Mated to the Alpha: Sold to the King novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41: 0041

Lorelei POV

Witches.

That was Skye’s explanation for what I had seen.

According to her, every few months, a coven of highly powerful witches visited the pack estate, staying for several days. No one knew exactly what business they had with the Alpha King, but a witch being a witch, and a group of powerful witches being a group of powerful witches, was the only logical explanation for a beast that could appear and vanish like smoke.

Though I wasn’t completely convinced that was the answer, hearing about witches, creatures I had only ever read about in books, known for casting illusions, brewing poisons, and bending reality to their will, visiting this pack and having business with the Alpha King sent a shiver down my spine.

For the next few days after that incident, things seemed fine.

Or so I thought.

The other maids had never really given me a hard time before, aside from their disgusted looks, but now they seemed to be putting extra effort into minding their own business. Even Skye benefited from this sudden change, as they no longer looked down on her simply for being by my side.

Chelsea, on the other hand, kept her distance from me as much as possible. Sometimes, I even forgot she existed.

That was until one morning.

The sun was already high in the sky when Skye and I, along with a few other maids, were assigned to deep-clean the estate’s main courtyard. We scrubbed the stone floors, washed the statues, and polished the railings. It was the kind of tedious work that required all hands on deck.

We were in the middle of it when Mr. Hawke suddenly strode into the courtyard with two guards at his side.

His presence immediately startled us because, aside from the day he had brought me here, our paths had never crossed. His expression was hard, and his fists were clenched tightly at his sides as his gaze locked onto me.

"You," he called sternly, making my brows knit together in confusion.

But the second I spotted Chelsea standing behind him with a smug look on her face and her arms crossed over her chest, I immediately knew what this was.

This was her revenge.

"Oh no," Skye muttered beside me, sounding just as terrified as the rest of the maids.

"Are you deaf?" Hawke barked. "I said you."

I stepped forward, trying my best to remain calm even as my heart pounded against my ribs. "Good morning, sir. I..."

But I never got the chance to finish as his hand swung across my face so fast that I didn’t even see it coming.

The slap sent my head snapping to the side as pain exploded across my cheek. I stumbled backward, my feet slipping on the wet, soapy stone floor before I crashed hard onto my hands and knees.

A collective gasp rippled through the courtyard, and pain shot through my palms as they scraped against the rough concrete, but I clenched my jaw and forced myself not to react.

"You disrespectful little thief," Hawke roared, towering over me like a storm cloud. "Did you honestly think you could smuggle valuables out of the Alpha King’s private wing and get away with it?"

Ah.

So that was the lie Chelsea had decided to go with.

Behind him, Chelsea’s smug smile stretched wider, satisfaction practically radiating off her. She shifted slightly to the side, making sure I could see the absolute delight dancing in her eyes.

"I didn’t steal anything," I said, defending myself even though I already knew how this would end.

After all, I had seen this play out many times before.

"Then explain what you were doing in the Alpha’s chambers," Hawke snapped. "Don’t you know that area is restricted?"

I remained silent, my fingers curling into fists at my sides.

"Look at her," Chelsea finally spoke, her voice dripping with fake concern. "She’s not even denying it properly. That only proves she’s guilty. She attacked me when I confronted her. If this goes unpunished, the other maids will start thinking they can get away with anything."

Hawke’s eyes narrowed.

"Guards," he barked. "Strip her and tie her up. Twenty lashes."

Oh, Goddess. Not this again.

My chest tightened as two guards immediately started advancing toward me.

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