6

《 Aurora's pov 》

"Is the broth ready?" Gomery asked in the doorway of the kitchen. I shook my head no. I knew she would be mad but unfortunately, I didn't possess the powers to heat up food quicker.

"Have it ready within fifteen minutes." She demanded and walked away without another glance or my response.

I sighed and continued to stir the pot. My hands were burning with an ache that wouldn't go away. I guess I should expect that seeing as I had been scrubbing and shining the floors the entire day.

After I had washed all the dishes Gomery commanded me to wash the floors. It was my punishment for apparently upsetting the Alpha and Luna last night. No matter what I do, I seem to always upset them so it didn't shock me when Gomery mentioned my 'behavior' last night angered the leaders of the pack.

I did nothing unjust, I know that. But pleading my case would only result in me getting even more punished. My fingers, arms and legs couldn't withstand anymore.

"Hey Rora!" The voice of Cas made me stop stirring as I whip around to the backdoor in surprise.

Her eyes are wary as she sweeps them around the empty room. As if pleased with the emptiness she enters inside, tiptoeing.

"Is dinner almost cooked?" She asked, darting her eyes to the doorway. If Gomery were to see her here with me, we both would get into trouble.

"No, but it's almost done," I whispered, hoping Gomery wasn't listening on.

Cassandra nods and walks over to me. " It smells good." She compliments, darting her eyes back to the doorway. I couldn't blame her, we both know how it'll end if Gomery sees her.

"I brought some stuff that will make it taste really good." She whispers digging into her pockets and pulling out something that looked like a wild plant. I lift my confused eyes to hers. I've never stumbled on a plant like that before and didn't know what exactly it was.

"What is it?" I asked, nervously looking around in case Gomery decides to show up.

Casandra's eyes fixed me a look I couldn't interpret. "It's Valerian root. Just trust me okay?" Her tone had a pleading edge to it that I couldn't say no to. Cas was my friend and I trusted her with my life. She wouldn't cause harm to me or put me in jeopardy on purpose. 

So I nodded and eyed her as she separated the root from the plant, pushed the roots under the cool water of the running pipe then dropped it into the pot. I gasp. I had expected her to put the plant, not the root. 

"Cas," I whispered, and looked at her questionably. She wasn't acting like herself. She seemed a little, skittish. "What is it?" 

"I already told you, it's valerian root," Casandra answered, tugging the huge spoon out of my grasp to stir the pot herself. 

I furrow my brows as my eyes followed her actions. "No not that. What is it with you tonight? Is Ama okay?" I whispered, my stomach dropping with fear. Ama was Cas's mother who was very ill. 

Since I had no mother, Ama was like one to me. Until she fell really ill and struggled to even breathe. Seeing her in so much pain was also very painful to watch.

Cas smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "You know she isn't." She whispers painfully and takes out the spoon from the pot.

"Don't worry Aurora, I know you think something is off but I promise you that everything's okay. I just thought I'd spice up the broth tonight." She grinned.

Flicking her eyes to the kitchen's doorway her smile drops. Turning back to me, she whispers. "You know I love you right Aurora?"

I'm confused by the painful crack in her voice but still nodded. "And I love you too Cas," I whispered truthfully.

Smiling sadly she pulls me into a hug." Then you know that I'll never get you into trouble." She whispered in my ear before pulling away.

"I'll see you later tonight." With that, she flees from the kitchen and runs out the backdoor in a matter of seconds.

Something was definitely up with her.

Still, with my eyes glued to the door she disappeared from I hadn't heard nor sensed Gomery's presence. "That wrenched girl was here. I could smell her stench."

My back stiffen as Gomery's disgusted voice sent a chill slithering down my spine.

"Did she help you with anything Aurora?" She questions as she turns me around to face her.

I gulped, shaking my head in denial. I didn't want Cas to get into trouble because of me again.

I let out a cry of shock as Gomery's slim fingers wrap around the bone of my wrist and pushes my hand to the boiling pot. My heart pounds into my ears and I was sure she could hear it and smell the stench of my fear.

"Are you lying to me Aurora?" She spits, drawing my hand towards the hot pot. It was so hot that I could already feel my skin burning.

I shook my head harshly, gulping in the pain of the heat. " No. No. She just came to take out the trash and went on her way." I rushed out as Gomery's grip around my wrist grows painful.

Gomery's face leans forward until I could take the smell of her unbrushed teeth. "Then why do you smell of her?" She spat.

Squirming under her scrutiny, I gulped. I wasn't lucky, I knew that. So when Gomery pushed my hand into the pot of boiling broth, the scream that tore through my throat was almost soundless.

Jerking my hand out of the pot, I run towards the sink when she let me go. I let the cold water run down my hand to soothe the throbbing ache.

"You should know better than to lie to me. For that, you will not get the scraps from the pack members tonight. You'll be going to bed hungry." Gomery said calmly as her eye glared at my hand.

____________

"Alpha. Luna." I bowed my head as I set their bowls of broth in front of them.

"What's wrong with your hand?" Alpha Raphael's question catches me off guard. I had wrapped an old wet torn cloth around my hand tightly. I had no sedative or healing balm to ease the pain. So this was the only option.

With my head bowed, I took a quick peek at Gomery. She sends me a nasty glare that made me rip my eyes away from her quickly. "I burnt my hand by accident." I lied.

"Had you cooked our broth with that nasty cloth around your hand?" The Luna spat in disgust.

I squirm, fighting off the need to fall to my knees to beg them to not punish me. "No," I murmured. It wasn't a lie, I only wrapped the cloth around my hand moments ago before I had served the wolves.

If I had known the Luna would be displeased, I'd not wrapped my hand and bore the pain.

"You nasty bitch! Get out of our sights!" Luna Lisa roared and I flinched by her tone.

"Calm down Lisa. Leave the girl alone." Alpha Raphael mumbles. "Just eat the broth without causing a scene." He places his hand on top of hers.

My mouth parted in shock at hearing his words. Alpha Raphael never came to my rescue before, in fact, he was the one who prosecuted most of my tortures. Hearing his words made my mind go blank.

"You're still here?" Luna Lisa spat, ripping her hand from beneath Alpha Raphael's touch.

Bowing my head and mumbling an apology, I race out of the dining room with the eyes of many accusing wolves on my back for causing a rift between the mated couple.