Fated mate (1)

The next day, Alice was the first to go to Ophelia's room to see if she made it through the night. She wouldn't be surprised if the alpha had Ophelia killed during the night. Alice wanted that if Ophelia was dead, she wouldn't be harmed since she was only a servant.

Alice didn't bother to knock on the door and entered the room as though it were her own. She left the door open to offer some light. "What is taking you so long to get dressed?"

Ophelia was too tired to listen to Alice be rude to her. After the attack last night, it took a long time for Ophelia to go back to sleep and even then, the slightest noise she heard woke her.

"They wouldn't allow us to have warm water for our baths so I am guessing it is the same for you. A Luna has to bear the cold water early in the morning. Why did you ask to walk around the castle?" Alice asked, thinking it was a bad idea when no one liked Ophelia.

Alice had something to send to Joel thanks to this. "They don't care about you. No one does."

"You should have taken my advice from last night. I hope the reason you decided to ignore what I told you was because you don't fear death. If you're going to plead for your life if he wants all of us dead, then stay quiet now. Find another way to have your fun," said Ophelia.

Alice slammed the door shut and marched right over to Ophelia. She raised her hand to strike Ophelia since she felt she had the power to do so. 

After all, Joel tasked her with being a spy.

It was satisfying for Alice to hear the sound echo against the walls and Ophelia's face slightly turn. 

Ophelia didn't move at first, but after the slap registered in her mind, she turned to face Alice.

Alice wore that very annoying smile Ophelia had noticed before. She hated that smile and she hated Alice trying to abuse her.

Ophelia couldn't let the abuse slide this time.

This time, Ophelia fought back by returning the slap with a greater force.

Alice's mouth fell wide open, surprised by the slap. Ophelia couldn't do this. "You," she touched her aching cheek. "I am going to tell him about this. You won't get away with this."

"As his daughter, I am going to get away with it for now. I've taken a lot from those two men. I am not going to be hurt by anyone else and do nothing about it. Slap me if you want but prepare yourself to be slapped. Right now," Ophelia took a step forward to Alice who in return stepped back. "I am Luna and you will do as I say. If you don't, I will have them lock you away."

Ophelia continued to say, "Since you're a Porter servant something tells me that they will be more than happy to lock you away. I know not to expect that you will properly serve me but what I do expect is for you to stay in your place. I want silence whenever you come around me."

Alice gritted her teeth, her hands itching to slap Ophelia. She wasn't to be bossed around by a fake. What happened last night for Ophelia to be acting like this?

Ophelia went back to tidying her bed. "I can tell from your face that you want to get even with me. I suggest that you don't. The daughter of Joel Porter and the Luna of this pack has a right to punish her maid as she sees fit. They all avoid us so no one will intervene if I want to punish you in cruel ways."

"Ha," Alice laughed, amused by Ophelia's acting. She knew at some point Ophelia would be crazy to think she had power. "You're finally showing your real face. You really think you are our Luna-"

"No," Ophelia shook her head. "I don't think I am the Luna, I know I am. I won't take any more of your poor treatment of me or from anyone."

From the moment she was pulled into the plan, Ophelia had been hurt by the people surrounding her and she had enough. She was certain Joel wouldn't keep his word and would at some point kill both her and Alex. Then Sylas was going to let one of his pack members kill her. 

While it lasted, Ophelia was going to use the title given to her to protect herself until the very end and try to do some good so no one else ended up like this.

"You've lost your mind," Alice concluded. Alice thought of how well Joel was going to reward her for what she had to share. "You should have been in the alpha's bed last night. You don't get to choose what you do here."

"Then write to Joel about it," Ophelia said as she walked by Alice. "I am ready to go for my walk so find a guard to escort me around the castle. If you don't do as I say then I will write to Joel."

Alice didn't fear this. "That won't solve anything for you. I am a trusted servant for the Porter family. He will believe my word over you."

Ophelia smiled. She disliked Alice but she also pitied her. "You are going to die here before I do. I wonder if the fun you are having now will be worth it or if Joel will care that you are gone. We're all pawns here. Play your role as the pawn who serves me."

"You want me to be on your side? To be loyal to you since I could die?" Alice asked, hoping it wasn't so. She didn't care how much Joel might come to hate her if she were to mess up her tasks. Alice would never be loyal to Ophelia.

"No. I don't even trust you to bring me food and not have something in it to harm me. I will never trust you so don't worry about it but I don't have any kindness left in my heart to save you if you were to find yourself in trouble," Ophelia said, giving Alice a heads up now so she wouldn't beg for help later.

As she spoke, Ophelia fixed the necklace Freya gave her so the pendant would be hidden beneath her dress. She was too paranoid to take it off even when she slept since there was a chance someone might enter the room suddenly to realise, she did not carry the same scent as the Porters.