Chapter twenty
Aria's POV.
The tension between Alpha Logan and Alpha Denderick's guards was electrifying. From my vantage point, I watched Logan step closer to the guards.
"You have no right to search the pack house," Logan growled. "I only gave you permission to search the pack, not my home."
The leader of Alpha Denderick's guards bristled. "We have orders from the Council-"
"Your orders end at my doorstep," Logan interrupted, his eyes narrowing. "This pack house is off-limits."
The guards tried to protest, but Logan's eyes flashed with an intensity that made them hesitate.
"Leave now," he commanded.
I could see the struggle in the eyes of Denderick's guards as they fought the compulsion. They staggered back in alarm, seeing the power in his eyes. One by one, they turned and walked away, defeated by Logan's will.
As the men retreated, I heard Logan's voice ring out again. "Do not let Alpha Denderick's guards anywhere near the pack house anymore," he ordered his own guards. "This ends now."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked back into the house. As Logan walked back inside, I stood from my bed and rushed to the foyer. He froze in his tracks as he sighted me.
"Alpha Logan!" I called out, catching his attention. "Thank you for sending the guards away."
Logan stared at me with suspicion. "Aria, why are you out of bed? You're still recovering from your faint." Realizing my mistake too late, I stammered, "I... I was so happy, I couldn't wait to thank you in person."
His eyes narrowed, but he didn't press further. "You don't have to worry about it. I'll make sure our child is properly taken care of. No powerful man like Alpha Denderick, nor even a maid like Erinne, will dare touch you."
I nodded silently. Alpha Logan waved at me impatiently. "Now, get back to bed. Don't stress our baby."
At the mention of Erinne, an idea sparked in my mind. "Wait, Alpha Logan," I called out, as he was about to leave. "What did you do to punish Erinne?"
"But why are you asking about the woman who almost endangered your life?" Logan asked, his eyes probing. "Well, she's in the dungeons. You don't need to worry about her anymore."
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "I just got an idea. Instead of letting Erinne rot away in the dungeons, I'd like her to be my personal maid."
Logan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why would you want that?"Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
"Now that I'm in such a precarious state of health, I'll need all the help I can get," I explained, trying to sound convincing. "It would be better for me to have someone by my side. And I believe we should temper justice with mercy. Give Erinne a chance to redeem ourselves."
Alpha Logan scoffed. "Aria, you're too kind for your own good. This woman almost killed you!"
I shrugged. "Kindness is an admirable quality in a future Luna, is it not?"
He seemed to consider my words for a moment before nodding slowly. "If that's what you want, Aria. But she will be under strict supervision. I won't let her endanger you again." "Thank you, Alpha Logan," I said, relief flooding through me. "I promise to keep her in line."
"Get back to bed and rest, then." he ordered. "I will send a guard to bring her to you later today."
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I sat on a chair by the window, gazing out and reflecting on everything that had happened that day. The sunlight was fading, throwing long shadows across the room.
So many things had happened in the space of a few months, since I escaped Alpha Denderick's clutches. I wondered if my escape was better than my incarceration- Alpha Logan treated me just as badly as Alpha Denderick did.
I knew what would happen the moment I had this baby. I would be nothing more than a figurehead in the pack. Alpha Logan would never love me as well as I wanted.
My mind raced with thoughts of Alpha Denderick's men, Alpha Logan's protection, and the precarious position I found myself in. Love was out of the question, at this point. I needed to secure my safety.
A sudden knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called out, turning to face the entrance.
A guard entered and bowed slightly. "Lady Aria, I have brought your maid to see you, as you requested."
"Thank you," I replied. "Please, bring her in."
The guard nodded and stepped back, gesturing for Erinne to enter. As she walked in, my breath caught in my throat. The Erinne that used to bully me was almost unrecognizable. Her blonde hair, which had always been neat and shiny, was now dirty and disheveled, hanging in matted clumps around her face. Her skin was pale and covered in grime, and her clothes were torn and stained, hanging loosely on her thin frame.
She looked around nervously, her eyes darting from side to side as if expecting a blow at any moment. Her hands trembled slightly, and she seemed to be struggling to hold herself together.
"Erinne," I called out, trying to keep my voice steady. "Come, sit down."
She hesitated for a moment before shuffling over to the chair opposite me and sitting down. Her movements were slow and cautious, as if she were afraid that even the smallest mistake could land her back in the dungeons. "How have you been?" I asked.
Erinne's eyes fell on me, resentment flickering in them. She folded her arms before speaking. "Well, well, look at you," she said with a sneer. "How do you think a girl who spent a week in the dungeons is faring, Lady Aria?"
The way she called my name was so coated with distaste that I flinched. "I'm only trying to help you, Erinne!" I reminded her.
"Oh, please." Erinne scoffed. "You were once a maid like me. Don't think for one second that carrying the Alpha's baby makes you any better than me."
"You should watch what you say around me!" I stood up slowly, meeting her with a cold stare. "You almost made me lose my baby, Erinne. And now, I am in Alpha Logan's good books as the mother of his heir. I hold the power of your future in my hands. If you prove stubborn, I will make sure you spend the rest of your life in the dungeons where you came from."
Erinne's face twisted in annoyance, but I could almost see the wheels turning in her head. "He will dispose of you the moment you have his baby!" She snapped.
I stepped closer, my voice low and authoritative. "But until then, you are my maid now. I am your new master. You will be awake and beside my bed by the first cock crow every morning. Do you understand?"
Erinne forced a smile and curtseyed, though her eyes still burned with hatred. "Yes, Lady Aria," she replied through gritted teeth.
"Good," I murmured, my tone final. "You're dismissed. Get yourself cleaned up, will you?"
Erinne unfolded her arms, slowly standing to her feet as well. "I don't know how you got yourself pregnant for the Alpha, but I must say, it was a very bold move."
Something in her eyes hinted at the fact that she knew more than she let on. But before I could dwell on it, Erinne turned and walked out on me.