e and fresh dew, but I barely notice it as I pace my

yesterday. Be in the kitchen by 6:30. Follow y

rap of my apron like it's a lifeline. The corridor

o how alone I am. As I walk, I pass a few

s full of linens brushes pa

rs. No one even acknowledges me. Back home

like I'm

down to the kitchen when a famili

, we don't h

ightens. Pri

riding toward the opposite wing, his tone shar

nts, and an aura that commands the room without

because I've allowed

force my feet to move. The last th

corridor, clutching my apron straps ti

don't turn my way. The guard mumbles a reply,

ed I was holding. My cheeks burn wit

? He's just another arrogant alpha,

back into the main hall, determined

r. Warmth and noise hit me all at once: the clatter of pots, the

ovement, and I hesitate in the

w g

n with strawberry-blonde hair strides t

asks, her green eyes g

manage. "An

. "Welcome to your first day of omega l

r w

d the bustling kitchen. Then she lower

eply, glancing

"You'll surv

a pile of potatoes sits waiting to be peeled. I follow her

can't help but ask, "So

ow did a charming rogue

brow. "Somethi

out, and let's just say she wasn't thrilled. Had to run before she could kill me. Being a rogue

how to respond.

ing lightly. "But enough about me.

f, searching for an excuse. "Maybe later.

s always looking our way. Come

feel her glancing at me occasionally,

fter the kitchen, I'm handed a l

push the rattling machine up and down the endless rows. My arm

u o

woman with short black hai

I lie, for

convinced but nod

had a wolf. Around me, there are a few othe

eak of sweat. Not eve

dining hall, serving meals to

but no one seems to notice-or c

g. Every muscle in my body

that I did back at moonhaven. But Moonh

ce...it'

ollapse. Instead, I drag myself to Cassi

her usual energy, pulling me

she says, floppin

er, sinking into th

first

o tired t

e to the glamorous life of a Goldencrest o

You're not

make you feel better

comfo

itates. "So... did y

ough I already k

You know who. Ethan.

it," I say, smirking.

deal. But her fingers fidget with the hem of her

I tease. "He did

. Why would I care

brow. "You sur

. "He's not my t

ay, drawing

and she glares at me. "I'

up my hands. "But just so you

a pillow at me, whic

an today though," I say,

O

mmediately turned the other way. It's

r expression softer than I expect. "He

doesn't matter. "I don'

ow quirks

ot. He's jus

er see him saying something nasty to you agai

ugh. "You're not as

ubject-probably for my sake. But the truth is, Caspi

've been hearing them my entire life, bu

n I remember his words, so h

d nothing. But I can't help noticing the way her expression softens ever

stretch out on the couch, my eyes growing heav

" she say

mm

ing over. I kno

already closed.

r something about Ethan, but I'm