Claimed By The Rival Alpha

Chapter 90: Chapter 90

Selena

Lord Henry’s eyes hardened the moment the guard pointed at me.

"She lied." The words landed heavily in the chamber.

I kept my head lowered, but my mind was already racing through every possible way out of the situation.

Henry stepped toward me before asking, "What exactly did you lie about?"

Before I could answer, the guard spoke. "She told me servants needed help in Lord Henry’s chamber. She said they needed me to help move furniture for cleaning."

Henry’s jaw tightened. "And there were no servants?"

"No, my lord."

Henry looked back at me suspiciously. "Who are you?"

"I already told you."

"You think I’m a fool?"

"No."

"Then kneel." He commanded but I remained standing. The command struck something deep inside me.

Not because I was frightened. Because I refused!

The Alpha within me bristled at the idea of lowering myself before someone simply because he carried a noble title.

He was just a fickle boy, one I could easily bully if all circumstances weren’t considered.

"I said kneel." He snapped at me again.

I stared at him without cowering. "I heard you, the first time."

His expression darkened. "Then why are you still standing?"

"Because I don’t believe I’ve done anything that deserves it."

The room fell silent as Henry’s face flushed with anger. "You insolent little servant."

He raised his hand. He was about to strike me when the young woman sitting behind him suddenly stood.

"Brother." Henry stopped while she stepped closer. "Don’t hit her."

His hand slowly lowered.

"We need to know why she’s here first." She added.

Henry looked irritated. "She’s obviously a liar."

"That doesn’t mean we know what she wants."

For the first time, I looked closely at the girl again. She was beautiful, but there was something painfully fragile about her.

She looked at me with uncertainty rather than hatred.

Henry exhaled through his nose. "Fine."

He pointed at me. "Explain yourself."

I gave him the same answer I’d given before. "I was sent here for the first time."

"By whom?"

"The headmaid."

He stared at me. "Why?"

"Because she needed another maid."

"That’s all?"

"Yes."

He studied me for several seconds then he turned toward the guard. "Fetch the headmaid."

"Yes, my lord."

The guard hurried out while Henry walked toward me.

His expression changed. The anger remained, but there was something else beneath it now. Suspicion!

He grabbed my face roughly and forced me to look at him. "Were you eavesdropping? Did you hear our conversation?"

I said nothing while his fingers tightened around my cheekbone.

"What did you hear?"

I remained silent.

"Answer me!" He snapped into my face.

I stared directly into his eyes. I could see the uncertainty beginning to grow there.

He was younger than he wanted people to believe. His authority came from his family name, and without it, I suspected he would have struggled to intimidate anyone.

If circumstances were different, I might have enjoyed watching him lose his composure.

But they weren’t. There was too much at stake.

He released my face before saying. "You’re hiding something. I know you are."

I didn’t respond as my eyes shifted toward the girl. She had lowered her gaze while looking miserable.

Suddenly I remembered what I’d heard outside the chamber.

The vampires wanted Henry’s real sister but this girl was only a substitute.

How long had she been trapped here? How long had she been pretending to be someone else?

The door finally opened again, the guard returned with the headmaid.

She immediately looked at me then at Henry before asking. "What happened?"

Henry stepped toward her. "Where did this woman come from?"

The headmaid swallowed. "She was sent from Alpha castle."

"By whom?"

"The castle headmaid."

"Why?"

"She was looking for work."

Henry’s eyes narrowed. "And you accepted her without investigating?"

The headmaid hesitated. "I was short of servants."

He instantly throwed a slap my way and the sound echoed across the chamber while I clenched my jaw in anger.

"Take her away." He finally ordered.

The guard grabbed my arms. "Where are you taking me?" I demanded.

"To the cell where you belong!"

As I was being dragged away, I heard Henry’s voice behind me speaking to the headmaid.

"She could be an informant from the Alpha."

I smiled faintly. At least I had managed to effortlessly make him nervous and worried.

They locked me inside a wooden cell while there was a single guard outside.

I sat against the wall and waited until hours passed. I had no idea what time it was.

The silence was occasionally broken by footsteps or distant voices.

Eventually, the cell door finally opened. "Come."

I stood up then asked, "Where are you taking me?"

"You’re meeting Lord Hawthorne."

I followed the guard through several corridors until we reached another chamber.

When the door opened, I expected to meet Lord Hawthorne just as the guard said. Instead, a large woman stood waiting.

She was tall, plump and dressed in an expensive gown. This was obviously Lady Hawthorne.

She looked me over slowly before saying, "So you’re the maid causing trouble."

"I didn’t intend to cause trouble." I said without flinching.

She was definitely trying to intimidate me with her presence but why should I be intimidated by her?

"You were caught lying."

"I simply told the truth."

She laughed. "You’re so bold."

I said nothing as she walked around me. "Tell me again why you left the Alpha’s castle. One thing I know, no peasant would forfeit the pleasure of working at the castle."

"I was forced to."

"Forced?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"Why were you forced?" She asked, still staring suspiciously at me.

"It’s personal." I simply uttered.

She scoffed then repeated her previous words. "No peasant voluntarily leaves the Alpha’s castle. Do you understand how many people would beg for such a position?"

"I wasn’t begging."

"You expect me to believe that?"

I shrugged. "I don’t expect anything from you."

Her expression darkened at my words.

While she spoke, I kept studying the room devising an escape plan.

I watched the window, then two guards standing close to the door and another two servants who stood near the corner.

There was also a table beside the window. If I move quickly enough, I could reach it in a second. But I needed an opportunity.

Lady Hawthorne suddenly turned towards everyone. "Leave."

The servants and guards exchanged looks. "Now!" She snapped.

They obeyed and left while the door closed behind them.

She finally looked at me. "Let’s stop pretending." I remained silent. "I’m sure you’re working for the Alpha."

"I’m not."

"He obviously sent you here."

"No one sent me." I stated firmly.

"Everyone knew the Alpha was an arrogant man and he probably didn’t pay you enough for the mission you’re undertaking."

I almost laughed at her words.

She stepped closer to me as she asked . "How much coin did he offer you? Whatever he paid, I’ll triple it."

I stared at her without uttering a word.

She smiled then added. "You want money, don’t you?"

Slowly, I straightened my body then began walking toward Lady Hawthorne menacingly, forcing her to step back in fright.

She stopped smiling as she took a step backward. "Stay where you are." She commanded with a shaky voice.

I didn’t stop. Instead, I took another step while she backed away again. "I said stay back!"

I finally stopped when I was close enough to her. "I’m not interested in your money."

"Then what do you want?"

I looked directly into her eyes. "I’m a rebel." I said and her face changed.

"I am going to help bring an end to the vampires’ hold over us."

She stared at me as though I had lost my mind.

"And I’m starting with that innocent girl." I turned and before she could react, I sprinted toward the window.

"Stop!"

I threw it open and jumped out. The landing was rough as pain shot through my ankle, but I didn’t stop.

I pushed myself upright and ran towards the gate where two guards were standing.

The first reached for me but due to my small frame and my quick feet, I ducked beneath his arm perfectly.

The second lunged but I slammed into him with all the strength my Alpha blood could provide. Crashing him to the ground.

I kept running.

A horse stood nearby so I grabbed its reins, mounted and kicked it forward.

The gates disappeared behind me as I rode through the streets as quickly as I could.

People scattered. Shouts followed me but I didn’t care. I kept riding until the manor was far behind me.

Eventually, the horse’s constant movement became unbearable. My thighs ached.

My body felt uncomfortable from the saddle, and I finally climbed down then continued walking beside the horse.

For the first time in a long time, I truly looked at the lives of the people living beyond the noble districts.

Peasants hurried through the streets. Children ran between stalls. Merchants shouted over one another.

The air smelled of fish, smoke and dirt. It was nothing like the polished halls of the castle.

A woman carrying a bucket suddenly turned. "Watch where you’re going!"

I stepped aside but it was too late. Some of the fish water splashed onto the ground beside me.

"Sorry." I muttered when I wasn’t at fault.

"Sorry?" she snapped. "Maybe look ahead next time!"

Did she just snap at me when she’s the one at fault? I sighed then continued walking without uttering a word to her.

Then I heard a voice. "Psst."

I stopped and saw an old hooded woman standing beneath the shadow of a building. She held an old staff in one hand while her face was mostly hidden.

"Come here, Selena." She called again.

My blood ran cold on hearing my name from her mouth. How did she know my name?

I stepped closer. "Who are you?"

Her voice dropped to a fast whisper. "Your future is filled with chaos... Chaos and order will fight within a great void."

My heart began pounding as she continued. "Within that void, a light will shine."

She tightened her grip on the staff. "Many will die. The chaos will swallow the order, and from their collision, more chaos will be born."

Fear crawled through me. "What are you talking about?"

She opened her mouth but before she could answer, loud voices erupted farther down the street.

People began running while I wanted to know what’s going on.

"The Alpha!"

"The Alpha is coming this way!"

My heart jumped on finally knowing the reason. I immediately moved away from the old woman.

I joined the crowd gathering along the side of the road and pulled my horse behind me. I wouldn’t want Alpha Kael seeing me.

Then I saw it. A royal carriage approached and behind it came a massive carriage being pulled by four horses.

I narrowed my eyes. Through the curtains of the royal carriage, I caught a glimpse of Alpha Kael’s head.

Then something inside the massive carrier roared, making the entire carriage shake violently.

People screamed and stumbled backward. I stared at it, noting that whatever was inside was powerful and dangerous.

I couldn’t stay here. If Alpha Kael discovered I had left the castle without permission, questions would follow. Too many questions.

I climbed onto my horse then kicked it forward. Riding fast!

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