Approaching Alpha Zeke Sterne

Chapter 2: Let go

I wearily dragged myself down the hallway that led to our dormitory, my muscles aching from the day's hard work.

Carlos' face lit up the moment he saw me. “Thank goodness you're back! I've been worried about you!"

“Carlos, why are you still awake?" I asked, confused by his concern. “And what are you doing here?"

“Jane was hovering around the kitchen earlier. I thought she might be looking to cause trouble for you," he explained, “Later, she went down to the basement alone and wouldn't let anyone follow her. Did she hurt you again?"

“Relax, I'm okay. Not even a scratch. Just tired," I smiled and reassured him as we walked back into our room where our eight other roommates were sound asleep.

“Here," he said, handing me a small jar. “It's an ointment I made for swelling. Apply some to your face. You really went too hard on yourself earlier. Your face is still red and puffy."

“Thanks Carlos." I dabbed a bit onto my face. A cool sensation spread across my skin, and within moments, the burning sting had nearly faded away.

“Wow, it works like magic!" I exclaimed, but soon, a yawn followed. “Now, I just need some sleep."

Collapsing onto my bed, I felt exhaustion weighing me down. Carlos sat down next to me and, true to his word, started rubbing my shoulders.

“Ah… that feels good!" I sighed in contentment as tension gradually left my body. “Carlos, you're amazing! If you ever decide to open a massage parlor, I surely will be your loyal customer," I joked.

“You know I've always wanted to be a healer, and basic relaxation techniques like massage, chiropractic, and physical therapy are part of what I need to learn and practice," Carlos whispered, careful not to wake our roommates.

“You're certainly talented," I told him.

“Thanks."

“By the way, is everything prepped for the Alpha's return?" I asked.

“I was about to tell you. Your banquet hall decorations were a hit. The deep blue tablecloths and silver accents really made the room look elegant. Mrs. Feldman was thrilled with how it turned out and said the Alpha would be quite pleased. I also checked in with the chef, he was very impressed that you prepared mashed potatoes, asparagus and mushroom risotto without being told. It was like you could read his mind or something."

It wasn't hard to guess which side dishes would go best with Alpha Sterne's favorite roast venison, which would most likely be what the chef had planned for tomorrow's dinner.

“Good to hear…" I murmured, finding it increasingly difficult to keep my eyes open as Carlos moved to work on my arms.

“Since you did most of the prep work by yourself today, Mrs. Feldman said you're off the hook for the usual chores tomorrow. Just sleep in, and be ready by the evening. We all need to be at our best for the Alpha's return dinner."

“Really?" With my eyes closed, a faint lavender scent lingered at my nose as I murmured to Carlos before drifting off. “Please tell Mrs. Feldman, she's the best housekeeper I've ever worked for…"

“Will do," Carlos chuckled, “Sleep well. You've earned it."

***

When I woke up, the room was bathed in afternoon sunlight and my roommates were all gone. I glanced at the clock—it was already past 3:00 PM.

I couldn't remember when was the last time I got over five hours of sleep. Twelve hours? I must be really tired. It was then I noticed a small sachet next to me. Under it was a note.

“Mira, I gathered the lavender you took out last night and made them into potpourri. Hopefully it helps you to get a good night of sleep. See you later."

Carol's handwriting.

I couldn't help but smile. Really, just how lucky I was to have a friend like him?

“Ahhh—I'm alive again!" I stretched my body, the soreness was mostly gone. Carlos' massage had worked wonders. Well, there wasn't much left to do for the Alpha's return, except for one thing—myself.

Thanks to Mrs. Feldman, Jane's plan of keeping me away from the dinner service ended up earning me some leisure time to get myself ready.

I took my time and enjoyed a nice, warm shower. After drying off, I pulled out a simple white dress that I had prepared a while back.

Alpha Sterne wasn't one for flashy attire—the extravagant renovations and decorations in the pack mansion were mostly to Beta Allen's and Jane's liking, since most of the time, the Alpha wasn't with the pack. Besides, I needed to wear something that fit my identity as a maid.

Those weren't the main reasons why I put this dress on, though.

A few months ago, when we were washing the old clothes, there was a white dress labeled from the pack mansion. Everyone assumed it was a mistake—why would Alpha Sterne have a woman's dress while no female ever lived in our pack mansion.

Whether it was a mix-up or not, I didn't know, but I memorized the design. Later, I found a similar one and bought it.

If that wasn't a mistake, I wondered…what would Zeke's reactions be when he saw it?

I slipped the dress over my head, pulled my long hair into a high-pony and took a step back to study my reflection in the mirror.

My amber eyes stood out against my fair skin, framed by my thick lashes. My dress hugged my curves comfortably. Years of my training had left me with a lean and toned physique.

Tidy and simple.

I sighed. That was the best I could do. After all, my usual training and tasks didn't involve makeup or looking pretty. Fortunately, as far as I knew, Alpha Sterne wasn't the type to be interested in women who wear overly-fancy dresses or heavy makeup.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in," I called out, wondering who it could be.

The door opened to reveal a man I didn't quite recognize. He stared at me for a moment, seeming to snap out of his daze before clearing his throat. I figured he was one of the guards.

“Uh, Mira?" he stammered.

“Yes, it's me."

“Carlos is hurt in the garden. He asked you to go help him."

My heart skipped a beat. “What happened? Is he okay?"

"I'm not sure," he replied, seemingly a bit uncomfortable. “But you should come see for yourself."

“Lead the way."

I packed up a small first aid kit and urged on the guard, who led me across the grounds to the gardener's house.

“He's inside," he said, giving me another glance and stepping aside to let me in. “I still have other duties, so I won't go in with you."

“Understood. Thanks!" I nodded to him. However, the moment I crossed the threshold, I was shoved forward, and then the door locked behind me.

What the—Damn it!

I should've known better. This wasn't Carlos asking for help. It was Jane's trap!

She clearly wouldn't give up, would she? She had done everything in her power to prevent me from meeting her Alpha!

The gardener's house was far from the pack mansion, and with everyone preoccupied with the Alpha's return, no one would notice my absence.

“Focus, Mira," I whispered to myself, my eyes falling on the locked door leading to the second floor. With a deep breath, I steeled myself for what came next. In one swift movement, I kicked the door open and dashed up the staircase, my eyes scanning the space for a window.

I couldn't let her win, not if it meant missing my chance tonight.

“I can still make it," I muttered as I spotted the window, the last rays of sunlight filtering through the glass. A tree stood not too far away—my ticket out of here. Lucky me, it didn't take me long to find a rope in the gardners' house. I quickly fashioned a makeshift lasso and tossed it over a sturdy branch.

“Easy-peasy," I smiled and swung out of the window. As I landed in the backyard, I took a moment to collect myself. The sun had set, but if I hurried, I should be able to make it to dinner.

“What's that sound?" a voice called out.

Seriously? Jane actually posted guards around the gardener's house—she really wanted to keep me locked in.

“The window is open...she's there!" another guard shouted.

“Damn you, Jane," I cursed under my breath, sprinting towards a shaded path hidden by a thick canopy of trees. If I could just lose them in the shadows, maybe I'd stand a chance.

Yes, I could stop them, but then my cover would be blown. So, no matter what, I couldn't let them catch me, not when I had come so far.

“Ouch!"

Pain shot through my shoulder as I barreled around the corner, colliding with a solid figure in my path.

“Ahhh—" I stumbled back, off balance, but I didn't fall.

A pair of powerful arms caught me. For a brief moment, my heart hammered in my chest—had one of Jane's guards managed to catch up to me?

Then an intoxicating mix of musk and pine enveloped me.

I gasped. Whoever this was, he smelt heavenly. I looked up, and was met with a striking pair of silver gray eyes and an extremely handsome face.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Vio—" His gaze intensified on me for a moment before he took a deep breath in, frowned and asked, “Who are you?"

“Mira Forest, sir."

My mind raced as I tried to figure out where this extremely handsome man fit into the pack's hierarchy. It was important not to offend someone of higher rank.

If I had seen him before, I would have remembered that face. Since no memory of him came to mind, I was convinced that we had never met before.

I glanced over at him. He wasn't dressed in the guard uniform, so he clearly wasn't part of the security team, which was a relief.

He appeared to be a few years older than me, and while his white shirt and dark blue khaki pants showcased his muscular build perfectly, they were far from the expensive, luxury-branded suits that Beta Allen and other high-ranking members wore tonight. The fact that he wasn't at the pack mansion at this late hour suggested that he wasn't of a high enough rank to be invited to the main banquet.

Perhaps he was one of the soldiers or officers who returned with the Alpha?

“Get her!" one of my pursuers shouted, followed by footsteps pounding closer behind me.

Shit! If they saw me with this guy, they would think he was helping me and report to Jane.

Without a second thought, I grabbed his hand and started running.

“Let go," he said firmly.

“Sorry, but I can't!" I replied, pulling him along as we dashed into the shadows again.