Fully dressed, Tala walked out from her chambers that early morning dressed in her usual stylish manner, the tails of her beautiful gown strolling behind her as she walked. Behind her smile still remained the worrisome thoughts about her son's safety.
William had been buried but it seemed as though his presence still lingered in the hearts of the servants and guards in the Royal chambers. The peace and serenity that existed in the palace had disappeared gradually replaced by severe tension and said was following Darius' ascension to the throne as Alpha. Some of the servants quit working in the palace for fear of losing their lives while serving the new Alpha who was known for his impatience, dominance and vile nature even when he was Beta of the Lycan Pack.
"Good day to you Luna Tala."
"Good day Elena, hope you slept fine."
"I did Luna. Thank you."
Elena's face was bowed slightly as she stood before Tala. She seemed to be among the few servants who were still around working in the palace. As much as the palace wasn't a very safe place to talk, Elena preferred to work there; at least she would be free of the constant bully and ill treatment from Hela and the other Omegas in the Pack. She knew best that she couldn't defend herself, almost eighteen and yet her wolf was still yet to emerge. She knew very well that she wouldn't be able to defend herself if she remained in the midst of the other Omegas who continuously bullied and teased her.
The only feature that showed she was a werewolf were her golden eyes and her fangs that sometimes appeared especially during the full moon nights. Her claws failed to surface. She was slow, smallish and with little or no strength to combat. Some of the other members of the pack considered her completely useless.
"You have no use for us, they should have killed you with your pack."
"How come you belong to the Crimson Pack. You seem retarded and weak to be a part of them."
"What a shame for a werewolf."
"I bet no one would want a weakling for a mate."
The taunts constantly ringed in her ears even when there was no one present to torment her. Being in the Lycan Pack for five years and relegated to being an Omega, she completely forgot the feeling of family and freedom.
"Hello Tala. You look rather ravishing this morning." Darius appeared from nowhere beaming with a smile, the sight of him alone sent shivers down Elena's spine. She forcefully swallowed spit. Her thought reminding her of the dire consequences of being discovered by Darius as the one who aided Bruce's escape.
"Good morning Alpha Darius. Thank you so much."
Tala smirked as Darius stood in front of her smiling. As much as she detested him, it was in her best interest not to offend him. Darius had no friends nor any one who could trust him. His mate had rejected him years ago on account of his vile nature. Being concerned that he could turn out to be a very bad mate and pass on his vile nature to the pubs they would bear in the future.
No one else dared to accept him as a mate. It was rumored that he was given a second chance mate who also rejected him. No one dared speak of these in his presence.
"Good morning Alpha Darius." Elena greeted with a profound bow keeping her face down, her hands shivering a bit as she tried to hold them together firmly.
Darius turned towards Elena with his cold eyes glaring suspiciously at her. She seemed rather suspicious and familiar.
"You seem to have not been around very often. When did you start working here?"
"I..I." Elena stuttered but guy wasn't really helping, her hands were still shaking and tiny drops of water flowed at her bank. Only the sound of Darius' voice made her scared.
"She works for my Alpha Darius. I got her to replace Lyla my other servant. And no she had not been around for a sometime."
Darius completely ignored the words of Tala who tried to speak up for Elena. He was certain that he had seen her somewhere but couldn't figure out where he had seen her. He walked closed to her and looked at her closely. Elena's face was still bent and so gradually he raised her face up with his finger holding on to her neck.
As Elena's eyes met those of the vicious Alpha, her heartbeat increased as her heart tried to escape her chest, hitting so hard against her ribs, she hoped that Darius wouldn't be able to recognize her.
The memories of the night of the attack when so many members of her pack were slaughtered including her parents were very clear and she looked at Darius. She could never forget his face; he dragged her away from her mother's arms as she tried to hold on to her crying in pain. Bruce on the other hand had already ripped her father's heart out of his chest while the other soldiers of Lycan Pack took turns at slitting the necks of so many members of her Pack.
She could remember Darius commanding the soldiers to take all the gold in their treasury including other valuable items. Darius threw her into a cave.
"I will keep you as a souvenir to mark my conquest." Those words were audible and came upon her each time she saw Darius.
Luckily, Darius couldn't get along with his plan of keeping her for his personal gratification. William saw some of the solders dragging her into Darius' chamber and ordered them to send her to Hela to work with the other Omegas.
She was fairly lucky as Darius was known for viciously dealing with the young female werewolves he had captured, using them to his satisfaction and killing them when he felt they were no longer useful and needed to be discarded.
Darius sniffed her a bit stick holding on to her neck. Soon his grip became so firm that she began to choke gasping for air.
"Alpha Darius." Tala said softly trying to call his attention to the fact that Elena was out of breath.
Darius unhanded her and walked away immediately. Elena staggered almost to the ground as Darius forcefully pushed her aside as he left her neck. Elena coughed continuously as she grabbed on to her neck trying to find something to grab on to to maintain her balance.
"Are you ok Elena?!" Tala moved to help Elena up grabbing her two hands and slightly lifting her up she led her to a corner in the hall and sat her down on one of the chairs.
"Thank you Luna Tala." Elena was still holding on to her neck, she had just seen her life flash before her eyes.
"Get her some water!" Tala commanded one of the guards standing by and he left immediately.
"You will be alright."
Soon the guard returned with a cup of water and handed it over to Tala who placed it up to Elena's mouth urging her to drink up.
"Here, have some water."
After gulping some water from the cup, Elena exhaled sharply and heaved a heavy sigh of relief.
"Thank you." She said softly, her voice a little bit above a whisper she didn't know why the Luna would be so compassionate towards her. Maybe the death of her Alpha and the disappearance of her son had humbled her. For all she knew, the Royal members of the Lycan Pack were evil and cost her so much misery, she was hell bent on getting her vengeance someday.
On the other hand, Darius had stepped out of the Royal Chambers and was on his way towards the castle garden.
"Alpha Darius! Good morning to you."
"Hello Ramon."
Darius seemed rather unpleased to see Ramon, he was not in the mood for his loud mouth and his unruly behavior.
"Alpha Darius, I come regarding the promises you made to me. I best believe that you may have forgotten." Ramon scratched his head as he spoke, smiling softly but with caution as he noticed that Darius, countenance grew cold as he spoke.
Darius stood still without saying any word. He forcefully put on a smile and turned towards Ramon who bent his face in fear of the action the Alpha was going to take.
"Dear Ramon, you need not to worry. I still have it in mind to award you for all your troubles. Just know that I do not take your loyalty for granted. In due time you shall be rewarded accordingly."
"Very well Alpha Darius, I shall be waiting."
Ramon continued to smile as he walked away, his belle way moving before him and bouncing under his cloth with the rhythm of his funny steps.
Darius looked at Ramon as he walked away with so much disgruntle. He sensed that Ramon knew so much and needed to be kept on close watch.
Darius stood watching him with his vicious stare before he turned to his right and left for the garden.