Alaina watched a little too closely as Maya left the dining room. She had a dark look on her face as she clung to Theo. She had hoped to embarrass her during breakfast, but her plans were foiled.

Alaina was convinced she must have had some help. There was no way the piggy princess could make such a meal herself. She couldn’t even wash dishes. She was still glaring at her backside until the door shut behind her.

She turned her head to look at Bess, who scrambled to start clearing up the table. Her hands shook lightly as she felt Alaina’s gaze on her.

"Theo," she called sweetly as she let go of him. "Would you go ahead? I will be in your room in a minute. I need to finish up here and delegate the task Keenan gave to me to the maids."

"Of course. I’ll be in my room. Let me know when you want to leave for the orphanage."

She nodded and smiled at him. He stood up, returning her smile before he started toward the door. As soon as his back was turned, Alaina’s smile fell, and she directed a glare at Bess, who stood rooted to the spot, unable to meet Alaina’s eyes.

"What part of ’no one is to help her’ did you not understand?" Alaina yelled as soon as the door closed behind Theo.

Bess gripped the plates tightly. "I promise she had no help, Lady Alaina."

"Do you expect me to believe she made the chicken soup herself?" Alaina looked at Bess with disbelief.

"Yes! Every step. I watched her cut it; she even knew how to take out the innards." Bess had tears in her eyes as she explained.

"You’re lying."

"I wouldn’t dare, Lady Alaina. You can ask any maid who was in the kitchen when I was. Agnes did try to stop her from putting a particular spice in, but that didn’t make any difference—she put it in anyway. From start to finish, she did it all by herself."

Alaina looked as though her eyes were going to pop out of her head. "There is no way that piggy royal can cook!"

"She can. I have never seen Agnes look at anyone with approval before. She still glares at all the maids and never allows anyone near the hearth, but it was obvious Agnes found her bearable."

"The little schemer!" Alaina yelled as she made a fist. "Putting up an act as though she can’t cook. She just wanted to show off her skills, thinking she can get in Alpha Keenan’s good graces..." Alaina threw her head back and laughed. "That’s not going to happen now."

Keenan would never know she cooked it, and Alaina would make sure not to let her anywhere near the kitchen. Keenan had complimented her cooking; she was going to make sure that never happened again.

Bess watched Alaina, nodding slightly with relief on her expression as she realized she wasn’t going to be punished. Once again, Alaina was focused on Maya.

"Bess!" Alaina suddenly called as she stopped laughing.

"Yes," Bess replied stiffly.

"Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere near the kitchen. I will be back by sunset, just in time for dinner."

The last thing she wanted was for Maya to cook dinner. If something tasted different, Keenan was bound to notice. She would rather die than give Maya the chance to appease the Alpha.

"Yes, Lady Alaina. You can count on me."

"Wonderful," Alaina replied with a thoughtful expression.

"Erm, Lady Alaina," Bess whispered.

"What is it?"

Bess’s grip on the plates didn’t slacken. "What about the rooms we need to get ready?"

Alaina sneered, looking into the distant space in the dining room. "We have two days, right? Leave that to me."

Bess nodded and returned her attention to clearing the dishes while Alaina walked out of the room with a wide smile on her face.

Maya wanted to curry the Alpha’s favor. It was never going to happen, not under her watch. She didn’t deserve even the slightest bit of pity, and Alaina was determined to make things worse for her. So unbearable that Maya would have no choice but to leave.

She walked briskly, making her way to Theo’s bedroom. He was next door to her bedroom. She didn’t particularly like this arrangement, but it would be suspicious if she declined. After all, they were fated mates. No one would bat an eyelid if they lived in the same room.

She didn’t bother knocking as she walked in. Theo lay shirtless on his bed, his arms behind his head. He smiled as soon as the door opened. Only Alaina would barge into his room without knocking.

She took in his chest, and smiled to herself as she strutted to him, swaying her hips from side to side. Sunlight from the open window made a path of rays as she walked forward.

She walked past the desk next to the shelf of books, and her dress slightly brushed against the chair tucked under the desk.

She didn’t stop walking until she stood at the foot of the bed. Theo watched her with steady eyes, and the scent of his arousal slowly filled the room.

Alaina got on all fours and crawled over his body. Theo didn’t move; he just watched her. He knew better than to. Alaina was in a good mood; the wrong move from him would ruin it.

She traced her fingers over his chest, and Theo’s jaw tightened as all the sensation pooled at his groin. He tightly grabbed the back of his head to keep his hands from moving.

She lowered her head to plant a kiss on his chest as she straddled him. Theo jerked as bolts of pleasure zapped through his body when she sat on his arousal.

Alaina smiled against his chest, pressing down through her dress as she ground against him, feeling him grow beneath her.

"Alaina," Theo gasped.

She gathered her dress upward as she planted herself more steadily, rotating her hips while Theo grew redder.

"Alaina," he called out like a curse.

His hands came undone, and he reached out to touch her but stopped himself and grabbed the sheets instead.