Chapter 7: A Friend.

E M B E R

I halt once I reach the first floor and immediately drop the bucket next to my leg as I stare down at the black bellies before I clench my fists and grit.

Ugh!

I fling the cloth away so that it grazes my skin, and I watch it land on the floor.

In utter annoyance, I look up and run my hand through my hair as I grumble, "Seriously, what the heck! I need to get out of here soon—" but I pause right after hearing light footsteps somewhere around the corner.

I press my lips and narrow my eyes to look out for the intruder; ironic.

Come on, my powers. You have got to heal faster. What's taking so long?

I roll my eyes and huff, glancing at the bucket.

With a low groan escaping my lips, I reluctantly pick it up again. "Let's just get this shit over with for now."

Once I dust, wipe and clean the velvety red carpet, the dark-coloured walls, the cabinets, the pictures of random picturesque sceneries, flower fields and whatnot, I don't realize how many hours I have been doing until there is a loud crash!

I halt in my actions and blink, turning and looking only at a woman with long wavy platinum blonde hair, of short stature and in a simmer backless top, and hot pink flared trousers, perfectly fitting her curvy body.

Compared to me, she is definitely hotter.

Oh, please! You're hotter and so much prettier than anyone else, Ember.

I smirk and roll my eyes.

Ha, thanks, Rayne!

Especially her. I laugh under my breath until I notice the broken glass and wet stains. I frown. "What the heck!"

The woman looks at me after noticing what she did and then shamelessly tilts her head and peeks her tongue out, "Oops, Jenna says sorry!" the tone of her voice doesn't sound apologetic at all, more condescending and arrogant, and isn't it just annoying when someone speaks about themselves in the third person?

I lean back and scowl, "Sorry? Is that even sufficient? I don't think so." she giggles which makes my frown deepen, and I cross my arms. "I just fucking cleaned this floor up—" she looks around and then back at me with her eyebrow raised, and her smile remains intact. "You call this clean? Jenna doesn't think this is clean."

I narrow my eyes, and Rayne growls.

"Excuse me?" I raise my eyebrow and then scoff, "I have been cleaning for I don't know how long, and you dare to prance around and ruin—" her demeanour changes as she straightens up and places a hand on her hip. "What did you say to Jenna?" in a moment of silence, she gives me a once-over in disgust and then steps up, clearing her throat, "You are a maid."

Trying to maintain a cold, killer look, in vain, she shoves a finger on my shoulder and snaps, "You are a mere fucking maid, and you dared to ask Jenna; how dare I?" she shoves me once, twice and then yells, "How fucking dare you!" only for me to interrupt with a scoff, taking her by surprise.

"What? Did you just laugh?" she tries to intimidate me and shoves my head to the side. My head bounces a little, but then I roll my eyes to look back at her as the corners of my mouth lift in a smirk.

"So pathetic."

She lets out a little angry cry and glares at me before she grabs me by the collar and pulls me closer as she grits, "Stay in your line, bitch! You are just a mere maid; you are one of the many faceless people who work here, yet you dare to talk back to Jenna." as if she is some VIP.

And her way of talking is seriously really super-duper annoying!

"Huh? How dare you? Huh?" I clench my fist and tighten my jaw to control myself while she keeps trying to poke and intimidate me until we're interrupted by a roar, and a familiar scent blows past my nose, making us briefly forget the stupid woman in front of us.

How many stupid people are there in this so-called ruthless pack now?

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?"

Something inside me twitches, and my heart unwillingly skips a beat when she gasps and turns around. I glance at her shocked face, which changes and then brightens as she bats her eyelashes and calls out, "Oh, there you are... Alpha!"

Rayne narrows her eyes and growls at her.

Yay, our mate is here. He will surely show this foolish girl her place. My wolf prances around in excitement, but I indifferently roll my eyes while she tilts her head and twirls her hair around her finger, continuing, "You came. Jenna missed you a lot, Alpha." wait, what? she leaves me and struts her way toward our mate. She links her arm with his and flirts, "Jenna has been meaning to come to see you—"

Crossing my arms, I turn my head and happen to land my eyes only to find him.

Sebastian.

I let go of my arms and stare at what a good-looking species he is... though his personality sucks! I blink and gape at them. I know I don't care about anything. I don't care who this guy is with or whatever, but I just want someone to tell this Jenna chick to speak properly, yet looking at her clinging onto him makes me feel a strong emotion that seems to be coursing through my veins and I find myself clench my fists. I tighten my jaw. I want to rip her apart from him, but then the moment he looks over at me, everything is forgotten; shivers run down my spine, I feel fluttery in my stomach, and my heart feels like it's going to burst. Help!

"Let's get going, Alpha! I want to see your room—" She pulls him along when Rayne growls. Ugh, shouldn't he suppose to kick her filthy hands off him?

My wolf and I share conflicting views on whether or not to step in, and when Rayne almost makes me, to everybody's surprise here, he yanks her arm and pushes her away while not taking his eyes off me.

Overcoming the shock, I watch the woman stumble in fright, almost losing her balance.

I almost burst into laughter, and my wolf rejoices. Our mate pushed this annoying woman away. Yay!

Her head snaps at her Alpha as she raises her eyebrows and blurts out, "Alpha, Jenna doesn't understand. Jenna always comes to you when you need her." she pouts, and I frown at the statement.

"Not anymore."

Jenna frowns in confusion. "Huh?"

"I believe I don't owe you any explanation, Jenna." OMG, that deep voice! You're going to give me a heart attack! Ahhh!!

"What?"

Exactly what?

"But, Alpha—" she steps up and about to grab his arm when he yanks it away again and grits, "Don't you fucking dare touch me."

He looks over at me and then clears his throat, "Just because I have talked to you a bit nicely two or three times, and you have taken me for granted. Don't forget that I'm the Alpha of the Midnight Hunters, and if I want, I can have your head off for such impertinence."

Jenna gulps and lowers her head in shame.

Yes! Yes, my mate, do show this foolish girl her place.

I subconsciously let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in when our eyes met. The fluttery feeling in my stomach is back, and the shivers down to my toes. My heart has been pounding in my chest, and I have this urge to go over to him to hug him seriously.

What the heck!

It doesn't last long, though.

He calls out quite rudely, "You!"

I frown, and so does Jenna, who straightens up and calls him, "Alpha!"

"What do you think you are doing here?" he asks.

I narrow my eyes. Can't he see? I tilt my head and fake a smile. "I was cleaning until—" I pause to glare at Jenna. Rayne growls in annoyance. I then turn my head to look back at Sebastian, only to frown deeply. Why is he smirking? What is this ominous feeling in my gut? Is he about to do something to humiliate me? Will he — "Jenna!" he calls the annoying woman this time, and I clench my fist hiding in my dress at how he even dared to call someone else in front of me.

Confused yet delighted, Jenna blinks and bats her eyelashes. "Alpha!"

He lifts a hand toward her and glances at me for a brief second as he says to her, "Come here!"

What?

"What are you standing there now? You said you wanted to see my room, didn't you?" his smirk widens as he realizes how much he is pissing me off.

Jenna innocently nods and quietly places a hand on his.

My eye twitches, and I tighten my jaw in irritation.

Without another word, my fucking mate waltzes into his room with his fling. I narrow my eyes and glare when he pops his head out, locks eyes with me and smugly says, "And you, quickly clean this floor. This is not the only floor in this house. I despise laziness."

What the fuck — he heads back and shuts the door right in my face.

Ugh!

I fling the cloth and kick the bucket away as I stand there in humiliation and vex.

"Emmy!"

I cringe at the name and shake off my thoughts as I turn around with a faker smile. "Uh, Ivory?"

She walks toward me with a cheerful smile. "Hey, I am done with the dishes. So what about you? If you are free, we can hang out."

I shrug at her, "Uh, what do you think?"

I notice her gentle brown eyes shift, and a frown appears, and her smile fades away when I scratch my head and grin, "Um, want to help me one more time?"

Ivory blinks and looks over at me, "Well, every person is assigned to clean—"

I gape at her and scoff, "What the heck!? Are you serious? What kind of bully are you working for?"

Ivory leans over and cheekily pokes my nose. "Now you work for him."

I cringe even at the thought and how Rayne is still purring over our mate. I roll my eyes and then turn back to pretend to implore, "Oh, come on, Ivory. Could you not help me out one more time? No one's going to know. Please!?"

Ivory takes her time as if contemplating by tapping her chin and sighing before she straightens up and looks over, clicking her tongue, "Fine! It's not like anyone is going to say anything to me."

I frown and open my mouth to ask her why when she snaps her fingers and takes the cloth from me, "— but you still have to keep an eye in case somebody comes."

"Cross my heart, I swear, I will take full responsibility," I politely nod and smirk. Ivory and I proceed to work, and I realize what a chatterbox this blonde girl is.

Sometime later, I make my way to the barn and gather fodder to feed the cattle. Exhausted and annoyed, I reluctantly work for a few minutes before I walk out, unable to handle the smell, only to collide into a wall — or what I believe was a wall — as a pair of arms caught hold of me by my waist.

I shut my eyes and cling onto the shoulders when the person voices his concern, "Hey, are you okay?"

My eyes flutter open, and he steadily holds me as we lock eyes.

"Clayton?" I blurt out.

The Beta blinks, and his eyes sparkle in recognition as he snaps his fingers and winks, "Bingo!" I raise my eyebrow, and he lets out a laugh.

I then pull myself up with his help and maintain a one-arm distance between us. I tuck a strand behind my ear and murmur, "Thanks."

He leans against the wall and rubs his head, chuckling, "Ha, mention not. I would have done the same if it was someone else."

Oh. I pout.

"But I am glad it was you."

I step back and turn my head at him in confusion.

Huh?

I notice him turn red, and then he clears his throat, "Uh, what I mean is not that you were falling but that I helped you, um, I mean, I wanted to see you and —" unable to hold, I burst out into a laugh and he looks up with a frown. I shake my head and wave my hand. "It's okay! You don't need to be all nervous and explain the basic thing. I understand."

"You do?" he raises his eyebrows expectantly.

I nod and smile. "You like to help everyone because you are a kind person."

"Oh." his face slightly falls, but then he suddenly brightens up and snorts, "Right. Because even a small act of kindness and caring for another person is like a drop of water. It will make waves throughout the pond."

I stare at him for a moment, and my smile widens. "Wow! That was deep."

Embarrassed, he rubs his head and shrugs. "It's nothing."

I smile at his character when he coughs up and asks, "So, what are you up to?"

Suddenly reminded of what I have gone through, I scowl. "Don't ask, please! I'm trying so hard not to lose my shit. What do these people think of me? I am a person, not a robot. They have been giving me tasks since morning, and I have just had it —" that's when I look over only to notice Clayton's expression, which tells me he is trying to stifle his laugh.

I roll my eyes and snap, "Why? Do you want to laugh now at my expense?" He loses control and laughs right away.

I narrow my eyes and scowl.

"Sorry. You look cute ranting."

Cute?

Don't, Ember. Rayne warns me. I look back at Clayton, "Excuse me?"

He blushes and shrugs, "What? It's nice to listen to your troubles." I growl and shove a punch right into his arm, and he chuckles. I roll my eyes and laugh with him, even when I can't shake off the feeling that someone's watching us.

S E B A S T I A N

I clench my fist and glare out the window at the couple at the barn. I don't know what this is. Is it irritation, or am I fuming in jealousy? Wait, I cannot be jealous, right?

What the heck is she doing with him?

Why did she touch him?

Why did he?

Emmy has been on my mind all day. I want to rip them apart, drag her to my room, kiss her senselessly, and make sure she never gets out of my sight.

I want to hold my mate.

Ugh, shut up, Duke!

I scowl.

This is the first time I have been so distracted, and it's all because of this human — I'm going to make her pay for it.