CHAPTER 87

CHAPTER 87
As usual, I take a quick shower before changing into my maid's uniform. Once I'm dressed, I head straight for the kitchen to claim my breakfast. It is still thirty minutes before six.

Most of the pack is still asleep and only the servants are awake, moving through the estate with practiced efficiency after rising before dawn, just as we do every single day. 

The moment I step into the kitchen, I notice something different. Several servants glance up from their work. Then they look again. From head to toe. I slow my pace, instantly suspicious.

Yesterday, none of them could care less whether I lived or died. Today, they openly stare, whispering behind cupped hands whenever they think I'm not looking. What now?

"Just woke up, Vivienne?"

The familiar voice makes my shoulders stiffen. What the fuck is she doing in the kitchen at this hour?  She's standing near the fruit baskets, dressed elegantly despite the early hour. Honestly, I don't know why she's even here. Future Lunas aren't exactly known for helping prepare breakfast. Still, I paste on a polite smile.

"Good morning, Erin." My gaze drifts deliberately to her face. "Lovely braids today," I say pleasantly. "How's your nose, by the way? If I had known it was fake, I would have been gentler yesterday."

Someone drops a wooden spoon nearby, and another servant nearly fumbles an entire tray of freshly baked bread. When I glance back at Erin, her mouth hangs slightly open. She stands perfectly still beside the baskets, looking like an expensive porcelain doll that's just developed its first crack. Her nostrils flare while her perfectly manicured fingers slowly curl into fists. For one terrifying second... I swear I see murder flash across her face.

"You..." she hisses, her voice trembling with fury. "How dare you!” she scream before her eyes dart around the room, probably searching for someone to defend her. 

Unfortunately for her... Alpha Cassian isn't here. I casually lean against the worktable, pick up a slice of bread, and take a small bite as though I haven't just announced to the entire kitchen that the future Luna's nose isn't real.

"Oh, I dare, sweetheart," I reply with a sweet smile. "Or would you rather I pretend it's still perfectly symmetrical?"

Erin takes one furious step toward me. I don't move though. Besides, Cassian warned her yesterday. Surely she isn't stupid enough to attack me again in front of witnesses. Then again...Erin stopped being rational a long time ago. Her jaw clenches so tightly I think her teeth might crack and her cheeks burn crimson beneath layers of expensive foundation.

"You'll regret this," she whispers through gritted teeth.

I smile innocently. "I regret not aiming lower yesterday," I whisper back with a wink.

That does it. Reason abandons her completely and with an enraged scream, Erin snatches the nearest pitcher of water and hurls it straight at me.

Honestly...didn't she learn anything from yesterday? 

The instant I see the water flying toward me, I grab the serving tray beside me and angle it upward. The splash crashes harmlessly against the metal, spraying droplets across the floor instead of soaking me.

Before Erin can even process what happened, I grab a full bowl of leftover stew from the counter beside me and fling it straight at her.

Splat! 

The thick stew explodes across the front of her expensive dress. Vegetables slide down the fabric. Gravy drips from her hair and a piece of potato slowly falls off her shoulder and lands on the floor with an almost comical plop.

Erin simply stands there, frozen, and her eyes slowly glance to the mess covering her dress. Unfortunately...her guardian angel has impeccable timing.

"What...the hell?!"

Every servant immediately stiffens. I slowly turn my head and see Alpha Cassian standing in the doorway.  His gaze shifts from Erin... to the overturned pitcher... then finally lands on the empty bowl still clutched in my hand.

Right on cue, Erin bursts into tears. Real or fake? At this point, I honestly can't tell anymore.

"S-She assaulted me again!" she sobs, pointing dramatically at me. "I was just talking to everyone and... and she attacked me with leftover food!"

I fold my arms across my chest. "Actually, Alpha," I say evenly, "I believe it's her turn to apologize to me."

Cassian's eyes settle on me and they are dangerously cold. "You think this is funny, Vivienne? Who do you think you are?" he continues. "You keep provoking her as though you're untouchable!” 

I bit my bottom lip in embarrassment. I look around and most servants are staring at the floor as if they are too scared to have eye contact with the Alpha. I am about to speak up when his jaw hardens even more. 

"You are just a servant in this pack, Vivienne,” he says. 

No one dares breathe and I feel dozens of eyes watching me. Inwardly, my resolve to get back at Erin intensifies. She is going to pay for this embarrassment! 

"Apologize to her now!" Cassian orders.

I lift my chin as every instinct inside me screams not to bow or apologize to the woman who started every single one of those things! Absolutely not! Never! But before I can say anything, something slams painfully into my shin.

A gasp escapes my lips as the sudden force knocks my balance away. I hadn't even noticed the headservant approaching from behind. She immediately lowers her foot after kicking me squarely in the leg. My knees buckle and before I can catch myself, I crash down onto one knee, directly in front of Erin!

Pain shoots through my leg, but it barely compares to the humiliation burning inside my chest. I slowly lift my head and Erin is already smiling. No...she is smirking actually.  She looks down at me like a queen watching a prisoner kneel before her throne. Victory sparkles in her eyes, and for the first time all morning, she looks genuinely happy.

"Well?" she coos, tilting her head. "I'm waiting."

I curl my fingers into fists against the cold stone floor. Every muscle in my body trembles with the effort of holding myself together. Then, I force the words through clenched teeth.

"I'm sorry," I mumble.

A triumphant giggle escapes Erin's lips. "Aww..." she coos, her smile widening into something unbearably smug. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

She tilts her head, openly savoring the moment. The satisfaction on her face makes my stomach churn. She looks as though she's just conquered an entire kingdom instead of forcing a kneeling servant to apologize.

I hold her gaze without blinking, vowing to make her pay sooner or later!