Lorelei POV

I didn’t even know when I fell asleep that night. The bed was just so comfortable that I couldn’t help it. My body completely gave in to the exhaustion.

When I woke up the next morning, sunlight was already pouring through the window. The first thing I did was try out my new bathroom. I took my time showering under the warm water, feeling truly clean for the first time in a very long time.

Stepping out with a towel wrapped tightly around my chest, I opened the wardrobe. Only then did I realize it was completely empty.

There wasn’t a single piece of clothing inside.

I let out a disappointed sigh, realizing I had stupidly assumed the Alpha King would have gotten me clothes. Thinking back to our deal, I had only explicitly asked for a room and food.

"So stupid," I muttered to myself, shaking my head.

My gaze drifted toward the spare maid uniform I had set aside the night before. Reluctantly, I pulled it on and smoothed down the fabric.

Just as I finished getting dressed and started wondering what exactly I was supposed to do with my day, a sharp knock echoed through the room.

It startled me at first because I wasn’t expecting anyone. I immediately assumed it was the guard outside, but when I walked over and opened the door, my eyes widened.

Skye was standing in the hallway, pushing a cart filled to the brim with covered dishes.

"I was asked to deliver this to your room," Skye said, a bright, knowing smile spreading across her face.

I practically squealed in excitement and immediately threw my arms out, ushering her inside.

"Wow..." she gasped the second the door clicked shut behind her. Her eyes swept across the spacious room. "This place is really nice."

"Isn’t it?" I said, completely unable to hide the massive smile on my face.

Then I tilted my head. "But why did they send you here?" I couldn’t help asking as I watched her wheel the heavy cart into the center of the room.

"I have no idea. I didn’t even know I was going to be serving you until they handed me the slip," Skye said with a soft chuckle. "Maybe since we’re rooming together and you’re... well, in their eyes, close to the Alpha now, they figured it was best if I handled your meals."

"Maybe," I muttered.

Then I remembered indirectly mentioning Skye to Kaelen during our conversation yesterday. Maybe this was actually his doing.

The realization sent a strange little flutter through my chest, but the thought disappeared the exact second Skye lifted the covers and revealed what was underneath.

Steam immediately rose from the dishes, carrying an aroma so rich and delicious that both of our mouths watered on instinct.

My eyes widened.

There were perfectly seasoned meats, fresh eggs, fluffy pancakes drenched in syrup, and a large bowl overflowing with vibrant, freshly cut fruit.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen this much food in one place.

Even back when I lived at home, the last time I had eaten a meal this luxurious was probably when I was eight years old.

Well, if you exclude my time with Raven.

Just thinking about her made my chest tighten painfully.

"That’s a lot of food," Skye commented, her eyes practically glued to the cart.

"Would you like to join me?" I asked, noticing the intense, hungry stare she was trying and failing to hide.

"Really?" Skye asked, sounding genuinely shocked as her head snapped up to look at me.

"Of course," I said, pulling out a chair. "It really is a lot. Besides, years of being practically starved left me with a pretty small appetite anyway. It would be a complete waste to let any of this go uneaten."

Skye didn’t need to be told twice.

She immediately grabbed a plate and began piling food onto it with enough enthusiasm to make me laugh.

"This is the best day of my life," she mumbled through a mouthful of fluffy pancakes.

I couldn’t help laughing.

While Skye attacked the feast like it might disappear if she looked away for too long, I filled my own plate with a much smaller portion.

We ate together in comfortable silence, savoring flavors neither of us had tasted in years.

By the time we finally finished, I felt so full it was almost difficult to breathe. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Skye let out a long, satisfied groan and leaned back in her chair for a moment before pushing herself to her feet.

"That was amazing," she declared as she began gathering the empty plates and stacking them back onto the cart.

"Thank you so much for the meal," she said, sounding genuinely happy. There was a warmth in her eyes that hadn’t been there yesterday. "I wish I could stay and chat with you longer, but I really have to get back to my shift."

"That’s totally okay," I said, stepping forward to help her push the heavy cart toward the entrance.

After saying our goodbyes, the door closed behind her with a heavy click, leaving me alone once again.

For the first few minutes, I wandered around the room, taking my time admiring every corner of my new living space. I ran my fingers over the furniture, peeked through the windows, and even opened a few drawers for no reason other than the fact that I could.

But eventually, the novelty started to wear off.

With nothing else to do, I walked back to the bed and threw myself onto the mattress.

A loud groan escaped me as I stared up at the blank white ceiling.

"This is so boring," I muttered.

This was the first time in years that I wasn’t being forced to work until my body ached, and somehow, instead of enjoying the freedom, the endless emptiness was already driving me insane.

Was this really going to be my life now?

Was I seriously supposed to spend every day lying around doing absolutely nothing until Kaelen decided he wanted me in his bed?

No.

I couldn’t live like that.

The thought alone made me sit upright.

A second later, I was already climbing off the bed.

If I couldn’t find something to do on my own, then maybe I could find Kaelen and ask him directly what exactly I was allowed to do around here.

With my mind made up, I left the room.

The corridors of the east wing were much quieter than the rest of the mansion.

The guards stationed throughout the hallways nodded respectfully as I passed, but none of them stopped me.

A few servants glanced my way.

Curiosity flickered across their faces, but nobody questioned where I was going.

Not that I would have had an answer if they asked.

I didn’t even know where I was going.

I was just walking.

Past towering marble pillars.

Past enormous windows that overlooked the estate gardens.

Past elegant doors I didn’t dare open.

I kept wandering aimlessly until a voice suddenly cut through the silence.

"Look who it is, everyone." My entire body froze. "It’s the pack’s award-winning slut."