Chapter One

Celine

I have been working as a slave maid for five years to earn redemption for a crime I never committed.

At three p.m. today, my last shift ends, meaning I won’t have to be a slave anymore. My eyes landed on the clock, and I watched as it chimed three. At the same time, the invisible weight I had carried on my shoulders for the last five years was lifted. A tear slid down my cheek.

“I’m free,” I whispered to myself as I got up from my spot on the floor. Today, I was going to see my parents when they came to get me. A smile widened on my lips again. I would get to see my mama again.

“You still believe that they care about you?” my wolf spoke up and sighed.

“They will come, Silver. You are so pessimistic. I may not be their real daughter, but I am still a part of their family.”

When I was young, I never doubted who I was. I was the Alpha’s daughter. My parents loved me, and my brother protected me. I was their little girl in their arms, bringing them joy and happiness, until I failed to shift at eighteen.

Rumors and gossip spread like wildfire, saying that I was the weakest wolf in the history of my powerful family.

Dad, as the alpha, forbade our pack members to talk about this in front of me. My brother even fought with people who tried to hurt me with harsh words.

But I never knew that an investigation into me was underway in secret.

They brought back their biological daughter, Sheila.

I always remembered the day I learned the truth.

Mom, Dad and brother held Sheila tightly to their chests. I stood by and felt so alone and excluded.

But life was what it was; I needed to move on and accept the truth, no matter how cruel it was.

It was also on that day that Dad called me to his office and told me that I could still stay in their home.

I almost cried and impulsively rushed into his arms and hugged him as usual. My happiness let me ignore the fact that Dad didn't hug me back.

Silver continued scoffing. “But they didn’t come to check on you? Not even a letter? That family doesn’t deserve you.”

Silver had always spoken these words, but I refused to believe them. Yet, in the last five years, they hadn’t visited me even once. Were they ashamed of me for being a maid? Impossible. They knew I didn’t steal anything.

Stealing was the crime I was punished for.

Five years ago, when our new Alpha King was about to gather his military at the border, a grand party was held in the palace to send him off with wishes for his safety.

The party was great, except for two things: One, I never saw the King appear at the event, and two, Sheila, my new sister, stole Princess Anya’s ring, which was an important gift for her. She noticed its disappearance immediately. Furious, the princess ordered a search of everyone and everywhere.

Sheila's face was filled with panic and fear.

My family discovered the truth just before the soldiers came to check on us.

There was no time to hide the ring, everyone was watching. 

The tense and fearful atmosphere strangled each of us.

Until

Mom held my hand with tears and asked me to help them this time, taking the ring and admitting that I was the thief.

Can a person's heart be broken again?

I was stiff and looked at my mother, who kept saying that Sheila must not be accused. Dad and brother didn't dare to look at me.

Their attitude told me that they wanted me to do this.

Hot tears rolled down my face.

No

No

No

I shouted thousands of times and rejected them in my mind.

But when the soldiers checked us,

I stood up

On that day, I went from an Alpha’s daughter to a slave maid.

The truth of that night was forever sealed in my mouth.

My family’s and Sheila’s names remained clean.

“Celine!” The sharp bark of the head maid snapped me back to reality. I startled, nearly knocking over a vase, and turned to face the woman’s scowling expression.

“Quit daydreaming!” she snapped, her tone slicing through me like a whip. “The princess has a tea party this afternoon, and you’re late to prepare her chambers.”

I bit the inside of my cheek hard, tasting copper. No one knew I was free. I wouldn’t be free until the princess said I was. The deal was five years, but any mistake could extend my sentence. So I nodded politely.

“Yes, ma’am,” I answered, bowing my head as I scurried past, ignoring the head maid’s insults. This was the last time I’d have to endure it. The thought gave me enough strength to open the heavy doors to the princess’s private sitting room.

And there she was- Sheila. Seated with Princess Anya, laughing while eating cookies.

My breath caught, and for a moment, my heart swelled with hope. My sister was here. She had come to take me home. I knew they hadn’t forgotten about me.

“Sheila!” I gasped, stepping forward. “You’re here! Did Mother and Father send you? Are you here too? I’ll go get my things!” I turned to leave.

But Princess Anya let out a cold, loud laugh, the sound mocking as Sheila scoffed.

“What is she talking about?”

My brows furrowed as I turned back to them. “Did you not come to take me home? I thought Sheila-”

Princess Anya shot me a disgusted look. “Who the hell gave you permission to do anything?”

Sheila placed a hand on Anya’s. “I'll handle the stupid maid. I’m not here for you, Celine.”

Her words struck me harshly in the chest as I stood there, confused.

“But I don’t understand. My service term ends today. I’m finally free to see Mother and Father and be part of the family again.”

Sheila smirked, tapping a perfectly manicured nail against the rim of a teacup. “I thought someone should tell you the truth since you’re too dense to figure it out yourself. Your ‘service term’? It’s permanent. You’ll always be the palace maid. Forever.”