Chapter 5 V

"Partner..."

"Partner..."

We both speak together.

And I stare into the most intense blue eyes I've ever seen in my life.

"That's him, Elodie! He's our partner!" Ayla practically screamed in my head, pirouetting around.

I looked at the person before me, holding my hand tightly but at the same time gently. It was the alpha of the pack, Felix.

We stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes. Suddenly, he lets go of my hand. I lost his warmth almost instantly.

He looks at me with an expression of shock.

"You?"

His voice oozed disdain, then he shook his head as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing and turned to leave.

"Wait..." I grab his hand instinctively and feel a tingle as my skin touches his.

But he pulls his hand back as if mine were filthy.

He looked at me.

"Never. More. Touch. On. Me. Maid." The alpha growls, teeth clenched, then turns once more and walks away.

Elodie was in shock.

Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. And it seemed as if everyone was looking at her. They saw the whole scene.

I was dying of embarrassment. So I turned around and ran as fast as I could. Away from the hall... Away from the whispers... Away from the shame...

"Elodie, what are you doing? Go after him!" Ayla screams in my head, but I ignore her.

I kept running until I got out the front door and into the open garden that led to the gates, but I didn't stop there. I run all the way home, not caring about work anymore-or the uniform I forgot to take off.

"Elodie? Is that you?" my stepmother calls from the living room.

I fly down the stairs and into my room, slam the door, and throw myself on the bed, hugging the pillow and crying.

A short while later, the bedroom door opens, and Freya walks in.

"I thought the party would end late. What happened?"

I didn't answer and just kept crying.

"Elodie, what's the matter?" Freya insists in a worried voice.

"Just leave me alone." My voice came out, muffled by the pillow where my face was stuffed. But, as usual, Freya ignores my wishes, and I feel the bed sink as she sits down next to me. Her cool hand stroked my head.

"There, calm down. You shouldn't be crying now, my dear. Not on your birthday, but I know what will cheer you up." I feel the mattress move as Freya gets up.

My curiosity wins out, so I peek over the pillow and see her holding an old envelope.

"Here." She hands the envelope to me. "Your father entrusted me with this here and asked me to give it to you only when you turned 18."

I take the envelope and open it in a hurry; it was a handwritten letter. I immediately recognized my father's handwriting.

Freya must have realized it was an intimate moment and quickly left the room.

Dear Elodie,

I can't imagine how hard it has been for you to keep your good nature and tender heart in this cruel world.

But I know you will be the light in the darkness. The one who will not give in to negativity.

By now, you have certainly matured into a beautiful and talented young woman, and at any moment, you may find your one true love.

Do not despair if he does not appear immediately. Only the Moon Goddess knows the reason for her decisions, but if you feel angry, hurt, or disappointed, know that even though I am gone, I will always be there for you. Don't let your feelings stop you from seeing the blessings that surround you. Ask the Moon Goddess to allow you to see the world the way your mother and I saw it, and you will become the woman you want to be... A reflection of your parents. To your friends and your future partner.

With all the love that is in my heart,

Papa.

I turned into a waterfall again, but now the tears were of happiness. Dad was right; being sad and crying was a waste of energy.

As much as it was for me, it must have been a shock for Alpha Felix to find out we were partners. Maybe, in time, he would be able to accept that.

I just had to be patient.

~~

A maid? Omega is my damn partner?

This has got to be a joke!

Felix starts pacing in circles in his office, trying to come to terms with what has just happened.

I mean, he was an alpha, for God's sake. His lineage is very old; it's a long succession of noble leaders.

So why on earth did the Moon Goddess give him a common maid as a date?

I kick the chair so hard that it smashes into the wall.

"Damn it!" I sit down at the table, trying to calm myself.

"What the hell is wrong with you, boy?" Cedric speaks into my consciousness.

"Not now." I close my eyes and lower my head, counting to ten to calm myself before I do any more damage.

"Oh no, you don't dare, you asshole. For nine years, I've had to hang around here, waiting for my partner to show up. And now that she's finally emerged, you're going to run away like a coward?" Cedric growls. "Get up and go after her; she's hurt, and I can feel her pain."

A flash of the girl's innocent gray eyes, brimming with shock and tears, came to mind. Suddenly, I feel ashamed.

I don't think I should have spoken to her like that.

I shake my head, denying it.

"She is a waste of time. I can't accept someone like her as my companion. I have no choice; I must reject her."

"Don't you dare, or I swear to the Goddess, I will bite your royal ass." Cedric says it angrily.

I ignored him. There was no other way. I had to do this.

"Caleb... I need you here in my office immediately." I connect telepathically with my gamma.

Furthermore, I could have called Victor, but he was still drunk as a skunk, so I couldn't count on him.

"I'm on my way, alpha."

It doesn't take long, and the gamma appears, knocking on the door and entering my office. I don't waste any more time, and I start talking:

"Caleb, I need the full name and a background check on one of the maids who worked the gala ball tonight." Gamma stared in amazement at the mess I had made.

"I'll ask Mistress Tessa for the records of all the maids. Are you looking for anything specific?" My mind immediately goes back to the beautiful gray eyes.

"Gray eyes and brown hair."

"Very well." He nods. "When do you need it, Alpha?"

"Tomorrow morning."