CARISSA'S POV
I have no choice but to turn around. My heart rate increases when I see him. Alpha Kaine is standing there, arms crossed over his broad chest and his green eyes are eyes locked on me. There's no anger in his expression, but his piercing gaze is enough to make my knees weak.
I feel a lump in my throat due to how scared I am. I hope he doesn't punish me for trying to leave without his permission.
I try to steady my breathing, but my body betrays me. I can feel the blood drain from my face, leaving me pale as fear grips my stomach. My wolf is restless, torn between bowing to him and the instinct to flee.
"You shouldn't be here," Kaine says in a low tone.
I swallow hard "I was just—"
"Save it," he interrupts, taking a step closer. His presence alone is overwhelming. "Go back to your room. It's safer there."
His tone isn't harsh, but it isn't obviously a suggestion. It's a command, and my wolf whimpers in my mind, wanting to obey.
I let out a nervous chuckle "That was my plan all along," I lie, forcing a smile.
Kaine raises an eyebrow but doesn't call me out on it. Instead, he watches me with an intensity that makes my skin tingle.
I don't wait for him to change his mind. I turn on my heel and walk quickly—almost running—back to my room. My heart hammers in my chest. I can't shake off the feeling of his eyes on me the entire walk to my room.
When I finally reach my room, I let out a shaky breath and close the door behind me, leaning against it for support.
"Safe," I whisper.
But the relief is short-lived. My heart nearly stops when the door opens and Alpha Kaine steps inside.
I freeze at the sight of him. His Alpha waves fill the space, making me whimper. The room suddenly feels much smaller. His huge frame fills the space with an energy that's both intimidating and magnetic.
I bow my head quickly. "Alpha Kaine."
"Carissa," he says.
I keep my head bowed, afraid to meet his eyes. But I can feel him watching me.
"Look at me," he commands softly.
My head snaps up before I can stop myself. The mate bond pulls at me, stronger than ever, and I have to fight the urge to step closer to him. His green eyes are intense, almost glowing in the dim light, and I can't help but admire the sharp lines of his jaw. He looks so...powerful and he doesn't even have to try.
He's breathtaking. And dangerous.
"I've noticed something," Kaine says. "You're idle."
I blink, caught off guard. "Idle?"
"Yes." He takes a step closer, and my pulse quickens. "You have too much time on your hands, and it's leading to... thoughts of escape."
My stomach twists, "I wasn't—"
"Don't lie to me," he cuts me off "I know what you were doing."
I look away, my cheeks burning.
"I'm assigning you duties," Kaine continues. "Something to keep you busy. You'll report to the head housekeeper in the morning."
My chest tightens, but I nod quickly. "Yes, Alpha."
He steps even closer, so close that I can feel the heat radiating off him. The mate bond flares between us, and my wolf practically purrs, wanting nothing more than to submit to him.
Kaine's gaze softens, just for a moment, and I catch a glimpse of something I can't quite describe in his eyes.
"Stay out of trouble, Carissa," he says quietly.
I nod again "I will."
With that, he turns away from me.
As he opens the door, he pauses and glances back at me. "Get some rest. You'll need it."
And just like that, he's gone, leaving me standing there with my heart racing in my chest.
-
After a while, there's a knock at the door. My heart skips a beat, and I sit upright.
"Come in," I call out cautiously.
The door opens and a maid walks in, carrying a piece of paper in her hand. Her expression is neutral as she steps forward and places the list on my small desk.
"You'll need to get started on this immediately," she says.
I pick up the paper and read it. I scan the contents. My stomach drops as I go through it -Cleaning the stables, scrubbing the dining hall floors, polishing the chandeliers—hellish doesn't even begin to cover it.
"This is..." I trail off, unable to find the right words.
"Necessary," she finishes for me. "The Alpha has decided you'll be working in the West Wing. It's far from here, but you'll be expected to complete these tasks before nightfall."
My mouth goes dry. The West Wing is practically on the other side of the castle. I've been far removed from the main areas. I nod. My throat is too tight to form words.
The maid doesn't wait for a response. She just nods and exits the room.
I glance back at the list, my chest tightening. I can't let this break me. Not here, not now.
-
By the time I finish scrubbing the last stall in the stables, the moon is high in the sky. The smell of hay, manure, and sweat clings to me and my arms ache from hours of scrubbing and hauling.
It's nearly midnight when I stagger down the hallway. My legs barely support me as I walk back to my room. My clothes are damp with sweat, and I reek so badly I can't imagine anyone standing within ten feet of me.
When I finally reach my door, I sigh in relief. My hand grips the doorknob. But something stops me. I feel a prickle at the back of my neck, a warning from my wolf.
Someone's inside.
I freeze. I sniff the air, searching for a familiar scent, but the twins' presence isn't here. Whoever it is, it's not them.
My pulse quickens as I carefully push the door open inside as silently as I can. I see two figures standing in the middle of my room.
The door opening grabs their attention. They turn to face me.
Even in the darkness, I can feel the contempt in the way they look at me.