Chapter 2 - a Long trip

Master wanted to see me, and that was all Alina had to tell me to send me into a panic frenzy. I wiped my hands nervously on my threadbare dress and made my way to his study, where he was waiting for me.

I stood outside the door to my master Jude Carstairs' study, my heart pounding in my chest wildly. The mere mention of my name by one of the maids had summoned me to his presence, and I could only wonder what he wanted from me this time.

As I entered, the heavy oak door creaked behind me, and I found myself face to face with him, a man whose very presence commanded respect and fear in equal measure. He was a tall, well built werewolf, with dark hair and dark eyes and a prominent frown on his face. Beside him stood Monica Carstairs, his wife and mate. She looked small and delicate, with golden hair just like her daughter, baby blue eyes, and pale, flawless skin. But I knew better than to be deceived by such beauty, her baby blue eyes looked weary and worried, as if burdened by a weight too heavy for her fragile frame to bear.

"Ariadne," Mr. Carstairs began, his voice low and authoritative. This was the first time in months that he had used my name. This made my throat itch. I wondered what was going on. What could be so serious for him to address me in such a manner?

"We have a matter of great importance to discuss with you."

I swallowed hard, trying to quell the rising tide of fear that threatened to consume me. Whatever it was they wanted, it couldn't be good. It couldn't be good at all.

Were they finally getting rid of me? I struggled to wonder if my future fate would be better than the current one I was having. Would they sell me again? Or decide that they've had enough of me and just kill me this time.

"We have decided that it is unsafe for our daughter, Isabelle, to travel alone to the North Isles," Mrs. Carstairs interjected, her voice trembling with emotion. "There are dangers there that we cannot ignore."

What dangers?

I thought, but I knew better than to ask, so I kept my question to myself. The North Isles was the home of the Alpha King and his family, yes the castle could be a dangerous place to live in if you couldn't navigate the politics but it was generally the safest place I could think of for people like us.

My mind raced as I struggled to comprehend the gravity of their words. Isabelle, their precious daughter, was in danger, and they needed me to protect her. But in what way?

What could I do?

"We have chosen you, Ariadne," Mr. Carstairs continued, his gaze piercing through me like a dagger. "You will accompany Isabelle as her personal maid, ensuring her safety at all costs."

"You've been to the North Isles. You once served the Alpha King's concubine. This should be an easy task for you."

I felt a surge of conflicting emotions wash over me—fear, disbelief, and a glimmer of hope flickering in the darkness of my despair. To be entrusted with the life of their daughter was both a privilege and a burden I had never imagined bearing.

"And what if I fail?" I whispered, the words escaping my lips before I could stop them.

Mr. Carstairs' expression hardened, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "If you fail, Ariadne, only death awaits you," he said, his voice cutting through the air like a whip. "But if you succeed, you will finally earn your freedom."

"So, do this, and your freedom is secured. I am entrusting my only child into your hands."

"Do not fail me, Ariadne."

.......

Three days later

We left much earlier than I anticipated. Master was anxious to get Isabelle shipped off to the North Isles before she changed her mind.

As we embarked on the journey to the North Isles, I felt a mix of apprehension and a glimmer of hope. Isabelle's emotions were indeed in tatters, and I, her new handmaiden, could do little to console her. She would not even look at me, so what more could I do?

I had said my hasty goodbyes to Alina and the rest of the kitchen staff at dawn as I packed what little of my belongings were left.

Our party was accompanied by two imposing werewolf guards, a testament to the dangers lurking beyond the safety of our home.

The day of our departure was a blur of hurried preparations and tearful farewells. Isabelle did not say a word to her parents, not as they touched her and cried and said their farewells.

I was given a new gown. The lady of the house found my old garments unsuitable and ugly. So she gave me one of Ariadne's former gowns. It was a light blush pink gown and the prettiest gown I'd ever worn. The fabric was soft against my skin, a stark contrast to the coarse garments I was accustomed to. I dared not voice my gratitude, but in my heart, I appreciated the gesture. My hair was down as I was finally allowed to let it out of the thick braided bun it was always in and the feeling of the wind in my hair was something that I never really thought I would get to experience ever again.

The journey itself was both tedious and exhilarating. The carriage travelled through rugged terrain, the landscape changing from familiar forests to unfamiliar coastal vistas. Isabelle didn't say a word though, it seemed like she was determined to pretend like I didn't exist. Like we all didn’t exist and she was in some sort of dream.

As night fell, we arrived at a modest inn where we would rest until morning. At night the roads were generally unsafe, travelling with two unharmed young women would be a recipe for disaster. The innkeeper eyed our party warily, but money spoke louder than prejudice, and soon I was given a room of my own. My own room. For the first time in my life, I experienced what it was like to sleep in a regular room, with a proper bed and a fire to keep me warm.

Lady Isabelle retired early, still burdened by the weight of her worries. I lingered by the window, gazing out into the moonlit night. The guards stationed themselves outside Isabelle's door, which was only across mine. They spoke little, their voices low and gruff.

"Are you comfortable?" one of the guards grunted, breaking the silence.

I turned to face him, my gaze steady. "As comfortable as a servant can be, sir."

He nodded, his expression unreadable. His eyes seemed to rake all over me like he was trying to study me.

"I heard you're an Otsayak. You're lucky, you know. Most Ostayaks don't get such treatment."

Ah yes.

An Otsayak.

That nameless and shameful term for the lowest of the lowest in our rankings m. Otsayaks had no pack, they had little to no identity and we were marked for life. Folklores mentioned that Otsayaks were once servants of the darkness and the Dark Lord and we the descendants were still being punished centuries later.

It also didn't help that I wasn't even a good werewolf, so my life would never move forward in that regard. I have never shifted before in my life.

I didn't even know how to do it if I tried. I had never spoken to or connected with my wolf.

My parents died young and I was quickly deemed worthless. I went from home to home before landing in the north isles as a servant. I worked under the Alpha King's concubine before she accused me of betrayal and gifted me to the disgraced ex-beta Jude.

I knew nothing about who I was or where I was from. Nothing but an obscure necklace that had managed to remain with me since birth and my given name Ariadne.

Sometimes I dreamt about a woman in a field calling to me, she could be my mother, but I wouldn't know because I no longer have any memories of her. I don’t even know what she looks like.

I held back a sigh. "Luck is a fleeting thing."

He regarded me for a moment before turning away. "Get some rest. We leave at dawn."

With that, he resumed his watch, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I couldn't help but wonder what awaited us in the North Isles. Isabelle would be married to the Prince, perhaps this could mean the start of something new for me.

A new life away from everything.