Running on Empty

Servant

Darlene

The next morning, I still hesitated, considering whether to retreat to my room for breakfast, but the warning in Alpha Victor's eyes stopped me in my tracks. He looked at me sternly and motioned for me to sit down. I reluctantly took my place, keeping my gaze fixed on my plate. As I began my breakfast, the strained silence broken only by the occasional clinking of cutlery.

Jillian, attempting to inject some semblance of normalcy, spoke with a forced cheerfulness. "Darlene, we have to be a family, especially now with the upcoming events. Don't make things difficult for everyone."

I sighed, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Jillian, this family ceased to exist the moment you entered our lives. Don't pretend like everything is normal."

Before Jillian could respond, the door opened, and our pack beta, Marlon, entered the room. "Good morning, Alpha Victor, Jillian, Margaret, and Darlene," he greeted with a respectful nod.

Alpha Victor acknowledged him with a nod. "Morning, Marlon. What brings you here?"

Marlon's expression turned serious. "Alpha, we've received news that a group of vampires is attacking not only humans but werewolf packs as well. There's a meeting of all werewolf tribes with different alpha packs, and they've requested our presence."

Jillian's eyes widened with concern. "Vampires? What's happening?"

Alpha Victor sighed, his face reflecting the gravity of the situation. "It seems there's a growing threat. We need to attend the meeting to discuss how we can collectively protect ourselves and our territories."

Margaret, looking worried, asked, "Are we in danger, Dad?"

Alpha Victor reassured her, "We'll take every precaution, Margaret. The meeting is tomorrow. Marlon, inform them that we'll be there."

Marlon nodded. "Yes, Alpha. I'll convey the message."

Alpha Victor reached for Jillian's hand, a somber expression on his face. "Jillian, I have to attend a meeting of werewolf tribes for the next three days. As my Luna, you'll be in charge of the pack during my absence."

Jillian smiled sweetly, her eyes reflecting a sense of pride. "Of course, Alpha. I'll do my best to lead the pack in your stead."

Alpha Victor nodded, his gaze shifting towards me. "Darlene, I need you to cooperate with Jillian. This is a crucial time, and we can't afford internal conflicts."

I sighed, a mixture of frustration and resignation settling within me. "Fine, I'll play along. But don't expect me to pretend everything is normal."

Alpha Victor's eyes narrowed, a warning evident in his tone. "Darlene, this is for the pack's safety. I expect you to show respect to Jillian and Margaret while I'm away."

I nodded, my agreement veiled in reluctant compliance. The facade of unity persisted, the weight of Alpha Victor's expectations pressing down on me.

Margaret, seemingly oblivious to the underlying tension, rushed to Alpha Victor and hugged him. "Dad, I'll miss you! Take care, okay?"

Alpha Victor chuckled, ruffling Margaret's hair. "I'll miss you too, sweetheart. But I'll be back before you know it."

The sight of their affectionate exchange only deepened the resentment within me. Margaret's relationship with Alpha Victor highlighted the stark contrast between her experience and mine.

The next day. I stayed in my room, avoiding the farewell that transpired between Alpha Victor, Jillian, and Margaret. As I observed from the window, Alpha Victor stood at the doorway, dressed for his departure. Jillian and Margaret flanked him, their expressions a mix of sadness and anticipation for his return.

Jillian clasped Alpha Victor's hand, a tenderness in her gaze. "Take care, my love. We'll be here waiting for you."

Margaret hugged him tightly, her voice filled with genuine affection. "Dad, be safe. We'll miss you."

Alpha Victor smile, "I'll miss you both. Take care of each other while I'm away." Then he ride the car and left.

I was engrossed in the world of my book, attempting to find solace within its pages, when the door to my room swung open with a force that shattered the fragile peace. Startled, I looked up to see Jillian and Margaret standing in the doorway, their expressions a mix of arrogance and determination.

"Darlene, we need to talk," Jillian declared, her tone laced with a sense of entitlement.

I frowned, annoyed by their intrusion. "Can't you see I'm busy? And who gave you permission to barge into my room without knocking?"

Margaret smirked, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "This is my home too, Darlene. We don't need your permission."

I scoffed, incredulous at their audacity. "Your home? This was my home long before you arrived."

Jillian, dismissing my protest, stepped further into the room. "Enough of your attitude, Darlene. We need to discuss some ground rules while Alpha Victor is away."

I laughed bitterly, the absurdity of the situation not lost on me. "Ground rules? You're not my mother, Jillian. You have no right to dictate anything to me."

Jillian's eyes flashed with irritation. "I may not be your mother, but I am the Luna of this pack now. You will respect that."

An indignant retort was on the tip of my tongue when Jillian's hand swung through the air, the sharp sound of a slap reverberating in the room. My cheek stung with the impact, and I recoiled from the unexpected violence.

"Watch your mouth, Darlene. I won't tolerate disrespect," Jillian warned, her tone cold and unforgiving.

I touched my cheek, seething with anger. "You have no right to hit me. You're not my mother, and you never will be."

Margaret, seemingly relishing the confrontation, added with a smirk, "Get used to it, Darlene. Things are different now, and you better fall in line."

My eyes narrowed, my defiance unwavering. "I will never fall in line, Margaret. You and Jillian can play your little games, but I won't be a part of it."

Jillian's arrogant smirk remained firmly in place as she proclaimed, "Darlene, I am now the Luna, and while Alpha Victor is away, I am the one who leads. No one, including you, will dare to disobey me."

My eyes narrowed, and I couldn't hold back my contempt. "You're nothing more than a mistress, Jillian. You'll never be the Luna."

Enraged by my defiance, Jillian's hand struck my face again, the force of the slap resonating through the room. "You will address me with respect, Darlene. I am the Luna, and you will obey."

I held my stinging cheeks, a mixture of anger and disbelief coursing through me. "You're a b***h, Jillian. You'll never replace my mother."

Jillian's eyes blazed with fury, and she struck again, this time on the other cheek. "Watch your tongue, Darlene. You're no longer the heir. My daughter, Margaret, will inherit everything."

Margaret, reveling in the moment, chimed in with a mocking grin. "That's right. I'm the favorite daughter now. Daddy loves us more than he ever loved you or your pathetic mother."

My blood boiled at their audacity, the truth of their cruel words cutting deep. "You're both heartless. Alpha Victor cheated on my mother because you fool him!”

Jillian laughed derisively. "Darlene, you're just a bitter reminder of the past. Get used to the fact that you're no longer the center of Alpha Victor's world."

I couldn't bear the weight of their mockery any longer. "Get out of my room, both of you. I won't tolerate your presence here."

Margaret grinned, a malicious glint in her eyes, as she delivered another slap. "You don't get to tell us what to do, Darlene. We're in charge now."

Jillian, relishing the moment, added, "Remember your place. You're no longer the alpha's favored child. It's time for you to accept the truth."

I seethed with anger, my fists clenched. "Get out, or I swear I'll make you regret stepping foot in here."

Jillian's furiously she yanked me by the hair, dragging me forcefully outside my room. The humiliation of being treated like a disobedient child burned beneath my anger. Yet, the realization that Jillian could wield such power in the absence of Alpha Victor left me seething with resentment.

Jillian, her grip unyielding, barked out commands to the mansion's servants. "Listen up, everyone! Starting today until Alpha Victor returns, Darlene will serve as well. She needs to learn her place and show some respect to the new Luna. If anyone disobeys, there will be consequences."

The servants exchanged uneasy glances, caught in the crossfire of the power dynamics that unfolded before them. I could see the discomfort in their eyes, but the weight of their obedience to Jillian's authority prevailed.

Jillian arrogantly continued, "Darlene will work alongside you, doing whatever tasks are assigned. This is a lesson she sorely needs. Now, get back to your duties."

The servants, reluctant but compliant, dispersed with lowered heads. The air thickened with the silent acknowledgment of the new hierarchy, and I felt a pang of shame that went beyond the physical pain inflicted on me.

Margaret, standing beside Jillian, added her mocking tone to the proceedings. "Looks like you're not so special anymore, Darlene. Maybe you'll learn to keep that attitude in check."

I glared at them both, my hands clenching into fists. The injustice of the situation fueled the fire within me. But as I scanned the indifferent faces of the servants, I understood the futility of resistance. Jillian had wielded her newfound authority, and I was left powerless in its wake.

Jillian, still gripping my hair, dragged me toward the servants' quarters. The hushed whispers of the mansion's staff followed us, a chorus of judgment and pity. My humiliation reached its peak as Jillian proclaimed, "From now on, Darlene will share in your duties. Treat her no differently than any other servant."

The reality of my reduced status hit me like a physical blow. I, who had once been part of the pack's leadership, was now relegated to the lowest rung of the hierarchy. The bitterness of the situation fueled my anger, but I knew I had little choice but to endure.