Chapter 1

Serena's POV:

As usual, I woke up at four o'clock in the morning, before everyone was awake and before the clock had even rung. I lazily got off the bed and stood looking at my haggard face in the mirror for a while, but I couldn't help but sigh. Thanks to the faint light from the candle, I fumbled for the ointment and applied it to the wound. An extended cut on my face; it's been there since Luna Irene scratched my face while I worked, to her displeasure.

I am an abandoned orphan and was raised by the Alpha family. I was allowed to live in the same house with them and was adopted by Alpha. However, my real life is just an enslaved person serving Alpha's family.

Above all, I am highly grateful to them, but on the other hand, I am afraid to meet them. Almost everyone hates me and thinks I'm a cursed unlucky person. The day I was found on the forest's edge was also the day Alpha's third child died. I grew up with the malicious ridicule that I was the one who killed Alpha's premature baby, even though I was just a baby at the time. The only one who treats me well is Asher, son of Alpha. Every time people bully me, only he stands up to help me; this ointment is also what he secretly gave me yesterday.

I quickly grabbed a set of clothes and went to the bathroom to make breakfast in time. Luna does not allow me to use warm water; if I do it secretly and she finds out, I will be severely punished. Because of that, I could only grit my teeth and endure the cold water.

After taking a shower, I tiptoed into the kitchen. All my actions must always be as gentle as possible to avoid disturbing everyone's sleep.

"Sweet-smelling!" A familiar voice came from behind me.

I am not surprised, nor am I startled. I was used to Asher's sudden appearance; even a few times, he sneaked a hug from behind.

I smile and turn around, scooping a spoonful of soup before him. "Want to taste it first?"

Asher happily cooperated with me. I eagerly awaited his opinion, knowing that Asher purposely raised his eyebrows to tease me.

Seeing my worried expression, he laughed and pinched my cheek intimately. "Whatever you cook is delicious."

I smiled, then heard noises coming from the stairs. I quickly stepped back to keep my distance from Asher, then gestured to him. Asher raised his eyebrows like he didn't care, but I was so scared that my face turned pale. I can't let Alpha or Luna know about our love relationship; it's unacceptable. Otherwise, it could make my life more miserable later on.

"Asher, are you going for a run?" Alpha Ryder stepped down wearing a tracksuit.

Asher even wanted to ask me to kiss him and refused to go. I was scared when I heard footsteps approaching; I quickly kissed Asher on the cheek and pushed him away. "Don't let the Alpha in here find me; you go out with him."

Asher smiled softly. He went out for an hour and then went to the living room; before he left, he even winked at me.

"What are you doing in there that I call and don't answer?"

"I drink water."

I heard Asher and Alpha's voices echoing into the kitchen, and when I confirmed that Alpha didn't suspect anything, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Waiting for Asher to disappear, I went back to continue my work.

At precisely seven o'clock, I put the food on the table and went to my room to wake Stella, Alpha's pet daughter.

I need to prepare myself mentally before knocking on her door. Stella has a stubborn personality, which comes from the fact that she is always pampered. She quickly goes crazy over a tiny thing. When we were kids, Serena didn't hesitate to throw a knife at my head just because I accidentally soiled her dress. I was lucky not to die, but I still have an ugly scar on my forehead.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door; there was no response. After a few times like that, there was no sign of a reply inside. I finally had to open the door to her room. Instantly a pillow flew toward my face, but I quickly dodged it because things like this happen so often.

"Who gave you permission to open the door of my room without my permission?" Stella's shrill scream echoed throughout the mansion, and the birds outside the window were also sent flying in panic.

I remained calm; I answered the same as always. "Luna called you down for breakfast."

Stella scratched her head, angrily pointing at my face. "Don't bring my mother out to scare me; you think I'm scared? Get out of here before I get mad and chop you up and feed the dogs."

Faced with Stella's harsh words, I didn't get angry; after all, I'd heard it since I was a child. I was still hard-headed and walked over; when I wanted to pull Stella out of the blankets, she jumped up and gave me a rough kick in the stomach. Due to a lack of preparation, I was thrown against the wall. I feel like I just broke a couple of ribs.

"Are you deaf?" Stella growled in displeasure when she saw that I wanted to touch her. "Don't ever touch me with your dirty hands. Do you hear me?"

I coughed several times, dropped my hands on the floor, and sat up. I furrowed my brows from the pain; it's hard to stay calm in this situation; I looked at Stella and said. "If you don't come down to breakfast, I'll touch your face and use this hand to rub your face."

Stella's beautiful face paled; she glared at me and rushed into the bathroom. She hates me, absolutely hates me. She always thinks I'm dirty and cursed and never wants to touch me. Thanks to that, Stella often throws things at me or scolds me; she rarely directly hits me.

End of the quest in Stella's room, I went down to the kitchen. There, Luna was already seated. She is elegantly drinking tea and reading the news. Something is wrong; Luna's attitude is very heavy. Her mood is not good; I need to be more careful; I feel that I am walking on a thin sheet of ice, it may break, and I will fall at any moment.

"Did you wake Stella up yet?" Luna heard the sound and looked up.

I bowed my head and respectfully replied. "Yes, she will be right down."

With Stella, I can tease her a bit now and then, but with Luna, I can't even look her in the eye. It was cold gray eyes; it could freeze the opposite person.

As usual, I poured a glass of water for Luna; I was about to put it down but accidentally spilled it on Luna when she reached out.

Luna growled. "What are you doing?"

Before I could answer, a slap hit my face. My mind reeled momentarily; I could smell the blood in my mouth and Luna's harsh voice. "You stupid bastard, there's just so much you can't do. Do you believe I will throw you in the woods and let the wild beasts tear you apart?"

I shook my head, fighting the pain, and answered. "Sorry, Luna, I was careless; next time, I'll pay attention and not cause such a thing."

"Get out! Don't annoy me!" Luna scowled.

It's like an amnesty. I better get out of here; I feel terrible every second, every minute. It started as a slap, but it could turn into a relentless fight if I continued to displease Luna.

When I walked out, I accidentally bumped into Stella, who was coming downstairs. She was amused when she saw me being beaten and pouted mockingly. "Deserved!"

I ignored her and quickly left Luna's sight. I saw Alpha and Asher jog back when I got to the door. I wanted to say hello but didn't want him to worry about me, so I hid in the corner. Waiting for everyone to finish eating, I need to clean up; then I can have breakfast.