Chapter 6

Aurelia's POV

"The Prince wants the Royal Hall swept and mopped before morning," Maggie informed me. Her eyes were sad and she looked everywhere but me.

It has been a week already. Who would've thought that time would fly so fast yet feel so slow when scrubbing the castle grounds and weeding till one becomes very familiar with looking at bloody hands?

I turned down Norton a week ago and ever since, I have paid with my blood, my sweat and my tears.

"Maggi," I called her name in a breathy whisper. "It's 10p.m. everyone knows that the maids retire to bed once it's 10p.m." 

I clenched my fists by my side and bit down on my jaw. My resentment towards Norton grew inside of me like a  tumour.

Why wouldn't he just let me be?

"I know," Maggie ran her hand up and down her arm as she shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

"But, he called me to his study and told me this. I can't make it up," I knew she wasn't lying and I wasn't saying that she was lying.

I was simply on the side that this was ridiculous! The Alpha Prince of Red Valley Werewolf City can't handle a rejection!

I was trying to make a logical sense out of Norton's actions. Actually, I've been trying so hard these days but each time, it makes me feel insane.

"I just got back from cleaning the abattoir," I huffed in horror with wide eyes. "Maggie, I smell like animal blood-"

"I know," Maggie's voice broke and I felt a stab at my heart. "I'm sorry,"

"What more does he want from me?" I whispered as my visions blurred with unshed tears.

It took me three days to understand what he said about breaking me. He was throwing me into the hard life without pausing for a break. It was exceptionally hard for me. I had lived the life of a Beta while my parents were still alive.

According to the rank in a pack, errands were run by the Omegas. For Betas, we were simply to acquaint ourselves with supporting the Alpha in running a pack.

Still, I couldn't complain. I wasn't trained to be lazy by my parents. I was simply not trained to work ridiculously like this. Even the Omega's didn't do this much.

"Fine," I sniffed and marched towards the door. "I'll get it done."

"I'd love to assist you with it but the Prince said-"

"I know, it's fine," I pulled open the door and looked over my shoulders. "It's just one hall and I have a long night. Have a good night, Maggie," I forced a smile at her and her jaw dropped with tears streaming down her face.

I stepped outside quickly and shut the door, blocking out my emotions before the tears would fall.

I made my way to the Royal Hall and once I got in, my shoulders slumped and my knees grew weak.

The Royal Hall was the biggest room in the castle. If carefully measured, this Hall was like an open field in the woods and I was expected to finish cleaning this before daybreak.

Just because I turned down one insensitive wolf?

I touched my collarbone, running my fingers over the necklace. Somehow, it made me feel less lonely and I didn't understand why.

My shoulders slumped in a sigh as I looked around the big hall debating on where to start. 

I finally picked a corner and got down to work after mixing the soap in the bucket of water that had been provided.

"Are you kidding me?" I huffed in disbelief as I lifted the small brush that I was supposed to use for cleaning. "No wonder I couldn't find a mop stick.

The brush was exactly the size of my palm and I didn't even have a big palm. This was the perfect punishment indeed. It would take all night and I only hoped I could get it over and done with before 6am. tomorrow morning.

My arms still ached from packing blood all day at the slaughterhouse. It was an unusual task that his Royal Highness had deemed me fit for.

These days whenever he saw me, he would wear a smug look on his face and pass slowly with his hands behind his back.

No words needed to be said. I could already 'hear' the attitude and read the look in his brightened eyes.

I wiped the bead of sweat that was dripping down my face. It was over three hours already and my arms and knees were already sore. I rolled my shoulders and sat back on my heel as I looked over the remaining portion that seemed to be half a plot of land.

My stomach growled in hunger and I placed a hand over it. I had been cut down to eating twice a day and even the portion of food was a sorry excuse for satisfaction.

Reporting to the Alpha King felt stupid. Why would he pick my side over his son's?

"Someone is up early,"

I jerked in the direction of the sudden voice and was stunned to see Norton standing behind the door with his arms behind his back.

I hadn't even heard him come in. I guess I had been too deep in thoughts.

"Y-Your Highness," I greeted and lowered my head as once again my heart began to beat in fear, anticipating his actions.

Norton had proven to be unpredictable and it was a sad thing to underestimate him.

"You look good on all fours, Aurelia. I want to say it suits you but then, you could also look better as a Queen," the daunting smirk in his voice irked me. "But, it depends on you."

Again with this talk? Why wouldn't he just take 'no' for an answer.

"It's almost 2a.m." Norton announced and a dramatic yawn ripped out of him. He placed a hand over his mouth and craned his neck at me. "You need beauty sleep."

I balled my hand into fists wanting nothing more than to smack him but I wouldn't dare do that.

"I'm fine," I replied. "Your Highness," I added after a moment. I could neve forget his position.

He chuckled softly and when I heard his footsteps, my eyes fell at his feet hoping he would stop and stay away from me.

"Yes, I see that. Even after placing you on a diet... You're more than fine. Do you see what I mean now, Aurelia?" He stopped when he got close to me and I noticed I was already breathing hard.

"I'm trying to stay away from you," he whined. "You just seem to want my attention. You want my eyes on you, don't you?"

"Please," I found myself saying as I squeezed my eyes tightly. "... stop," I whispered.

My shoulders were trembling and I was chewing on my bottom lip to stop myself from shedding any more tears.

His voice was creeping me out, his words made my skin crawl. I wanted to get away from him and go far away to a place where he would never find me.

Different thoughts raced through my mind these past few days but I shunned them, praying that the moon goddess intervened in my case.

But with each passing day, the situation grew worse.

"No, you stop!" Norton declared in a bold voice that made me jerk. I stared at his face and found a look of contempt.

"You can put an end to all these. Just say it," he lifted his chin with his Alpha aura radiating around him. "Say yes to me and I'll make it all go away. You have the power in your hands."

He got down to my level and held my chin, pulling me softly into his face till I shuddered at the feel of his breath on my face.

My eyes widened when I realised he was too close to my face and his eyes were trained on my lips.

"Say it," he mumbled. "Say the words I wish to hear so badly-"

"No!"

I pushed away from him with all my might that I fell on my ass. My chest heaved as he stared at me with a heavy frown.

"You little bitch!" He yelled. "I see I've been going easy on you. You'll suffer for this. Get back to work! You ungrateful orphan..."

I tuned out his words as I watched him stomp his feet and whine for over thirty seconds. The sound of the door closing in anger announced his departure and in that instant, my mind was made up.

I needed to leave Norton's reach and it had to be now!