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Pink

Tears streamed down my face, unrelenting and uncontrollable. I lost track of time as I allowed my grief to consume me, my body curled up in a protective ball. My fragmented thoughts spilled out in nonsensical babbling, as if engaging in a conversation with a phantom in my room.

Desperate for solace, I wished for someone to check on me in the early hours of the morning. Yet, even the maids seemed too preoccupied with the somber preparations for my father’s funeral, leaving me to suffer in solitude. I was only a young girl then, naïvely believing that their absence was due to their own mourning. But sadly, that was just a figment of my childish imagination.

Exhaustion took hold of me, a heavy weight dragging me into sleep’s embrace. In my delirium, I justified the maids’ coldness by convincing myself that they too carried the burden of melancholy, their strictness a misguided attempt to shield me.

I went so far as to blame myself for my father’s passing, convinced that his untimely demise was a consequence of his tireless efforts to amuse me. In my shattered reality, I believed that my lack of life experience and formal training made me unworthy, perhaps even the cause, of my brothers’ disdain.

But amidst the shadows of their resentment, there was a peculiar love that only they could express.

In that moment, a hand gently roused me from my deep slumber, embracing me with warmth and tenderness. My bleary eyes blinked, a faint smile tugging at my lips as I recognized my brother’s presence.

With a surge of emotion, I threw myself into his arms and cried out, “Garrett!”

He forcefully pushed me against the soft mattress, his contemptuous expressions etched across his face. “I’m not your brother; you can’t call me Garett,” he spat, his voice dripping with annoyance and superiority. The weight of his words hung in the air, prickling my skin with unease.

I shrank back, my eyes narrowing as I moved to the edge of the bed, seeking a safe distance. His anger radiated like a storm, and his grumpy tone sent shivers down my spine. My words stumbled out, barely audible, as I dared to question his meaning. “What do you mean, brother?”

A chuckle escaped his lips as he inched closer, invading my personal space. “I mean,” he sneered, “from now on, you will reside in the castle. However, you will work in the maid’s quarters... and serve me in the evenings.” I could have sworn I heard his sinister laughter echo throughout the grand halls of the palace, haunting me like a chilling breeze.

As a young girl, his words were beyond my comprehension. It was only when my younger brother Derek stormed into my room, yanking me forcefully from my bed and throwing me to the cold, hard floor, that their true meaning became clear. “You are nothing more than a maid now,” he growled, his voice dripping with malice. “If you wish to eat and avoid our wrath, you will tend to both mine and Garett’s needs every night.” His wicked tongue slyly flicked along the curve of his jaw, a gesture that sent a shiver of revulsion down my spine.

Their gazes, devoid of brotherly love, bore into me like savage predators. Struggling to rise to my feet, I scrambled across the floor desperately. “What do you mean by ‘needs’ at night?” I questioned innocently, though a gnawing unease gripped my stomach, warning me of something sinister.

I couldn’t fathom the idea of my own blood brothers exploiting my body. Despite being adopted, they had treated me as their own sister since childhood. Why would they desire anything I had to offer? I was just a young girl, still innocent and untouched by the world’s cruelty.

Derek smirked, a vile expression twisting his features. “I can’t sleep without you beside me in bed. Rest assured, we no longer require anything from your body,” he sneered. “You’re still too young, not yet blossomed, and merely a child. We can’t have word spreading to other kingdoms that we mistreat our own sister, that would tarnish our image. So, we’ll wait until you turn 18,” he concluded, his smirk mirroring his twisted desires.

I mustered up my courage, my voice steady and regal as befitting a princess. “No! I will not allow such humiliation. I will expose your intentions to the entire kingdom, that you wish to employ me as a mere maid,” I declared, my words laced with defiance. I held my head high, refusing to bow down to their wicked desires.

Their faces twisted with disbelief, unable to fathom that a young girl like me could speak with such defiance and fearlessness. Garett and Derek exchanged mocking laughter, dismissing my words as irrelevant. Garett sneered, his words dripping with venom, “Listen, little sister, you have no choice in this matter. The entire kingdom, and even our pack, despise you. If we were to reveal our true intentions, we could simply eliminate you and spin a tale of your tragic demise. No one would question it.”

My heart pounded in my chest, my body trembling as I retreated to the farthest corner of the room. The weight of their threat loomed over me, threatening to snuff out my life, and worst of all, I knew they held the power to make their lies convincing.

Despising every ounce of their presence, I could barely bring myself to make eye contact with them. Their mere touch repulsed me.

Leaning in closer, Derek’s voice hissed in my ear, “Now, go downstairs and present yourself as a mere maid. That will be your new role from now on.”

My desperation grew, and I felt my resolve crumble. I was just a young girl, vulnerable and alone. My father, the only protection I had, was gone. As panic consumed me, I frantically searched for a lifeline. If only I could find one of my father’s trusted ministers or closest friends, perhaps they could shield me from this torment.

But alas, I knew there was always a catch.

They had decided to spare me until I turned 18, driven by their own fears and perverse desires. It was a twisted form of mercy, sparing my innocence for a few more days. Yet, the loss of my title as a princess and the stripping of my dignity would force me into a life of servitude as a lowly maid. The contrast between my former existence and this grim reality felt like a cruel and unending nightmare.

I rushed down the stairs, my tears blurring my vision and my heart heavy with despair. Confusion and grief battled within me, as I couldn’t decipher whether my tears were a result of my father’s loss or the cruel words of my brothers.

In that moment, I yearned for someone to embrace me, to assure me that everything would be alright. After all, I was just a young child, not yet ready to let go of the innocence of play. As I stumbled and fell, crying out for help, my voice strained with anguish.

And then, to my surprise, a helping hand extended towards me. I looked up, searching for Alpha William, my father’s closest friend, whom I trusted implicitly. In my small stature, I could barely reach past his waist as I threw myself at him, nearly knocking him off balance. “Thank you, please... Can you help me?” I pleaded, my voice trembling.

But his expression changed, anger darkening his face as his brows furrowed. It seemed he was infuriated by my brothers’ actions and intended to take action. Yet, the hope that had briefly ignited within me dwindled as quickly as it came. Only then did I realize that I lay on the ground, having been kicked by his powerful legs. The pain coursed through me, a physical manifestation of the rejection and contempt in his words.

“How dare you insult the leaders of our pack?” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “You are nothing, abandoned by your real parents. No one truly wants you here. You should be grateful that our king and princes have allowed you to remain in this kingdom and castle. Were it up to me, I would cast you aside without a second thought.”

I lay there on the ground, the weight of his words crushing my spirit. The world I had once known had shattered, and I was left with the bitter reality that there were no saviors to be found, no one willing to protect or support me in this cruel castle.

I trembled under his intense gaze, my body betraying me as fear coursed through my veins. How had a moment of harmless play led to such anger and cruelty? I searched my mind, desperate to understand my wrongdoings, but nothing came to mind. I was just a child, seeking joy in the simplest of things.

As I lay on the floor, my heart torn and my hope shattered, I glanced around the bustling castle. The maids, the supposed companions of my daily life, were in their own world. Their laughter filled the air, oblivious to the pain I was enduring. It made me feel even smaller, invisible in the shadow of their happiness.

Determined to endure this pain alone, I resolved to stay put and wait for someone to notice my absence. Thoughts of my father echoed in my mind, his promises of a destined mate and a future as a queen. But those words, once filled with hope and possibility, now held little meaning to me. How could I find solace in fantasies when the reality of my existence was so harsh?

With heavy steps and downcast eyes, I approached one of the housekeepers. There was a flicker of hope in my voice as I requested a room, hoping for some semblance of privacy and peace. But instead of the kindness I sought, her response was a harsh reminder of my place in this castle.

“I’m the boss!” she barked, her voice filled with contempt. “You can sleep on the kitchen floor, for all I care. I’ll send you a uniform to wear, but don’t think you’ll be treated with any special treatment. And don’t forget, you’ll be expected to attend to the needs of Prince Derek and Prince Garrett throughout the night.”

Her words landed like a blow, stripping away any remnants of dignity or humanity within me. I stood there, feeling the weight of my worthlessness pressing down on me, as the reality of my existence in this castle reared its ugly head.