Aria's POV.

I woke the next morning to an empty space beside my bed. The faint light of the sun streamed through the window; it was morning already. I had given Erinne clear instructions to be here at the first cock crow. Was she being disobedient on purpose, just to spite me?

I sat up in annoyance. How dare she defy me, especially after everything that had happened? I threw off the covers and quickly dressed, determined to find her.

As I made my way through the hallways, my thoughts were filled with frustration. Even after saving her life, Erinne was still a problem, a thorn in my side. I reached the kitchen, knowing exactly where she would be. Sure enough, as I approached, I could hear her voice chattering away.

I stood by the doorway, listening to her spew a lot of lies about me and Alpha Logan.

"Can you believe it?" Erinne sniggered. "Aria thinks she's so special just because she's carrying the Alpha's baby. But I heard she begged him to take her in, saying she'd do anything to get out of her old life. She's probably faking half of this illness for attention."

Another maid giggled. "Really? I heard she used to sneak around with other Alphas before coming here. Who knows if that baby is even Alpha Logan's?"

"I can bet she is trying to palm off a bastard on our poor Alpha!" Another maid chimed in.

Erinne laughed. "Exactly! And Alpha Logan? He's only keeping her around because he needs an heir. He doesn't care about her at all. He just wants to make sure she delivers the baby safely before tossing her aside."

My blood boiled over. How could Erinne so comfortably say all of this about me? The fact that they were so dangerously close to the truth about me made me scared as well as furious.

I stepped into the kitchen, my eyes blazing with rage.

"Erinne!" I snapped, silencing the room instantly.

She turned to face me, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, good morning, Lady Aria," she greeted, her tone mocking.

"How dare you speak such lies about me and the Alpha," I said, my voice trembling with rage.

Erinne shrugged, unfazed. "Just sharing a bit of gossip. No harm done, right?"

I stepped closer, my gaze locking onto hers. "There is plenty of harm done. You will not spread falsehoods about me or Alpha Logan. If I hear another word, you will regret it."

"I do not care what you are now!" Erinne spat. "You think you're so special now, Aria. But you were once a maid, just like the rest of us. Carrying the Alpha's baby doesn't make you better."

I stepped closer, my voice low and dangerous. "Do you want to go back to the dungeons where you came from? Because it seems like it."

The smile faded from Erinne's face. I noticed the other maids sniggering behind her back. I held back a smile of my own. It was ironic to see Erinne, the former bully, now being bullied. "Go on your knees," I commanded.

Erinne hesitated for a second, then dropped to her knees. I towered over her, enjoying the shift in power. "How should I punish you for your disobedience?" I mused aloud.

She looked up at me with wide, fearful eyes. "Please, Lady Aria, I didn't mean any harm. It was just talk."From .

I leaned closer, making sure my words were only for her. "I think you have forgotten, Erinne, I hold your future in my hands. One wrong move, and I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in the dungeons." Erinne's fear was evident in her eyes. She scrambled to her feet, her gaze filled with dread. The laughter from the other maids grew louder. I smirked, satisfied that she was getting a taste of her own medicine. As I got to the door of the kitchen, I turned back and fixed my gaze on Erinne. "Get dressed, Erinne," I ordered.

Erinne stuttered, her eyes wide with fear. "Are we going back to the dungeons?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The room erupted in laughter. Even I found it hard to hold back my own amusement. "Do you miss the dungeons that much?" I mocked, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps you would like to spend a few more days in there?" Erinne's face flushed with embarrassment, and the laughter from the other maids grew louder. "N.... no, my lady," she stammered, looking down at the floor.

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I shook my head, enjoying her discomfort. "We're taking a stroll in the marketplace," I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Meet me at the front of the house, beside the carriage. Don't keep me waiting."

Without another word, I turned and left the kitchen. As I walked through the halls, I couldn't help but smile to myself. Putting Erinne in her place felt satisfying, especially knowing everything that she'd done to make my life hell in the palace, when I was a maid.

I grabbed a cloak from my room, throwing it over my back. I was still very much wary of Alpha Denderick's guards, and they could be anywhere in the pack. But I needed to go out and scout the area for myself, see if they had truly left and the danger had been averted.

When I reached the front of the house, I stood by the carriage, waiting for Erinne. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. This outing to the marketplace wasn't just about putting Erinne in her place; it was also a chance to gather information and assess the current situation in the pack.

A few minutes later, Erinne appeared, looking sullen but properly dressed. She walked over to me, her posture stiff and her eyes downcast.

Something about Erinne still put me off. I had hoped that saving her life from certain death in the dungeons would put a bit of gratitude in her, but I was far from the truth.

Erinne gave me a cold stare, her eyes filled with resentment. I returned her gaze with an icy smile, making sure she knew exactly who was in control.

Without another word, she opened the door of the carriage, ushering me in.