Chapter 18: Secret Message from the Alpha

Words : 1183 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 18: Secret Message from the AlphaEvaline: Exhaustion was all that I could feel as I stepped into the servants’ quarters. It was pressing down on me like a heavy weight. My body was aching from the long day of work, and my stomach felt hollow as I ended up missing lunch. The last time I ate was in the morning, and then too I barely got a bread and a bowl of vegetable soup. Shaking my head, I pushed open the thin curtain that separated my small cot from the rest of the room, only to freeze at the sight in front of me. There was a wooden box waiting on my cot. I blinked, taking a moment to collect myself out of the shock and confusion before I quickly looked around. There was only one other maid in the chamber and she was busy in her own world. Returning my attention back to the box, I closed the curtain behind me and cautiously stepped closer. The box looked simple. It was made of dark wood with no markings or notes. It was small, barely the size of an average notebook. I hesitated for a second but then lifted the lid, only for my jaw to drop once I realized what the box held. Inside were four soft and round buns, neatly arranged and looking extremely mouthwatering. I inhaled sharply. The scent was almost overwhelming... sweet, warm, and delicious. My stomach clenched painfully at the smell, reminding me just how little I had eaten today. But instead of reaching for one, I took a step back as questions filled my head. Who left this here? And why? Food was rarely wasted in this place, especially on me. No one would give away something like this without a reason. Was this a kindness? A trap? A test? I clenched my hands, keeping them firm at my sides. I couldn’t deny that I wanted to eat those buns so badly, but my trust issues kept me from doing so. I sat down on the edge of my cot and stared at the buns as if they would give me the answer. But as minutes passed, my hunger started gnawing at me. It was making my head feel light, and my limbs weak. I knew I shouldn’t eat them, but the scent was curling around me, teasing, tempting, making my self-control waver. Finally, as I failed to hold myself back any more, I reached forward. My fingers hesitated over the soft surface of the first bun before I picked it up, finding that it was still warm. I swallowed hard as I stared at the round thing in my hand. One bite. Just one. Slowly, I lifted it to my lips and sank my teeth into it. And the moment its soft, fluffy dough melted on my tongue, I let out a quiet, shaky breath. It was delicious. Actually, more than delicious. It was the best thing I had eaten in forever. It was sweet and buttery, filled with something rich and slightly savory that I couldn’t quite place. The flavors coated my mouth, spreading warmth through my entire body. Even if I died after eating these buns, I wasn’t going to complain. They were worth my life. My hands moved before I could stop them and I picked up another bun, then another. By the time I was halfway through the third bun, I bit down and felt... something. As I pulled the bun away from my lips, I found a small, folded piece of paper hidden inside it. My stomach twisted as I wiped my fingers and carefully unfolded it to find neat, beautiful handwriting starinb back at me. Meet me in the side garden tomorrow at midnight. Bring everything you need to. -K. I shouldn’t have felt so sure about my guess, but I just knew that this was from none other than Alpha Kieran. It had been two days since I had stood in his room and accepted his offer. Two days with no word, no instructions... until now. My fingers tightened around the note as I reread it. My mind started racing as I wondered about what the message might be implying. Was he going to take me to the Academy? Or why else he would ask me to bring whatever I wanted to take with me? I had no answers. The only thing I knew was that I would do exactly what the letter asked me to. - - - The next twenty-four hours passed in a blur. I barely slept that night, and once morning arrived, I went about my chores as usual. At one point, I did realize that I was trying extra hard to act normal even as my nerves were twisting tighter with every passing hour. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself, but I knew I wasn’t doing a great job of it. My hands were trembling when I cleaned. My mind kept replaying different scenarios - what if it was another test? What if it was a trap? What if- No. I forced myself to push those thoughts away. Alpha Kieran wanted to meet me. That was all I knew. And that was all I needed to know. By the time night fell, my heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. I waited until I was sure everyone was asleep and the hallways outside the servants’ quarters were quiet. Only then did I dare to sneak out. I had once again taken my shoes off to not alert the guards with the sound of my footsteps, and I was wearing a black cloak to blend myself in the shadows. Though the side garden wasn’t far, getting there without being seen was the real challenge. The mansion’s guards were alert, trained to notice even the slightest movement. I had barely taken five steps before I saw the movement ahead. I immediately pressed myself against the wall. My body tensed as I noticed two guards who were patrolling the hallway. I forced myself to breathe slowly and waited until they went another way. Only then did I dare to continue on my way. I crossed another hallway before finally arriving at the door leading to the side garden. At this pony, my nerves were so raw that my hands had started shaking. I inhaled deeply and pushed the door open just enough to slip outside. The cool night air hit my face as I took in the moonlit garden. As my gaze ran across my surroundings, I realized that there was no sign of Alpha Kieran there. I swallowed as my nerves started taking over. Was I early? Or- Before I could finish the thought, a hand grabbed my arm, forcing my heart to skip a beat. Another hand clamped over my mouth before I could have made a sound, forcing my body to go rigid in fear. But then, a low voice murmured in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "You are late, little troublemaker."

Chapter 18: Secret Message from the Alpha

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