fate's celestial blueprint

through hell

I tiptoed along the corridor of the fourth level, ensuring I didn’t create a sound as I moved past Alpha Haden Tavros’s and Beta Davencourt’s quarters. Both were without mates, and I occasionally questioned if that was why they were both so short-tempered. Haden no longer lost his cool with me, at least not since he took on the Alpha title nearly two years ago. He assigns most of the discipline to Brent, though I suspect he doesn’t actually take pleasure in doing it. I’ve been told that once you discover your destined partner, everything in life just clicks, and that person becomes the one who can truly soothe you. They make you feel protected and cherished. I wish and plead to the Moon Deity that I’ll find my fated one soon. I’ve never let go of that belief, no matter how useless and shattered I’ve felt. I will never give up hope that he'll save me one day.When I eventually arrived at the restroom at the far end of the corridor, I cautiously pushed the door open and glanced inside to ensure the space was empty. Once I was certain nobody was there, I hurried in and gently closed the door behind me. I lingered near the doorway, contemplating whether or not it would be wise to take a fast rinse. It had been nearly a fortnight since I last had the chance to wash. Unwilling to second-guess myself, I made my way to one of the stalls and swiftly switched on the faucet. As I waited for the temperature to rise, I rummaged through a few cupboards, locating partially used bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and cleansing bar.

After I gathered everything I required, I stepped into the spray. The warm water cascaded over my weary body. I drenched my hair before I uncapped the shampoo container and took a brief whiff. The aroma of honey and vanilla filled my nostrils, and I released a satisfied sigh. I dispensed some shampoo into my hand and massaged it into my scalp. I watched as the transparent water turned cloudy during the rinse. After that, I applied some conditioner that carried a floral fragrance and allowed it to sit. As it worked its charm to make my hair feel sleek and soft, I grabbed a portion of body wash that carried a cinnamon scent and spread it over my entire frame. Considering the countless bruises and marks scattered across my skin, it wasn’t surprising. Brent frequently brought me to his private chamber where he delivered punishments behind closed doors. The sensation of his rough palms against my skin lingered, making me shiver with discomfort. I dislike being alone with that beast.After washing away all the grime and suds from my skin, I wrapped myself in the soft towel I had placed here the night before for the other members of the group and stepped out of the stall. I ensured the shower was rinsed clean so no one would suspect I had been there, then dried off and put my clothes back on. Approaching the sink, I wiped away some condensation from the glass before glancing at my reflection. I wouldn't describe myself as attractive, just passable but not lovely. My pale-blue eyes gazed back at me, lifeless and weighed down with sorrow. My skin was fair with faint freckles scattered across my cheeks. A light scar marked my brow from a strike to the face that was never meant to happen. I gave my reflection a forced smile, hoping it would deceive my thoughts. But instead, it only made me appear more miserable. I exhaled and turned on the faucet then began brushing my teeth, After spitting out the toothpaste, I picked up the now-dirty towel from the ground and flipped off the light before stepping out of the restroom. I tucked the toothbrush and the small tube of toothpaste into my pants pocket and made my way down to the cooking area to begin preparing breakfast for everyone. I reached for the worn apron that hung from the pantry handle and secured it tightly around my curvy, pear-like build. As I prepared a basic meal to feed the hundred fighters and ranked members who lived within the pack home, I occasionally sampled small bits of the food. They would be enraged if they ever discovered me eating anything that was meant for them.

After breakfast was prepared and placed on the table, I cleaned all the dishes and tidied the kitchen. I wiped down the surfaces and the basin before heading toward the washroom to retrieve my woven hamper. I made certain to exit through the servant’s door, the sole entry and exit I was permitted to use when leaving or entering the pack home, and stepped out into the crisp morning spring breeze to collect the clothes from the line that had been left out the previous evening. I paused at the rear doorway for a short while, observing my breath in the chilly air and quietly grinning. I wished I had been given a pullover or even a thin coat. The chill bit at my uncovered arms as I packed the wicker basket and brought it back inside. I placed it down in the laundry space and began sorting the garments of each pack member who lived in the residence, then continued organizing them outside of the chambers, placing them on the tables near the sleeping quarters. Beside those tables sat hampers filled with soiled garments that required washing.

The former Alpha made certain that tasks were never simple for me, so I’m forced to clean all the clothes manually. Alpha Haden has attempted to appeal to our pack seniors to provide me with a washing machine at the very least, but naturally, he was refused. They took pleasure in seeing someone insignificant like me in distress. As I gathered the final load of filthy garments, I returned to the laundry area to toss them into the large metallic basin and allow them to soak in the heated liquid. If I concentrated hard enough, I could detect everyone moving about and heading into the eating hall where the morning meal I had prepared remained warm. I didn’t possess the heightened wolf senses like the rest. I had never transformed, so my form stayed quite similar to that of a regular person. The sole distinction was that I could recover at a slightly quicker pace than a normal person, though still not as swiftly as a wolf. My hearing was slightly more refined, but still not on par with a wolf’s. I couldn’t see in low light the way a wolf could either. I did everything I could to make it seem like I was hard at work in the laundry space. My face was already drenched in perspiration as I began scrubbing some garments. Water splattered onto my clothes and a small amount hit the ground. I was nearly ready to shift part of the rinsed laundry into the wringer pail when a loud bang echoed from the dining area.

“Scarlet! You worthless waste of space! Get in here and pick this up!” one of the she-wolves hollered.

I stood up quickly, drying my sudsy palms on my apron and seizing a cloth as I hurried into the dining hall holding a brush. The moment I dropped to my knees on the firm oak floor.