The Royal Alpha King's Little Damsel

Chapter Four

VALENTINA

**

Three Years Later…

(Valentina is twenty-one years old.)

“Valentina! How could you be so sluggish?! Do you have any idea how many people are outside?” Arthur, the head of the kitchen, yelled at me. I wasn’t the one at fault, but still, I had to bend down to him.

“I’m sorry,” I apologised.

“Don’t be sorry, just work faster.” I nodded and continued cutting the vegetables at the fastest speed. I didn’t want to be stuck in the kitchen when a big celebration was going on outside.

Today was Alpha Vincent’s birthday. He turned twenty-four today. He was pleased, but he was also unhappy that another year had passed and he still hadn’t found his mate. I tried to explain to him things only happened when they were destined to but nothing could stop him from feeling hurt. Also, the pack was waiting for their Luna. All of it was crushing him.

Alpha Liam had called for the nearby Alpha families to attend the party, yearning for one of their daughters to be his mate. It was a huge gathering and a hope that the pack would find their Luna.

For the past three years, I’ve been working in the kitchen and I couldn’t remember a day when I had a holiday. I was always in the kitchen; cooking, cleaning and setting up, just everything. It felt like a world that I was placed in without any outlet.

Other maids emerged and departed. Some found their mates and left their jobs. Some became mothers and left their jobs. But I was the one constant here. I didn’t feel like my life was going ahead, or anywhere at all.

I was like a hamster in a spinning wheel.

No wonder life felt tough. I was a freeloader, as they always acted towards me. I did my best to obey and never retort back. But I was still treated like an unwanted person. It was only Alpha Vincent and Alpha Liam that held me here.

Alpha Vincent – Val, come to my room right now. Alpha Vincent suddenly mind-linked me and I had to pause my chopping. I was worried about what would happen since he sounded so urgent.

Valentina – Give me a moment. I replied and shut the mind-link.

I swivelled towards Arthur and he gave me a look. He was already handling the other maid's work and watching over them. I was terrified of how he would respond to me, but I had to ask him anyway.

“Alpha Vincent has summoned me. Can I go?” I asked him and he gave me a ridiculous look.

“Don’t try to portray yourself in front of me.” He yelled at me. “Try fleeing work like this and I’ll see to it that you can’t vacate the kitchen. Ever.” He warned me, with his eyes accusing me of a lie. Even though they knew how close we were, he wouldn't let go of any opportunity to bash me.

“You can consult with him. He just mind-linked me.” I tried to make him understand. But he won’t budge. I sighed, knowing that this wasn’t going to work.

Valentina – Alpha Vincent, can you tell Arthur to let me come? He won’t believe my words. I mind-linked him after a lot of focus. Because not anyone could mind-link an Alpha, it took time for a no-rank like me.

I waited for a few moments and I heard grumbling next to me.

“Come back when the work is done,” Arthur grunted, and I nodded. I wanted to taunt him but I didn’t. I immediately scurried to Alpha Vincent’s room and knocked. He permitted me in.

“Val, fix my bow, please. Mother is too busy to be summoned.” He muttered and I sighed. I was worried about what happened and what not and here he was struggling with his bow. He can never do it on his own.

“On your Alpha crowning and now, I don’t see your progress, Alpha. Three years and I’m still tying bows for you.” I teased him and he tsked at me. He raised his hand and flicked my forehead and I gasped, offering him a glare but continuing on the bow.

“A sister can never ask his brother to improve.” He then caressed my hair and smiled at me. “She is always needed.” He replied, making me shut my mouth and I nodded, tying his bow. I helped him set his suit coat and cuffs, too.

“How am I looking?” He asked me, wiggling his eyebrows at me. It was now my time to take revenge for his earlier flick.

“Old, as always,” I commented, and he laughed. He knew that was how I answered him anyway.

“Don’t make me command you.” He warned, not sounding angry at all. He could only feign anger towards me. I sighed, giving up because he wouldn’t stop until I complimented him.

“Just as if you'd find your mate, today. That's how handsome you're looking today.” I answered his question, patting his shoulder and he was about to hug me, but I stopped him.

“I’m covered in oil and sweat. I don’t want to ruin your suit.” He pouted but nodded. “I’ll surely give you a birthday hug later. Now, I suggest you be ready to find your mate.” I advised him, and his eyes shone with excitement.

“I hope so. I’m eager, either way. My wolf is on edge.” He confessed to me and I felt positive that he would find his mate today.

“That is a hint. When Samantha found her mate, she was like this, too.” I clarified with him and was reminded of my best friend whom I hadn’t contacted in two years now. The last time I talked to her, she told me that she was about to have a pup. Since I was not allowed to leave the pack, I just congratulated her.

“Maybe, it’s just the nerves.” He tried to justify. so he wouldn’t have his hopes high up, but I shook my head in denial.

“I feel it in my bones that you’ll find your mate today,” I assured him and he nodded, enthusiastically. I glanced at the watch and realised it was too late. “I’ll take off and finish cooking, so I can attend your party, too,” I told him quickly, which changed his entire demeanour.

He gave me a longing look and opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. He did that a few more times but finally looked at me.

“Did I do wrong by appointing you to the kitchen?” He asked me and I shook my head.

“I’m in a lot better position now, Alpha Vincent. I thank you for it. Don’t feel guilty over something that is beyond your control, even after you have attempted to make it better.” I advised him and he smiled.

“But still.” He couldn’t accept my words.

Since I was appointed in the kitchen, I was the kitchen slave. I was never given a free moment until and unless everything was done. We both didn’t get to spend a lot of time together, as we used to. He would just see my face when he’d come for lunch and dinner, but we couldn’t talk because we both had our hands full.

But even so, I was not physically abused here by anyone. The verbal one I was used to, anyway. I didn’t have to see any people and they didn’t have time to come and see me, so I was more than relieved to be there.

“I’m really happy,” I confessed to him. “Now, I should rush or I won’t be able to attend your party. Do you want that to happen?” I questioned and he gave me a look.

“I’ll order Arthur to let you off right now.” He announced and was about to mind-link, but I stopped him.

“Don’t do it. Don’t be biased. This is the first rule of being fair. Now, we should hurry.” I told him and he nodded. We both stepped down the stairs, me behind Alpha Vincent.

I immediately rushed to the kitchen and continued with my task. I had slacked off for a long time. I realised others had almost finished up their tasks and a few had left. My work was cutting vegetables, and fruits for the custard.

The vegetables were cut earlier, so they were almost done getting cooked. I had a few more fruits to cut and then I would be done, too. When I felt too silent, I looked around to find myself alone in the kitchen.

I continued and was about to cut the last apple when I felt a presence behind me. A sudden smack to my butt made my hand slip and my finger got cut. My finger was bleeding but my whole concentration was on the uninvited touch on my private part.

“Oh no, you should be careful, Valentina,” Arthur cooed, and tried to touch my hand. I tugged it back at me and he moved forward. I whirled around and he came closer to me. My back hit the counter and he trapped me in, putting both of his hands next to my side.

“Well, you don’t have a mate, so why try to hold on any longer?” His finger traced the side of my face and I swatted him away. “A piece of s**t like you will never have a mate.” He spat, now just standing very close to me. I tried to push him away but he wouldn't budge.

“Stay away!” I yelled at him and tried to find any help, but no one was around as all of them must’ve gathered on the training ground and I could hear the faint music that clearly indicated it was loud there.

“Why, sweetheart?” He cooed, coming close to my ear, and I bent as back as I could, trying to push him away. The blood from my finger was oozing as I tried to push Arthur away, but it was a futile attempt as he didn’t budge.

Valentina – Alpha, help! Kitchen! I mind-linked with double efforts, keeping my eyes closed so Arthur wouldn't know that I had summoned someone for help.

“Please don’t do this! Please!” I yelled, feeling scared. I had never felt so weak. I didn’t feel this weak when I received hits or this helpless when I was made to work like a slave.

“Why try to do something when you know you can’t?” He mocked me. “You better cooperate and enjoy yourself rather than struggle.” He suggested and tried to come closer when I just kept pushing him away.

“I order you to cease right now.” A voice warned. We both turned to see a young blonde woman standing there, fury covering her calm blue eyes. She looked fragile in terms of her body, but I could tell she was sharp.

“Who might you be?” Arthur questioned. “Want to join us?” Arthur asked with an evil grin, shamelessly. The woman didn’t faze at all.

“I won’t be joining you in hell.” She muttered, and suddenly, Arthur was on the ground, struggling to breathe and then he was lifeless. I saw a small dart-like thing stuck right in his neck. I took in deep breaths, calming myself from the entire mishap.

“Is he dead?” I asked her with my eyes wide and she just shrugged, not daunted by the fact that she had just probably killed a man.

“I don’t bother to torture such shameless people and waste my time.” She came ahead, glancing at the body on the floor and then her eyes met my stunned ones and they changed to a smile. “Hello, my name is Ani. I’m Alpha Richard’s daughter from Night Moon Pack.” She extended her arm to shake.

I shook her arm and she guided me out of the kitchen, away from the body. I was a little better but still, my heart was clenching and thumping.

“I’m Valentina,” I introduced myself, still a bit dazed. Before I could say anything, I was hurled away from an unfazed Ani to a very furious-looking Alpha Vincent.

“What happened, Val? You called for help?” He asked in a rushed tone. Tears pricked in my eyes and I cried. Vincent hugged me, not caring if I would ruin his suit and I was glad because I needed his warmth and my brother’s protection.

“Arthur…he tried to force himself on me,” I muttered, still crying. Alpha Vincent caressed my hair and looked around, supposedly trying to find Arthur.

“Where the hell is that bastard who tried to hurt my sister?!” He yelled and was rushing to find him, but I held his hand.

“Ani killed him,” I said and pointed towards the young woman who was witnessing the scene. Alpha Vincent suddenly lost all his anger and just looked at Ani, who reciprocated the same look.

“Mate.” They muttered in unison and I wiped my tears. He walked towards her and I could see the excitement in his eyes. He had finally found his mate.

“Thank you for saving Val. I could’ve killed that man after a little torture but I think now that you’ve done the job, I’ll use that time to spend it with you.” Alpha Vincent flirted with Ani, no, Luna Ani. She smiled.

“You are lucky. I was leaving the party when I saw this scene and came to help. If not for her, I would not have met you today.” She told him and he gasped.

“I told you I had a feeling that you'd find your mate,” I told him, trying to let go of what happened now and set in the new information that my brother had finally found his mate.

“Was Little Val ever wrong?” He teased me and ruffled my hair. I glared up at him and scoffed. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed my face. I pulled it from him and wiped my face myself.

“You now have a mate. Stop bothering me.” I told him, doing my hair properly, and he chuckled.

“If she is your sister, then why is she in the kitchen?” Luna Ani asked and we both looked at her with helpless expressions on our faces.

“She is not my blood-related sister. My father found her by the borders when I was three years old.” He told her straight to the point. Mates should never lie to each other, so it was the only way to answer that. Luna Ani nodded.

“If you don’t mind, I would like her to be my personal maid. I don’t want anyone apart from her being with me.” She announced, and I looked up at her.

“What do you mean?” Alpha Vincent asked, a bit perplexed and also a bit anticipating the kind of news we both were thinking this was.

“She’ll only be doing what I ask of her, no one else can command her to do anything.” She explained straightforwardly. I smiled at her, knowing she was protecting me.