Chapter 3 Banquet

Doris POV

I ran from the rose gardens to the palace; thankfully everybody was busy tending to the ceremony that they didn't notice me. I don't know what I would tell them as to why I was half-naked, dripping with blood, and cold. At that point, I didn't even know what to tell myself.

I was still in shock over what had happened. Prince William attacked me and bit into me; he marked me as his.

He kept calling me his mate; or rather his wolf was calling me his mate. But that had to be the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. I was a werewolf without a wolf, which also meant I didn't have a mate.

Tears flooded over my eyes, and I bit my bottom lip to keep from sobbing. I couldn't cry right now; I had to clean myself up.

I ran into my bedroom, throwing my ripped uniform onto my bed and grabbing a fresh uniform out of my drawers. I stumbled awkwardly into the bathroom and filled the bathtub with water that was so cold it would surely numb my body.

Looking into the mirror I saw the scratches outlining my torso; they were growing puffy, but they were no longer bleeding. I knew it wouldn't take long before I fully healed; by tomorrow the wounds would be completely gone and I can pretend none of it happened. I didn't want the marks to remind me of the brutal attack.

My body was still shaking as I stepped into the cold bath. I allowed the water to soothe away the pain from Prince William's claws. I could still feel his lips on my neck and remembered how obedient my body was to his commands.

I felt ruined.

My body was ruined, and I was disgusted with myself.

How could I have let something like this happen?

Before long, the bathroom door swung open and my best friend, and roommate, Beth stood in the doorway. She was breathless and staring at me with eyes that were alert, yet wary. I tried to cover my naked body with my hands, but it didn't really matter, she could see everything as she waltzed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Doris!" Beth said, panic rising in her voice.

She grabbed a towel off the rack on the far end of the bathroom and strolled closer to me. I got out of the bath, allowing the water to drip from my body and puddle around my feet. Something I would have to clean up later.

It seemed so trivial to be worried about something as small as a puddle in the bathroom. Especially after what had just happened. She looked around my body as she wrapped me in the towel; her arms were warm, and I didn't realize how badly I was shaking until she was holding me tightly in her embrace.

"What happened to you?" She asked, keeping her tone low in case there were others nearby.

"I..." My voice came out as a raspy squeak, and I nearly flinched at how broken I sounded. I couldn't even speak; if I spoke, I would start sobbing and I didn't want to start sobbing in front of her.

I couldn't tell her what had happened. I couldn't tell anybody.

"It's okay..." she whispered as she held me tighter. "It's going to be okay."

--

Morning.

As predicted my wounds were completely gone by the morning; however, the wounds I felt internally would last for a lifetime. I thought if I couldn't see the markings on my body, I would be able to forget the events that had happened.

But I was wrong.

I had to tough it up though; I couldn't break down and continue crying. I spent the night crying. But this morning I was on tea duty for the Banquet, and I couldn't mess it up.

This was the first-morning Banquet since Lady Grace married into Royal House Arnold. It was a tradition that the royals have a feast to celebrate the new marriage and joining of the packs.

I held the teapot firmly in my hands until my knuckles had grown white, trying to keep my hands from trembling.

Melody, a fellow maid, stared over at me with a frown of disapproval.

She wasn't someone either Beth or I got along with. She was only a couple of years older than me and flirted her way to the position of the head maid. Though Mr. Carson was still her boss for he was in control of all the servants around the palace.

"Why are your eyes so puffy?" She asked in a harsh whisper. "Did you cry all night because you couldn't marry the Crown Prince?"

She sounded so arrogant, and I couldn't help but snarl at her. But I also didn't want to argue with her because I was on duty and needed to appear professional. I couldn't mess up this Banquet or else I would get in huge trouble.

"Fine, don't answer me," Melody said, turning away from me and staring at the royals in front of us.

They weren't paying much attention to us. Alpha King Charles was furious because Prince William was late. It didn't surprise me, or anybody, that he was late. He was always late. He had an "I don't care about anything" attitude and it drove the royals crazy. But his was an important event and their patience with William was wearing thin.

"Just answer this," Melody said, leaning close to me. "What made your eyes swollen?"

"I..." I paused to gather my thoughts. "I couldn't sleep last night."

It wasn't a lie. I couldn't sleep last night. But I wasn't going to tell her why.

She rolled her eyes and jammed her elbow into my side, I winced but kept my structure.

"Bullshit," she said with a chuckle; she spoke a little too loudly that time and Mr. Carson peered over at us with a disapproving gaze.

"Ladies," he hissed, rolling his eyes. "This is an important event. You need to be on your A-game."

We both lowered our heads politely in an apologetic manner.

I jumped at the sound of Alpha King Charles' fists slamming into the table before him and he sprang to his feet. His face was red with fury.

"I can't believe he is late, yet again," Charles hissed through his gritted teeth. "He knows how important this is."

"Darling, William has his own life. I'm sure there's a reason he's late," Luna Queen Cara said, keeping her tone calm.

"What possible reason could he have?!" Charles asked, still furious as he returned to his seat. "Why can't he be more like his brother?" Charles added in a mutter.

"Well..." Cara said, glancing around at her family and then landing her eyes back on her husband. "I heard that he marked a maid last night."

I felt my heart sinking into my stomach and the color in my features draining. My breathing got caught in my throat. I attempted and failed to keep myself from shivering uncontrollably; panic rising through me and tearing me into pieces.

How had she heard about that?

"What?" Charles asked, shooting his gaze at her. "Mark a maid?"

A timid smile was placed on her lips.

"I think we should find out who this maid is. She could be his mate," Cara stated with humor lacing her tone.

There's that word again. Mate.

Royal house Arnold is famous for its noble status and dignity bloodlines. How could a maid be a prince's mate? It was impossible and laughable.

I felt sick to my stomach; for a moment, I thought I was going to pass out.

Charles looked over at Mr. Carson, a snarl on his face.

"Find William and bring him here. NOW," Charles ordered.

Mr. Carson didn't waste much time; he headed towards the doorway to find William, but before he could go anywhere, William casually strolled through the door.

I knew he had drunk a lot the night before, but I was surprised that he didn't at all appear to be hungover. His sun-kissed skin was elegant, and he looked gorgeous even dressed casually. No maid would dare to look him in his eyes, or they would get lost in his ocean-like storm.

I felt my cheeks flush as he strode into the room.

He glanced around at the table of royals, his frown deepening as he stared at Cara. From the 5 years I've resided in the palace, I knew William didn't have a good relationship with his family. Especially Luna Queen Cara. However, the reasoning behind it was unknown.

Of course, there were rumors, but that's all they ever were. Rumors.

"You're late," Charles hissed to his son. "Again."

"I'm here, aren't I?" William muttered, strolling towards an empty seat at the table.

"I'm disappointed in you; you were also late for your brother's wedding. You knew how important that event was," Charles said, trying to maintain his anger but we could still see the fury of his wolf rising within him. His wolf's honey-brown eyes flashed through his gaze as he addressed his son. "How dare you disrespect Warrior Reilly Pack like that."

"But I'm not the groom," William said casually. "Whether I was late or not had zero impact on the wedding. Am I right?"

Charles took in a deep breath to steady his anger; William was right. It didn't matter whether he was late or not. It had nothing to do with him.

Only I knew why he was late though, and the thought was sickening. There wasn't a bath cold enough that could take away the memory and feeling of his touch against my bare skin.

"Fine," Charles finally said. "I'll let you off the hook this time. But what is it I'm hearing about you marking a maid?"

I used the table beside me to keep from falling over; I placed the teapot on the table and held onto the edge with dear life.

"I don't know," William said without any emotions. "I was drunk." He shrugged it off like it meant nothing to him. "Now, your majesty, would you mind if I started my breakfast?"

He didn't wait for Charles to answer before shoving a forkful of filet steak into his mouth. Charles opened his mouth to say something, but Cara stopped him before he could get a word out.

"Okay darling," she chuckled nervously. "This is Grace's first meal since joining our family. Let's not ruin it by getting angry."

Charles sighed, releasing his anger. He turned his attention back to his food which seemed to please Cara for she gave him a soft smile in return. She turned her attention to Mr. Carson who straightened his back, ready for his orders.

"Mr. Carson," she began. "I want you to find out who this maid is that William seemed to have marked."

"Yes, your majesty," Mr. Carson replied obediently.

"Oh, and please do so alone," she added, glancing at the rest of us that stood behind him.

He nodded in respect to her before he turned to face me.

"Serve the tea," he ordered me.

I straightened my stance and grabbed the teapot off the table; I began walking towards the dining table when my foot snagged onto the outstretched foot of another maid.

Melody.

Before I could stop myself, I was tumbling forward with the teapot firmly in my grip. But not firm enough to keep it in my hands. I landed on the ground, and I heard the clattering of the teapot before me.

Gasps erupted from the royal family and William stood up quickly as the tea soaked through his clothing.