Chapter 2

　　Relina

　　“So, I’ve heard from the maids that a new movie has been released recently and it became a blockbuster hit.”

　　Being a concubine had its perks, I guess? I got to stay in this fancy bungalow which was conveniently far from the concubine houses. I often received exquisite meals everyday and best of all, I hadn’t encountered the Alpha King since my stay here.

　　“There are ways to watch a movie without going to the cinemas, if you request it, the palace will provide you a DVD—oh, we should renovate a room for your home theater. What do you think?”

　　But despite the perks, after a week of being cooped up in my room, I was incredibly bored. I chose to stay in this room and avoid associating with anyone outside of my new “home”.

　　"But then again, I don't have information that you're into movies, Miss Keane."

　　Giving an intentional loud sigh, I finally gave in, turning my head, facing Aslan Grimulf who was emanating a cheerful glow.

　　Whether he was intentionally acting naive or not, it annoyed me more than my intention of giving him that.

　　"It is blatantly clear that I have been ignoring you for a week, yet, why can't you take a hint, Alpha?"

　　“I’m well aware of that, Miss Keane. But it is mandatory for the alpha-in-attendant to keep an eye on his assigned concubine’s mental health.”

　　"You are already giving me a headache, Mr. Grimulf,” I muttered.

　　Yet, he remained calm despite my clear hostility and his smile only radiated even more. I could see the two visible dimples in the corner of his lips. “And I believe I have stated it during our first meeting: call me ‘Aslan’, as I am deemed inferior compared to the King's concubine."

　　“But you’re not a—!” I stopped myself by biting my lower lip. But it was too late as I was already hooked, lined and sinkered. I gave a weary, loud sigh as I shook my head. “J-Just don’t talk to me.”

　　When he brought me to the Palace, he requested their Royal Head Mistress to formally educate me to be the ideal concubine but instead, I hid in this bungalow, avoiding the maids as I locked myself in.

　　It was only Aslan who forced his way into my room—not a complaint or question of my actions but instead he began with his gossip around the palace.

　　“Miss Keane, is there anything we can do under our power that we could make you feel comfortable here? Perhaps you would like me to reassign you to a new house? The bungalow is far from the other residential houses of the concubines—”

　　“N-no! This place is already perfect for me!” I turned red from my sudden outburst. I cleared my throat before I continued, “It has nothing to do with my comfort here.”

　　Aslan crossed his arms as he carefully noted my words. “Then that leaves homesickness.”

　　I nodded.

　　“Why? Your father practically sold you to the palace without a second thought.”

　　Yeah, you didn’t need to remind me that, I thought to myself. “I’m worried about my grandmother.”

　　“She will be fine. Your father truly cares for her. It’s his biological mother, after all.”

　　So, Aslan had done his homework about my background, huh? It only irked me more that he treated me with respect despite learning my story.

　　“If you know then stop pretending that you care. I’d rather be left alone and I don’t want an Alpha to pity m-me.”

　　I didn’t get my wolf until now since my eighteenth birthday two years ago, I failed the Ritual Hunt for the wolf ceremony and not to mention, I got the worst result a wolf received in history.

　　If anything, I should be mocked and ridiculed for being pathetic.

　　Aslan’s lips curved and—was that a smirk I was seeing?—before he began. “You see, Miss Keane,” he sauntered until he was standing tall next to me.

　　I inwardly gulped, noticing our obvious height difference as I forced myself to raise my neck, meeting his eyes.

　　“I’ve never pitied anyone in my life. So, you don’t have to worry about that.”

　　“Then would you help convince the Alpha King to let me retake the test?” It was a bold request but if it would give me a chance to clarify my doubts about my capabilities.

　　Aslan stared at me for a moment showing an indescribable expression.“Although you are a very precious asset to the Alpha King, I can’t just blindly obey your whims. After all, you need to be useful within this Palace first.”

　　He leaned to whisper in my ear.

　　“The first step is to obey what is required here. Otherwise, you will be left behind by those concubines fighting for their lives.”

　　“Fighting for their lives?” My eyes blinked as I stared at him. I didn’t realize his face was closer to mine as I turned. My cheeks turned red before I distanced myself away from him. “What do you mean by that?”

　　There was mirth on the way he looked at me. “And this is the reason why you must attend the Royal Head Mistress’s etiquette lessons at once.”

　　His piercing blue eyes had never left mine in his sight before he politely bowed before me. “If you are starting to be curious how the palace works, I’ll bring Madam Potter here. Have a good day, Miss Keane.”

　　As he turned and was ready to leave, I immediately called out to him, “W-wait!”

　　He turned and once again gave a professional smile. “Is there anything else you need?”

　　I hesitated for a while, staring at his face as I studied him: despite his politeness and care, Aslan Grimulf is, without a doubt, an Alpha from the Greyhound Pack.

　　Normally, wolves born with this prestige had more pride and an aura of authority. Yet, Aslan humbled himself as if a wolf turned into a loyal mutt.

　　“Why are you a royal Alpha-in-attendant? The Grimulf family is known among the prestigious packs. Why did you give it up to become…a servant of a low-ranking wolf?”

　　Like me.

　　In fact, there were so many questions that I was not aware of. I pretended not to care but now that I was a part of the Alpha King’s ‘Concubine Collection’, I had every right to know.

　　He gave me a boyish grin for the first time and at that moment, his professional facade was slowly peeling off after I “caught him off-guard” with my question.

　　“Because I chose to.”