The Royal Alpha King's Mystical Surrogate

Chapter Four

RAYLEIGH

**

As I conceded that I was locked inside, I sighed. I glanced at my phone a few times and decided it would be best to set an early morning alarm and call someone for help. That should be the best solution instead of disturbing them at night and interrupting their peaceful sleep.

I had tidied it well so it had become spacious and okay to sleep in. I removed the light blankets that were kept there for reuse and laid them down. There were only two of them so I put one down and covered myself with the other one. It was better than nothing.

Pearl – “You have a way of being stupid.” Pearl made a snide comment but I just kept quiet. I didn’t have it in me to go ahead and fight with her at that time.

Rayleigh – “When are you going to learn about not troubling people?” I asked her and she just scoffed at me in response. I can’t believe Pearl was a part of me. She took away all the dominating features from me and instilled them in her. The contradiction between the two of us was very clear.

Pearl – “Asking for help and troubling someone surely has some difference, Rayleigh.” She retorted and I had to agree she was right.

Rayleigh – “I know. All I want from here is money. Not asking for help or troubling anyone. Just one little thing.” I told her and she became quiet. She knew why I lived life the way I lived. I didn’t have an alternative apart from that.

Pearl – “Just got to sleep now. I’m tired because of you.” She muttered and went to the back of my mind. I smiled because she was the only one in the entire world who cared for me, regardless of the way I treated her. I felt blessed to have her in my life even though we had other tons of things which were daunting.

Rayleigh – “Yes, Pearl. I’ll rest for you.” I smiled and then just closed my eyes, allowing my body to retreat into the darkness where it was fulfilling its needs for relaxation and healing for work the next day.

**

I felt a sudden cold breeze pass and a shiver ran down my spine. I wondered how it had gotten so chilly all of a sudden, but also there was a lot of warmth surrounding me. I could smell a peculiar scent that was filling my senses.

Before I could open my eyes, a strong voice boomed in the room. “What kind of treatment is this, Alpha Leo?” The strong voice made me jerk.

My eyes fluttered open in a second and any remnants of sleep evaporated from my system. My eyes landed on a big man who seemed to have furiousness engraved on his face. I quickly sat up and continued looking at the brown eyes that appeared like they were on fire.

I couldn't help but notice the firm build of muscles and the mop of dark brown hair gelled on his head, making him appear strict and intimidating. He had a sharp jaw, just like his sharp nose. There wasn't any part of him that gave the vibe of him being soft.

“I’m sure there is some misunderstanding.” Alpha Leo’s voice made me realize that there were other people in the room except for the big man. “What are you doing here, Rayleigh? Explain.” Alpha Leo demanded and I stood up, bowing down to him.

“Do not threaten here.” The man warned and Alpha Leo cowered back in resignation. Somehow my brain started to function and started to piece the puzzle together.

Was he the Alpha King here for inspection?

“Rayleigh, tell me.” The big man ordered, and I looked up at him. His enraged voice somehow was making me melt in the fire. Also, my name from his mouth was enchanting to me. I didn't have time to grovel at such thoughts.

“Actually, I was on cleaning duty. Because of the wind last night, I ended up locking myself in here and had to spend a night here. It was too late to summon someone for help. I was to call someone for help early in the morning but I guess it is too early yet.” I explained to them in blabber and he scanned me as if he could tell if what I said was a truth or a lie.

“That is all? Any hidden things?” He asked and I shook my head frantically. I didn’t want to say anything apart from that or complain about anyone. I'll be the one to suffer when the Alpha King departs.

“Yes. That was all.” I affirmed him once again and he hummed.

“I told you, didn’t I, Alpha Royal? It was just a misunderstanding.” Alpha Leo explained further, and the Alpha King’s face turned straight again. His eyes were blank and appeared like they hadn’t gone through any emotion in the past minute.

“Next time, inform someone.” He suggested to me in a cold tone, and I nodded slowly. He was scary, with the way he talked and the way his eyes were so expressive and lifeless at the same time. I could only imagine accompanying him for a day and living my soul from my body because of fear.

“Yes, Alpha,” I affirmed, and he nodded.

“Alpha, we should have breakfast.” A woman from behind said and I noticed how beautiful she was. She was an inch or two shorter than me but she towered over the other people in the room. Striking blue eyes and firm blonde hair tied in a sleek ponytail. Her lips were dabbed in bold maroon lipstick.

“Yes. That would be the best.” Alpha Leo urged at the word.

“Okay,” Alpha King answered.

“Rayleigh, get back to your duties.” Alpha Leo ordered, and I bowed down to all of them. “Let me guide you to breakfast.” He said to the most authoritative man next to him. I stood up straight and my eyes came in contact with the brown eyes that were looking at me and then they looked away.

Only after a few moments, I regained my whole self and let out a shaky breath. A hand on my heart was soothing me that my heart was still beating. I sucked in a few deep breaths and then let out a sigh.

My phone rang and I looked at it to see what it was. It was the alarm I had set at supposedly 5.00 a.m. but it was blaring at 6.00 a.m. This was what was supposed to wake me up, not an Alpha King.

Oh, stupid alarm.

**

After the entire mishap, I rushed to my quarters and quickly took a shower, washing my hair in the process. It was past 6.00 a.m. already when I woke up and it was later than I usually started my day. So, I had to do my breakfast duties.

And by the looks of it, I had been missing a lot of tasks because he was already guided towards breakfast, meaning, it was already being prepared.

I dashed to the kitchen at Vampire speed in a Werewolf's body. I couldn’t afford to get scolded when the Alpha King was here. Already he thought I was irresponsible and then he would completely have a wrong idea about me.

When I reached the kitchen, there was a harmony of people making tasks complete. I didn’t know where to go or what to do, but luckily and unfortunately, a pair of angry blue eyes found me.

My thoughts went back to the woman with the Alpha and her blue eyes. Roxy’s blue eyes were more comforting than the other woman’s big electric blue eyes.

“Where have you been, Rayleigh? You are getting more and more irresponsible with each passing day. Do you want me to throw you on the ‘all-tasks’ maid list?!” Roxy scolded me loudly, probably making every ant and every fly in the room know that I was at fault, which I honestly wasn’t.

“I apologize, Roxy. I happened to be locked in the store room. Just came out now and quickly sprinted here.” I explained to her and her gaze softened to a milli-fraction.

“You slept in there?” She questioned and I nodded in agreement. “You really have a death wish! I’m just glad that the Alpha King didn’t see you or…” She continued scolding me.

“He was the one who let me out.” I intervened and her eyes widened in surprise.

“Stop stressing me more than I already am, Rayleigh! I’ll have a nice chat about this with you, but not right now. Quickly, get moving.” She told me and quickly whirled around talking and getting updates from other maids.

I quickly walked towards Crystal and she gave me a wide-eyed look. She looked here and there before meeting my grey eyes.

“You will literally have your photo put up on the front page of the Werewolf magazine edition. That kind of thing you’ve achieved today.” She commented with the utmost sincerity and I sighed.

“It just transpired that way. I didn’t want to do anything of that kind.” I explained to her and she just chuckled.

“Start working first or there will be a different kind of news printed under the picture,” Crystal remarked with a teasing face and hinted to me to look back. I spun my face to look behind and Roxy was looking at me as if throwing daggers with her eyes.

I didn’t want to have a piece of sad news under my picture if it was only going to come on it once.

“I had better start,” I affirmed, and then took over whatever task I could, helping everyone one after the other.

**

Once the breakfast was done, which was prepared just for the Alpha King and his people, to make it quicker, was finally done. I was starting to accumulate fruits and vegetables for the breakfast prepared for the pack.

Crystal and Giselle were chosen to carry the breakfast to the table. The other maids were also asked to set the table quickly, while I was specially asked not to leave the kitchen. Gladly. I was happy that I didn’t have to face the Alpha King again because I couldn’t dare to look at him again. He had a very constricted personality.

“I’m taking the bread,” Giselle said, picking up the neatly cut and plated bread toast. She gave me an evil eye before walking out.

“If not for her face, she wouldn’t have anything.” Crystal cursed behind Giselle’s back while removing her apron.

“Crystal, don’t curse others. It’s bad for your health.” I told her and she nodded. She usually had this side where she couldn’t stop talking or ranting about people’s behaviour. It sure appeared like what an old lady who was tired of life and people would do, but Crystal, being full of life, enjoyed that somehow.

“That’s true. Why waste my life on b-i-t-c-h-e-s like her, anyway.” Crystal asserted, setting her hair. “Good thing that her face has some use for pleasing people, otherwise her brain was as good as a fish.” She commented and I laughed. I didn’t want to continue this or we'd be scolded by Roxy for being tardy.

“Crystal, do carry the sausages at the end. It wouldn’t taste best if it was cold.” I told her when she was picking up the plate filled with grilled sausages.

“Good thing you told me. I was just so nervous that I couldn’t think that much.” She said and I smiled at her. “I’ll carry the salad first, then.” She told me and picked up the other plate and walked away.

Giselle walked in and purposefully bumped into my shoulder hard.

“Sorry, didn’t see you there, just like when I didn’t see you in the store room or like when your door got locked unfortunately.” She told me and my eyes widened. She had locked me in the store room.

Pearl – “This pile of bones and flesh is a waste heap!” Pearl yelled, enraged. I felt angry, too. Because of her, I was spotted and yelled at for causing the ruckus.

“I pity your wish to always put people down. Please continue, since the Alpha King must be waiting for his breakfast.” I told her and she narrowed her eyes at me before taking the bowl with her.

Pearl – “Really want to tear her apart someday.” Pearl still cursed.

Rayleigh – “Cursing others is a waste of our life, Pearl. Didn’t you hear while I was explaining the same to Crystal?” I scolded her and she scoffed. She blew a raspberry in my head and she swooshed away. I chuckled but decided to continue.

I washed the fruits and vegetables and kept them in the basket to dry out a bit. By that time, Noel came in and took the vegetables to cut them for the soup. The fruits were taken by Rosa to make juices and few were left to just be cut and eaten, which was my task.

Crystal came in and picked up the sausages and then was walking ahead. Suddenly, she almost slipped on something, causing her to lose her balance, but she quickly caught hold of herself. I dashed to her, grabbing the plate from her hands and keeping it aside.

“Are you alright, Crystal?” I asked and she groaned in pain. I could only get her to rest on the countertop since we were in the kitchen.

“I think I sprained my ankle.” She told me. “I don’t think I can walk right now.” She whimpered in pain and I didn’t understand what to do. I bent down to look at her feet and touched it which resulted in another groan from Crytal. She was in so much pain.

“Crystal?! Where are the sausages? What are…” Roxy’s voice boomed as she entered the kitchen and her eyes fell on Crystal. “What happened?” She asked, studying the situation.

“Crystal twisted her ankle,” I answered and Roxy gasped. “I don’t think she can walk.” I continued to tell her the obvious.

“Oh, no! You guys have the pact to make me keep worried.” Roxy yelled, looking at the pair of us. “Rayleigh, pick that plate up and make your way out. If I hear one word, I’ll slice you alive.” She was as serious as a snake bite. Well, she could really bite me like a snake and kill me with all that anger.

“I’ll take it out,” I answered, and let go of Crystal’s arm. I quickly picked up the plate and, with shaky legs, I made my way out toward the dining table where the Alpha King was present.

All I prayed and wished for was to not create another ruckus that would cause me to stumble upon my grave of death.