The Alpha Prince's Purchased Maid
Chapter 47: Web of Deceit

Chapter 47: Web of Deceit

**A Few Hours Earlier **

“Seems like she’s not coming here today...” Florian said with a hint of teasing in his voice.

Leonard watched as his younger brother stepped out from the shadows of the stables and into the open where he could see Florian’s face clearly. Florian had a beautiful smile on his lips; however, his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Why are you here?” Leonard asked instead of reacting to Florian’s words.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Florian replied as he looked around the stables with distaste.

“This place doesn’t suit you and you’re not a big fan of horses. Did you come here just to see me?” Leonard asked innocently.

“My nose told me that a very sweet-smelling little maid had been working here every day,” Florian replied before he laughed playfully.

“Well, it seems like you scared her off because she didn’t turn up today,” Leonard replied smoothly.

“You knew that she wouldn’t be here, but you still came. I don’t even want to know what that means...” Florian muttered darkly.

“What do you want Florian?” Leonard asked patiently.

“How long can you keep meeting her, seeing her face, hearing her voice, smelling her scent, touching her skin before you need to fuck her...I wonder...” Florian drawled as he narrowed his green eyes at his brother knowingly.

“Florian...” Leonard said, his tone a clear warning.

“You’re almost at your limit already, aren’t you? Those pills can’t curb your desires forever...” Florian said knowingly.

Leonard knew that what Florian said was right. He could smell her even when they were not together. When he closed his eyes, he could still see her smile, her eyes, and the curves of her body. Before he knew it, the thought of her made his chest feel tight and painful.

Lust, it’s all stupid lust and his animalistic instinct.

A wolf just wants to mate...

Such a stupid animal.

“The night of the full moon is fast approaching. What do you plan to do?” Florian asked with clear interest.

“Anything to keep myself under control...” Leonard replied without hesitation.

“So, you’re not going to mate with Regina? Isn’t she pretty much spreading her legs for you and begging for you to take her? You also might piss off her father and our father if you don’t mate with her,” Florian asked curiously as he arched an eyebrow upwards.

“Don’t say disgusting and disrespectful things like that. Even if her father and the council want her to do that, Regina does not feel that way and it’s unfortunate enough that she’s gotten herself caught up in this situation,’ Leonard said as his eyes narrowed at his brother.

“Do you seriously believe that or are you just saying it? Seriously, I’m starting to pity the poor woman and for reasons very different from yours...” Florian said before he chuckled and smiled to himself.

He couldn’t believe that Leonard couldn’t see through Regina and what she really wanted and felt. His smile widened before his laughter got much louder than before when he thought of how things would play out.

“I’m leaving,” Leonard said dispassionately.

“If you don’t want her, does that mean that I can play around with her?” Florian asked with a glint of mischief in his green eyes.

“If she wants you, then it’s not my place to object...” Leonard replied without hesitation.

Thinking that he’s heard enough of this worthless talk from Florian, Leonard turned and swiftly started to walk away towards the exit of the stables.

“Does that apply to that sweet little maid as well?” Florian asked loudly and clearly from behind Leonard.

Leonard turned around and glared at his brother. His blue eyes immediately transformed into those of a wolf’s.

“It’s amazing how fast you can transform when you want to. I wish I could do something like that...” Florian said before he chuckled.

“Stay away from her, Florian,” Leonard warned with all seriousness.

Florian was about to make a teasing comment to further thwart his brother; however, his words died on his lips when he saw the evident change in Leonard’s facial expression. It seemed like something else that he couldn’t see, or sense had captured his brother’s attention. Florian looked in the direction that Leonard was looking before he started sniffing. As far as he was aware, nothing was amiss, and he couldn’t smell any danger either.

“Leo...” Florian whispered his brother’s name.

Leonard’s reaction was starting to make him feel uncomfortable. It was like his brother could sense some sort of danger that he couldn’t. Leonard’s blue eyes were focused on something very far away and he had his head up as he sniffed the air before breathing in deeply. Without a word to Florian, Leonard turned on his heels and sprinted towards the exit of the stables.

Florian watched Leonard’s back as he raced away as he wondered what had suddenly taken place. With a shrug of his shoulders, he yawned and stretched before making his way back to his palace.

...

The door to Regina’s main living room opened with a loud slammed that made her jump in surprise in her usual chair. Her head snapped towards the door to see who had the audacity to enter the room in such a disgraceful manner.

“Prince Leonard...” Regina said in a shocked whispered as she quickly stood up from her seat.

Leonard strode quickly into the room towards her. Regina gulp when she saw the cold look in the prince’s blue eyes.

“I didn’t expect you to come see me today...” Regina said before smiling sweetly.

“Where is she?” Leonard asked, getting right to the point of his sudden visit.

“May I know who you’re asking about?” Regina asked with a blank look on her face.

“The maid...where is she?” Leonard asked sternly as he stared back at Regina.

“There are many maids working in my palace. I am not sure...” Regina began saying; however, the grim expression that darkened Leonard’s handsome features made her words die an instant death on her lips.

She could tell that it was no use pretending that she didn’t know who he was referring to. It was clear that he already knew that she was somehow involved in the maid’s disappearance. Her eyes glanced down to the gold watch on her wrist.

--To be continued...