Departure

The business deal between Alpha Richard and Alpha Lucas had been finalized, strengthening their alliance and ensuring prosperity for both packs.

However, duty called, and the Rathords could no longer delay their return.

An Alpha's prolonged absence was a risk, especially with the growing tension created by the rogues.

The night before their departure, Alpha Richard hosted a grand farewell feast in their honor.

The pack members gathered to bid them goodbye, exchanging warm conversations and sharing stories.

But among them all, Amelia was the most affected.

She sat quietly, her gaze distant and downcast, the usual sparkle replaced by a gentle sadness, her eyelids slightly droopy, her usual arrogant demeanor replaced by an unusual melancholy.

She barely touched her food, her gaze drifting toward Sebastian, committing every detail of him to memory.

The reality of his departure weighed heavily on her chest.

As the first rays of dawn broke through the horizon, the Hillsons escorted their old friends to their convoy.

The farewells were filled with nods, handshakes, and a few teasing exchanges.

But Amelia? She could barely contain her emotions.

She forced herself to maintain composure as Sebastian gave her a final, knowing glance before stepping into his car.

The moment their convoy disappeared from view, she broke. Silent tears turned into audible sobs as her vision blurred with heartbreak.

Luna Kim, noticing her daughter's distress, reached out to comfort her. "Amelia, my dear, I..."

But Amelia jerked away, flinging off her hand. "I don't want to talk. Leave me alone," she murmured, her voice hoarse from suppressed tears before turning and running toward the staircase.

She was too blinded by emotion to notice Matilda, who was on her way to deliver clean silk sheets and pillowcases to the guest quarters.

The collision was inevitable. The tray of neatly folded sheets fell from Matilda's grip, scattering across the floor.

A deadly silence settled.

Amelia's already frayed patience snapped.

"You..." Her voice dripped with venom, her blazing eyes locked onto Matilda. "How dare you stand in my way?!"

Matilda quickly knelt to gather the sheets, keeping her head low. "I apologize, my lady. I..."

"Apologize?" Amelia sneered, stepping forward, her tone laced with contempt. "Do you think that's enough?"

Matilda remained silent, knowing that any response would only stoke the flames of Amelia's fury.

By now, a small crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves.

They understood Amelia's frustration, but they also knew Matilda's mistake was unintentional.

Williams, standing nearby with crossed arms, shook his head with an amused smirk. "Are we taking it out on the help now, Amelia? Maybe if you had spent less time sulking and more time making a move on Sebastian, you wouldn't be this miserable right now."

That was the final spark.

With a swift motion, Amelia raised her hand and slapped Matilda across the face.

A sharp gasp echoed from the crowd.

Luna Kim's sharp voice cut through the tension. "Amelia! That is enough!"

Matilda clutched her cheek, feeling the sting of the slap as tears welled in her eyes before she could stop them.

She hadn't expected it, but what shocked her more was the sheer humiliation of being struck in front of so many people.

For a moment, Matilda met Amelia's furious gaze, not in defiance, but in stunned disbelief.

However, that fleeting look only fueled Amelia's rage.

"How dare you lift your head at me like that?!" Amelia spat, her fury burning through every word. "Do you think you don't deserve this? You should have moved out of the way the moment you saw me coming!"

Amelia turned sharply to the nearby standing guards. "Take her away. Thirty strokes of the cane should teach her a lesson."

Luna Kim's voice rang out once more, sharper this time. "Amelia, you are going too far!"

Amelia whirled toward her mother, her voice raw with emotion. "Are you my mother or hers? Do you even care how I feel?"

"She is merely a servant! What was she even doing here?!" Amelia's voice rang out, sharp with indignation.

Matilda, despite the tremor in her lips, quietly answered, "I was delivering fresh sheets for the guest quarters, my lady."

She barely finished before another slap landed across her face, the force snapping her head to the side.

Another gasps rippled through the onlookers.

Madam Tera rushed forward, her protective instincts overriding any sense of propriety. "My lady, she was following my orders. If anyone is to blame, it is I."

Amelia's furious gaze bore into the older woman. "Then perhaps you should be punished as well for failing to teach them their place!"

Without hesitation, Madam Tera dropped to her knees. "Please, my lady, let her go. I will take her punishment in her place."

Matilda, despite the sting of her injuries, quickly shook her head. "No, Madam Tera. I will take my punishment." Her voice was steady, though her hands trembled at her sides.

The guards hesitated, looking toward Luna Kim for instruction. But the Luna's shoulders sank in defeat. She knew arguing further with her daughter would only make matters worse.

With an unreadable expression, she turned to Matilda, her heart heavy with guilt.

Williams sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Well done, Amelia. You've really outdone yourself this time."

Amelia snapped her head toward him, her glare burning with warning. "Shut up, Williams."

He smirked, unfazed. "You think that girl is annoying, but you don't even realize you're the most insufferable person in this entire pack."

Williams took a slow step forward, his gaze darkening. "And next time you use that tone on me, I'll make sure you regret it, Amelia." His voice was calm, but the raw dominance in it sent a shiver through the air. "It's one thing to throw your tantrums at the pack because they allow it, but don't you dare try that with me. You won't even know what hit you."

His Alpha presence radiated power, making Amelia instinctively shrink back. For the first time, fear flickered in her eyes as she stepped behind Luna Kim, seeking an unspoken shield.

Luna Kim took a deep breath before turning to her daughter one last time. "Are you happy now, Amelia?"

Amelia clenched her jaw, looking away, unable to meet her mother's disappointed gaze.

"You have become unreasonable, daughter," Luna Kim said softly. "Even Sebastian would not want a Luna with such a heart."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her disappointment lingering in the air.

The gathered crowd slowly dispersed with a fresh wave of gossip trailing in their wake.

But Williams' words hung in Amelia's ears.

Had she gone too far? But it has always been like this. I mean, I am Amelia 'Hillson'; who was she? A lowly slave servant.

For the first time, doubt slowly crept into her thoughts.