THE RISE OF THE SUPREME QUEEN

SPLASH! I jerked awake with a strangled gasp as ice-cold water drenched my face, soaking my hair, nightdress, and mattress. Before I could catch my breath, pain shot through my body. My ribs throbbed, my back burned, and purple bruises covered my arms. Yesterday's beating. I lowered my eyes, remembering the kicks, punches, and laughter. I had curled up on the cold ground, begging them to stop, but nobody had listened. "Well, well, well. Look who's finally awake!" Alyssa stood beside my bed, holding an empty bucket. Chloe and Lizzie stood behind her, grinning. "What is wrong with you?" I whispered. Alyssa raised an eyebrow. "What did you just say, you pathetic little thing?" "Nothing." "That's what I thought." She threw the bucket onto the floor. "Get up, Runt! Breakfast should already be ready." "The sun hasn't even—" "Finish that sentence," she challenged. I immediately lowered my eyes. "Get downstairs before I make you regret opening your mouth." Chloe snickered. "Perhaps the little princess expects us to carry her." "Princess?" Lizzie laughed. "She's more like a rat." Their laughter followed me as I struggled out of bed. There had been a time when nobody would have dared speak to me that way. I was Serene, daughter of Alpha Richard and Luna Elena, the beloved princess of the Blackwood bloodline. But my mother was murdered, and my father took his own life months later, unable to bear losing his mate. My older brother, Darius, inherited the Alpha title. I lost everything else. My family name meant nothing. My blood meant nothing. Even my existence seemed to offend the people who had once respected my parents. Now, I was nothing more than the Pack Runt—the Alpha's useless little sister. Alyssa grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the door. I cried out as pain tore through my shoulder. "Stop making that disgusting noise!" she snapped. "If breakfast isn't ready, explain to Alpha Darius why you think you're more important than everyone else." Fear settled in my stomach. Alyssa frightened me, but Darius terrified me. I stumbled downstairs, holding the wall for support. I didn't have the strength to argue or even cry. All I wanted was to survive another day. --- The kitchen was cold when I arrived. I washed my hands and began preparing breakfast, forcing my trembling fingers to chop the vegetables. I had barely started when a familiar voice thundered through the doorway. "Where is my breakfast?" I dropped the knife. Alpha Darius stood before me in black training clothes, his expression dark with irritation. He possessed our father's striking features, but whatever kindness our father had taught him seemed to have disappeared with our parents. "Why is there no food on the table?" he demanded. "I—I just came down. I'm preparing it now." SMACK! His palm struck my cheek, sending me crashing to the floor. Before I could recover, he kicked me in the side. "Useless! Do you think everyone should wait for you?" "I'm sorry, Alpha. I'll hurry." "Don't tell me you're sorry. Get up!" I struggled to my knees, fighting back tears. "Let this be the last time I find you in this kitchen without food ready. Next time, you'll regret it." "Yes, Alpha." I had stopped calling him my brother long ago. He had made it clear that he no longer wanted to be one. "What happened here, babe?" Luna Brianna entered, her expensive dress and perfectly styled hair making her look untouched by the ugliness surrounding her. Darius gestured toward the empty counter. "The Pack Runt hasn't prepared breakfast." Brianna turned to me. "How difficult is it to prepare one simple meal?" "I've started cooking, Luna. I'll finish soon." "Are you talking back at me?" "No, Luna. I'm sorry." "Then stand up!" I tried, but pain shot through my side. Brianna clicked her tongue before kicking me in the stomach. I fell against the cupboard, gasping for air. "Stop your theatrics and make breakfast. You have fifteen minutes." She turned to leave, then glanced over her shoulder. "And don't even think about tasting anything. I'll know if you touch my food." The door slammed behind them. I remained on the floor until I could breathe properly. Then I wiped my face, picked up the knife, and continued cooking. I had no choice. --- By the time breakfast was ready, my hands were shaking. I carried the dishes into the dining room, where Darius, Brianna, and Alyssa were waiting. "About time," Darius muttered. "Stand there until we're finished," Brianna ordered. I obeyed. My legs trembled as I watched them eat the food I had prepared. I hadn't eaten since the previous evening, and the smell made my empty stomach twist painfully. Even a spoonful would have helped. But I knew better than to ask. When they finished, the remaining food was thrown into the bin. Every scrap. "What's that look for?" Brianna asked when she noticed me staring. "Nothing, Luna." "Good. If I discover you've stolen even a bite, you'll wish you had never been born." Darius rose from his chair. "We have visitors arriving tomorrow. You'll clean every guest room, change the sheets, scrub the bathrooms, and polish the furniture. I want everything spotless." "Yes, Alpha." "And don't complain about being tired." "I understand." Brianna stepped closer before leaving. "I know what's in every cupboard and every pot. Touch a single thing, and you'll answer to me." "Yes, Luna." "Good girl." She patted my bruised cheek hard enough to make me wince before following Darius. Once they were gone, I collected the dishes and began washing them. My stomach growled. I wanted only one bite of the food I'd spent the morning preparing, but fear kept me from reaching for anything. Instead, I returned to work. Ryvermore Pack had dozens of guest rooms spread throughout the mansion and adjoining buildings. Cleaning them all while injured and hungry was almost impossible, but refusing wasn't an option. I changed sheets, scrubbed bathrooms, dusted furniture, and polished mirrors. Whenever I stopped to catch my breath, Darius's warning echoed in my mind. Don't complain about being tired. So I kept moving. Around the mansion, pack members whispered about the important visitors arriving the following day. Some mentioned powerful Alphas; others speculated that several packs might gather. Nobody bothered to tell me anything. I was never considered important enough to know. By six o'clock, I finally finished the last room and hurried downstairs to prepare dinner. My head ached from hunger, and my legs threatened to give way. Still, I tied on an apron and began chopping vegetables. The kitchen door burst open. "Where is the food?" Marcus demanded, entering with Gabriel and Ares. "I just started. The Alpha ordered me to clean the guest rooms first." Marcus shoved me against the counter. "So cleaning rooms is more important than feeding us?" "No. I'll hurry. Please, just give me time." Gabriel snorted. "Listen to her begging." Marcus slapped me. Before I could recover, another shove sent me crashing onto the floor. Ares crouched beside me and gripped my chin. "Look at the great Alpha's sister. Once, she probably thought she was better than everyone else." He released me roughly. "Look at her now." Their laughter filled the kitchen. I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing they would leave. "Get the food ready before we return," Michael warned. "If you keep us waiting, you'll regret it." They walked out, still laughing. I remained on the floor, trembling. Crying wouldn't help. Begging would only make them crueler. I forced myself upright and gathered the vegetables scattered across the tiles. Then I heard a tiny voice. "Auntie Serene?" I turned. Lucy stood in the doorway, clutching her stuffed rabbit. My three-year-old niece hurried toward me, her golden-brown curls bouncing. Her smile disappeared when she noticed my bruised face. "Who hurt you?" "No one, sweetheart. I had a little accident." She touched my cheek gently. "Does it hurt?" I couldn't answer immediately. Nobody had asked me that question in so long. "A little," I admitted. Lucy's eyes filled with tears. "Don't cry, Auntie. I will make you better!" She fetched a small first-aid box and returned with a flower-patterned bandage. Carefully, she pressed it against a cut on my hand. "There!" she announced. "Now you're better." A weak laugh escaped me. Then tears filled my eyes. I gathered her into my arms, holding her as gently as my aching body allowed. She didn't understand the cruelty surrounding her. She only knew that I was hurt and wanted to help. Lucy was the only person in this house who loved me without expecting anything in return. "Promise me something," I whispered. "What?" "Always stay kind, sweetheart. Never let the world make your heart cruel." She nodded solemnly. "Okay, Auntie." For one precious moment, I forgot everything else. I was simply Serene. And I was loved, even if only by a three-year-old child. "Lucy?" Darius stood in the doorway. My body stiffened as his gaze moved from Lucy to my injured hand. "What happened?" Lucy ran to him, and his expression softened as he lifted her. He glanced at me. Before he could speak, Lucy tugged his shirt. "Daddy, you have to be gentle with Auntie. She's hurt." Something flickered across his face. "Of course, sweetheart." "I gave her a bandage!" Lucy announced proudly. "You're such a good girl." Lucy pointed toward the pots. "Auntie is making food for everybody. Everyone must be nice to her." The kitchen fell silent. My heart pounded. I feared Darius would become angry, but Lucy gazed at him innocently. "Promise, Daddy?" He sighed. "Of course, princess. No one will upset you." I looked away. He had promised to protect his daughter, not his sister. Still, with Lucy beside him, Darius didn't strike me or shout at me. He let me finish preparing dinner without another threat. For the first time that day, I worked without fearing a blow with every movement. When dinner was ready, I served the pack while Lucy remained beside her father. Whenever someone looked ready to insult me, she reminded them to be nice. A three-year-old had accomplished in minutes what years of begging had never achieved. She had made them behave. At least for one evening. After dinner, I washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. Darius carried Lucy upstairs, and the others dispersed. When everything was spotless, I untied my apron and slowly climbed to my room. My body felt ready to collapse. I hadn't eaten all day, but fear stopped me from searching for food. Instead, I drank some water and lay down on my damp mattress. Tomorrow, the visitors would arrive. I didn't know who they were or why they were coming. I only knew that I would have to wake up early and serve them, just as I served everyone else. My wolf remained silent. My parents were gone, and my brother despised me. Sometimes, I wondered whether the Moon Goddess had forgotten me, too. I turned toward the window as moonlight spilled across the floor. "Please," I whispered into the darkness. "Just give me the strength to survive tomorrow." No answer came. I closed my eyes, my stomach empty and my bruised body aching. Tomorrow was another day. And somehow, I had to survive it.