A Deal with the Alpha Who Hates Me

Astrid's POV'

Weeks have passed. I'm learning to adjust to this place—my new home. Even that word leaves a bitter taste on my lips. I won't lie. The pack members treat me worse than an omega. I'm more of a slave to them, following orders with a mere nod of my head. But with time, I've gotten used to it. Refusing or arguing would mean them ganging up on me, beating me verbally, or worse—complaining to Kael. And I'm not ready to test his dark side again. Not again.

If anything, I've been avoiding him since the council meeting two weeks ago. And I've been successful. He's walked past me a few times, and I've seen him from a distance, but he doesn't acknowledge my presence. It's like I've become invisible to him. Not that I mind. It's better this way—safe from those eyes that look at me with nothing but hate and detest.

During this time, I've explored the pack. It's one of the biggest in the world. I was surprised to find it has 65 hospitals, 92 schools, 200,000 pack houses, and a population of 1.2 million. It's huge. And I haven't even seen 1 percent of it. Assigned to only the Royal Castle, I long to explore other places. I don't want to spend the rest of my life imprisoned within four walls like I was in my father's pack. I want to explore, meet people, and see places.

I've also heard there's a hill station 50 miles from the castle. I want to see snow. I've only seen it in pictures. I wonder how those soft puffs feel when you touch them? Most importantly, I want to fulfill my life purpose—to heal. Maybe I could request Kael to shift me to an animal hospital. The kitchen isn't my niche anyway. The maids are already tired of me burning something every other day. I'll talk to him soon. Yes, I'll catch him in a good mood and put forward my request. If anything, he should be happy. He won't have to see my face every day. I'll live in his pack, and we can both live our separate, independent lives.

Finishing washing the last utensil, I sigh and look up at the wall clock. It's late—an hour past midnight. My shift starts at 6 a.m. tomorrow. My stomach rumbles in protest, and I bite my lip, staring at an apple. We're not allowed to eat anything except our given food. The buffet for maids is between 10 and 11 p.m., and clearly, I've missed it. Looking back to make sure no one's around, I pick up the apple and chomp on it. Hurrying, I clean my lips of its juices and finish it in barely a minute. 'Yes, I'm stealing food, but it's not like anyone saw me. Plus, I at least deserve this for working all day.'

Tired, I walk up the stairs to my room in the attic. I'm so exhausted, I just want to crash on the mattress. Pushing open the door, I step in, only to find a piece of paper under my foot. Strange. A letter? Could it be from my parents? Mom? My brothers? Excitement fills me, and I rip open the envelope, but the words staring back at me make me freeze. Dread hits me like a tidal wave.

'"Luck was on your side that day, Princess. But it won't be every time. Be prepared."'

My fingers tremble as I hold the paper, remembering the nickname. 'He's the same person who tried to kill me.' No. How did he reach here? I feel someone's presence behind me, and every hair on my body rises in fear. Goosebumps trail my arms. 'No. Please!' I turn around to find nothing. My heartbeat drums in my ears. 'Who… who is there?' I stutter, approaching the door. To my surprise, no one's there.

Clenching the doorknob, I hurriedly slam the door shut and bolt it. Pressing my back against the door, I lean down to hug my knees. 'Moon Goddess, why is this happening? Who is this man? Why does he want to kill me?' If that wasn't enough, suddenly the light in the room flickers off, and a scream escapes my lips. 'No. I can't let him know I'm scared.' Pressing my palms into my mouth, I stifle my cries.

Minutes pass, and nothing happens. Then, through the light entering the room from under the door, I see a silhouette—a man's silhouette. He's standing there, not moving, with only a door between us. Neither of us says anything. I expect him to bang on the door, break it off its hinges, but he just stands there.

"Who… who are you? Why… why do you want to kill me?" I scream from inside, done with this fear, but I get no response. The brave side of me wants to face him, not cower like this. But I have to be practical. He was right—I survived earlier, but I won't be that lucky next time. "Tell me!" Again, nothing.

Trying to control my hiccups, I stare down to see the silhouette moving away. 'He's leaving?' I continue to stare, but there's no shadow anymore. Crumbling into a ball in the corner of the room, my eyes don't even blink as I keep looking at the light under the door. Minutes pass. An hour passes. Nothing.

'No. I can't stay here. I'm not safe here. I have to leave this room. He can return anytime.' Gathering the little courage left in me, I prepare for a run. Dom's room is one floor below. I just have to go down the stairs and take the second left. I'll be safe with him. I don't give two fucks about Kael's threat. I have to live.

Swallowing hard, I unlock the door softly and then break into a blind sprint, not looking at anything except what's in front of me. My heart thrashes in my chest. With every step, I feel like someone's following me, but I don't have the guts to turn around and see. 'A few more steps. Hold on. Yes! I'm close. Very close.'

Reaching the door, I push it open—thankfully, it's unlocked. Rushing in, I'm so busy looking back that I trip over the carpet, and the next thing I know, I'm falling forward. My body slams against a naked, packed chest, and before I can think, I wrap my arms around him. 'Safe. I'm safe.'

"Thank goodness I found you. Thank goodness," I whisper, clinging to him. His body is warm, a complete contrast to my freezing, scared one—just like that night in the forest. Tightening my grip on him, I can finally breathe. 'I'm alive. No one can harm me. He won't come here.'

I don't know how long I stay like that, clinging to his torso like my life depends on it, until I realize his hands are clenched at his sides. He… he isn't touching me. 'No. Wait a second. Dom doesn't have a tattoo on his forearm. Nor does he have such veiny…'

My eyes snap up, and my blood crystallizes. 'No, fuck!' The devil stares down at me, his brows furrowed, and I let go of him, moving back like I've been electrocuted by a live wire.

"Al… Alpha?" 'Fuck! I'm gone.' Even before that killer gets me, I guess my own mate is going to kill me now. 'Second door to the right. Second. And in my hurry, I must've entered the first—right into the devil's lair.'