QUEEN OR SLAVE

Erica's POV

Life is so unpredictable that what will happen in the next moment, no one has any idea of it. But sometimes some things happen that make people's lives distressing. Also, the pain of losing someone close is very hard and on top of that, to live with the guilt of murdering them is enough to make a person dead inside.

It's been three years since Jacob has left the world leaving me alone to deal with the werewolves. I am still the Luna Queen but it's only a title for me because I don't have the right to make any decision as now I am considering a cursed person. However, I don't feel bad about it because after hearing the same thing for so many years, I also have started to believe that I am really an unlucky person or why my mate would die so tragically.

My parents have been banished from the Royal Pack making them rogues. I don't even know where they are right now because every pack out there, doesn't want to shelter them as they are said to be the reason for my existence. I have pleaded to go away with them but Catherine has forbidden me to step out of the castle.

Even Damian blames me for his son's death. At first, I used to argue that I didn't have any hand in Jacob's murder but no one believed me. So, I have come to realize that nothing can change their minds and also I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence.

My last name is now Thompson because in our kind, there is no wedding ceremony like humans. The mating ceremony is the only ritual we have to follow to bind us with our mates. Jacob and I had completed our mating ceremony before the coronation ceremony, so by rule, I am still his mate although he is no more. If I go by the human world’s rule then I am his widow. A widow who didn’t get to participate in the last rights of her mate.

Currently, I am making lunch for everyone in the castle and to do that I can't take help from anyone. Yes, The Queen of the werewolves is cooking food. Not only this, I have to do other works too. Like cleaning the bedrooms, washing clothes, taking care of the pups. I am basically living a life worse than a servant. At least the servants get to go out the castle, spend time with their family and friends. But I can't do any of these things.

I never did any household work before because neither my mom nor dad liked seeing me working. They used to treat me like a princess but now I am no longer have them with me. The first day when I was asked to make breakfast for everyone in the castle, I burned the pancakes a little but that didn't go well with Catherine. She threw the hot pancakes on my face and then asked me to make them again. That whole day, I made pancakes after pancakes till I fainted due to hunger and dehydration.

After that day, I have learned to do any household work. I have stopped fighting or training because no one likes it in the castle. I don't even remember when was the last time I went to the mall to buy something for myself. It's not like anyone cares about my well-being as for everyone I am only the murderer of their beloved Alpha King.

"What the hell are you daydreaming about?" Princess Abigail, Jacob's sister asks rudely.

"Nothing, princess." I reply immediately.

"Then why is the lunch not ready yet?" She asks glaring at me.

"Everything is ready. I just need to make the dessert and then I will serve the lunch." I reply fearfully.

"Make it quick, bitch. I have a party to attend tonight so I need to go to the parlor." By saying this, she goes out to the kitchen making me sigh in relief.

Without wasting time I start preparing for the Semisweet Chocolate Mousse. I used to love this dessert but now I don't have permission to eat it as a punishment from Catherine. Actually, I don't get to eat what they do because in their eyes, I shouldn't have the privilege to enjoy luxury.

Finally, I am done with everything and just in time, everyone comes to the dining room for lunch. I have already set up the table so that I don't get scolded by any of them, especially Catherine. I start serving them the food I have made and do mental prayer that they don't find any mistake in my cooking or I won't be getting any food for myself. But I think I have spoken too soon because suddenly hot liquid is dumped on my head and that is also by none other than Catherine.

"What the fuck is this?" She yells making me cower away from her but she holds my hand tightly digging her long nails in my flesh.

"Ch-i-cke-n s-ou-p." I stutter out.

"Can't you speak clearly?" Abigail spats making me whimper.

"There is no flavor of chicken in it and you are calling it a chicken soup? You must be out of your mind to think that we can eat this disgusting thing." I lower my head in shame hearing the hateful words of the former Luna Queen.

"Erica go and make another pot of Chicken soup for us." Damian orders and without wasting more time I hurry inside the kitchen with the pot of soup.

I take a small sip from the soup and find that there is no salt in it. Oh, my Moon Goddess! I must have forgotten to put salt in hurry. I put a generous amount of salt and black pepper powder in the soup before boiling it for ten minutes to make it better. I can hear the loud laughter of others and their talks about numerous things.

When the soup is done, I again to the dining room and serve them the soup. Thankfully, this time no one complaint about it. When they finish, I am being asked to clean everything. I nod my head repeatedly and find them walking out of there except Catherine.

"There are some papers where I need your signature. So, come to my room after you are done cleaning here. Also, eat something because I don't want you to get ill and spend any money on you for unnecessary things." Catherine says smirking at me while I bow my head in respect.

When she walks out of there I release the breath that I don't know I have been holding. I clean the dining table and then go to the kitchen to get a bowl of soup for myself. I know that as a werewolf I should eat more, but if I do then I can get punishment for wasting their food. I quickly finish the soup before cleaning all the dishes and get out of the kitchen.

I walk up the stairs to reach my bedroom which is on the fifth floor and feel myself getting tired. Not working out at all and also not eating proper food is taking a toll on my body. But I can't complain because then I will have to hear their taunting words which I really don't want.

Finally, I reach my bedroom and directly go inside the bathroom to have a much-needed shower. All of the spices and oils are making me feel sticky so I start stripping out of my clothes and then go under the shower stand. The weather has started to get cold so it's feeling good to shower in warm water. Although I have been deprived of any luxury, I am happy that I have a decent bedroom to stay.

After showering I wipe my wet body with a clean towel and then get dressed in long sleeves top along with leggings. I comb my hair and let it air dry because if I start to blow-drying then it will take a long time as I have waist-length hair. I quickly apply moisturizer all over my face and rush out of the room to go to Catherine's room which is on the third floor. Although there are two elevators in the castle, but I don't have permission to use them. So, again I am climbing down the stairs to reach my destination.

Upon arriving in front of Catherine's bedroom, I knock on the door and hear a 'come in' from inside. So, I walk inside while keeping my head down to show my respect. I notice that there are two more shewolves in the room who are massaging Catherine's hands and feet.

"It's good that you are here. So don't stand there and come sit on the couch." She orders.

"Here take these files and start signing them." She says after I sit down on the single couch.

"Umm, what are they about?" I ask knowing well that she won't tell me anything.

"Your only job is to sign wherever I want. So, stop asking questions and do as you are being told." She snaps making me nod my head quickly.

I look at the bundle of files and notice that there are a total of six of them where I have to sign. I pick out one of them and start signing on the part where the sign of the Luna Queen is needed. While signing the papers, I try to read as much as I can so that at least I have an idea of what's being written on the papers. However, my hand stops while signing the fourth file.

"What are you looking at?" She asks.

"I am sorry I didn't want to stop but suddenly I noticed something unusual in one of the files." I answer not looking at her.

"What's this?" She asks dismissing the shewolves.

"Umm, I have heard most of the pack names around the world, but this one is new to me." I reply while showing her the file. I don't know why but something about the pack is making me feel uneasy. However, I can't tell if it's a good uneasy or bad uneasy.

"Oh, so you are talking about the Forbidden Rogue Pack. This is a new pack that only has rogues as their members and they are taking over many other packs. So, the council has decided to put a bounty on the pack." She lets out giving me back the file.

"Are they dangerous?" I ask.

"They think they are dangerous but they don't know how powerful we Royals are. They are full of disgusting rogues who think just because they are working together, they are a pack. We are also planning an attack on them so that we can get the money that is being offered by the council." She answers cockily.

I should have known that she only cares about money and status. I don't think all rogues are bad, there are so many werewolves who are banished for their packs unfairly. But alas, I can't voice out my opinion. So, I keep signing on the papers not reading further. When I am done, I put the files on the nearby table and get up from the couch.

"Do you need me for anything else?" I ask politely.

"No, you can go back to your room. But remember that you need to make dinner and please don't make any mistakes this time or you won't like the consequences." She threatens while I try not to whimper in fear. I quickly nod my head before rushing out of the room.

I put my hand on my chest trying to control my breathing. Something about her aura scares me a lot which is odd because in the status I am superior to her. I think not having my mate beside me is the reason behind my weakness. But right now my main concern is the Forbidden Rogue Pack who are in deep trouble.

However, I stop dead in my track when the emergency alarm starts ringing indicating that we are under attack. I quickly walk downstairs and notice that the warriors are barking orders to everyone to get inside the safe room which is an undergraduate basement type area.

"What are you doing standing there like a fucking statue?" Someone snaps at me making me gulp in fear.

"I am going to check on the others." I reply but a hand stops me.

"You are the Luna Queen so you need to defend your people." Princess Abigail says coming out of nowhere. But I don't know how to do that because I have never been in a situation like this. All the trainings that I got before the coronation ceremony is long forgotten.

"H-o-w?" I ask scaredly but all I get is a slap in the face making me fall to the ground.

"Stop talking you stupid bitch. You are the reason why we are under attack and I will be damn if I let you leave peacefully if anything happens to our people." Catherine threatens before marching out of the castle along with other warriors.

This is not new that I am being blamed for something that I don't have idea of. Whenever there is a problematic situation occurs, Catherine and others start blaming me. I wipe my tears and get up from the floor before walking towards the safe room to ensure that everyone who is not capable of fighting are inside the room. Upon arriving at the doorway of the room, I notice that the pups are being coddled by their moms while the elders are busy talking about various things. Looks like they are not a bit worried about the sudden attack. The six warriors who are outside guiding the room ask me to get inside.

I want to go inside but I don't because I want to see who has the nerve to attack the Royal Moon Pack. So, with that thought in mind, I run towards my bedroom from where I can see the outside pretty well. I am panting when I reach my room but that doesn't stop me from opening the window to look at the attacker.

However, my eyes widen when I see the thousands of wolves surrounding the castle. Now I know that this is not a simple attack, it's a fully planned attack or why will there be so many wolves outside the castle. My heart is beating so fast that I think I am about to get a heart attack.

I should be outside helping others but here I am, watching them fight like a coward. I think Catherine and others are right to call me a failure. I didn't get to save my mate then how I can think that I can save my people.

"I am not feeling good about this attack." Audrey, my wolf says out of nowhere making me overwhelm. It's been nearly months since she has talked to me.

"What do you mean?" I ask worriedly.

"I think something big is going to happen, like something that can destroy everything or cure everything." She replies. This is the most she has talked to me in these three years. We used to be the closest thing to each other but now I don't even know when everything will be okay between us.

"How are you?" I asked trying hard not to cry.

"It's none of your business." She replies harshly.

I don't talk further knowing how angry she can get. After the death of our mate, she has become angrier and short-tempered. She only talks to me when it comes to some extremely serious matter.

Suddenly, I hear a blood-curdling scream from outside so I look at the source to see that Abigail is lying dead on the grass. I feel vomit claws out of my throat seeing the blood gushing out of her stomach which is completely torn out. But before I can go inside the bathroom, the lights turn off making it completely dark.

Still, I try to locate the bathroom by roaming my hands around but trip on a hard surface making me fall to the ground. Just then I feel a presence inside the room. I ask for Audrey's help through the mind link but all I get is a snarl in return.

I try to get up from the floor but a hand wrap around my mouth making it unable for me to scream for help. I struggle to get out of the hold but that only makes the person hold me more tightly. I can tell that the person holding me is a girl so I think I can take her down if I try. So, I stop struggling to make her think that I have no energy left in me but the moment her hold loses on me, I jab my elbow on her stomach hardly. Instantly she lets go of me.

I go to punch her but she holds both of my hands and stick something in my neck making me stumble on my feet. I touch my neck and notice an injection being pushed. I snatch the injection but I think the liquid inside it has already started to work. Because the next thing I know I am swinging side by side feeling light-headed.

"Alpha will be pleased to see you." This is the last thing I heard before darkness engulfs me completely.