Assigned to clean theAlpha’s manor
1029 Words
IRIS POV
THREE DAYS LATER~
"Can you pass me the basket, please."
“Sure.”
My voice came out rougher than I intended. One hour of scrubbing clothes had made everything ache—my back, my shoulders, even my jaw.
"Here." I shoved the knitted basket across the damp grass, not bothering to hide the exhaustion dragging at my arms. The thing was heavier than it looked, Ryker soaked tunic was arranged inside.
Mira's fingers curled around the handle, and she pulled it onto the flat stone beside her with a grunt. She started laying the wet clothes out on the grass—one, two, three—each one slapping softly against the blades.
Then she looked at me.
"You're getting faster at this." A small smile tugged at her mouth. "Your hands aren't shaking like they did yesterday."
I glanced down at my once delicate fingers. My knuckles had turned red and swollen beyond recognition, yet I didn’t notice. I was clearly getting use to this hardship.
"If I don't get faster, that witchy head maid won't go easy on me." I scrubbed harder at the wool in my grip, scrubbing like I could erase the memory of her sharp voice, and evil stare. "I can't risk it."
"You are so funny."
Mira's face cracked into a grin, and I felt something in my chest loosen. Then I started laughing too.
We laughed until my sides hurt. Until the river seemed to laugh with us.
Then Mira stopped. Her hand came up, warm and quick, and brushed across my cheek. Her thumb swiped at something just below my eye.
"A bubble," she said, holding up her glistening finger. "It was feeling too comfortable."
I stared at her, warmth crept in my heart. How could I thank her enough being the only person kind to me in this place.
A grateful smile formed on my lips.
"Come on," she said, pulling me up with a quick tug. "If we're late, we won't even get to eat lunch."
We carried the heavy wicker basket back together. Step by step, the dark stone walls of the Alpha manor came into view.
My mind drifted to Ryker once again. Now he had made me a maid in his pack and a subject of constant ridicule, I don’t know his next plan or when he would fully claim me that was the day I dread.
The thought made fear settle deep in me.
"Are you okay?" Mira asked, looking over at me.
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a small smile.
The familiar, suffocating air of the servants' quarters greeted us. Mira set her side of the basket down on the floor. "I have to go do something quickly. I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?"
“Don't worry, I'll be back in a jiffy."
"Okay. Don't be long."
She gave me a quick nod and disappeared down the dimly lit corridor.
I leaned against the cold stone wall, resting my aching head. The other maids were already beginning to gather in the main hallway. It was almost time for the head maid to hand out the next shift duties.
Everyone avoided my gaze. They stood in small groups, whispering and giggling, making sure to leave a wide, empty space around me.
I ignored them and closed my eyes.
"Line up! All of you!" the loud, grating voice of the head maid echoed through the hall.
The maids immediately scrambled into a straight line. I took my place near the back, my heart sinking as I realized Mira still wasn't back yet.
If I ended up unpaired, the head maid would surely assign me to the worst, most backbreaking task alone.
She marched down the line, holding her wooden clipboard. Her sharp eyes scanned us like a hawk.
"You two, the east wing dusting," she barked, pointing at two girls. "You and you, the kitchen prep. Move!"
My breathing grew shallow as she got closer to my spot.
Five more girls left.
Four.
Three.
Oh, Mira where the hell are you?
I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the worst. Suddenly, a warm body slipped into the empty spot right next to me.
I opened my eyes. Mira was there. She was breathing slightly heavily, her hair a bit messy.
"I'm here," she whispered under her breath.
"Thank goodness," I said, letting out a sigh of relief.
But as I looked at her, my relief faltered. Mira looked... different. Her skin was unusually pale, and her eyes kept darting toward the floor. Her fingers were twitching, repeatedly clutching the fabric of her apron.
"Are you okay?" I whispered, leaning in slightly. "You look pale."
"I'm fine," she said quickly. Too quickly. "Just ran all the way back so I wouldn't miss the lineup."
"Are you sure? Your hands are shaking."
"I'm fine, Iris. Really. Just pay attention."
Her voice had a sharp edge to it that I had never heard before. It made me uneasy, but I shrugged it off.
The head maid stopped directly in front of us. She looked down her nose at me, her lips curling into a thin, displeased line.
"Well. Look who decided to show up on time."
I kept my eyes lowered, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.
She tapped her pen against the clipboard, her gaze moving slowly between Mira and me. The silence stretched, heavy and tense.
"You two," the head maid finally spoke, her voice dripping with cold authority.
"Yes, ma'am?" Mira answered, her voice tight.
"Since you both love working together so much, you will be handling the Alpha's private quarters."
My heart stopped.
His quarters.
"The study needs to be dusted, and the fireplace in his bedchamber must be cleared of ash," She continued, her eyes lingering on my pale face.
"We will get it done," Mira said quietly.
"You have two hours before the Alpha returns from his border patrol. If there is a single speck of dust when he gets back..." She leaned in closer to me. "I will personally ensure your back meets the whip. Am I understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," I whispered.
"Get to work. Now."
- Writer
