LAYLA'S POV
The morning sun comes in through the small, dusty window of the maids' quarters where I sleep. I'm already awake, curled up under my thin blanket, trying not to think about them—my mates.
But my wolf makes it impossible.
Her ache is raw and constant. She whimpers inside me. She feels restless from the emptiness, from the cold wall that Kaiden and Killian have built between us. I can still feel the thread of our bond. Now? It feels faint and strained. I can feel Kaiden's hatred towards me and Killian's indifference.
Rejection always comes with silence. Cold, unbearable silence.
But Kieran…
A small smile tugs at my lips.
Kieran is different. He doesn't speak much, and he rarely smiles, but he isn't cruel like the others. His presence is quieter and he seems nice. And sometimes… sometimes he looks at me like he sees me. The real me. Not just an omega who was mated by mistake.
I blush when I remember our moment in the woods when we kissed. I touch my lips, still feeling how soft his own lips were.
My fingers brush over the spot on my wrist where our bond burns faintly under the skin. I squeeze my eyes shut.
I wish things were different. I wish they didn't hate me for being born lesser. I wish I wasn't born lesser. Why did I have to be an omega?
The door to the room swings open suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Rise and shine, lover girl," Janet's teasing voice rings through the air. She's her usual bubbly and cheerful self. "You're dreaming about them again, aren't you?"
I groan and throw my pillow at her. I can't help but laugh "You're insane."
She catches the pillow and tosses it back. "Nope. Just observant. That faraway look in your eye says you were thinking about our tall, brooding Alphas again."
I roll my eyes. "Can we not this morning?"
"Oh, come on," she smirks. "Alpha Kieran may look like he walked out of an erotic gothic romance novel, but we all saw the way he kissed you in the woods that day. Girl, that kiss had heat. Even I felt it. it was so passionate"
My face explodes in flames. "Shut up!"
"Oh please. I was just trying to come call you, and I saw him kiss you like he meant it."
"I swear, Janet, I will lock you in the pantry."
She cackles. "Just admit it. You like Alpha Kieran more."
I pause. There's no use pretending. "...Maybe."
She leans against the doorframe. "Well, lucky you. Mrs. Corla just announced you're on Alpha Kieran's rotation today. You get to touch his sheets."
My heart does a somersault.
Kieran's room.
I feel a thrill run through me, followed immediately by panic. What if he's there? What if he's not?
I pull on my uniform quickly, trying not to look too eager as we make our way to the kitchen. The other maids line up for roll call. Some are still sleepy. Others are already bustling with energy. The head maid, Mrs. Corla, stands by the door, clutching her worn-out clipboard.
"Layla, you're on second floor—Alpha Kieran's room," she says without looking up.
Janet elbows me discreetly, grinning.
I murmur a soft, "Yes, ma'am," and try not to show the smile on my face.
As I gather my cleaning supplies, Janet isn't done.
"You think he'll be shirtless?" she whispers. "Maybe fresh out the shower? Maybe you'll find a sock out of place and he'll offer to help you... bend over and pick it."
I laugh, nearly dropping the duster. "You're gross."
"Don't sniff his underwear," she adds with mock seriousness, wagging a finger.
My blush deepens. "Janet!"
She winks. "Hey, no judgment. If he were my mate, I'd be rolling on his sheets like a cat in catnip."
I swat her with the feather duster. "Go mop something."
"I'll mop your wedding aisle, baby," she says over her shoulder, still laughing as she disappears into the hallway.
I make my way up to the second floor. My heart is already hammering in my chest as I make my way down.
Kieran's scent reaches me before I even open the door. His familiar scent hits me like a wave. My wolf stirs and I can feel her tail wagging within me. she's just as excited as I am. Maybe even more.
I push open the door quietly.
The room is like him. It's cool-toned, organized and minimalistic. There's not a single thing out of place. The bed is made. The dark sheets are made to perfection. The walls are lined with bookshelves, and a single silver dagger rests on the nightstand.
I walk inside slowly, not wanting to disturb the sanctity of the space.
To be honest, the room doesn't even need cleaning.
I begin with the desk, then dust the windows and shelves. The silence is calming. I hum as I clean, distracting myself with my thoughts.
And then I reach his wardrobe.
I hesitate.
My hand trembles as I open it. Inside is a neat row of folded clothes and hanging jackets. Everything smells like him. My eyes land on a gray hoodie. I recognize it—it's the one he wears during patrols.
Before I can stop myself, I reach for it.
I lift the hoodie and bury my face into the fabric, breathing in deep. My wolf purrs and I can feel her pleasure echoing inside me. His scent—gods, it's grounding. Comforting. Arousing.
I feel dizzy with how much I miss him.
Suddenly—
"Enjoying yourself?" a voice says behind me.
I freeze.
My breath hitches violently as I spin around.
Kieran stands at the doorway with a towel slung low around his hips. His damp hair drips water down his chest, and small drops trace the ridges of his abs.
He's just gotten out of the shower.
I choke on air. My eyes widen in horror as I realize he's seen me… sniffing his clothes like some fucking psycopath.
"I—I wasn't—" I stammer "I didn't mean to—"
His gaze is unreadable, but his lips twitch into a smirk that does not help my melting brain.
"Looks like someone missed me," he says.
"I-I'm sorry," I whisper. "I should go."
I try to move, but he steps closer.
Water still drips from his hair, trailing down his sculpted chest. His nearness makes the air thick. I take a step back instinctively, feeling my heart slamming against my ribs.
He doesn't say anything else.
Just stares.
The hoodie drops from my hands.
I don't expect him to be here.
I don't expect him to look at me like that.
And I don't know what will happen next.
But I know this—
the look in his eyes isn't cold. It's burning.