SAVANNAH
"Ahh, you're face look horrible, deformed!"
"You're just jealous! That's why you want to keep us away from the King!"
"The Lord said you have to leave now," I repeated calmly, standing at the foot of the bed as they hurled insults at me. Their words neither bothered nor affected me.
I silently considered how to remove them. Despite their weakened state, there were three of them and only one of me.
Just then, a knock sounded at the side door that led to the hallway, a door I hadn't even noticed. It must have been the person sent to escort them out of the castle.
I walked over and opened the door to two burly servants who entered without a word.
The women resisted immediately, covering their nakedness, shouting that their bodies were meant only for the King, and warning that we'd lose our heads for this.
I hadn't been here long enough to see through their lies.
The truth was—that man—their king had used them and was now tossing them aside like trash.
One of them, a blonde, made a dash for the door to the dining room. I stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Have some dignity and leave. The King has ordered it. Don't risk your life."
"I want him to tell me that himself! Last night, he showed me otherwise! Get out of my way!" she screamed, baring her fangs as she lunged at me. I quickly grabbed her arms mid-air, struggling to hold her off.
Her claws scratched my arms in her rage, but I held firm, knowing she was too weak to overpower me.
This she-wolf was stronger than me once, but not now. With the servants' help, we dragged the last of the crazed women out of the room, and I slammed the door shut, breathing heavily.
"What a terrible first day," I muttered under my breath, glancing around at the chaos left for me to clean.
***
I wiped the sweat from my forehead, taking a moment to catch my breath and survey the room. Almost everything was back in place.
The worst part was the bed. I had removed the dirty sheets, but I'd used too much water while cleaning, so I decided to prop the mattress by the window to let it air out.
"Mmmnn," I groaned, struggling to push the heavy King-sized mattress. My arms trembled with the effort, and I wasn't sure I could move it.
Just as I was about to give up…
"How many centuries does it take to organize a room?" a cold voice cut through the air, startling me. I hadn't even heard him come in.
I spun around to apologize, but in my nervousness, I stepped on something slippery and lost my balance, falling forward.
Instinctively, I grabbed the nearest object to steady myself and ended up on my knees, eyes closed in embarrassment.
Something came loose and was in my hands; another "thing" thickly brushed against my nose, and an intoxicating, dark, musky aroma assaulted my senses.
When I opened them, I realized with horror that I was clutching a black towel — the very towel that had been wrapped around the King's waist.
Worse yet, I was on my knees, gripping his muscular thighs, with his very prominent, veined member inches from my face.
"Good grief, this could make anyone cry," I thought in a panic, frozen in place. And it wasn't even fully erect. I hadn't even detailed Ragnar's like this.
"Should I find a tape measure too?" his icy voice snapped me out of my mortification.
I looked up in terror. He stood before me, completely naked, his burgundy hair tousled and damp from a shower. His gray eyes held a mocking glint.
"Your Majesty, I'm so sorry! Please forgive this humble servant who's unworthy of your mercy!" I fell to the floor, pressing my forehead against the cold surface, pleading desperately.
What I had done was unforgivable. And I had stayed there… ogling him!
His shadow loomed over me, dark and foreboding. I shut my eyes, preparing for the worst.
"I'll leave immediately… I'll leave the castle… please…" I begged, my voice trembling.
"I don't have the patience to replace maids every day. You'll leave when I say so. Get up," he ordered, his voice rumbling near my ear. I felt a tug on the towel still clenched in my hands.
I released it instantly, sweat dripping down my back as my entire body shook.
"Besides, if you're going to serve me, this won't be the last time you see me naked. It's not a big deal. Now, come to the dining room," he said, walking away barefoot.
I swallowed nervously and stood, my legs like jelly. 'Come on, Savannah, stay strong. Focus.'
"Taste the breakfast," he ordered, gesturing to the food on the table.
He sat down in the chair, watching my every move.
I picked up the fork, cutting small portions of each dish and tasting them carefully.
"If anything isn't to your liking, I can get something else from the kitchen…"
"There's no need. Everything's fine," he responded curtly and then fell silent.
Unsure of what he expected, I kept my eyes on the floor, frantically trying to recall every rule I had been taught.
"Do you think I'm some savage who eats with his hands?"
"What? No, no, Your Maj… Lord…" I stammered, looking up at him. He was eyeing the fork I was still holding.
Oh no. I used the only utensil at the table, covering it in my saliva. No one had told me I'd have to taste the food here!
"I'll… I'll get another one. I'm so sorry…"
"You're good at apologizing," he remarked, taking the fork from my hand.
"But it's dirty… I…" ate with ai.
I stopped mid-sentence as I watched him wipe it off with a napkin and begin eating without a care.
I retreated to a corner, standing quietly as he ate, but I couldn't help stealing glances at him.
There he was, casually sitting half-naked, wrapped in nothing but a towel, eating his breakfast and reviewing some papers.
No matter what Fenrir Lycros did, his commanding presence filled the room, demanding obedience and submission from everyone around him.
This was my new master. And honestly, I was starting to wonder if running away from the castle might be the best option.
Fenrir Lycros was the most dangerous thing I'd ever encountered.
***
Days went by, and despite my rookie mistakes, I somehow managed to survive.
The master wasn't always around. He traveled often, either visiting packs or dealing with threats. I hadn't encountered any of the other "Guardians" until one morning.
"Ugh, I don't know how you handle the pressure... and the temptation," Helen remarked, throwing a glance my way.
She was the only one from the staff who ever spoke to me—a cheerful, outgoing girl.
While I wouldn't call her a friend—I'd sworn never to trust a woman so easily again—at least her chatter kept me entertained.
We were carrying laundry baskets down the underground hallway when the door to one of the training gyms swung open.
A massive Lycan emerged, and I could feel his commanding aura before I even saw him.
Instinctively, we lowered our heads, waiting for him to pass. But instead of walking away, his footsteps came closer.
"Are these clean towels?" A strong, yet surprisingly calm male voice asked.
"Yes, Lord," I stammered, realizing I was the one holding the towels. I dared to glance up for a split second.
Golden eyes locked with mine.
Quickly, I dropped my gaze to the carpet, fumbling to hand him a towel. But as he reached for it, our fingers brushed for just a moment.
His touch was warm.
Unlike the King's sharp and wild aura, this Lycan felt more protective, though no less intimidating.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." I stuttered.
"Relax. It's fine, no need to worry." He took the towel from me and walked down the hall.
I couldn't help but steal a look at his retreating figure. Blonde hair, massive like all Lycans, his powerful frame swathed in a black combat suit. Broad, muscular, and drenched in sweat.
For some reason, his combination of hair and eyes reminded me of Ragnar.
The thought of that bastard sent a pang through me, but my mind couldn't help wandering back to him—my first and only love.
"Isn't he handsome? I mean, they're all sexy, but for me, the best are the King and Guardian Reece. Though the King, ugh, he's pure fire. What about you, Savannah? Who'd you choose? The King or Guardian Reece?"
Helen's question snapped me out of my thoughts. I was just about to tell her not to speak so freely about them—someone could overhear—when I saw her expression freeze in horror.
She was staring at something behind me.
My entire body tensed as I felt the heat of a presence right behind me, and warm breath grazed my ear.
"I'd like to know too, Savannah. Who would you prefer? And why the hell did you let another man touch what belongs to me?"
My hands trembled, shaking the basket I held. I knew he was referring to the towels, but the way he said it... it felt like he was talking about me.
"Y-yes, my Lord..." I mumbled.
"Get out!" he barked at Helen. She shot me a guilty look but had no choice, practically fleeing the scene.
I remained frozen, my back still to him. Could I run too?
"I'm waiting, Savannah," his voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "Are you unhappy with your position? Would you prefer to be Reece's personal maid? Turn around. Now."