Alpha Of Darkness And The Half-Breed Healer

NIA’S POV

It felt like a dream when somebody dumped a whole bucket of water on me. My body went into paralysis mode as the cold bit deep into my skin.

“Get up, you lazy fag!” My demon-possessed roommate yelled at me. My eyes were still closed, but I could hear giggles behind her. It’s no doubt the maids from the other room.

It has been my routine for the past two weeks since I started working as a maid. I have no idea how the rumors spread to the entire pack house, but everyone now knows that I am a half-breed. Everyone thinks it’s intriguing to poke fun at me. It’s also sad that I can’t retaliate. There isn’t much work around here since they have enough hands.

However, the other maids make it a point of duty to make my life as miserable as it can get. I get assigned so many tasks that I miss my daily meal. They also won’t let me have a good sleep. One would think I am in debt to them for the hatred to be this much. Sniffing, I sat up, gently shivering hard.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked amidst clashing teeth.

Erma, so they call her. She has a snail-like face and lets out a stiff snort. “This is what you get for being a different kind of monster. Someone like you doesn’t deserve to be amongst us. I wonder what Alpha Gael thought when he allowed you to stay here.”

“Can I at least get to work now?” I said, pushing myself up.

Nothing came from her, but each person practically shoved me on the way. These ladies are the perfect example of mean girls. They take pure delight in messing around with people. I wanted to feel sorry for myself at first for thinking I was the only one getting the cold treatment. However, other meek maids are going through the same issue. It gave me the courage to get along every day while hoping that they would stay away from me with time.

It’s a known fact now that my entire life would end here. I either get busy living or get busy dying. The former is what I want to hold onto the most. The goddess doesn’t do things without a reason. Even though, if I am being sincere, I don’t see why she should take my parents away from me. At the same time, what do I know?

I made my way to the maid’s changing room and got myself another dry dress while throwing the wet one in the washing machine. I had almost thought the maids here would work in an archaic mode. However, everyone here has it easier than I did at the Hayes home. If I can get the bullies off my back, I will try to find something to do to plan my future.

Judging by the yearly payment of each maid, it would take me precisely three and a half years to pay the Alpha back. I am willing to put in more work and get something to do for myself. As soon as my time is up, I will move far away from here to where I belong among the humans. It might be hard to survive there, but I trust myself to be adaptive and cope with time.

I am to clean the last-floor hallway. Since Alpha Gael was evident in his instruction for me not to show my face to him, I found a spot where he wouldn’t pass by. At one point, I almost thought I had a sore on my face. When I checked, my face remained just as smooth as always. Kingston would always remind me of how beautiful I am, and it’s the only reason Mindy hates me. I want to think the maids feel threatened by my looks; a giggle escaped my lips as I mopped the floor.

“Do you still have the strength to smile?” One maid with the most intimidating body frame came at me. She is different from the people I share my room space with. I learned she has been here since childhood but has refused to grow up and act the most mature. She is part of the head maids and occupies a different floor from the general maids. However, she keeps coming at me like we have some unfinished business from the past.

I bowed my head as a form of respect, not because I was so scared of her. People like them are just as insecure as I am. But they are cowards who delight in making other people’s lives miserable. “Not at all, ma’am.”

“You dumb head. You must think yourself to be special.” She spat bitterly, pushing my head.

Her touch was so strong it had me staggering against the wall. Out of nowhere, she landed two hard slaps on my back. I gasped in pain, hiding my face in the wall.

“What’s going on here?” A masculine voice bickered.

I peeked from my palm to see who it was. The figure looks very handsome and well-fed, and with the attire, the person is undoubtedly an essential personnel in the packhouse. I didn’t move much from my spot as the bully gave out her response while stuttering, and I heard her footsteps getting fainter.

“Get back to work!” He ordered, walking away.

I didn’t move until I was sure no one else was standing there with me. Letting out a long breath I didn’t realize I was holding, I hastened up with my chores and ran to the garden that serves as my place of solace. The beautiful flowers and fruit trees in the space calm whatever storm I might be experiencing inside of me. It’s almost like the people around here are blind to it. Sometimes, I spend the rest of my evening hidden from my bullies. I was enjoying the fruits the garden offers that are so juicy.

Taking a deep breath, I leaned against the orange tree, thinking of my family. They are the only people I have grown to know for over a decade. As bitter as they were, I loved each of them deeply. I wonder if they miss me sometimes. Especially Kingston, knowing how attached he was to me.

Someone cleared his throat over me, causing me to look up. It was a guard, and it scared me that he probably intended to oust me from her space.

“I almost missed you. Your brother wants to speak to you.” He said, stretching out his phone to me. I stared in confusion at him. He huffed. “Your brother, Kingston. I am his friend. You don’t need to know my name; I have no intention of associating myself with you. But he is too much of a good friend to refuse his request. He would call you back in a second. I will be waiting by the apple tree there; let me know when it’s over.”

Taking his phone, I gulped hard, waiting for the call. It rang loudly, making me jolt in shock. Tears rolled down my face when I answered, and Kingston’s voice came alive.

“Hey, pumpkin.” He cooed in his warm voice.

It wrapped around me with so much love and comfort. “Kingston.”

“Do you want to be surprised?”

“What do you mean?”

“Go give the phone to Darien. He will take you somewhere.”

Without questioning him, I went to meet the guard. “He said you should bring me somewhere.”

Darien rolled his eyes like he was being frustrated. “What have I done to myself?” He groaned, leading the way. Like a meek mouse, I followed suit.

Darien kept leading me deeper into the woods, and I was beginning to get bothered. I hope it isn’t the bullies playing a fast one on me and pretending to be my favorite brother. It’s something they can do. At the same time, I fervently hope that it’s my brother. I will give anything to see him right now.

After what felt like a forever walk, Darien abruptly stopped in the woods. And he whistled loudly.

Like a movie scene, Kingston ran towards me, lifting me off the ground. It took me a long minute to get a hang of what was happening. His familiar cologne hit my nose, and tears rushed to my eyes. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, crying profusely.

“Hey, stop crying, pumpkin. Please.” He comforted me, caressing my back.

Darien cleared his throat, eyeballing us. “I believe you know your way back. I need to leave now.” He said.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Kingston released me and exchanged a hug with Darien. “Thanks so much, man. I owe you a lot.”

“Don’t ever give me this sort of task ever again. I mean it.” He warned, leaving.

I stared at his backside, wondering why he was so stiff. Kingston’s chuckle got my attention again.

“He isn’t usually like this. I can assure you he is good at heart.”

I sighed, “Well, I can’t complain. At least your friend brought me to you. I have missed you so much, Kingston.” I sniffed back my tears, leaning into him.

“Hey, stop crying, mama.” He consoled me.

We stood for a few minutes, immersing ourselves in the comforting silence. “Come, let’s sit.” He said, guiding me towards a large stone.

“Thank you.” I said to him, “I didn’t think we would get to see each other ever again.”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t show up on time. Our parents have been keen on keeping a close eye on us for the past few days. I would have been able to contact you if you had a phone. Before we get on with it, here you go. Be sure to keep it close to you always.” He said, handing me a phone.

“Thank you, Kingston. I appreciate this.”

Kingston smiled, caressing my hair. “Tell me, how has it been? You look like someone who hasn’t slept well in forever.”

I shook my head, putting up a fake smile. I don’t want him to get worried about me. “I am getting enough sleep. I guess it’s been a while since you last saw me.”

“Don’t try to lie to me, Nia. I know you too well, and I can tell when you lie to me.”

Tears laced my eyes heavily as the emotions mounted. I inhaled deeply. “It’s been tough, Kingston. I get bullied every day, and I am almost growing used to it. I wish my life were different from this. Maybe I should have run off earlier when I had the chance and not stand on a hopeless wish of meeting my mate. My life has nothing to write home about.”

“Don’t say that. You are a blessing to me, Nia. And I am so sorry you had to endure so much to survive. I know my parents and siblings haven’t been the best of people to you. But I promise to cover up for every bit of that. I will take you out of here by all means.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“Getting the money to pay him back.”

“You don’t have to worry yourself, Kingston. In three years and a few months, I would be out of here. It’s just a matter of time.”

“No, you can’t waste your life in this corner and keep cleaning up people’s dirt. I will do all it takes to take you out of here. I plan on moving soon, but I don’t intend to do so alone. You are coming with me. I thought we would make it out of the Sunset pack before this year runs out. But I don’t have enough; I just got promoted at work.”

My heart fluttered at his sincere thoughts towards me. “How do I thank you for loving me this much?”

“You don’t need to thank me. I have watched you grow, Nia. I have seen how much you had to endure, but still, you never let it take your smile away. It’s so beautiful to see. I don’t want to ever be absent in your life. Whenever you need me, I am only a phone call away. I wish you were able to run that night. I would have found you.”

“Probably this is what fate wants.”

“Sometimes you have to decide your destiny and change it as much as you want. This time, right now is our chance to change your story. I won’t let go of you ever; keep that in mind.”

My face was expressive enough as my words hung in my throat. I wrapped my arms around Kingston’s waist, hugging him tightly. “Thank you so much for being amazing.”

He laughed, “You have thanked me about a hundred times now. Thank you, too. I’m sorry I didn’t bring in any snacks for you. Darien insisted that I come empty-handed to avoid getting any unwanted attention.”

“But other maids receive visitors; am I not allowed one?” I asked the question like he would know.

“Don’t mind, Darien; he is just being too careful. I am sure there are visiting hours. You don’t need to bother yourself as regards that. I will find out the times and come then. It would be best if you didn’t get into trouble. But be sure to keep the phone near you every time.”

“I will do that.” I was assured.

“I need to go now. We have spent more than thirty minutes here.” I nodded in agreement, “one of the head maids might be searching for me now. I should go back, too. I love you so much, Kingston. Thanks for coming through.”

A flash of a strange emotion crossed his face, and I didn’t get to decipher it because he was quick to mask it with a bright smile. “Anytime, pumpkin. I will see you some other time.” He said, kissing my forehead. Like a flash, he ran further into the woods, and his silhouette was nowhere to be found.

I felt empty all at once but comforted simultaneously, knowing he would come back as promised. I guess I was just being paranoid for nothing. I do have Kingston, whose love is enough for me. I have been able to hold on this long because of him. His presence has given me more courage to pull through, which is what I would do. Like an excited child, I jogged through the woods back to the packhouse. I will be sure to have a good night’s sleep by the end of the day.