Chapter 15: Unworthy Turbulence

Lyra's POV 

I shut the door behind me, but took the anger out on the cloak itself. It was so heavy that when I threw it down with force, I almost went down with it.

What was I thinking, hiding in there when I heard their footsteps approaching? Now I have to wash this huge thing. 

I dragged it behind me, heading down to the servants’ quarters. From there, out into the yard. Luckily for me, I found Saana spreading out some aprons to dry. She stopped and stared at me oddly when she saw me struggling with the cloak 

“What's that?" She inquired as she put the apron she had just squeezed back into the bucket. “Where did you get that from?" 

I heaved it onto the stone floor of the washing area.

“Alpha Kieran's favorite cloak!" 

Saana laughed. “Favorite? He only had it on the day he was made Alpha. But that's a nice way to begin duty," she teased and winked.

"How do I even start?” I asked, more to myself than to Saana.

"Is that your way of asking for help?” She questioned with a raised eyebrow.

I looked from the cloak to the wash bowl, and then the buckets. I was really down for some tough work here. How would I squeeze this thing?

"Yes, please, Saana. I'll be grateful.”

"Alright. Let me finish putting these aprons up to dry. I'll join you. Get some soap, and brushes too.”

I did as Saana instructed and knelt beside the cloak, ready to brush away. I poured some water out of the bucket on it, and rubbed in some soap. I began to scrub. Saana soon joined me, and together, we brushed the entire cloak.

When we had taken the whole area of the cloak, we stood, arms crossed, looking from the cloak to each other.

"Just pour the water over it,” Saana finally suggested. It seemed to swallow up the water. I jumped on it repeatedly to get the soap and water out. It was working. Saana followed suit.

Soon, the cloak was soap free. Exhausted, we both sat under the shelter where the wash bowls were usually kept.

Saana looked at her palms over and over, and rubbed her pink feet. I didn't even have the strength to move any part of my body.

"What did you do, Lyra? This has got to be the result of something you did wrong. No one will hand this cloak to a girl like you, just because it's your job to wash.”

I wiped the sweat off my forehead and exhaled deeply. How do I go about this tale of suffering?

“Yeah, you're right. I did something wrong. I was in the Alpha's chambers, cleaning. Madam Rosalia said it's good for me to make a good impression on my first day. I heard footsteps approaching, and just before the door knob turned, I hid in the closet." 

“Was it the guards?" 

I shook my head.

“It was Alpha Kieran and his Beta, Ethan." 

Saana was pleasantly surprised.

“Oh, he's back? That's good. Carry on." 

This is the hard part. I'll leave out the details of their conversation, and focus on how I got stuck washing this cloak.

“They had a long conversation, but I couldn't listen because my heart was pounding in my ears. I tried to stay unseen, until I lost my balance and fell headlong to the floor, clutching the broom. The cloak fell too." 

"Oh, I see.” Saana seemed very satisfied. She looked over at the cloak.

"Let's get it out into the sun properly, so it can begin to dry. The weather is very fair, so we can get inside quickly. Do you have to sit and watch it?”

"I guess so. He said I'm to return it this evening without fail.”

"That's sad. I'll be heading to Miss Fae’s room right now. I'm done with my duty for today. Bye!”

I watched her back till she disappeared into our quarters. Then, I stared ahead, looking at the surroundings without looking at anything in particular. The fair weather gave me comfort, but I felt idle all the same. Deep down, I hoped that neither Madam Rosalia nor Miss Fae would see me like this.

This should be the longest I've been out in the open, doing nothing. The air had a mild sweet scent that mixed with it so smoothly, each whiff a sensation. The chirping of the birds, the occasional beam of sunlight that kissed my skin; everything worked together to make the scenery magical. Somehow, it brought a feeling of sweet sadness. 

At least, it reminded me strangely of Alpha Kieran. I heard all he said to Ethan; the tone of his voice. Did he really care that much about me? I looked at the cloak and heaved a sigh of relief.

Soon, my eyelids began to droop; both from fatigue, and watching nothing in particular. I've never had the luxury of a nap, and I hope this doesn't go wrong. I let the inevitable claim me.

Everything was hazy, and a bit rushed. I saw Lady Seraphina walk up to Alpha Kieran. She let her hands linger intimately on his body, and he didn't stop her.

Then Anya came out of nowhere, and pushed me off the balcony. It was when I hit the floor that I jerked awake. Again, I felt pushed to the side, an unworthy creature. 

But something wasn't right.

“Oh, no! The cloak!" I scampered to my feet and dashed out of the shed.

The beautiful sun was gone, and the sky was overcast. The constant drip on my hair made me shoot up in realization. The red velvet cloak had taken on a dark, crimson look.

“Moon goddess, why me?!" 

Dejected, I dragged my feet up to Alpha Kieran's chambers. I had to tell him early that he shouldn't be expecting the cloak back by evening. 

My breath caught in my throat when I walked by Lady Seraphina in the hallway. I curtsied and lowered my head in respect. 

“Good evening, my lady." 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Anya walking smugly behind her, acting like she owned the universe. I quietly raised my head and sighed.

“No disrespect to Lady Seraphina will be taken lightly," she blurted, causing Lady Seraphina to stop in her tracks.

It seemed this was Anya's dream all along, for she turned and stared down at me in disdain.

Lady Seraphina raised an eyebrow. 

“Disrespect?" 

“I'm sorry, my lady," I apologized quickly. “It won't happen again." 

Lady Seraphina went on ahead as if nothing had happened and I was so surprised she let it go—that was so unlike her. Meanwhile Anya lingered just enough to drop a threat.

“You won't be so lucky next time, Lyra." 

I stared her dead in the eye. 

“Nor will you remain her favorite for long," I remarked coldly, feeling the satisfaction of being able to talk back. 

Her face twisted a little, and then she walked off to catch up with Lady Seraphina. I watched her back as she hurried off, shaking my head.