Trouble

Chapter 1 - Trouble

Colette

"Wake up," A quiet voice whispered in my ear, jolting me awake.

I shot up from my cot, the springs poking my legs through the worn-out mattress. My hair was sticking to my sweat-covered face.  My heart pounded against my chest.

It always felt so real, as if I was back in my village with my family. I was forced to relive that nightmare again and again. For the last fifteen years, I had been sucked into that world. My subconscious making me watch my pack be ripped to ribbons over and over, forced to watch my mother die again and again.

I stood from my cot, fighting the wave of nausea that rippled through me as I made my way to the toilet and sink that sat in the corner of my room. I turned the tap, letting the rusted water run until it became clear enough to wash my face.

I was never one to complain about any situation. Especially not to anyone here. I knew my place; to speak out meant I would get punished. To have a voice meant I went without food or received a beating.

Though it seemed anything I did these past five years was enough reason to starve or beat me. Especially once Alpha Carter's daughter, Amelia, got me on her radar.

She had made it her personal mission to get me in trouble whenever she could. All because the Beta, Jacob, caught a vase I had almost smashed by accident while cleaning one of the fifty rooms in the packhouse years ago. Saving me from getting another beating. Or it would have if Amelia hadn't seen it.

Jacob always seemed to be watching me, going out of his way to be kind. He was one of the select few who did, but it put a target on my back.

I splashed the cold water over my face, letting it wash away the sweat and memories of my past. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to forget my mother's gasping breaths as she made me make one last promise.

A promise I had kept to this very day.

I let out a shaky breath, looking back at the reflection in the broken mirror. Even with the cracked glass and faded reflection, I could see my mother staring back at me.

The piercing sage green eyes and ice blonde hair were the same as hers. I even had her sharp cheekbones, freckled face, and fair skin. The only difference was my skin's lack of colour and the sunken features from the lack of nutrients, sleep, and years of neglect. The neglect only got worse after Bianca passed, the servent who found me all those years ago.

I let out a sigh pushing myself away from the mirror, not wanting to look at myself anymore. Focusing on the past never helped anyone. I would be good as long as I kept my head down and did what I was told.

As if mocking my optimism, my stomach growled in protest. Reminding me that I had now gone two days without a meal because of Amelia's relentless efforts to punish me.

I looked over at the old clock on the wooden stool beside my cot. I gasped as I realized the time. I had forgotten to set my alarm before bed last night. Passing out from exhaustion and hunger.

I quickly put on my servant's outfit, black leggings and a black long sleeve, before putting my hair into a quick bun, not having time to make sure if it looked okay or not as I rushed out of my room. I ran up several sets of stairs, pushing against the darkness that spotted my vision with each movement, praying I would be able to finish my duties before check-in.

~~~

My bones groaned in protest as I forced myself to stand up after scrubbing out the last bathroom on the guest floor. I was an hour behind the rest of the servants. A couple of them took pity on me and helped do a few of the rooms on the lower levels. Their random act of kindness made me feel uneasy. Though it was appreciated, it still wasn't enough to help me catch up.

I had lucked out, being able to avoid Amelia for most of the morning, but I knew my luck would soon run out. She hunted for me when she was bored, and since there was an Alpha meeting tonight involving a big dinner and a formal dance, she would be forced to stay in today to prepare. Which only meant she had more time to find and torment me.

Amelia's fake laugh echoed down the hallway as if my thoughts called her. I crept from the bathroom. Praying she didn't notice my cart in the main room.

"Oh, jakey, you're so funny," She laughed again. Her voice was always a pitch higher when she was around the Beta. It got worse when he ignored her—only interacting with her when he had to.

I kept my eyes on the doorway and slowly made my way to the cart. Panic filled me, my eyes widening as I kicked the bucket I had on the floor. The mop fell forward faster than I could grab it, thudding against the floor. I tripped over the bucket spilling the dirty water everywhere. My foot slipped, and I cried as I fell onto the hard tile.

"Colette, are you-" Jacob came rushing in but was cut off by Amelia's laughter. She whipped out her cell phone, snapping photos of me soaked, lying in dirty water.

"Oh. My. God. Daddy is going to flip. I can't wait to show him these. Totally going up in the chat," Amelia squealed in excitement. Her nails tapped against the screen as she typed to her group of equally as cruel friends.

"Are you okay?" Jacob asked again, ignoring Amelia. I nodded as he helped me stand. I could feel Amelia's eyes on me, her gaze piercing into me like daggers. I quickly pulled away from Jacobs's touch, bowing my head.

"Sorry for the mess Beta Jacob. I wasn't watching where I was going. I will clean up the mess right away," Jacob tensed slightly at my words, his fingers twitching as he resisted the urge to touch me again.

"Amelia, it is almost lunch. You should start getting ready for dinner tonight. I will be sure to be at your room in time to escort you to the dining hall," He said, dismissing her. I looked up to see her watching me, the promise of payback in her eyes before it disappeared, and her fake smile graced her face once again. She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Of course, jakey. I'll see you at six. Don't be late,"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Li," He said as she exited the room. Jacob stepped forward as soon as her footsteps faded.

"Don't worry about Amelia. I'll deal with it," I shook my head, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. Before I could answer, Gerald, a butler, walked into the room. His eyes were wide as he took in my appearance and then the Beta. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Beta Jacob, the Alpha has sent for you," Jacob looked at me, a question in golden eyes that I ignored. He took a step back, clearing his throat, before nodding.

"Very well, Gerald. Ensure that this is taken care of, and Colette gets something to eat. She is looking rather pale today,"

"Of course, sir," Jacob left the room, leaving Gerald and me to the disaster before me. I reached for the mop, but Gerald stopped me.

"You heard what he said, girl. Get yourself cleaned up and get something to eat. I will clean up this mess and have some of the other girls divide the rest of your rooms," I stared at him in shock.

"Why?" I asked, not sure how to feel about this. Not many helped me or seemed to care when they saw me suffer. But this was the second time someone had helped me, and I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something. Pity flashed in his dull green eyes before he blinked it away.

"Just go before I change my mind," He ordered. I quickly nodded before leaving the room. Something about the whole thing made a pit form in my already hollow stomach.