Scarred by Moonlight

Chapter 7: Every Cinderella Needs A Estella

The coarse bristles of the scrub brush dug into River’s palm as she dragged it across the marble floor. Her knees ached against the hard surface, but she didn’t slow down. The faint smell of bleach hung heavy in the air, mingling with her frustration. Nyx, her wolf, growled low in the back of her mind.

It had been days since River had come to this new pack, and while she hadn’t expected red carpet treatment, scrubbing floors and cleaning toilets weren’t on her Bingo card. She was a Delta wolf, not exactly pack royalty, but she wasn’t a damn omega.

“I could claw her f*****g face off,” Nyx snarled, her voice a low hum of fury.

River’s lips twitched into a humorless smile. “And then we’d be banished, or worse. The solution isn’t always violence…. No matter how deserving the problem is.”

Above her, Lilia stood with arms crossed, the older woman’s shadow looming as she barked orders.

“Scrub harder! I can still see streaks.”

Nyx growled, “It may not be the solution, but it is always an option.”

River bit the inside of her cheek, refusing to give the woman the satisfaction of a reaction. She knew the routine by now. Every task was never good enough. Every effort somehow fell short of Lilia’s impossible standards.

“In the Bloody Crescent, even refugees must do their part,” Lilia said for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. It was like she was a record stuck on the same bitchy, condescending line.

River gritted her teeth, focusing on the rhythmic scrape of the brush. She’d heard the line so often it was etched into her mind, a constant reminder of how far she’d fallen. Once a proud Delta in the Sacred Dawn Pack, now she was nothing more than an omega, scrubbing floors like a servant.

“Pathetic,” Lilia muttered under her breath, loud enough for River to hear.

Nyx growled again. “One word, River. Let me handle her. No one will find her! Not even the damn crows!”

River’s hand tightened on the brush. “No. We endure.”

The sound of voices interrupted the tense silence. River glanced up, her heart sinking as Ashley and Estella rounded the corner. Ashley’s sharp intake of breath was immediate.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Ashley asked, her voice a mix of shock and anger. As River had come to learn, Ashley was the packs fashionista extraordinaire. She was dressed in a brunt orange cropped sweater that played beautifully with her brown skin and ripped jeans that she’d paired with tights. Her dreadlocks hang down her back with a few wooden beads at the end.

River flushed, looking down at the plain maid’s uniform that Lilia had insisted she wear. It was demeaning, a symbol of her reduced status, but she couldn’t argue. What could she say?

Estella frowned, her expression a blend of confusion and concern. “River, what are you doing?” Her arms folded over the orange floral print dress and brown leather jacket she wore.

Before River could respond, Lilia’s voice cut through the air like a whip.

“She’s doing exactly what she’s supposed to—earning her keep. She’s lucky we even allow her to stay here after the destruction of her pack.” River thought she heard like mutter about packless squatters but she couldn’t be sure.

River flinched, the words slicing through her. She kept her head down, scrubbing harder, wishing she could disappear. The ground could swallow her up and she’d be perfectly happy.

Ashley stepped forward, her fists clenched. “You—”

Nyx echoed in River’s mind, “Old bitch.”

Estella stopped her with a hand on her arm. The younger woman’s expression darkened, her normally cheerful demeanor replaced with icy fury.

“Do you know who you’re talking about?” Estella asked, her voice low and dangerous.

Lilia scoffed. “A new omega who should be grateful we didn’t turn her away.”

Estella’s eyes flashed. “You’re talking about a woman who risked her life to save children during the Falling of the Sacred Dawn. A woman who single-handedly took out seventeen hunters to protect her people. And you’re making her scrub floors?”

Lilia opened her mouth to respond, but the sharp glare Estella shot her made her snap it shut.

“Unbelievable,” Estella muttered. She turned to River, grabbing her arm. “You’re coming with me.”

River tried to protest, “It’s fine! Really! I’m almost done.”

Estella was already dragging her down the hall. Ashley followed, her steps quick and purposeful.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” River said, glancing back at Lilia, who stood fuming in the hallway.

Nyx was practically dancing. “It’s a great idea!”

“Too bad,” Estella replied without looking back.

Grayson looked up from the stack of papers on his desk as the door to his office burst open. Estella stormed in, dragging River behind her, with Ashley bringing up the rear. Ashley smiled as she leaned against the doorframe, enjoying the look of shock on Grayson’s face.

Grayson raised an eyebrow. “Estella? Pookie? What’s going on?”

Estella released River and crossed her arms. “I’m here to make a request, darling.”

Grayson leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “This should be good.”

“I want River reassigned as my personal guard,” Estella said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

River’s eyes widened. “What? Miss Estella …”

Nyx was rolling with laughter. “Us a bodyguard?”

Grayson frowned. “Estella, that’s not how this works. River hasn’t had any formal guard training—”

“She doesn’t need it,” Estella interrupted, her voice firm. “She’s already proven herself. She’s more capable than half the guards in this pack, trained or not.”

“That’s not the point,” Grayson said, his tone patient and loving. “Being a guard isn’t just about fighting. It’s about discipline, strategy, and—”

“And she has all of that,” Estella argued. “She’s just being wasted because some bitter omega can’t stand her, Pookie. It’s not fair.”

Grayson sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Estella—”

“Please,” Estella said, softening her tone. She stepped closer, her eyes pleading. “I need this, Grayson. I don’t feel safe without someone I trust. And I trust River.”

Nyx deadpanned, “No way this works. She doesn’t even know US.”

Grayson studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he sighed. “You’re really not going to let this go, are you?”

“Nope,” Estella said with a sweet smile, her dimples adding an extra layer of dramatic flare. “This would make me so happy, my love.”

Grayson shook his head, a small smile breaking through his exasperation. “Fine. But she’ll need proper training. I won’t send you iqnto a dangerous situation unprepared.”

Estella beamed, leaning down to kiss him. “Thank you!”

Ashley, who had been silent until now, made a gagging sound. “Ugh, get a room.”

Grayson chuckled, pulling away from Estella. “You’re welcome. But don’t think I’ll make a habit of this.”

Estella grinned. “Of course not. You’re just extra generous today, Pookie.”

As the three women left the office, Estella turned to River, her expression smug. “See? It’s good to have a mate in leadership.”

Ashley snorted. “You mean it’s good to be spoiled.”

“Same thing,” Estella said with a wink. “And don’t worry, River, basically, Grayson will be paying you to hang out and shop”

River walked in silence, her mind racing. The sudden shift in her circumstances felt surreal. Just hours ago, she’d been scrubbing floors, enduring Lilia’s insults. Now, she was being reassigned as a personal guard—a position of respect, even if it was unofficial, and she had friends- at least allies.

Nyx hummed with satisfaction. “Finally, someone recognizes our worth.”

River wasn’t sure whether to feel grateful or uneasy. She knew Estella meant well, but the thought of stepping into a role she wasn’t prepared for made her stomach churn. Still, she couldn’t deny the flicker of hope that sparked in her chest.