Chapter 3 She's the One I Want to Invite

Noah Brooks's POV:

'Shit! My room is on fire in the middle of the night!' I cursed inwardly as panic gripped me and my mind raced.

Suddenly, a burning plank crashed down, and I froze. But then, out of nowhere, a girl darted through the flames and shoved me aside. The plank landed on her leg instead.

Blood started pouring out, and she winced but bit her lip and said, "Thank God, you're okay."

I stared at her injured leg, too shocked to say anything. Her face was covered in soot, her hair singed and messy, but her eyes were fierce and determined. I knew she didn't run into the fire just for me; she had her own reasons. Unlike the other servants who stood outside, uselessly calling for help. But I didn't mind it. After all, she saved my life.

We fought our way through the fire, and she got burned in several places. Her clothes were in tatters, revealing scorched skin, but she didn't flinch. She carefully watched the flames and led me through the inferno. She tore off a piece of her wet clothing and covered my mouth and nose. Her fingers brushed my cheek, making me stiffen. A tingling sensation spread through me, and my heart raced.

"Cover your mouth and nose; it'll block the smoke," she said softly.

I looked at her soot-covered face and felt a warmth in my heart. In that moment, she was different from everyone else.

Finally, we made it out of the fire. A bunch of servants immediately surrounded me.

"Master Noah, are you okay?" one asked.

"Thank God, Master Noah, you're safe," another exclaimed.

Their concerned words buzzed in my ears, but I didn't care. I anxiously searched the crowd for her, but she was already walking away.

"Wait! I don't even know your name!" I shouted, wanting to chase after her, but the servants crowded around me, making it impossible to move.

"Move aside!" I yelled, but they kept surrounding me, drowning out my voice with their crap words.

I looked coldly at them, listening to their fake concern. None of them had dared to rush into the fire to save me; they just watched from the outside. These cowardly fools couldn't compare to that girl!

'I have to find her!' I thought.

The next day, I got up early and wandered around the castle, looking for her. I asked Oliver and many servants, but no one knew who I was talking about. It wasn't until noon that I saw her.

She was sitting by the pool, washing clothes with skill and focus. I was about to go over and talk to her when a servant's harsh voice interrupted. "You damn captive, it took you all morning to wash a few clothes. I knew you were slacking off!"

I recognized that servant, Mia. I'd seen her acting all high and mighty before.

The girl looked a bit displeased, and she ignored Mia and kept washing the clothes.

"Didn't you hear me? Hurry up!" Mia snapped, her voice sharp as she walked over and pushed the girl.

I was about to step in when I saw the girl drop the clothes and stand up. She looked at Mia, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Let me remind you of a few things," the girl said, her voice steady as she clenched her fists. "First, I am not a captive; I am a person, equal to you!" She took a step closer to Mia. "Second, I've been washing clothes all morning for more than a dozen people. That's like two days' worth of work for the other servants!" Her voice grew firmer. "Third, we are both ordinary maids. Who do you think you are to boss me around? If anyone should be disciplining me, it's the butler, not you. Please get out of my way and stop disturbing my work!"

The girl stood there, staring at Mia, her tone calm, her back straight.

"Bitch! How dare you talk back to me? I think I should teach you a lesson to make you understand your position!" Mia shouted, her face twisted with rage as she stepped forward, raising her hand, intending to slap the girl.

I frowned and was about to intervene when I saw the girl deftly dodge Mia's slap. She straightened up, her eyes cold and unwavering. "I'll say it again, you have no right to hit me," she said firmly.

"You bitch, still dare to resist! Go to hell!" Mia screamed, her face contorted with fury. She lunged forward and pushed the girl hard. Then the girl lost her balance and fell into the pool.

My heart tightened, wanting to save her but stopped. Instinct told me that the girl was not a coward to be bullied; she could handle this trouble herself.

Sure enough, the girl easily swam to the edge and climbed out of the water. Her hair was wet, sticking to her face, and her clothes were soaked, clinging to her body. Her clothes were too thin; I could even see her nipples through the wet fabric.

The girl, with a serious face, walked step by step toward Mia. "You want to drown me? Too bad, I can swim!" she said, her voice steady and defiant.

Mia was obviously scared by her, her face showing guilt and unease. She tried to back away fearfully. "What do you want? Stop! Don't come any closer," she warned.

But the girl moved quickly, grabbing Mia's arm with a firm grip. "Guess what I'm going to do!" she whispered, her eyes burning with intensity.

Mia struggled, trying to break free from the girl's grip, but the girl held on tightly. Then, with a sudden burst of strength, the girl pulled hard, dragging Mia to the edge of the pool, and then pushed Mia into the water.

Mia floundered in the pool, her arms thrashing wildly as she tried to climb out, but the girl didn't give her a chance. Standing at the edge, she looked down at Mia with a cold, detached expression. "Don't you like swimming? Don't rush to get out; stay in and swim a bit longer," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

The girl grabbed Mia's hair and shoved her head into the water. Mia struggled desperately, her lungs burning for air. Just as she was about to black out, the girl yanked her head out of the water. But before Mia could catch her breath, the girl forced her head back under.

Over and over, Mia choked on mouthfuls of water, her struggles growing weaker each time. Her hands slapped feebly at the water's surface, her legs kicking in a futile attempt to break free.

"No! Help!" Mia pleaded, her face full of fear.

"I have warned you not to mess with me, but you didn't understand a word I said," the girl said coldly.

"I was wrong. Please let me go!" Mia pleaded intermittently, her face full of fear.

The girl's eyes were filled with mockery as she sneered, "Since you don't understand my words, I'll help you wash your ears. Maybe then you can understand the language of werewolves."

'Well done! You're truly one of a kind in my eyes,' I thought.

At this moment, Oliver came over and asked me, "Master Noah, who do you plan to invite as your companion for tomorrow's banquet?"

My eyes locked on the girl not far away, soaked but bravely resisting oppression. Without hesitation, I pointed at her and declared to Oliver, "Her."

Oliver followed my finger, his face showing surprise and concern. "Master Noah," he stammered, "Aria Davis is a slave sent by the Frostbite Pack. She doesn't deserve to attend such a high-class banquet, let alone be your companion."

I slightly frowned, my tone cold and unyielding. "I only know that she is the one I want to invite."

'Aria Davis, what a beautiful name,' I thought.