Chapter 14
Not everyone in Mayari pack was happy about the human maid.
Especially Serena, the proud daughter of one of the pack's war chiefs, also the recent Alpha's booty call. She had grown to believe these past months that she would become Orion's chosen mate and Mayari's Luna.
She had everything a Luna should have – strength that rivaled many warriors, a noble bloodline within the pack, and unwavering loyalty to Mayari. But now, whispers slithered through the pack like poison.
The Alpha had hired a human. And worse – he seemed to be paying attention to her.
Serena stood at the end of the manor hallway, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched Hallia wipe the tall windows with careful strokes. Sunlight spilled through the glass, illuminating the human girl's quiet movements.
Hallia worked silently, unaware of the burning gaze fixed on her.
Serena's nails dug into her palms. A human….in the Alpha's home.
Her lips curled in disdain.
"This ends today," she muttered under her breath.
Later that afternoon, the peaceful rhythm of the manor shattered.
A sharp cry echoed through the halls.
"Something is missing!"
Servants froze mid-task.
Footsteps hurried across marble floors as wolves and workers gathered in the main hall, whispering nervously among themselves.Leo – the youngest Omega who was mopping in the main hall waved toHallia to come over. She stepped into the room slowly, confusion written across her face. At the center of the hall stood Serena, perfectly composed yet visibly upset.
"My diamond bracelet is gone," Serena announced loudly, making sure everyone could hear. The bracelet was well known within the pack – a gift from her father after her first successful hunt. A murmur spread through the room.
Serena's sharp eyes scanned the crowd. Then, slowly…deliberately… her gaze landed on Hallia.
"You!!!... human! You're the one change my linens earlier."
Gasped erupted immediately. Several wolves turned toward Hallia with suspicion.
"What?" she said,shaking her head quickly. "I didn't take anything."
Serena tilted her head, her expression mockingly sympathetic.
"Oh? Then you won't mind if we search your room?"
Before Hallia could answer, Serena turned to the guards and some warriors who comes to check the commotion. Two large warriorsstepped forward without hesitation, smirking at her.
Hallia recognize them, she'd seen them training at the courtyard and bullying Leo days before. Her stomach warped as they disappeared down the stairs going to the maid's chamber.
She knew, no doubt that this is a set up. The hall grew painfully quiet.
Dozens of eyes burned into her.
Whispers rose like buzzing insect.
"A thief…"
"I knew it was a mistake bringing her here."
"She should never have been allowed inside the manor."
Hallia clenched her trembling hands at her sides.
Leo holds her unsteady hand and looked up with worried eyes.
He whispered
"They are setting you up. Be careful she's cunning and the biggest bully here."
Minutes later, heavy footsteps returned. The guards walked back into the hall. One of them held something in his hand. A gold diamond bracelet. Ripple of gasp passed through the crowd.
"We found it," the warriors announced. "Inside her dresser."
The words hit Hallia like a punch in then gut. Her eyes widened in horror.
"That's impossible," she whispered. "I've never seen that before!"
Serena stepped forward slowly, arm crossing over her chest in clear victory. Her lips curved into satisfied smirk.
"Well," she said coldly, her voice echoing through the hall.
"Looks like the human maid isn't so innocent after all."
"I swear," she said defiantly, "I didn't take anything from anyone."
Across the room, whispers turned into judgement.
It was as if time had looped for Hallia, offering a haunting replay of a moment she'd never want to revisit.