Chapter 2. In the Garden

The night was cold. The winter was soon to come, and everyone was getting ready for the long nights that would soon overwhelm the place. I breathed through my mouth; the warmth of it condensed through the chill air, creating smoke as I sighed.

To ward off the freezing weather, I wore extra clothing and walked silently on the rocky ground of the mansion, hoping someone wouldn't see me sneaking behind the evergreens. Good thing I was small and that no one would even notice I was not inside the hall anymore, partying with everyone. There was someone I needed to see tonight. And I couldn't wait to meet him in the center of the garden maze.

I grabbed my skirt and pulled it up as I crouched, trying to quicken my pace through the tall walls of evergreens. My heart was pounding fast with excitement, and my lips stretched in a joyful grin as I evaded the dried, thin branches on my way toward the middle of the maze, careful not to create a sound that might distract someone.

The moon was full above the cloudless sky. The white smoke was giving away my location, so I had to pull my scarf up to my mouth and breathe against the old fabric. I hoped the old lady wasn't looking for me yet since everybody in the hall was too busy looking for a random servant. I needed to be quick before she found out I was missing.

Before I reached the middle of the maze, which was a fountain with an angel statue holding a trumpet, I first peeked to see if he was already at the meeting place, waiting for me. But he was nowhere near the thing, which made me a little scared and disappointed.

Did he forget? I stood and stretched my neck to look for him behind the statue, but I found no one. The tears started to wet the corners of my eyes until strong hands snatched me from behind the evergreens, making me almost scream.

"Oh, my heart nearly exploded!" I couldn't believe I failed to feel his presence behind me! I hissed to him, giggling and struggling hard to lower my voice.

"Shhh." Ralph hushed me and gave a peck of a kiss on my neck as I giggled. His arms were still on my waist as we stood beside the fountain. His smile was so wide that I could see his white, perfect teeth. "It's so hard to sneak from the hall with the Alpha always looking for me. Being his Beta is tougher than I thought."

Ralph leaned and kissed me, pressing his lips so gently against mine, and whispered things between his kisses: "You are so pretty as I watch you from our tables tonight, Claire." He whispered his hands slowly pulling up my skirt, and I twitched as I felt his warm hands against my cold thigh. I chewed on my lower lip, blushing as his hands kneaded it, caressing it gently.

"Sir," I said, pushing his playful hands away from me, trying to excite him a little. I giggled, and I saw the desire burn in his eyes as he exhaled. His breath made a steam of white smoke in the chill air. "I am not ready yet to do what is on your mind right now, but I am happy you invited me here."

He pulled me tighter against him and brushed my face with the back of his hand. "Of course, my sweet Claire, I won't do it yet unless I marry you."

I lifted my face to him, and my eyes widened as if assuming the impossible. But the reality struck like a mace hitting my head hard, and I lowered my face to him, ashamed to dream of such a thought.

I could never be the type of girl that Master Ralph would marry. I am just his mere servant who caught her master's attention because he thinks I am pretty and would be worth his time. But I didn't care what he thought of me—what he thought about my status in life.

He was the nicest person who treated me so well ever since I came to this mansion. I could be everything he wanted me to be. I knew he was just stopping himself from stepping inside my boundary lane, and I was still thinking. If he ever begged me for it, can I really give it to him?

Ralph took my hand and kissed me again when he felt the warmth of my skin. He stopped just to stare at my eyes lovingly. "I know what you're thinking, Claire. You know you are special to me, right? I've never failed to make you feel that, even when we were kids. Can you promise to stay here with me no matter what?"

"What do you mean, no matter what?" I smiled at him, a little nervous. Does he mean staying with him even after he gets married to someone else?

"What? You never want to be with me?" Ralph whispered, brushing his lips against my cheek, making the words sound as if they were simple for me to do. But then, why was I worrying? I have been in love with my master, and if that's what he wants, then I'll just have to dedicate my life to it.

"Yes, My Master," I murmured to him, looking directly into his eyes, and it suddenly stoked the desire that's been torturing him to let go. He pulled me to kiss again, but we were both baffled by an angry voice echoing through the silence of the night. The old Marina was calling my name.

"It's the old lady." I nervously pulled myself away from Ralph, almost losing my balance. But he caught my arm before I dropped myself on the cold, hard ground. "I must get back to the hall, Master. I can't let them see you with me."

Ralph sighs, "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow then." He took my hands and kissed them while looking at me with his glorious smile. "And don't get near the King Alpha again. He has no liking for the hybrids, Claire."