one-sided thing. That explained why I was stuck in this cold cell, almost freezing to death.
I clenched my fists. I was a fool for trusting a man in the first place. Now I remembered Mother Riven's words. She had told me not to come near an Alpha. Perhaps, this was the reason. She must have foreseen that I would meet a cruel, cold fate if I was ever involved with one. I should have just stayed under her protection. That was better than losing my life carelessly.
I heard footsteps so I stood up. I expected the prison guard to bring breakfast but it was actually Kaiden. There were two men with him.
"I told you, Thorne. Isn't she perfectly fine?" Kaiden turned to the man on his right hand side. The man, Thorne, smiled at me. He looked quite pleased.
"I am not fine at all," I chose to disagree. "I have been here since yesterday night and you have no idea how cold it is. Behead me if you wish but stop torturing me with cold. I hate it!'
"You won't die," Kaiden replied coldly. "At least, I won't kill you yet."
"What will you do?" Thorne asked Kaiden in a curious manner. Kaiden took a deep breath and turned towards the man on his left hand side. I could tell the man was his subordinate at first glance.
"Take her out of the prison cell and take her to one of the rooms in the women pavilion. Be careful with it as her existence must not be known by many people. Find a trusted maid that will help her. Apart from that maid, no other person should know her," Kaiden ordered.
"Yes, my lord," The man replied. When Kaiden and Thorne started to leave, the man asked, "What about her protection? Shall I appoint a trusted warrior to remain by her side?"
Kaiden turned, "That will be your own job. Stay with Selene from now on."
"But I should be by your side…" He said worryingly. Kaiden gazed at him now threateningly.
"Are you questioning my order right now?" Kaiden asked. He made it sound simple even though it was not. The man fell on his knees immediately, asking for forgiveness. Kaiden and Thorne left right after, leaving me alone with this man I didn't even know his name.
Sensing my confusion, he introduced himself as he unlocked the prison door, "My name is Payne and I am one of Alpha Kaiden's most trusted warriors."
I stepped out of the prison cell and stared at him, "You sound quite confident. How do you know he trusts you?"
"He gave me a task to protect you who is to be kept a top tier secret. That is enough for me to confirm that he trusts me to do a good job," Payne smiled. Afterwards, he added, "Follow me, my lady."
I followed him to the prison's main door. He gave me a veil to cover my face and held my hand, leading me. He didn't pass the normal path. He took a much longer and safer path. I guess he was trying his best to ensure I was kept confidential.
"But why should I be kept as a secret when I am Kaiden's mate?" I asked openly. Payne stopped in his tracks and turned back to check me out.
"You really don't know, my lady?" Payne looked surprised.
"Know what?" I was confused.
"Walk with me," Payne added. We began to walk as he continued. "The Eclipse Council came yesterday night and requested for you. They literally threatened to kill every living thing in the castle if you weren't handed over to them."
I paused in my tracks.
"What do they want with me?" I asked. I was alert now, "Wait! Are you taking me to them?"
"Alpha Kaiden took care of it already. He gave them a lady with an identical face. They took her this morning…" Payne explained. Now I realized what was happening. It must have been the lady I saw when I was being taken to the prison.
"What will happen to her?" I asked calmly.
"I don't know," Payne replied. "We need to walk faster, my lady. The women's pavilion is near."
Since Payne sounded like he was in a hurry, I played along. We walked faster and he eventually led me into the room that had been prepared for me. We met no one on our way and the women pavilion was scarcely inhabited. The room I was given couldn't be found by just anyone. Payne placed a seal around it right after I had entered.
"What are you doing?" I asked, alarmed.
"Keeping you under protection, my lady. You will remain here for now…" Payne answered simply. He clapped his hands and a lady entered the room. She seemed to have been around even before I came.
"I greet you, my lady," She bowed.
"Her name is Fiona and she is also from the Burn Moon line. She will serve as your maid but also as your personal guard. I placed a seal around so this place won't be found by just anyone," Payne smiled.
"Are you imprisoning me again?" I asked with my fists clenched.
"I am afraid so, my lady. Your existence must be kept a secret until my Alpha issues a counter command. Please cooperate with Fiona. She will be kind but she can be firm as well," Payne replied slyly. He began to leave now. I couldn't allow this to happen to me. I tried to follow him but Fiona blocked my path.
"Now, don't be a crybaby, my lady. You should stop now…" Fiona gave me a fake smile.
"Payne! Payne! Oh, Payne!" I shouted but he didn't stop. He had a heartless soul.
"He isn't your
babysitter!" Fiona shouted at me. My soul almost jumped out of my skin.