The morning cold seep into my body as I mopped the tiled floor of the Moonbeam Pack's great hall. My palms burned from gripping the wooden handle too tightly, and the mop water, dirty and icy, sloshed against my bare ankles. The tiled floor never held heat, and my thin dress did little to fight off the early morning chill.
I kept my head down. Always down.
The bucket beside me was half-empty when a sudden kick sent it flying.
Water splashed across my legs and soaked the hem of my dress, spreading quickly across the floor. I scrambled to grab the mop, but it was too late. The voice came before I could even raise my head.
"Get out of my way, you filth."
I tried apologizing but the words got caught in my throat when I saw who it was .
Gamma Alex
She was always the first to punish me for simply breathing the same air. Her golden hair, always neatly braided over her shoulder, swung as she spat beside my feet.
"You should've drowned in your mother's blood."
I didn't react, only kept my head down. If I so much as react, it will make it worse.
She turned on her heel and walked off, heels clicking confidently down the corridor like she'd done something noble.
My hands throbbed as I silently gathered the bucket, refilled it, and kept mopping. I was used to it by now. The bruises faded, the pain dulled, and no one ever asked questions.
By the time I finished cleaning, the scent of morning meat stew and spice bread filled the air. My stomach twisted with hunger, but I knew better than to hope. I wasn't allowed to eat until everyone else had finished. Sometimes there was nothing left.
I moved to the kitchen and began preparing the long dining table. Silver trays, polished plates, mugs lined neatly. I laid them all out with trembling hands, knowing if one thing was out of place, it would be my fault. It was always my fault.
The enforcers walked in first, laughing loudly. Then the ranked wolves—Beta Kael, Gamma Alex again, and a few others. Finally, Alpha Bastian.
I could feel his presence before I saw him. Heavy. Sharp. Like the entire room bent under his weight.
"Food," he barked.
I rushed forward with the first tray, bowing my head low as I served it to him. My fingers accidentally brushed the edge of his plate, and I flinched back, cursing myself for being so careless.
The table grew louder as the pack dug into their meal. I served quietly, head bowed, eyes on the floor. If I moved fast enough, they wouldn't have a reason to speak to me. That was the goal. That was always the goal.
Until someone knocked over a goblet.
The splash of wine stained the white table cloth, the rest pouring to the floor, making an entire mess.
I hadn't done it. I knew I hadn't.
But I was the one standing closest to it.
He stood slowly.
The legs of his chair scraped back.
I dropped to my knees, trying to clean the floor before he could speak, heart pounding, but it was too late.
A hand gripped my hair and yanked me up so fast my feet barely touched the ground. My breath caught in my throat as my scalp burned.
"You clumsy, cursed rat," Alpha Bastian snarled into my face. His breath smelled like meat and fury. "Can't even carry a tray without making a mess."
"I—I didn't—"
The back of his hand silenced me. My head snapped to the side and I tasted blood.
He threw me to the ground. I hit the floor hard, shoulder first, but I didn't cry out. That would make it worse.
I curled in, quietly, feeling everyone eyes on us.
"Clean it," he said coldly, stepping over me."
"Yes Alpha". I muttered, though I wasn't sure he heard. I began wiping the mess on the floor and the chatter in the room continued like nothing happened
---
Hours later, when the sun had fallen and the pack house quieted, I crept to the servant quarters with a stale crust of bread in my hand. My body ached, but I'd made it through another day. That was enough.
Just before I entered the hall, I paused.
Voices floated from around the corner.
Two girls—Lira and Doris, both omega servants—were talking in hushed, excited tones.
"Did you hear? They're going to the Mating Moon Gathering. The whole ranked circle. The alpha said all eligible wolf can go, even we the omegas!"
"I can't wait, just two days. The mountain pack organized it this time. Lots of unmated wolves going to be there."
"What if I meet mine?" Maya giggled.
My heart skipped.
I pressed my back to the wall, listening.
The Mating Moon Gathering.
I'd heard about it in passing before, but never dared to dream of going. Still… the thought curled inside me like a spark catching dry leaves.
What if…
What if my mate was there? What if someone looked at me—and see me as me...not the traitors daughter everyone knows me as.
I closed my eyes.
It was foolish.
But it was the first hope I'd tasted in years.
And I was starving.