Eve's fingers curled into loose fists at her sides, but her expression remained unreadable, barely betraying her thoughts. Her eyes flicked toward Gareth, who held her gaze without a hint of shame, and for some reason, she noticed there was something eerily off about him.
A courtesan? While already mated?
Eve's eyebrows arched the more the Alpha's words resonated in her head, and a look of mild disbelief, tinged with disappointment settled in. Unless Gareth was of royalty, such things were frowned upon in Valestria. It wasn't officially illegal, but certainly enough to spread a rumor, hence, ruining that particular girl's image in the process. Typically, only unmated males, or those who had already lost their mates/ cheated, sought out the pleasure house— if they were that desperate for it.
Of course, exceptions existed. Some packs entertained… creative interpretation of monogamy. There were cases– dubious at best– of males claiming multiple mates. Still, unless one had a divine sign or an elder's blessing, the act remained morally questionable at best. It's even more painful when the females are the ones who get to suffer the humiliation and ridicule for being chosen to be by the side of someone who held ultimate power over them. Now that Eve thought about it, the king who claimed to be against it doesn't do anything about it either.
"Miss Genevieve Havisham," Alpha Gabriel uttered her name, snapping her attention back to him. "For someone of your pitiful status, this should be a privilege beyond your imagination. My son has found you tolerable enough to keep you around. That's more than you deserve, since you owe us with your life. Pack your belongings from the servant's quarters and relocate to the pleasure house."
For once, Eve hesitated. She bowed her head slightly, knowing she had no right to say anything unless asked, but her thoughts ticked like a clockwork. The thought of being promoted to someone's bed warmer didn't sound as dignifying as the Alpha put it. Worst of all, it had to be a job she detested, and a job that was more than capable of exposing her true nature as a human. She couldn't let that happen, but at this point, she was helpless.
"A scullery made becoming a high-tier courtesan overnight," Annex chimed in before Eve could take her leave, her voice saccharine, but her foxy eyes gleamed with cruelty. "You should be groveling at our feet, thanking both Alphas for turning a nobody into someone mildly decorative. It wasn't easy for me, you know— agreeing to this. But the mate bond makes you selfless. If sharing him with a mutt like you is what it takes to keep him satisfied, then I'll make that sacrifice."
'That's not how mate bond works, you dimwit' Eve clinked her tongue softly, watching as Annex leaned in to plant a kiss on Gareth's cheek. There was something oddly unsettling about the way Gareth looked at her when she did that, but masked it up with a smile.
Annex was certainly lying.
There was no way she'd agree to this out of (goodwill). It wasn't loyalty, but something else. And Eve had a growing suspicion that Gareth's motives were also linked to whatever Annex was up to.
If anything, he'd secured her right where he wanted her, making sure she never had to leave, and Eve didn't like it one bit.
"If that's all…" Alpha Gabriel said dismissively, already turning away as he beckoned his son to join him. "I must see the prince before he leaves for the palace. His unannounced presence has disrupted the Moonbond hunt tonight. As always, the royals have no regard for our traditions."
The irritation in his murmured tone made it obvious that he wasn't a fan of the royals, and he certainly wasn't glad that there was one visiting his domain.
Eve simply remained still, watching as Gareth quickly followed his father out of the main lobby. So, a royal had in fact come in person? That explained the sudden change in events, and the rush to reorganize everyone, including why those two were dressed up super fancily for the night. If a certain pack were to hear that they would be visited by a Lycan prince, everything would be held in the Lycan's favor.
Lycan's didn't visit packs like this unless they wanted something. Their presence alone could unseat leaders, end alliances and cause fear to ripple through the boldest Alpha's spine.
They were the apex.
But what message could have brought the prince all the way here?
"And what are you still doing here, Soon-to-be-whore?"Annex's voice cut in, and that was exactly the voice Eve was more than familiar with– sharp, cold, and unmistakably as self-satisfied as ever.
She turned her head to spot Annex approaching, her heels clicking arrogantly on the tiled floor. The woman stopped just inches away from her, tall and statuesque, with elegance dripping from every motion– but all of it was soured by her irritable personality. She looked like a queen who had found her new territory, and Eve knew she was the first prey Annex would come for. Undoubtedly so.
"And what's this?" Annex's gaze darted to Eve's hand, her eyes narrowing with thinly veiled disgust at the sight of the bandages. "You got that from scrubbing floors earlier, or am I wrong? You're a beta, aren't you? Your wounds should've healed by now, so why are your hands still bandaged? Is this a new tactic of yours? Hm? Are you trying to milk attention from the Alpha?"
"The wounds are fresh," Eve replied evenly, instinctively tucking her hands behind her. "I got them from overworking. Wounds are quite common for us in the servant's quarters. They don't vanish easily, Lady Annex."
Annex simply sneered. "Always trying to sound clever, aren't you?"
Before Eve could guess her next move, Annex seized her hand and squeezed hard, her nails biting into the bandages with the intention to hurt her. Pain flared hot up Eve's palm, her body trembling, but she bit down on the pain, a flicker crossing her expression before it's gone.
"Listen well," Annex said slowly, leaning in. "I'm your Luna now, do you understand? Once the entire ceremony between me and Gareth commences, we'll both be officially known as a couple. When that happens, You are to only follow my orders. You will breathe when I say so, kneel when I command it, and speak when you are asked, got it? Did you really think you stood a chance against someone like me? I got Gareth, and you became a bed warmer. Such pity, really."
She let go of Eve's wrist with a shove. "There's something about you, Eve Havisham, something I don't like. But I'll find out what it is. And when I do, I'll rip it out by the root. Don't mess with me. Now get out of my sight!"
Annex pointed at the exit. "You don't deserve to step foot in here. If I still find you clinging to the main house, I'll drag you out by your hair."
Without a word, Eve gave a shallow bow and walked away. Annex watched her retreat until she was completely out of sight. She glanced down at the blood now staining her hands, and her smirk faltered as she realized, truly, that Eve's wounds had not yet healed.
Meanwhile, Eve simply headed back to the servants quarters. She had barely made it past the threshold when the head omega descended on her like a hawk, her arms crossed and her expression pinched with disdain.
"And where have you been??" The lady snapped. "There's still tons of work left for you to do and you have been loitering around as always. Must I look for you all the time?? Now that the Alpha has found a mate, no one's going to bother protecting a useless mutt like you. Get to the kitchen you filthy stray, and wash those piles of dishes before I report you to the new Luna for insubordination."
Eve's fingers curled into tight fists at her side, and she wasn't even aware that the blood in her hands was dripping on the floor.