Serena's POV
I took one last glance at Alpha Kaidon, enthralled by the intensity of those gray eyes. He was staring at me with a look that made my cheeks flush, but before I could make sense of what his gaze meant, my attention shifted to the woman near the throne.
The woman in the purple dress was a study in calculated glamour. Her gown clung to her as if sewn directly onto her skin, and I couldn’t help but think it looked like she’d squeezed herself into it with sheer stubbornness. She was staring daggers at me—real, razor-sharp daggers—like I was some sort of tiny bug daring to buzz around her prized flower.
I gulped and turned quickly, following the kind older woman Alpha Kaidon had introduced as Cassie. My heart pounded wildly as I trailed her down the long corridors of the palace.
I could hardly believe it. I had done it…the impossible.
Against all odds, I’d convinced Alpha Kaidon to let me stay here as an official member of the Rykor pack. Even if I was just a lowly maid now, a win was a win, and I had been severely lacking in those lately.
A grin spread across my face. This was only a small step. It didn't matter if it wasn't glamorous or if I'd spend my days scrubbing floors. I was one step closer to achieving my vengeance against Draven. Now, I just needed to establish my—
“Why’re you grinning like a fox in a henhouse?” Cassie’s voice cut through my musings, nearly making me stumble.
“Oh!” I cleared my throat, feeling a bit foolish. “It’s nothing… just relieved, I suppose.”
She raised a brow, but her expression was more amused than suspicious. “Relief isn’t all that common among newcomers, you know. Though, I’ll take it. Mind telling me your name, dear?”
“Serena,” I replied, finding her warmth unexpectedly comforting. “And… thank you, Cassie, for everything. I didn’t expect to be welcomed so… kindly.”
“Kindly?” She let out a hearty laugh. “Don’t get used to it! Being a maid around here isn’t for the faint-hearted. We might be the backbone of the pack, but we’re often treated like the crumbs on the table, if you catch my meaning.”
Of course maids were treated like that, I thought. I was a princess; I had experienced firsthand how werewolves with royal blood or higher rank treated omegas and maids. I had tried my best to treat the maids in my previous pack kindly and with respect, yet here I was, in their shoes. The irony of it all.
I nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. Her tone held no bitterness, though—just a wry acceptance of her role.
“Being a maid means putting the pack before yourself, no matter the cost. And for you,” she said, giving me a sidelong glance, “it’s about working without complaint, even if you’re treated like dirt. You’ll do your job with pride, because it keeps this whole place running.”
I took that in, feeling a sense of respect for her. She didn’t just see herself as a servant; she was devoted to her work, and that made her powerful in her own right. “I understand,” I said sincerely.
Cassie paused at a door, then opened it, revealing a large storage room filled with shelves lined with folded linens, cleaning supplies, and various uniforms. She rummaged around for a moment before pulling out three neat maid dresses in my size, setting them in my arms with a nod.
“These should last you a good while,” she said with a wink. “Now, listen, Serena. Things here will be fine so long as you keep your head down and do your job. The royals around here can be… hard to please. They’re used to having their way, so you’ll want to watch out for them. But don’t worry too much. Keep your nose clean, and they won’t give you too much trouble.”
I nodded, taking in her advice as she led me back down the hallway. “Thank you, Cassie,” I said again, feeling genuinely grateful.
“You’re welcome,” Cassie said with a bright smile before furrowing her brows and tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Now, let’s see. Cleaning’s all sorted with the others… hall duty is already packed…” She clicked her tongue, frustration evident. “With everything full up, giving you a role would be a problem.”
I watched her, curious. She was clearly someone who prided herself on efficiency, and the idea of not having something immediately assigned seemed to rattle her. Then her eyes lit up, and she turned to me with an almost mischievous grin.
“Well, tell me, Serena,” she asked, “can you cook?”
I blinked, surprised by the question. My thoughts wandered back to my time in my former pack, the forgotten hours spent learning chores in the kitchen, preparing meals under the stern eyes of the palace cooks. I’d been the wolfless girl, an outsider even among my family. While others trained, I had peeled vegetables, chopped herbs, stirred bubbling pots, and memorized recipes for dishes that no royal would ever think to learn.
“Yes,” I said, a bit more confidently than I felt. “I can cook. I know my way around a kitchen… fairly well.”
Cassie’s grin widened. “Perfect. Our kitchen’s bustling, and we’ve got a lot of mouths to feed. If you’re half as good as you say, you’ll fit right in.” She clapped her hands, clearly pleased with her solution. “From now on, you’ll be in charge of assisting with kitchen affairs. Cooking, plating, a bit of cleaning… it’s all part of the job.”
I nodded, oddly comforted by the thought. Working in the kitchen would be hard, exhausting work, but it also brought me closer to the heart of the pack’s daily life. If I kept my head down and observed, perhaps I’d learn more than I bargained for. Not to mention, I’d gain a certain familiarity with the pack’s routines—and maybe even a few allies in the process and even a chance to get closer to Alpha Kaidon himself.
Cassie gave me an approving nod. “Alright then, it’s settled. Go get dressed and meet me back here in storage. I’ll take you to the kitchen, and we’ll get you started right away.”
I nodded, clutching the maid uniforms she’d given me. “Thank you, Cassie.”
With a reassuring pat on my shoulder, Cassie gave a half-smile. “Just remember—keep your head down, listen well, and you’ll be fine.”
I turned and began making my way back to my room. The winding hallways, though only slightly familiar, were still a maze to me, and every few turns, I had to pause, trying to retrace my steps mentally.
As I turned down one corridor, a harsh voice suddenly rang out from behind me. “Girl, come here.”
I froze, slowly turning to face the person who had called out to me.