Chapter 47
Meredith.
Kira returned to my bedroom, the door opening softly as the cool hallway light spilt in. Behind her, Cora and Arya followed with a tray between them.
The scent hit me before the visuals did.
I didn’t move. I was curled in the corner of the two-seater couch, a thick newspaper folded open across my lap. My white robe—modest and soft—hung loose on my shoulders, and my bare feet tucked beneath me.
Deidra had found the paper earlier. Said it would keep me from boredom. She wasn’t wrong.
I had asked for it, actually. I wanted to know what kind of city I had just walked into. Duskmoor wasn’t Stormveil. There was more order here. More tension, too.
“Put the tray there,” Kira instructed quietly.
Cora and Arya set it down on the small center table, bowed lightly, and stepped out.
I folded the newspaper in half and set it aside on the stool beside me. Then my eyes found Kira’s.
“So it seems I succeeded,” I murmured as I briefly glanced at my delicious dinner sitting before me.
Her lips tilted into a smile. “Yes, my lady. But… Miss Fellowes almost ruined it.”
I arched a brow, mildly amused. “How so?”
Kira moved closer, her voice dropping into a careful hush. “After I told the Alpha you had a headache and were using natural herbs, she tried to insist that a doctor should check on you in the morning. But the Alpha stopped her. He told her not to bother.”
I nodded slowly. At least Draven had enough sense to let me be. Whether he meant it or not. It was the first half-decent thing he had done today, even though there was nothing decent about him.
At that moment, Deidra entered from the patio doors, a soft pink scrunchie in her fingers. “Let me fix your hair, my lady,” she said, already moving behind the couch.
I gave her a silent nod.
She gathered my hair and tied it up gently, loose enough to be comfortable. A few strands still brushed my cheeks.
“I didn’t pull it tight,” she explained. “The scalp needs room to breathe when you sleep.”
“I know,” I said softly.
Then Kira spoke again. “The Alpha sent a message for you.”
I tensed, just slightly. “What else does your Alpha want from me?”
Kira fiddled with her fingers. “He said to let you know… you’re free to visit his daughter whenever you want, and that he never stopped you.”
I blinked once, then scoffed inwardly. Of course, Wanda had lied just like I guessed. She had used his name to bar me from seeing Xamira. Not surprising in the least.
But something did surprise me.
I narrowed my eyes. “How did he know what happened? Did you complain to him?”
Kira blinked. “I didn’t say anything. I swear it.”
I felt my shoulders relax. I would have hated it if she did.
Deidra joined in, arms folded lightly. “Maybe someone told him. Or maybe Miss Fellowes reported herself because she felt guilty and didn’t want to get into trouble.”
I almost rolled my eyes. “I doubt she is that noble.”
Wanda would never feel guilty for mistreating me, that I know like the way I know my name.
“But you did tell her,” Deidra pointed out, “that you would get the Alpha’s permission to see Xamira. Maybe she panicked and confessed first as she didn’t want to be caught.”
Kira nodded. “Miss Fellowes dreads the Alpha’s anger. So, it’s better for her to own up than be caught in the lie because he would never forgive her.”
I let their words sink in, then murmured, “What a smart woman.”
I had truly underestimated Wanda.
Just then, a soft knock echoed from the main door. Deidra moved quickly to answer it. She cracked the door open and exchanged a few muffled words with whoever was outside. When she turned, she had a paper in her hand.
She approached me with the A4 sheet but didn’t hand it over immediately. “Beta Jeffery sent this. The Alpha wants you to fill in your details. It’s for your Duskmoor ID. Beta Jeffery will collect it in the morning.”
I didn’t move to take it. Instead, I leaned back and crossed my arms. “I’m not filling it.”
Kira and Deidra exchanged quiet glances before turning back to me. Kira stepped forward. “My lady… I know you are still angry with the Alpha. But this ID will help you more than him. Without it, you can’t leave the estate.”
“I don’t want to leave the estate,” I replied flatly.
“But you should, at least once,” Deidra said quickly. “Duskmoor City is beautiful. You will see. And you can’t always stay home.”
I didn’t answer her. My brain was busy doing a quick calculation, so they stood, waiting. Watching.
Finally, I sighed and tilted my head away from them.
“Remind me to fill it after breakfast tomorrow.”
If I had to do it, even if it was for my own benefit, it would be on my terms. Not Draven’s. Because I still don’t feel like following his instructions, word for word.
Kira and Deidra released a breath of relief, but said nothing. They knew better than to push again.
Deidra moved to the tray and uncovered the dishes. The scent grew stronger—beef stew, perfectly thick warm gravy, and the three slices of freshly baked bread.
Kira smiled faintly. “My lady, it’s time for dinner.”
I nodded. “I will eat after I finish the paper,” I said.
They hesitated, obviously reluctant to leave.
“I’m fine,” I said softly. “You can both go. Rest.”
Kira and Deidra shared another glance. Then, in near unison, “Good night, my lady.” But they had just made it to the door when Kira suddenly turned around and called for my attention.
“My lady,” she said carefully.
I lifted my gaze to meet hers, waiting for the one more uncomfortable message she had to pass to me.
“The Alpha said, let everything that has happened remain in the past.”
My breath froze.
Kira must have known that I wouldn’t have a good response because the next second, she turned her gaze away and opened the door.
The door closed behind them with a soft click, and I was left puffing out invisible hot smoke from my mouth.