new friends, new friends

Amara Eldwood

Shadows played over my closed eyes but only the chirping of a bird filled my room when I flicked my eyes open.

Morning.

“Crap…how long had I been out?” I gasped, cuddling my arms against my body as a distant boom of thunder vibrated along the walls, making the flames in the fireplace whoosh dramatically.

Nothing looked out of place between the dark wood walls and blue-tinted windows.

The morning started with such soul-crushing depression that I was sure I would have nothing left in my chest save for an empty chasm.

Until a soft rap on the door drew my attention and I glanced up to see the blond maid from the other night standing with a large box in her hands.

“Ms. Eldwood? My name is Amenie, the head maid is busy with the royal breakfast rounds so I will be your handmaiden for as long as it lasts,” She chirped, her demeanor far better than the icy monologue Mabel usually greeted me with.

It was hard not to like the slender girl, with her big brown eyes and the limo blond hair she had braided into short pigtails that fell around her shoulders.

“Please…come in,” I muttered, watching her close the door before plopping the large trunk down in the space between us.

“Breakfast will be rolled up in a few, after that I have orders to soak up your hair and give you a sponge bath,” She whispered, a faint blush staining her plump cheeks when I only nodded, not yet used to the luxurious treatment.

There had been nothing like sponge baths back in Mama’s old cottage house in Shadow Pack.

A bitter longing suddenly formed in my chest when I remembered how my mother had turned away from me.

And Adrian? 

There was no doubt in my mind my brother would have been watching coldly from the walls, and yet, he had done nothing to try and stop Kiernan from clawing me down.

Would I ever get to see them again?

“Are you alright, Ms. Eldwood? Do you find me unsuitable? Should I send word to Miss Mabel instead?” the poor girl stuttered, her eyes widening in horror when she noted the tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Oh dear goddess, no, i’ll take my chances at the gallows before I ever send for that…sour woman,” I snickered for lack of a better word, but when Amenie let out a high-pitched giggle, I knew instinctively that I would like her.

“Oh, Miss Eldwood, I…well I wouldn't go so far, but Miss Mabel can be a bit of a pride sometimes—” She chortled, motioning me to the jade green bath in the rustic-styled washroom.

I slipped out of my dress, cupping my hands around my sex and breasts as the heat of embarrassment stung my cheeks and neck.

Saints…no one ever told me living in luxury could be this embarrassing.

“That’s because you’re much too kind Amenie, Ohh, that feels good,” I groaned after sinking into the steamy bubble bath, feeling the knots in my shoulders and back instantly melt away.

Yes, I could live like this forever.

I tipped my head back, letting the maid brush through all the red curls with a gasp.

“You have such beautiful hair M'lady. Why, I've never seen anything quite so lustrious—” 

I smiled up at her, grunting when I stepped out of the bath and wrapped the thick cotton robe around my body.

”You must help me do that all the time now that i’ve gotten a taste of you. Let’s just say bath times with Mabel could never be as refreshing—” I quipped, feeling a twinge of guilt when her big eyes widened and a sad smile spread over her lips.

“Oh miss! You are too kind, but its not the madame’s fault she’s like that you know. A woman’s first heartbreak always changes her—” 

Heartbreak? The bitch had one left?

“It was quite the scandal, M’lady. She’s been trying to make up for it and prove her loyalty ever since—” Amenie rapped before clamping her hands over her mouth and trailing off.

“What do you mean? What happened?” I hedged, forcing my lips to stay shut when the blond girl hesitated, as if realizing she had let something slip that she shouldn't have.

“Well, I don't mean to be a big mouth, M’lady. But ever since she was rejected and demoted to head maid by Alpha Dante and the three, its like the missus has just been a shell of her old self—” Her thin lips formed a narrow pout and it took every bit of control I could muster to keep from breaking out into a huge grin.

Not only did they reject her, they made her scrub toilets as punishment too?

And I thought I had it rough!

I bit my tongue hard to keep myself from grinning but the corners of my lips twitched still.

Heck. 

Amenie was the only friend i’d managed to make here. The last thing I wanted was to have her think I was some sort of loon.

“You’re telling me she wrote to all four of the Alphas? By Jove, I wouldn't have put her down as a randy one—” I chuckled, freezing when I realized the maid’s face had gone white and the silence in the room became deafening.

Crap! The witch is right behind me, isn't she?

“Amenie. If you would excuse us.” Mabel’s authoritative bark made us both rise to our feet and a lick of guilt stabbed at my chest when I saw the tears standing in the blond girl’s eyes before she ducked her head.

“Of course, Miss Mabel,” She breathed, shaking in every limb as she plucked up colorful feather boas and lace from the tiled floor, stuffing them hurriedly in her trunk.

Like she couldn't wait to be out of the tall, bony maid’s sight.

“You know, I expected more from you, Amenie. As a servant of the fortress it is your job to teach the guests proper etiquette. I never thought you were like all the other girls, and yet here I find you, dallying and gossiping with the reject.” the dark-haired maid hurled over her shoulder.

 I caught the way Amenie’s shoulders jerked to a stop when she paused in the doorway…not quite bringing herself to turn around.

What was she doing to these servants?

“The Alpha would have word of your misconduct. You are dismissed.” She hissed, and rage buzzed along my hands and body when those squinty black eyes of hers turned to face me.

“Miss Mabel, please! Y-You can't do this! I have a sick father!” Amenie choked back sobs, but the older woman’s stern face remained impassive.

“Dismissed!” 

The door creaked shut behind Amenie’s defeated back before Mabel narrowed her eyes at me, closing the distance between us so that only an inch of space remained.

“You have some nerve, Amara Eldwood, sticking your nose in other people’s business the way you're doing—” She sneered threateningly, her shirt sharp fangs extending dangerously from the sides of her mouth as she towered over me.

Horror warped in my chest and made my tongue heavy in my mouth when I saw the bloodthirsty look in her eyes.

Almost like she was waiting for me to say something off so she could pounce.

“I don't know what you're talking about, Mabel. Its hardly my fault if news of your whoromg somehow reaches me.” I tutted, jutting my chin stubbornly at her.

I had been beaten down and made fun of all through my time in shadow pack and I would be damned if I let myself get bullied in the fortress.

“You could be the Goddess right hand hound for all I care, bitch, don't fucking threaten me…” I jeered back, matching the malice in her tone until her wild smile disarmed me.

She was glaring at me like she knew something I didn't.

“Oh, I wouldn't be so sure of that, Miss Amara Eldwood. I’ve seen you, you know. During your leisurely baths. I can tell you aren't like the rest of us normal wolves,” she breathed, the acrid scent of ale wafting from her body until it was damned near overwhelming.

My heart felt like it had slammed to a stop inside my chest and I choked back a gasp, struggling to hide my reaction from the woman who threw her head back.

Could she tell that I hadn't shifted into my wolf yet? 

My fingers trembled before I clenched them in my dress and the muscles on my face froze up like cement.

Her high, whiny laugh was as annoying g as it was insulting, but the mirth did not reach her eyes when she finally looked back at me.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I repeated uselessly, jerking back when she pointed one long black claw at me.

“I bet there’s a lot to find if I decide to dig into you and your little pack, Eldwood. I’m going to do everything I can to destroy whatever bullshit gold-digging games you came to this fortress to play. You have my word on it.” Her voice had dropped to a conspiring whisper but it didn't take away the burn that hit my chest as she backed away.

“The ball starts at midnight. I'm sure you can manage to dress yourself without a handmaiden this once.” She hissed after pausing at the door, clipping it shut before I could say anything more.

“What the hell just happened?” I breathed, cupping my freezing hands to my cheeks and trying to temp the way my heart twitched like a dying fish in my chest.

The last thing I needed was having that woman on my tail but there was no way out of it now.

I would have to confess to Dante and the three before she had a chance to.

Crap, crap, crap! 

The dark Alpha’s cold face flashed in my minds eye and a shudder ran through my body when I imagined him wrapping a hand around my throat and squeezing the life from my eyes.

Was the guillotine the less painful way to be executed?

I’d been searching for an escape in all my waking hours, but the walls were as sturdy as a battle axe, ruling out any hope of secret passages that could have led me out to the darkness.

“Midnight,” I breathed, my hands shaking on the soft nettle of the green dress I had plucked out.

It was beautiful, seeming to glitter when I held it against my chest and swished back and forth.

If I was going to leave the fortress, then it was best to get on The Four’s good side. 

No use running out into The Darkness and having to worry about his soldiers running me down to my death.

The chatter of women and workers drifted up from the half-open glass before I pressed my face against it with a sigh.

My loneliness was so deep that it felt like a ravenous pit inside my chest.

Mother would have had a fresh batch of sweet potatoes steaming on the chipped red pot by this time. Our dinner’s had gotten smaller and quieter after Adrian left for the walls.

It was like he spent all his time there, using even his breaks. Anything to avoid coming back to the small house with crumbling paint and creaking tables.

It was nothing like the luxury that surrounded me. Adrian would have loved it.

The distant tolling of a bell roused me from my thoughts before I slipped out of my dress to face the mirror.

It didn't matter that I didn't feel ready. Tonight was the night other members of their pack would be seeing me up-close. 

Mabel must have thought leaving me to my devices would result in chaos and ruin my outfit, but she didn't know me at all.

If there was one thing I was good at, it was being unforgettable.