Evaline:
I did exactly what I was told - reporting to the Head Maid Sera the very first thing as dawn arrived. I was starving as I hadn't eaten anything since the previous morning, but I didn't dare to say it to anyone.
Soon enough, I was led to the maid's quarters. I stared at the small cot they had assigned me. The scratchy blanket and the flat pillow barely qualified as comforts, but compared to the cold and hard floor of the dungeon, and everything I went through the past month, they were a pleasant sight for my eyes and body.
But looking at the faces around me, I could tell that some of them were either pitying me or laughing at my fall from grace. Little did they know that my life had been far from the luxury lifestyle they all believed I had been enjoying up until this point.
Growing up as the wolfless daughter of the most powerful Alpha in the region was a nightmare disguised as a privilege. My parents never missed a chance to remind me I was a disappointment. My father's punishments were swift but cruel, and my stepmother never failed to make my life miserable.
No one ever cared about the bruises I hid or the tears I swallowed. And now, here I was, once again a target.
The other maids didn't bother hiding their disdain. Whispers followed me as I passed, and when I walked into a room, the conversations abruptly stopped.
Those who didn't openly glare at me kept their distance, as if I carried some contagious disease. I didn't blame them. Being the enemy's daughter painted a bullseye on my back, and associating with me would only bring trouble.
Since I was already given my work, I didn't stay behind and hurried away to start my work. I was starving and I needed to earn my food by completing my work.
I started my work by scrubbing the floors and polishing them until they were shining. Then I hauled buckets of water to fill up the barrels. I cleaned halls, polished windows, and dusted furniture, all while enduring the sneers and snide comments of my new "peers".
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, I thought I might finally be done. But of course, I wasn't that lucky.
Sera found me and handed me another bucket and a rag. I wondered if It was just for me or that scowl was permanent etched into her face. But I kept the thought to myself.
"The Master Floor needs cleaning," she said without an ounce of sympathy at my worn out appearance. "Start with the study and the private library before cleaning the bedrooms. And don't take all night."
I wanted to argue, to remind her that I had been working nonstop for the entire day, but the look in her eyes told me that it would only make things worse. So, I bit my tongue, grabbed the supplies, and trudged up the stairs to the top floor.
The Master Floor - where the Rogue Alpha Kings lived.
My pulse quickened as I stepped onto the plush carpet of the hallway, realizing that while I wasn't able to see the place from outside when I was brought here the day before, I could still tell the place was huge. It was almost like a castle from what I could tell.
I was worried that I might encounter the Rogue Kings, but both the study and the private library were empty, and so were next two bedrooms. I worked quickly, wiping down surfaces and trying to keep my presence as invisible as possible.
Then I reached the third bedroom.
The door was slightly azar and I hesitated before pushing it open. The scent of cedar and rain hit me immediately as I entered the room. It was a heady mix that was strangely intoxicating.
My heart races as I was half-expecting to find one of the Alpha King brothers lounging in there, ready to berate me for invading his space. However, the room was empty... or so I thought when I found no one inside.
I had just finished dusting the bedside table when I heard the sound of footsteps and the soft click of a door opening behind me.
I immediately froze.
Turning slowly, I found myself face-to-face with Alpha King Oscar. The only reason I could recognize these brothers was because I had once seen a portrait of them.
He was standing in the doorway of the adjoining bathroom while steam billowed out behind him. His dark hair was damp, droplets of water was sliding down his bare chest before disappearing into the towel slung low around his hips. His piercing green eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" he demanded. His voice was a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.
"I-I was told to clean," I stammered and clutched the rag in my hands like a lifeline.
His eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer. "This is my room. No one enters without my permission."
"I didn't-"
"Silence."
The single word was sharp enough to cut, and I immediately clamped my mouth shut. He loomed over me, his presence overwhelming, and I had to fight the urge to shrink back.
Oscar's gaze swept over me and his lips curled in disdain. "Of course. The little Greystone princess, reduced to scrubbing floors. How poetic."
I said nothing. My throat felt tightened with a mix of humiliation and fear.
"Now, get out of my sight," he snapped, his tone final.
I nodded and turned to leave, but as I walked past him, my foot caught on the edge of the rug. I ended up losing my balance and stumbled right before crashing into him.
The impact was electric.
The second my hands touched his chest, a jolt shot through me. Warmth and tingles immediately spread throughout my body. And his sharp intake of breath told me he felt it too. For a split second, the world seemed to stop, and all I could focus on was the strange connection pulling me toward him.
But the moment passed as quickly as it came.
Oscar shoved me away, his touch cold and forceful. I stumbled back, barely catching myself before I fell to the ground. His expression twisted in disgust, though there was something else flickering in his eyes - something he quickly masked.
"Don't touch me," he growled, his voice dripping with venom.
"I-I didn't mean to-"
"I don't care," he snapped, cutting me off. "Next time, watch where you are going. Or better yet, stay far away from me."
The icy tone of his voice sent a chill down my spine. I mumbled an apology and hurried out of the room. My cheeks were burning with shame.
My heart was still racing from the strange sensation as I made my way down the hall. I couldn't shake the feeling that something strange did happen between us.
But what?