Chapter 3

Evelyn.

With a deep breath, I headed towards the well, the weight of the bucket in my hands a constant reminder of my new reality. As I approached the well, the sound of water splashing echoed through the air. Other maids were already there, drawing water and engaging in hushed conversations. I joined the line, waiting my turn, feeling the weight of their curious gazes upon me which I did my best to ignore.

Finally, it was my turn. I lowered the bucket into the well, feeling the coolness of the water enveloping my hands. With each pull, the bucket grew heavier, but I persisted, determined to carry out my tasks diligently. Once the bucket was filled, I carefully lifted it out of the well, the droplets cascading down its sides.

Balancing the heavy load against my hip, I made my way back to the pile of clothes, the maids' eyes following my every move. With focused determination, I immersed the first garment in the water, feeling the chill seep into my skin. As I scrubbed away the dirt and grime, I couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between my past life and the present.

Gone were the luxurious gowns and the royal treatment. Now, I toiled alongside the maids, my hands roughened by the harsh work. But amidst the hardship, a flicker of defiance burned within me. I would not let Alpha King Kieran break my spirit entirely. I would find a way to reclaim my freedom and seek justice for my sister's death.

Hours passed as I washed and scrubbed, my muscles aching and my fingers wrinkled from the water. The sun reached its zenith, casting a harsh glare on the courtyard. Sweat dripped down my brow, mingling with the remnants of tears and dirt. But I persevered, driven by a stubborn resilience.

As I worked, my mind wandered, and memories of my sister, Elisabeth, flooded my thoughts. I missed her with an ache that consumed my entire being. She had been the queen, the Luna to the ruthless Alpha King Kieran, and her presence had commanded respect and fear. I couldn't help but wonder why fate had taken her away from me, leaving me alone to face this unjust reality.

The voices of the other maids filled the room, their whispers and hushed conversations punctuating the air. They exchanged glances filled with judgment and disdain, their gazes burning into my soul. Their opinions weighed heavy on my shoulders, adding to the exhaustion in my muscles and the weariness in my spirit.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly as I toiled through the morning, but eventually, the sun reached its zenith, and my duties shifted. Descending into the depths of the mines, I could feel the oppressive weight of the air pressing against me. The mining community was a harsh and unforgiving place, filled with souls worn down by the constant toil.

As I worked side by side with the other miners, I became the target of their scorn and cruelty. Their sneers and snide remarks cut deep, their anger at the accusation against me finding an outlet in their mistreatment. Some even threatened me with physical harm, their frustration boiling over in this dark, subterranean world.

"Although she is a murderer, she is quite beautiful. Too bad she is the Alpha King personal slave. If not..." He trailed off, ticking his tongue. His companion laughed as he continued to till the floor.

"Maybe we can, I don't think she would tell." He said before casting a sinister glance at me. I glared at him, letting my eyes speak for me. They just laughed before focusing on their work.

"Whore! Murderer!" Some of them muttered as they walked past me but I refused to allow their venom to seep into my soul. I clung to the memories of my sister's strength, her unwavering resolve in the face of adversity. With every swing of the pickaxe and every laborious step, I defied their expectations, refusing to break beneath their disdain.

In the midst of the arduous labor, my thoughts were invaded by fragments of the past. Images of Elisabeth's regal presence and the power she wielded swirled through my mind, intermingling with the piercing ache of loss. I couldn't help but question why she had been taken from me, what cruel twist of fate had robbed me of the one person who had shown me unconditional love.

As the sun descended beyond the horizon, signaling the end of another grueling day, I emerged from the mines, my body battered and my spirit bruised. But I refused to succumb to despair. With every step, I shed the burdens of the day, determined to reclaim my strength.

In the cleansing chambers, the warm water cascaded over my worn body, washing away the grime and sweat. It was a temporary relief from the physical toll, but the scars that marred my soul remained invisible, etched deeply within me. Even as I winced at the tenderness of my bruises, I resolved to persevere. The Alpha King's cruelty would not extinguish the flicker of defiance that burned within me.

Dressed in a simple yet clean gown, I made my way to the Alpha King's chambers. The room was cloaked in shadows, the scent of his expensive cologne hanging in the air. Lowering myself to the my knees, I kept my gaze to the floor, anger still simmering beneath me.

"Lie on the bed." He ordered, not sparing me a glance. Swallowing, I did as I was told, my legs trembling. Setting myself comfortably on the bed, I closed my eyes, awaiting my onslaught.

It took a while before Kieran stood up to his feet and sound of clothes ruffling could be heard. My body tightening, I waited for him in a bated breath. He soon reached behind me and after rearranging my position to his satisfaction, started to caress his hardness against my sex. Spreading me farther, he rammed himself inside me and I had to bite my lips to keep myself from screaming, blood spilling from it.

His weight rendering me immobile, he pressed me deeper into the bed and he continued and I did my best to stop myself from crying although painful whimpers still escaped my lips. It was still painful, even worse than last night as my entire body was still aching but I refused to give him the pleasure of seeing me cry. Quietly, I took the assault and waited till he found his release before crumblng to the bed, letting the tears flow freely.

His release dripped from inside me and the disgust multiplied inside me. Without waiting for his order, I struggled down from his bed and started to limp out of his chambers.

"I didn't ask you to leave." His cold voice stopped me and I froze.

"I'm sorry master." I whispered, doing my best to stand to my feet. He walked closer to me, inspecting me. I could feel his gaze on me as he stared at my bruises, a blank look on his face. He glanced at my face and his eyes narrowed. "Still defiant? You better get rid of that or you'll suffer immensely."

I didn't say anything, just continued to look at me entire, my body hurting, tears slipping from my eyes.

"Why did you kill my mate and my pup?" He asked.

"I already told you, I didn't kill her. You did. She died because of you." I gritted out through clenched teeth.

"Still holding on to this claim?" He barks at me.

"Because it's the truth." I reply back.

He gripped my neck, turning me to face him as his eyes glowered in the dim lighting, changing colors as his wolf fought to dominate him. Although he's not using force, I still find it hard to breathe. Whispering, he started down at me. "I wanted to show you mercy but it looks like you don't deserve it. This treatment will continue until you have learned your lesson and finally admit the truth. Get out of my sight."

He shoved me away and I stumbled to the ground. Strengthening my resolve, I pick myself up and limp out of his room, feeling unbearable pain. I try to reach for my wolf but it seemed she had gone mute. Only when I'm alone do I allow myself to cry, sniffing.

I hurt so much but I won't crumble. Not now, not evet. With a heart filled with determination and a spirit unyielding, I embraced the darkness, knowing that within it lay the seeds of my redemption. The battle was far from over, but I was ready to reclaim my destiny and rewrite the cruel fate that had been thrust upon me.