The Alpha King's Mind Reading Maid (Cecilia) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

+15 Bonus

After the meal was finished, without saying a word, he grabbed me by the wrist, yanked me to my feet, and forced me to follow himstood, and dragged me behind him as he left the banquet hall. His pace was fast, I struggled to keep up.

He dragged me out of the banquet hall and led me down the hallways, walking quickly, until we reached his study. There, he pulled me inside, slammed the door behind us, then shoved me up against the wall, pinning me there.

His hands were flat on the wall on either side of me, his body boxing me in. He leaned in close, his eyes burning with suspicion and rage.

“So you are just another power–hungry vixen, trying to seduce me for your own gains,” he said, a growl lining his voice.

“W–what do you mean?”

“This…” He he growledsaid flatly, his gaze falling downward. My dress was cut so low, I blushed. His gaze flicked back up to my face. “All of this. This game you are playing with me. You want my attention, and you are using any tactic to claim it.”

“I…”

I was at an utter loss for words. “I–I wasn’t… I was… My duties as a maid require me to –‘

>>

“To dress like this and parade yourself around as a concubine? falsely claim that I made you one of my concubines?”

“N–no… I didn’t mean for that to happen. I just –”

His eyes were dangerous, the fires within them burning hoticy cold. The temperature in the room was dipping.

He pressed closer to me, threateningly.

Something within me sparked, a mix of fear and excitement. And something else… Something that burned low in my abdomen. Something I had never really felt before.

Something I had no right feeling in this moment, when Leopold looked at me like he wanted to tear me apart.I was nothing.

“Do not be confused by what happened here today. I may have admitted earlier that you are my concubine, but you hold no real status. Your duties remain those of a maid. “he growled.

I swallowed hard, caught in the blizzard of his gaze.

“If I catch you with any outrageous ideas, I will kill you.”

“I–I understand, your highness,” I answered, trembling with fear.

Just at the moment, there was a knocked on the door.

I tensed. Leopold stilled.

“What is it?” he called through the door.

“It’s Landon, your Highness. I have Beta Tristan here with me. He has a report to deliver.”

“It’s Beta Tristan,” a man called back through. “I have a report, Sire.”

Leopold looked at my face once more, growled low, and then pushed away from me. “Enter and give it,” he called.

The Landon and the Beta entered. He The Beta waswas professional, barely glancing at me before focusing on Leopold. Landon

glanced at me, then noticed my hands. I held them closer to my body, as if to hide them.

“Sire.,” the Beta said. “It does appear that your brother has been secretly colluding with some of the members of the Alpha Council, as you suspected. He is attempting to convince them to depose you under the pretext of your…” The Beta cleared his throat. “Recent violent tendencies.”

Chapter 23

+15 Bonus

Leopold stood dangerously still as he took in the news. “I knew he was up to something.”

“Your Highness,” Landon said, turning to Leopold now. “I apologize again for the misunderstanding regarding Cecilia. Please allow me to take her away to change back into her maid uniform. I ask for leniency on her behalf, Sire. She is wounded, and there is presently no one better suited to serve you. Please do not punish her too harshly.”

Leopold huffed.

I swallowed hard. At that moment, I suddenly realized how tightly I had been gripping my hands tightly, reopening the small cuts there. Blood dripped out and down onto the ground.

Leopold looked over at mesuddenly. He approached me again then grabbed one of my wrists. Funfurled my fingers, letting him see. His face grew tighter.

“Return to your room and tend to this yourself,” he said to me, releasing me. A flicker of… something… crossed over his eyes.

His voice stayed cold, though, as he addedsaid, “You can live. For now. But if you cause trouble again, I will not spare you a

second time.”

i

nooter 24

+15 Bonus