Astrid's POV
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I paced back and forth in front of the Alpha's quarters.
"I wasn't meant to be here anymore". I whispered chewing on my bottom lip and fidgeting with my hands.
"Are you Astrid?".
I heard someone ask and I immediately turned to be met face-to-face with the lady I had met the other day at the barn.
I cleared my throat and swallowed before nodding slowly.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Come in". She said and turned away.
I closed my eyes and pleaded to the moon goddess for help before following the lady inside.
I turned around slowly looking at the interiors. It was magnificent and once again I felt like I was in wonderland.
"This is the kitchen". The lady pointed towards the left direction as soon as we entered the large house.
"Then the living room". She pointed to the right. "Although no one's ever seen there".
"O-ohh…". I nodded in understanding and followed her up the stairs.
"That door is Alpha Logan's office".
"D-does he have two offices?". Because I was sure that wasn't the one I was dragged into the first day I was captured and brought into the pack.
The lady laughed and nodded.
"Yes he does, he works at the district office whenever it's serious or important matters concerning things within the pack or matters affecting the pack".
She explained as she pointed to the door of the office.
"He rarely invites anyone into his home office. But he is presently inside with Hattie".
"Ha-Hattie?".
"Uh-huh! She's the pack healer". She explained further.
I nodded thoughtfully then she stopped and turned to me.
"Call me Marcy, I'm the housekeeper".
"As-Astrid". I called and she smiled.
"Oh, I know darling". She said looking down the entrance. "Oh! Can you please get the linens from the laundry cottage?".
I nodded and turned, walking down the stairs and out of the house.
I strolled to the laundry cottage and walked in, going towards the baskets containing many linens.
"No, no, no". I heard someone's voice outside the cottage window. "Let me get this straight".
The voice sounded like that of Gina's friend…Audrey or Talia I supposed.
"The intruder who was an ex-prisoner is now the Alpha's housekeeper?"
"OMG. That's what she said, yes, Audrey".
I drew an empty basket closer and started folding the linens and putting them inside.
"I can't believe she outdid you Gina. You were here first. It's not fair".
"I know". I heard Gina whisper and it tugged at my heart. "I hate that stutter freak so much".
I suddenly felt sad and felt like a bad person. It wasn't my intention to outdo anyone or steal anyone's post. If anyone, then I of all people, hated to be close to the Alpha talk less, working close to the Alpha.
"It's all good girl". I heard one of them tell her as their footsteps retracted.
I took the basket to the Alpha's house once I was done with folding the linens. I walked up the stairs with them and Marcy came over to me and retrieved it.
"Go get freshen up, get changed and take a break then you can come back and fully assume your duties".
I nodded and smiled. Marcy also returned the smile and walked away. I went down the stairs and out of the house.
I went to the laundry cottage again where I always slept at night and freshened up, changed into another dress and came out.
"It's…it's fine Astrid". I told myself taking a walk around the pack.
"You don't have to feel bad. It was the Alpha kings doing and not you. You didn't apply to work for him. He recruited you instead".
I sighed and looked up, catching sight of Iva's house. A fond smile found its way to my lips and I walked over to the side of the house to Iva's window.
"I-Iva". I called placing my palms at the side of my mouth in such a way that she'd hear me.
She stuck her head out of the window and when she saw me, she broke into a smile and waved to me.
"Fairy".
She withdrew her head and after a short while, I saw her running towards me.
"H-hi! When did you come out". I asked but she surprised me with a hug.
"Where were you Fairy?".
"I…I was working".
She broke the hug and stepped back from me, giving me a look as she folded her arms.
"Do Fairies work?".
I smiled and nodded. She unfolded her arms and took my hand walking towards the front door of her house.
We walked in and proceeded down the hallway to her room.
"Are…are you home alone?".
"Uh-huh!". She skipped to her bed and sat on it with a bounce.
I looked around her room once again then walked towards her table cabinet.
"Is this your mama?".
I asked staring at the portrait of her and a woman.
I turned to look at her and she nodded. I looked back at the picture and recognised the lady instantly.
"Ma-Marcy?".
That explained why I found the face familiar when I saw the picture the other day.
I walked to the glass box and didn't see the butterfly. I recalled the little girl who had gone missing and sighed, turning back to Iva.
"W-wanna do a fun activity?".
She nodded and I went over to sit on her bed.
"What are we doing, fairy?".
I smiled and pinched her cheek.
"Wh-why don't we make butterflies?"
"Really?". Her eyes lighted up and I nodded.
"I know you've been sad about your butterfly pet. So we'll make you a permanent one okay?".
She nodded excitedly and jumped off the bed.
"I have some creative arts materials".
She went to her table cabinet and opened the drawer withdrawing the materials and quickly dumping them onto the bed in front of me.
I suddenly heard a knock at the door.
"Someone is knocking at the door, Iva".
I told her and she stared at me.
"Be right back, Fairy. I'll go check who it is". She skipped off and soon returned with someone trailing behind her.
"Meet my friend, Nora". She introduced and the little girl stepped away from behind Iva's back.
"N-Nora?". I called and she walked over to me.
"Thank you for saving me, Miss Pretty".
I laughed at the names the kids were giving me. Iva called me Fairy and Nora over here, was now calling me Miss Pretty.
"It's…it's all right. Join us in making these butterflies for Iva".
"Yayyy…". They both jubilated and climbed onto the bed.
We spent a lot of time making the butterflies. We had to draw the shape of a butterfly onto the cardboard before cutting it. We applied some watercolours onto the cardboard and added glitter and designs.
We hanged them on Iva's windows when we were done.
Later, I walked back to the pack house just as the moon started coming out. I met Marcy coming out of the kitchen immediately after I stepped in.
"Oh good! You're back". She smiled and wiped her hands on the apron.
"The Alpha wishes to see you".
"M-me?". My eyes widened.
"He's in his office". She said pointing up the stairs and turned back then walked into the kitchen.
I slowly went up the stairs and walked to the office door. I stood there staring at the door while my heart raced. I raised my hand to knock at the door but retracted it.
I turned, backing the door.
"Go-good evening, Alpha. You called for me". I shook my head. "Y-your majesty, you requested my presence". I shook my head again.
"S-scary Alpha King whose call doth frighten me so, why doth your voice harken to me?"
I turned to the door only to be met by the man who had gone to the laundry cottage to inform me about the resumption and start of my duty in the Alpha's quarters.
"Good evening". I greeted and he gave me a sweepy look that made me shrink.
"Go in". He demonstrated with a turn of his neck.
"Y-yes, sure".
I watched him walk away and I closed my eyes, sighing.
"Come in".
My eyes fluttered open and I stared into the office. Did I just hear that or was I…
"I said come in".
Oh! I wasn't just hearing things. I braced myself and walked into the office, closing the door behind me.
"Come here".
I heard his voice again and I walked further into the office with my heart beating profusely.
Where was he? I asked myself looking around the dimly lit office. I turned back when I saw a figure directly in front of me.
"Ahhh…". I screamed falling onto the wooden floorboard with my palms covering my face.
The light came on and I slowly removed my hands from my face. I saw the disgusted look the Alpha had on his face and I quickly got up composing myself.
"Al-Alpha Logak".
"Lo-Logak?". He asked stomping towards me.
Wait, was he angry? I got it correctly this time around so why? I was so confused.
I didn't call him Your Majesty nor Alpha King so why?
"Al-Alpha Lo-Logak". I called it audibly this time around so he'd know I called it correctly. But he was still stomping towards me.
I was soon caught in between him and his desk.
"Look at me". He seethed and my eyes found his. He was breathing down on me and I could see the anger in his eyes.
I know I didn't get on his nerves so why did he call me just to take his anger out on me? This man was so confusing.
"Get out". He stomped his fist onto the desk beside me. "I said, get out". He pointed to the door and I stumbled away from him and out of the door.
I went down the Stairs breathing heavily.
"Wait, Astrid".
Marcy called behind me and I turned abruptly.
"Oh dear, why are you sweating so much?".
"I…I…". I couldn't even construct a sentence.
"Can you please take on the cleaning? I have to get home to my daughter".
I nodded and exhaled trying to regulate my breathing. At least, that was something to help calm me down.
"The master bedroom". She stated and my eyes bulged.
"Ma-Marcy I…". My voice trailed off as she removed her apron and gave it to me dashing out through the front door.
"A-and that leaves me here, with the scary Alpha".
I put on the apron and tied my hair with a scarf then went up the stairs trying hard to recall the room Marcy had shown me to be the Alpha's.
"Marcy".
I halted when the Alpha's voice rang behind me. My heartbeat picked up again and I closed my eyes. I felt him walking towards me and my palms started sweating.
"Be very careful with the objects in that room and make sure nothing is out of place".
I nodded quickly and dashed into the room I remembered was his, not minding if he had anything more to say.
"Th-that was close". I panted and wiped the sweat from my forehead. I walked away from the door looking around the room.
The interior was monochrome and looked dull.
"O-of course it reflects him as a whole". I rolled my eyes looking around.
"Su-surprisingly, everything's in order". I nodded partially feeling impressed.
"Wh-what am I even doing? I need to get out of here as soon as possible". I slapped my forehead and quickly got to work. I cleaned everywhere but left everything as they were as per his instructions.
"All done". I dusted my hands and stood with my hands akimbo. I bent down and smoothened the bed linen with my hand and stood upright swirling around.
I swirled for a short while and stopped throwing my hands straight beside me and letting the cleaning towel I had out of my hand.
I shuddered suddenly and turned slowly to look at what has happened and the disturbing sound of something shattering.
The cleaning towel I threw had hit a vase mistakenly and pushed it off its stand and it fell, shattering into a million pieces.
I just knew...I. Was. Dead.