Mira's eyes fluttered open to the sight of the head cook leaning over her, concern etched into the older woman's face. The room smelled faintly of herbs and soap, and Mira realized she was lying on a small cot tucked into the corner of the kitchen.
"Finally, you're awake clumsy head," the head cook said, placing a damp cloth on Mira's forehead. "You gave us quite the scare, girl. What happened to you ?"
Mira blinked, memories flooding back. Alex. Naked. She squeezed her eyes shut again.
"I—I just felt dizzy," she stammered.
The head cook raised a brow, clearly not buying it. "Dizzy? From what? You've carried heavier loads without a blink."
Mira scrambled for a lie. "Maybe… maybe it was the heat in the kitchen. And I hadn't eaten much today."
The head cook sighed and straightened up. "You're lucky you didn't crack your skull open. Rest here for now. We'll manage without you for a bit."
Mira nodded, too relieved to argue. As the cook bustled away, Mira covered her face with her hands. She had seen far too much of her Alpha that day — and the memory burned in her mind more vividly than she cared to admit.
---
By morning, the kitchen was a whirlwind of activity.
"Move faster!" the head cook barked, clapping her hands. "We have a royal guest arriving!"
Mira pulled herself together, joining the other maids and cooks. Her head still spun a little, but she kept her hands steady as she chopped vegetables, marinated meats, and arranged delicate pastries on silver trays.
Rumors buzzed through the air like flies.
"They say she's a noble from the Eastern clans," one maid whispered.
"More like a desperate girl trying to snag our master," another snickered.
Mira kept her head down and worked. It wasn't her place to get involved in pack politics — she was just a servant. Still, she couldn't help but wonder: would this be the Luna Alex finally accepted?
---
Meanwhile, in his chambers, Alex glared at the clothes laid out on his bed.
The maids had selected a dark, elegant outfit for him — a black tailored shirt with silver embroidery at the cuffs and collar, and matching trousers that spoke of understated power. He hated it. But for the sake of ending his mother's nagging, he pulled it on.
He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Sharp, dangerous, powerful. The clothes didn't change who he was.
With a last, impatient tug at his sleeves, he stormed out of his room.
---
The grand hall was decked in rich decorations, the long table glistening under the light of a thousand candles. The smell of the expensive food Mira and the others had prepared filled the air.
When the noble lady entered, the whole room seemed to hold its breath.
She was stunning — tall, elegant, with hair like spun gold and eyes as blue as a frozen lake. She wore a dress that shimmered as she moved, and her smile was polished to perfection.
Mira stood quietly with the other servants, watching from the shadows.
Alex sat at the head of the table, one leg thrown lazily over the other. He didn't rise to greet her.
The noblewoman curtsied low. "Alpha Alex," she purred. "It is an honor."
Alex's lips twitched, but not in a smile. "Sit," he said flatly.
She obeyed, and the servants quickly brought the first course.
The meal began with polite conversation — she complimented the food, the castle, the territory. Alex answered with short grunts and nods.
Then, without warning, he set down his glass and looked her straight in the eye.
"Tell me," he said, voice low. "If you found your mate was poor and weak, would you still love him?"
The noblewoman blinked, taken off guard. She laughed, a tinkling sound, but it faltered under his gaze. "Of course, Alpha. Love transcends status."
Alex leaned back in his chair, studying her like a predator studying prey. "Would you still love him if he was disfigured? If he could offer you nothing but a name?"
The lady's smile froze. "I—well—love is complicated, isn't it?"
Alex's eyes darkened. "Complicated? Or conditional?"
The air in the room grew heavy. The servants paused in their tasks, exchanging nervous glances.
The noblewoman shifted uncomfortably. She reached for her goblet but knocked it over, spilling wine across the tablecloth.
"I think this conversation is inappropriate," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Alex tilted his head. "You think so?" His tone was almost curious. "I think it's revealing."
The noblewoman rose to her feet, her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. "I demand to leave!" she cried. "I will not be humiliated like this!"
Alex said nothing, merely watching her with cold, detached eyes.
The noblewoman turned and fled the hall, her skirts billowing behind her.
Silence reigned.
Mira clutched her tray tighter, heart pounding. She didn't know whether to feel pity or admiration. Alex hadn't even raised his voice, but he had shattered the noble lady's composure like glass.
Alex stood slowly, tossing his napkin onto the table.
"Clean this up," he said to the servants, his voice bored.
Without another word, he stalked out of the hall, leaving a trail of stunned silence behind him.
---
Later that night, Mira scrubbed the great hall's floor with the other maids. Her mind replayed the scene over and over.
Alex hadn't even wanted to give that woman a chance. He hadn't even tried.
Maybe, Mira thought, he truly didn't believe his mate was out there. Maybe he thought no one could ever reach the heart buried deep beneath that fearsome exterior.
She shook the thought away. It wasn't her place to wonder about the Alpha's heart.
Still, as she cleaned, she couldn't stop remembering the strange, fleeting calm she had felt in his presence — and the way her own heart had betrayed her by fluttering, even for a second.
She shoved the thought aside and focused on scrubbing harder, wishing desperately that her own heart would behave.