ORTEGA: THE ALPHA’S HUMAN MATE

[THE NEXT MORNING – WHITESTONE Kingdom]

[THE NEXT MORNING – WHITESTONE Kingdom]

The room was bathed in the gentle morning sunlight, casting a warm glow on Ortega’s face and coaxing her eyes to open slowly. As she stirred, she sat upright on the bed, rubbing her eyes. A groan escaped her lips as a dull ache pulsed through her head.

Touching her forehead, Ortega discovered something wrapped around her head. “Ouch!” she winced, the pain in her head persisting. Glancing around the room with a puzzled expression, she muttered, “What happened, and where am I?”

Confusion painted her features as she surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. The memories of being chased by an unknown creature in a forest the previous night were the last fragments of the tumultuous events etched in her mind. The unanswered questions lingered, leaving Ortega to unravel the mysteries of her current situation in Whitestone Kingdom.

The door creaked open, revealing a lady who entered with a quiet grace. Her height mirrored that of Ortega, and her fair complexion caught the subtle light in the room. Ortega, gripped by a sense of intrigue, remained silent as she observed the lady advancing toward her.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Good morning,” greeted the lady, a warm smile gracing her lips. She settled beside Ortega on the bed, prompting a polite inquiry from Ortega about her identity.

“Pardon my manners. My name is Priscilla, and I serve as a maid in Whitestone Palace,” she replied, introducing herself. Ortega, still grappling with confusion, questioned the unfamiliar terms.

“Whitestone palace? What palace?” Ortega sought clarification.

“Whitestone Palace is where we are now. This room is designated for the palace maids,” Priscilla explained, shedding light on Ortega’s current surroundings.

“How did I end up here?” Ortega inquired, her gaze sweeping the room in bewilderment.

“A palace guard found you unconscious in a forest near Brimstone kingdom. He brought you here to ensure your safety,” Priscilla elaborated, pointing to the bandaged wound on Ortega’s head. Gratitude filled Ortega’s voice as she acknowledged the care.

“If I may ask, how far is Brimstone kingdom from here?” Ortega sought to gauge the distance.

“It varies based on transportation. A werewolf can reach Brimstone in five hours, but for others, it could take two days by car,” Priscilla responded, offering a glimpse into the kingdom’s unique dynamics.

Ortega, burdened by the reality of her banishment from Brimstone, sighed. Her thoughts lingered on the newfound challenges she faced in this unfamiliar realm.

“May I know why you were unconscious in the forest?” Priscilla gently inquired, prompting Ortega to contemplate whether to reveal the truth about her human nature amidst werewolves.

“Priscilla, I have something to tell you,” Ortega said in a hushed tone.

“You want to tell me that you’re human and not a werewolf, right?” Priscilla asked, a knowing smirk playing on her face. Ortega realized that Priscilla, with her werewolf abilities, had already discerned her secret.

“Yeah,” Ortega admitted with a nod.

“So what if you’re human? Is there any problem with that?” Priscilla inquired, her demeanor nonchalant. Ortega, taken aback, raised a confused brow.

“Werewolves in this kingdom don’t have problems living with humans? You don’t banish humans from here?” Ortega questioned, surprise evident on her face.

“Banishment?” Priscilla scoffed, “We don’t banish humans in this kingdom. Who does that?” she added rhetorically. Ortega, haunted by recent memories, confessed her own painful experience.

“I was banished from my kingdom because I was born as a human, not a werewolf,” Ortega revealed, a tear escaping her eye as the painful recollection resurfaced.

Priscilla, shocked, couldn’t fathom the cruelty of such an act. She pulled Ortega into a comforting hug, reassuring her with gentle pats on the back.

“It’s gonna be fine,” Priscilla comforted, the embrace offering solace. As they parted, Priscilla inquired about Ortega’s future plans.

“So, where are you gonna be living?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Ortega sighed, scanning the room for answers. A hopeful idea crossed her mind.

“What if I become a maid in the palace? Will I be permitted to live here?” Ortega proposed.

“Of course,” Priscilla affirmed, “But are you sure about this?” she questioned.

Ortega, displaying determination, nodded confidently. “Yeah, I’m sure. As long as it provides me somewhere to live.”

“Alright then, I will speak with the guard in charge,” Priscilla agreed, rising from the bed.

“Thanks a lot for your help, Priscilla. I’m really grateful,” Ortega expressed her gratitude sincerely.

“It’s nothing,” Priscilla smiled.

A sudden trumpet blast echoed through the palace, prompting Ortega’s curiosity.

“What’s with the trumpet sound?” she inquired.

“That signifies that Alpha Derrick and his brother have arrived,” Priscilla explained, moving towards the window to witness the arrival of the influential figures in the werewolf hierarchy.

“Who is Alpha Derrick?” Ortega inquired, stepping down from the bed and joining Priscilla by the window to observe the unfolding scene.

As five black cars entered the compound, guards swiftly surrounded the central vehicle. The backseat doors swung open, revealing two men clad in sophisticated black suits and donning dark shades. Although twin brothers, their differences were apparent. Despite their contrasting appearances, both exuded an air of wealth and authority.

“That’s Alpha Derrick and his twin brother, Merrick,” Priscilla informed, pointing them out. “Alpha Derrick is the one with a cold expression, while Merrick is the one with a smile,” she added, distinguishing between the brothers.

“Wow! They both have way different personalities,” Ortega remarked with a chuckle, observing the intriguing dynamics between the twins.

The maids, organized in a neat formation, awaited the arrival of the werewolf leaders. The atmosphere in the palace shifted, signaling the significance of the moment.

The air in the palace seemed to thicken as Alpha Derrick and Merrick made their way towards the palace entrance. The maids stood with unwavering discipline, creating a corridor of respect for the twins. Alpha Derrick’s stern countenance gave off an aura of authority, while Merrick’s smiling demeanor hinted at a more approachable nature.

Ortega, still by the window, observed the procession with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. “Do they interact with everyone in the palace?” Ortega questioned, contemplating the dynamics of living in a werewolf-dominated society.

“They do, but their interactions depend on the context. Alpha Derrick is more reserved, while Merrick tends to engage with people in a friendlier manner,” Priscilla replied.

“I have to go now. See you later,” Priscilla bid farewell before exiting the room, leaving Ortega alone with her thoughts.

Ortega remained fixated on the window, watching as the twin brothers, Alpha Derrick and Merrick, proceeded further into the palace. A sudden chill ran down her spine when, unexpectedly, Alpha Derrick lifted his gaze and locked eyes with her through the window.

Shaken, Ortega stumbled away from the window, seeking refuge on the bed. Her heart raced, pounding in her chest like the aftermath of a marathon. The intensity of Alpha Derrick’s gaze lingered in her mind, and she couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling that accompanied it.

“Why was he staring at me that way?” Ortega pondered aloud, grappling with the unspoken exchange that transpired through the window.