Prologue

I shivered, sticking my body to the wall, trying to get any source of warmth in this cold cell. I shouldn't have questioned her. I should have just cleaned her room again. I brought my knees close to my chest, crying silently as I hoped somebody would get me out soon.

The sky thundered, causing me to whimper. Did they decide to kill me slowly? Was I going to die in this horrendous cell? I didn't want this to be my end.

I looked down at my hands and saw them trembling. They were turning a bit blue. A shaky breath escaped my mouth and I saw the water vapour disappear in the air.

“I hope you have learned your lesson, Ayla.” I heard Charlene’s voice. They decided to let me out. I sighed in relief.

“Y-Yes. I'm sorry. I won't…” I struggled to catch my breath, “I won't question your orders again.” I whimpered. Every inch of my body was in absolute pain. I was ready to do anything to get out of that cell. I just needed the trace of freedom they allowed me to have. At least I was given a room and food.

“Get up!” she ordered me and I quickly did as I was told. They were finally going to let me out. Did they have another punishment in mind? Even if they did, I was hoping that it would be not as hard as that one. Once she opened the door of the cell, I walked out of it, wishing to never return there.

“Put this over you.” She threw a thick shawl on the ground. Despite the ache in my muscles, I bent down to pick it up. I wrapped the thick fabric around my shuddering shoulders.

I didn't dare to look up as I followed her out of the dungeons. I just wanted to get back to my room and never get out. I wanted to take a steaming hot shower, hoping it would ease the ache in my muscles.

The weather got immediately warmer the moment I stepped my foot inside the house. My father was there, standing at the stairs. I gulped as I stood in front of him. What else did he plan to do to me? Weren't two days spent in the freezing dungeons for questioning my sister's order enough?

“How did the freezing weather feel like, little Ayla?” He smirked.

“Terrible,” I murmured. Was this the answer he wanted to hear or was he going to punish me for saying the truth?

“Are you going to act up again?” I quickly shook my head. The harsh lesson was learned. I was never going to question Charlene or Oriana.

“I won't. I will do whatever you ask me to do,” I spoke, rubbing my arms, trying to warm myself up. I could feel how weak my body was. I just needed to lie down on bed.

“Look up,” he growled. Once I did, I was met with a harsh slap. A yelp escaped my mouth and I could taste blood at the corner of my lips. “This is a reminder of what you are. Trash. Nothing more, but if there's something less, then that's what you are.” He spat his words out and I flinched.

“I get it.” I nodded. My stomach twisted in hunger and I tightened my arms around it. Were they going to give me food? I hold they were planning to do that.

“When was the last time you ate?” he asked me.

“Two days ago.” Starvation was a part of my punishment, but luckily, they did provide me with water.

“Would you like some food?” Every single person in that family enjoyed taunting me.

“Please,” I begged.

“Go to the kitchen. You'll find leftovers. You've got fifteen minutes to eat. If you're not done by then, you're not going to be able to identify your face in the mirror. Get back to your room once you're done and do not get out unless you have chores.” I quickly nodded and rushed to the kitchen after thanking him for allowing me to eat, knowing that if I didn't show gratitude, I would get punished for that.

It took one mistake. One mistake deemed me to a lifetime of torture. One mistake made my parents and my two siblings hate me. One mistake that turned me into a maid from the age of eight even though I was the Alpha’s daughter.

One day, I was playing with my older brother in the woods and we approached the river our parents told us not to approach because it was too far. He knew how much I loved that place and he decided to take me there. One minute he was there and the second he just… disappeared. I looked for him and I couldn't find him anywhere. I ran to the pack, sobbing. I told my parents everything and my father, being the Alpha, ordered the whole pack to search for their future Alpha. They searched everywhere. They searched for a whole month and nobody was able to find him. That was all it took to turn me into the ultimate sinner.

They all deemed me guilty, but none of them knew how much this hurt me. They didn't know that he was my best friend and none of my siblings loved me the way he did. In fact, after his disappearance, I became certain that none of them loved me. They beat me up and called me names. They did that to their little sister. I was only eight.

I lost my best friend that day. I lost the only family member who showered me with unconditional love. I wish I could turn back time. If I could, I would beg him to not even leave the house. I would never approach that river and I… I would make things right.

Here I was, nine years later, a teenager who didn't know what it was like to be loved. I didn't know if my pain was ever going to end. I guess I was never meant to be granted a second chance. I was doomed for life and nothing or no one was going to save me from the hell I was thrown into. Ironically, my brother used to think I would make a better Alpha than he could ever be, but how would I be an alpha when my life was a series of abuse and torture?