6
1009 Words
The whispers of the pack members followed me as I walked down the street, it felt like a ghostly chorus of condemnation. I could feel their eyes on me, their judgmental stares searing into my skin. I kept my head held high, refusing to let them see my fear. But inside I felt like a caged animal, my heart was pounding in my chest.
I reached the maid's quarters and pushed the door open. The other maids looked up, their faces a mix of curiosity and pity. But I refused to meet their gazes, keeping my gaze fixed on the floor as I made my way to my room.
The rumours flew like sparks from a bonfire, each retelling adding new embellishments and flourishes. The story grew with each telling until it was barely recognizable from the truth. I was the outcast, the one without a wolf. I was the sinner, the one who had betrayed my sister. And in this pack, this was all that mattered.
I knew that I would never be able to escape the judgment of the others. No matter how hard I tried, the rumours would follow me like a shadow, tainting my every step.
Sarah had always been the favourite of the pack, her beauty and charm winning their affections. And now with this situation, Sarah saw an opportunity to solidify her position.
She whispered lies into the ears of the other pack members, painting me as a harlot and a traitor. And the pack, always eager for gossip and drama ate it up.
I couldn't do anything to defend myself, my voice was drowned out by the roar of the pack's judgment.
It was a battle I knew I could never win. I could only hope that someday, the pack would understand and see the truth.
"What do you think you are doing?" Miss Dawson's voice thundered by the doorway.
I froze, my heart sinking like a stone. Mrs Dawson was the head of the pack, and her word was law in the maid's quarters.
"Go clean up Sarah's chambers and when you are done, meet me in the kitchen," she said walking out.
I knew that I had no choice but to obey. With a heavy heart, I made my way up to Sarah's room, picking up a mob and bucket with other cleaning supplies along the way.
Opening the door to Sarah's chambers I let out a sigh of relief as I began to today the room. At least Sarah wasn't here to torment me further. As I made the bed, I couldn't help but wonder how things had gotten to this point.
I scrubbed the floor furiously, trying to banish the thoughts that plagued my mind. But no matter how hard I scrubbed, the stain of Sarah's lie remained.
I could help but recall the conversation I had with a maid, I could feel the eyes of the maids on me, their disdain almost palpable.
"Why don't you just leave?" one of the maids asked. "You're not wanted here."
I had to bite my lips to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. But the words stung, and I couldn't find them back. "I can't," I whispered.
They didn't understand my situation, they couldn't understand that leaving would be like severing a limb, like being torn from everything that made me who I was.
The pack was my only connection to my mother and her words had always been "You're strong."
But now I wondered if I was really strong as she said.
Sarah and her friends walked into the room, they stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes widening in surprise as they noticed me. I could feel their gazes burning into me, their expression a mixture of shock and disgust. The room was suddenly silent, the tension so thick that it was almost suffocating.
"What's going on here?" Sarah asked, her voice sharp and accusing.
My heart was racing, my palms sweating as I struggled to find the words to explain. But before I could speak, Sarah had already turned to her friends with a wicked grin on her face.
"You seduced my man, and now you think cleaning my room will wash the stench of a harlot off you," Sarah said, her voice dripping venom.
"You are nothing but a burden, always messing up and causing trouble"
I felt the sting of her words, like a physical blow. I wanted to protest to tell Sarah that she was wrong, that I had never meant to cause any trouble. But I couldn't get the words out, my throat constricting with emotion.
Sarah's words were like a dagger to my heart, piercing deep and leaving a wound that would not easily heal.
I wanted to defend myself, to tell them that it was all a misunderstanding. But I knew it was no use.
Sarah continued, her voice rising in anger. "You're nothing but a shameful little parasite, and I want you gone." Her friends murmured in agreement, their eyes full of judgment.
It felt like I was being stabbed over and over again, each word a fresh wound. I had never felt so alone, so small and insignificant.
I rushed out of the room, and as the door slammed behind me, I fought to keep the tears at bay. I couldn't let them see me cry, couldn't let them see my weakness. So I ran, my heart pounding in my chest, as my feet carried me to the kitchen where Miss Dawson waited.
When I arrived, Miss Dawson looked at me with a look that looked like concern "Are you alright" she asked.
I could feel my eyes burning with punished tears, but I forced myself to keep them at bay. I didn't want Miss Dawson to think I was incapable of doing my job.
With a nod, I responded, "I'll be okay". She stared at me for a minute before handing me a list of things to get completed before the end of the day.
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