Lillian the Villian

Day two

I wake up at 5 a.m. to the sound of my alarm. I get washed up and changed for the day before reporting to Ms.Slyard.

I hope that I will get to stay with Alice.

"Cynthia wants you as her personal maid, which cannot be a good thing. I informed Beta Carson that you do not yet have enough training to be on the packs personal staff. I do not necessarily believe it, but I also threw in that it was a security risk because none of us knew you very well. He has agreed to let you shadow some of the pack house maids in lesser positions before you serve Ms. Stout personally. I can delay but not prevent, sorry." With that, she introduces me to a very skinny, freckle covered girl that can not be older than 19. Her name is Willow, and I follow her up to the first floor of the pack house, and we start in the bathrooms. I've never cleaned before, and I start to panick. I wipe the mirror and clean the vanity before moving onto the toliet. I grab the brush and scrub vigorously for several minutes. I'm feeling pretty confident until Willow comes behind me and points out everything I missed, which is a lot. I correct everything, and we move on to the next bathroom. We do this through all of the first floor bathrooms. Six in total. Then we head to the servants' kitchen for lunch. Packhouse workers take lunch at 11 a.m., so Alice is walking out as I'm coming in. I smile and wave before grabbing a brown bag and sitting down beside Willow. It is the same meal as yesterday, including the juice I can not quite put my finger on.

"Willow, what type of juice is this? It is so unique and delicious."

"It is a blend of raspberries, blackberries, and different grapes. It is almost all anyone around here drinks. You should try the wine if anyone offers you some. Our wine is among the best in the world. The best if you ask me." She beams.

After lunch, we make our way back upstairs and start dusting the library. This library is the biggest I have ever seen and certainly puts the halfmoon packs to shame. It is the entire north wing on the first floor. There are huge 20-foot windows on the west wall and cozy spots all over to curl up with a book. I wish I had come here not as a servant. I could spend weeks lost in all these books. Another hobby I gave up pursuing Eric. He consumed every thought I had and left little room for anything other than plotting how I would get him. Maybe after I have paid off my debt to Cynthia for the plates she broke, I will be able to save up to practice a hobby. I doubt they will let me practice archery or knife throwing. I may be able to get some thread and work on my embroidery. In fact, there is someone I would love to make something for, but I doubt my sister would let me give it to him. Her belly is probably getting nice and full, and I'm actually happy for her, not that she would ever believe it. I was so irrational and crazy before, plus I have a hit on my head if I cross into their territory.

I set my mind back to cleaning the baseboards, and Willow and I fall into a steady rythm. The afternoon slips by with ease, and it's time for dinner before I know it. As pack staff, we are to serve dinner, then we get to eat.

We fill our platters and head out into the dining hall where there are plenty of hungry wolves eager to scarf down their meals. We serve the main course, then stand back and wait in case we are needed before dinner is served. A handsome man slides up beside me. He is part of our serving group, so I don't think anything of it. He keeps eyeing me, and it is starting to make me uncomfortable when I hear Cynthia and Beta Carson arguing in the hall. She is loud enough for everyone to hear even though they all ignore it or at least pretend to.

"Well, where is he? He can not even eat dinner with his fiancé? I had the staff personally prepare Salmon for him."

Great, she is mad. Maybe I should leave before.... but she bursts into the room, all smiles as though we didn't hear her temper tantrum. Her and Beta Carson take their seats on either side of the Alpha's empty seat. She barely sits down when she notices me and calls me over.

"You are supposed to be part of my personal staff? Where were you today? I can not believe you are already manipulating the staff, and you just got here." She huffs. I don't know what to say, so I just offer her some water and go to stand back at the wall, but that is not enough, so she raises her voice.

"I said, why weren't you a part of my personal staff today? slacking off, I assume, and my assumptions are always right. I expect you in my room at 6:30 a.m. sharp, no excuses, or I will tell my fiancé to throw you in the dungeon." As she finishes her sentence, the absent alpha walks into the dining hall.

"Who do you wish for me to throw into the dungeon? What have they done now? " He says in a very irritated tone. Oh no, he is going to lock me up. What have I gotten myself into? I keep my head down and wait for her response.

" Alpha Atticus, I didn't hear you come in. It's nothing, you know I get a little hot-headed sometimes. Come sit and eat with us."

I am beside myself with confusion. Doesn't she want me punished? Why did she just let it go? I don't have time to think about it because it is time for desserts, but we have to wait in the kitchen until Alpha finishes his meal.

Everyone bows down to the Alpha's, as we should. They protect and guide us with their leadership. I will give my life in defense of my alpha. That's how highly I respect them, but it is awfully rude to keep the staff on later than planned. We don't eat dinner until after everyone else is done. We get the signal that he is done eating so we can prepare the dessert platters. We bring them out, and my breath hitches as I approach the Alpha. His scent is overwhelming, like the forest after the rain. It is my favorite time to run. NO, this can not happen. Not here and not now. I purposefully slice my hand with the knife and pretend it was an accident. Willow sees the blood and excuses me from the dining hall. Once I'm back in the kitchen, I wrap my hand and try to steady my heart. I always dreamed of meeting me with fate mate, but I thought I didn't get one because of all of my terrible actions. Why would the moon goddess do this to me? And with Cynthia's chosen mate no less. I wait inside the kitchen until after everything is cleared. No one questions me because of my gashed hand.

Once we are all finally dismissed, I head down to the servants' kitchen and grab a plate. It is roast beef sandwiches with homemade Au Jus sauce. It is delicious, but I barely notice as my thoughts are totally consumed. One thought stands out the most. I have to escape this place.