Chapter 0007
Gloria’s demeanor instantly changed when Elijah appeared. “Alpha Elijah, I am so sorry. I just assumed-” “Your assumptions were incorrect, Gloria. Thank you for your time employed here, but offending the Alpha’s mate is an offense that cannot be rectified. You’re fired.” My eyes went as wide as saucers as the housekeeper began sobbing. “Bu, bu, but-” “Leave,” he simply ordered. The woman scuttled away, but not without first sending a sour glare my way. I didn’t know what to say other than, “You didn’t have to-” “She’s been stealing cash from my office for weeks,” he said with a wave of his hand. “And besides, I won’t set such a precedent here. You deserve respect.” Those words took me by surprise, but before I could respond, Thea grabbed my arm. “Let’s go see your actual room! It’s right next to mine, and Daddy’s is right across the hall!” Thea was practically skipping as she pulled me down the hallway toward my new room, already chattering about tea parties and the like. I cast a glance over my shoulder at the housekeeper’s retreating form. Part of me felt guilty for her sudden termination, though I knew I hadn’t done anything to warrant it. “Don’t feel bad,” Thea said, as if reading my thoughts. “Gloria is mean. She never smiles, and she always talks to me like I’m a baby. Daddy says she was only still here because she’s good at cleaning.” She wrinkled her nose. “But now you’re here, and things will be better.” We arrived at the door to my new room, which was directly beside Thea’s. She opened it with a dramatic flair, and I was immediately struck by how luxurious it was. The room was nothing like the servant quarters where I had been mistakenly led before. The soft, plush bedding was a far cry from the simple cot I had seen earlier. There was an elegance to the space, the decor a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication. A large window overlooked the vast estate grounds, the sunset casting a warm golden glow throughout the room. “This is beautiful,” I murmured, turning slowly to take in the space. “It’s the second–best room in the house,” Thea chirped. “Daddy’s is the best, of course.” She pointed across the hall toward the door of Elijah’s bedroom. At the mention of his name, my thoughts flashed back to the way he had so easily dismissed Gloria. His expression had been cold, his voice as sharp as ice. And yet, he had acted in defense of me–his mate, or at least that was how he seemed to view me, even if it was just a contract. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Elijah suddenly appeared behind us, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. He crossed his arm and nodded at me. “Is the room to your liking?” “It’s more than enough. Thank you.” His eyes flickered with something unreadable. “Good. I’ve spoken to the other staff, and you will receive the respect you deserve. But remember that respect goes both ways.” I frowned a little, wondering what he was hinting at–his mother’s ball gown, maybe? It was clear that, despite his kindness in this moment, there were boundaries I shouldn’t cross. And that was fine by me. My goal was simple–to uncover the truth about Thea. I wasn’t looking for anything more than that. “I understand,” I replied. Satisfied, Elijah gave a curt nod before turning on his heel and disappearing back down the hallway. Once he was gone, Thea immediately began bouncing on the bed, her earlier excitement reigniting. “Let’s unpack your things!” she exclaimed. I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Alright, let’s do it.”
