Chapter 7

I was ironing my stepmother’s dress, carefully moving the iron over the fabric. I didn’t realize the heat was too high until I smelled something strange. A burning smell. My heart pounded as I lifted the iron and saw the dark, ugly scorch mark on the expensive fabric.

Panic set in immediately. I knew what was coming.

Before I could think of a way to fix it, I heard the sharp sound of heels clicking against the wooden floor. The air in the room seemed to freeze as my stepmother entered. Her sharp gaze fell on the dress, and her face twisted in fury.

"You useless, stupid girl!" she screeched, her voice making me flinch. "You can’t do anything right!"

I quickly put the iron down, my hands shaking. “I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, my throat tightening. “It was an accident, I swear—”

Before I could finish, she snatched the iron off the table. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the gleam in her eyes. A look I had learned to fear.

“An accident?” she mocked, her lips curling into a cruel smile. “Then let’s see how it feels to have an accident.”

I barely had time to react before she grabbed me by the arm and yanked me forward. The next thing I knew, searing pain exploded across my back as she pressed the scalding iron against my skin.

A raw, broken scream tore from my throat as the unbearable heat burned through my flesh. Tears poured down my face, but she didn’t let go. The smell of my own burning skin filled my nose, making my stomach churn.

I begged. I sobbed. But she didn’t stop until she was satisfied.

I jolted awake with a sharp gasp, my body drenched in sweat. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I looked around, struggling to remember where I was. The dim light of my new room came into focus, the soft sheets beneath me grounding me in reality.

It was just a dream.

No. It was a memory.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling as I reached behind me. My fingers brushed over the rough, raised skin on my back. The scar was still there. A painful reminder of everything she had done to me.

And it wasn’t the only one.

I curled my arms around myself, squeezing my eyes shut as the past clawed at me. My stepmother had made sure I never forgot that I was unwanted. That I was nothing.

But now, in this new place, with a mate who didn’t want me either, I wondered if things would ever change. Or if I was just meant to suffer forever.

A sudden knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. My heart jumped in surprise, and I quickly wiped at my face, not realizing I had been staring at the wall for who knows how long. I took a shaky breath and stood up, my legs feeling stiff from lying down too long.

I hesitated before opening the door. What if it was Alpha Ronan? My stomach twisted at the thought, but I pushed it aside and slowly pulled the door open.

Annie stood there with her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently. Her sharp gaze swept over me, making me feel even smaller.

"Are you still sleeping?" she scolded, her voice filled with disapproval. "You should’ve been up by now!"

I lowered my gaze, feeling a wave of embarrassment. "I—"

She didn’t let me finish. With a sigh, she stepped past me into the room, eyeing the bed as if checking whether I had actually been sleeping. "Hurry up and get dressed," she ordered, pointing to the maid uniform draped over the chair.

I frowned but didn’t argue. I grabbed the uniform and quickly changed, my fingers fumbling with the fabric. The skirt was still too short, leaving my bruised legs exposed, and the top clung to my body uncomfortably. I felt bare, vulnerable.

"Did you even check the list?" Annie asked, her voice sharp.

I knew exactly what she was talking about. The ridiculous list of rules Alpha Ronan had left for me. The one that made me feel more like a prisoner than a maid.

"I saw it," I muttered, adjusting my sleeves.

"Then you should know you’re supposed to take Alpha Ronan’s breakfast to his room," she said, already turning toward the door. "Hurry up. Follow me."

I sighed and followed her out of the room, my heart heavy. The hallway was silent except for our footsteps against the polished floors. The walls were lined with expensive paintings, and the air smelled of something clean and woody, like pine and leather.

When we reached the kitchen, the smell of freshly cooked food wrapped around me, making my stomach grumble painfully. I hadn't eaten since yesterday.

Annie walked straight to the counter and picked up a large silver tray. She turned and handed it to me.

I barely managed to grab it without dropping it. The tray was heavier than I expected, filled with food that looked like a feast—golden scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, thick slices of toast, fresh fruit, and a steaming cup of coffee.

My mouth watered just looking at it, but I quickly looked away. This wasn’t for me. It was for him.

"You know where his room is, right?" Annie asked.

I shook my head. "No."

She sighed, clearly annoyed, and quickly gave me directions. I tried to memorize them, but my nerves made it hard to focus. What if I got lost? What if I spilled something?

"Just be careful," she warned. "And don’t spill anything, or he’ll have your head."

I swallowed hard and nodded. My hands tightened around the edges of the tray as I carefully balanced it.

Taking a deep breath, I turned and left the kitchen, my heart pounding as I made my way to Alpha Ronan’s room.

I got to the bedroom door, carefully balancing the heavy tray in my hands. My heart pounded as I raised my hand to knock, but before my knuckles could touch the wood, the door suddenly swung open.