Mortal Queen of Wolves

Chapter 2

Three years later

It has been three years since I started at the Mayweather Palace; I work every day nonstop. I have not once asked for time off since the tragedy of losing my mother two years ago. The palace paid for all my mother’s medical bills and we got her the treatment she was needed, but it was too late she passed only months after receiving her first treatment. The royal family also paid for my mother’s funeral expenses. I am so thankful for their hospitality.

Some days I think about why I am even here, though. What is my purpose? Only to serve noble people.

The Palace staff have been exceptionally good to me. I thank the Lord for them every day because this place has become my home since I no longer have a family to share one with.

I am now the lead maid for all of Mayweather. I have watched many maids and footmen leave over the past three years, but I have yet to make any friends except for the princess. She is so sweet and has always been there when I needed someone to talk to. I know we are not to befriend the royal family, but Aviana has been a genuine friend to me when all I had left was myself.

“Farrah!!” Nigel yells from across the laundry room. I spin to see his face flushed red. He walks towards me with an unreadable expression.

“Yes, Sir?” I ask kindly, as I am not sure why he seems so frustrated.

Nigel stops when he is inches away from me. “We must get the West wing ready for the return of the Prince he will be here tomorrow, and we must make sure it is to his liking,” He announces handing me a list of things that are to be done.

I nod. “Yes Sir, right away” I chirp, leaving the folding table and rushing for the west wing at once.

Taking the stairs rapidly, passing other staff members, and as I come around the corner, I see Aviana with her parents. I must act like we do not know each other personally. I bow to the royal couple, then hurry past.

“Oh, maid please wait,” The Luna Queen says stopping me in my tracks.

I slowly turn to face her once more. “Yes, Luna Queen, how may I assist you?” I ask with a smile, never making eye contact as it is rude to stare at the royals.

I have never understood why we call her Luna Queen. I guess cause in a pack the Queen is called Luna, so it makes sense, but these royal people take their nobility so seriously. It is not like they are wolves. I think to myself and giggle a bit, not realizing the Luna Queen and Alpha King are staring straight at me.

They narrow their eyes at me. I dart mine around awkwardly. “I’m sorry for my outburst” apologizing and bowing in respect.

The Luna Queen Smiles. “It’s quite all right, dear,” She snickers a bit. “I know you have been here at the Palace for some time now and have proven yourself as a hard worker I would like to give you a new task,” She says almost looking sad.

“Of course, Luna Queen, anything you need” I declare standing with pride in getting praise from the nobles.

She smiles brightly at my dedication to the family. “My son the Prince will return tomorrow It has been eight long years since we have all been together,” She tells me as her eyes water. I keep my eyes down not to make her feel bad for her emotional moment.

She recomposes herself and continues. “We are throwing him a welcome home party I would like you to work the event and to be my son’s maid from here on out. You will only attend to his needs. I will let Nigel know of this myself.” She beams at me.

“Yes, Luna Queen as you wish” I respond with a gracious smile in return.

The Luna Queen comes closer to me so only she and I can hear what she is about to say. She places her hand on my shoulder. “My son needs someone like you to help him get through some hard times,” She says rubbing my shoulder as if she is thanking me. “Carry on my dear” She adds, and I bow, leaving to the West wing quickly.

As I am walking down the hall, I think to myself. Why me? I am nothing special how am I supposed to help the Prince when I couldn’t even help my mother. I sigh at the thought of her.

Entering the room, it is dark and cold. I turn on the lights and let out a heavy sigh. “This is going to take all day” I mutter aloud. But I quickly get to work dusting shelves and changing the sheet along with a new comforter. I light the fireplace to help get it warm and ready for the Prince when I hear the creak of the floor. I spin around, and I am faced to face with a large masculine frame that towers over me. My eyes go wide with fear.

I try to scream, but he quickly covers my mouth. “Shh,” he says putting his finger to his lips. I swallow hard as I am terrified, but I narrow my eyes in confusion because this man looks familiar. He removes his hand.

I stare blankly at him. His chocolate brown eyes stare back at me. It is him, but he looks so different from the photo I saw three years ago. This must be why they have no new photos of him. He is no longer a smiling young man he is now a troubled man who looks as if he has had the weight of the world on his shoulders. His face is not clean-shaven it now displays a beard. His body from the photo showed no ink on him, and now he is covered in colorful art pieces from dog tags to beautiful dragons with war swords.

I shake my head out of my trance and bow immediately, but he pulls me up from my curtsy. “Please don’t” He sneers.

I am taken back by his defensive demeanor. “Of course, Your Highness” I reply, removing my eyes quickly.

He growls at my response. “Don’t call me that!” He shouts startling me causing me to lose my footing and falling back over a coffee table, but to my surprise, he catches me swiftly.

As he holds onto me, I feel my cheeks flush. His powerful arms hold me with ease. I look around nervously and he places me on my feet again. “I am sorry I scared you, I just don’t like all these noble names.” He rubs the back of his neck. “My name is Dax, please call me that” He states with his gaze still on me.

“Yes, as you wish, but in front of your family, I will have to call you by your noble name, or your family could fire me, and I have been with the Palace for three years I cannot lose this job. It’s what keeps me sane,” I plead with him and I see his expression change to understanding. I take a deep breath. “If you don’t mind me asking. You are not set to arrive until tomorrow why the early show?” I ask curiously.

Dax lifts his brow. I realize I have overstepped. “I am so sorry that is none of my business” I add bowing one last time then returning to my cleaning duties.

“Miss?” Dax calls.

I face him again. “Yes, is there something you need, Sir” I answer, and he frowns. “I’m sorry it is a habit” I respond with an expression of guilt.

“It’s fine, I wanted to ask your name?” He says looking me over.

“It’s just maid I don’t think it would please the Queen if you called me by my name” I declare with a small smile, bowing my head as I leave the room to take the sheets to the laundry.

Once I leave the room, relief washes over me and I take a deep breath that I must’ve been holding in way too long. He seems so troubled I wonder if it is the war that has caused this? I ramble about in my head as I take the stairs towards the staff quarters with a feeling I can’t quite grasp.