Chapter One

Celine

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

At three pm today, my last shift ends, meaning I don’t have to be a slave anymore. My eyes landed on the clock and I watched as the clock chimed at three, and at the same time, the Invincible weight I had on my shoulders for the last five years was lifted. A tear slid down my eyes.

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

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

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

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

When I was young, I never doubted who I was. I am the Alpha’s daughter. My parents love me, and my brother protects me. I am their little girl in their arms, bringing them joy and happiness. Until I failed to shift at 18.

However...I indeed had a wolf...I just felt too afraid to tell them the speciality of my wolf.

I had not accumulated enough bravery to tell them the truth.

Only during the short days, they thought I was wolfless. They secretly investigated my identity. As they didn’t believe their powerful family’s child could be a weak wolfless girl.

I had to say they are smart.

The investigation result showed they were right, their daughter was another normal female wolf, not like me.

They told me I could still stay at their home. I was grateful. I swore I would use my life to pay back their favour

Silver had always said these words but I refused to believe. But in the last five years, not even a visit was made. Were they ashamed of me for being a maid? It was impossible, they knew that I didn’t steal anything.

Stealing was the crime that I was punished for.

Five years ago, when our new Alpha King was about to gather his military to the border, before he left, a grand party was held in the palace to grant people’s safety wishes to him.

The party was great, except for two things, one, I never saw the King show up at the party, and two, Sheila, my new sister stole Princess Anya's ring, which was an important gift for her. Hence, she immediately noticed the ring disappeared. The angry princess searched everywhere and every person.

Panic and fear were written on Shiela’ s face.

Right before the soldier came to check on us, my family discovered the truth.

No time to throw the ring to a secret place, everybody was watching now. To protect Sheila and cover her crime, they asked me to take the crime for Sheila.

How could I reject them?

They raised me as their daughter in her place, and while Sheila suffered for eighteen years, I was living her life. This was the least I could do.

On that day, I turned from an Alpha’ s daughter to a slaved maid.

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

My family and Sheila’ s names were still 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 face.

“Quit daydreaming!” the maid 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 wasn’t free until the princess said I was, but the deal was five years, but any mistake could extend my sentence. So I nodded politely.

“Yes, ma’am,” I answered, bowing her 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 and 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 didn’t forget 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 let out a scoff. “What is she talking about?”

My brows furrowed as I turned to them. “Did you not permit me to go? I thought Shiela-“

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

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

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