The Servant

“Clary!!!”

My mother’s voice rang through the house like a whip, sharp and commanding. I dropped the rag I was holding and rushed to the living room.

She was sitting on the couch, a bowl of snacks in her hand, eyes glued to the glowing TV screen. Beside her, Andrea was stretched out like a queen, polishing her nails with that satisfied little smirk she always wore when I came near.

“Have you finished doing the dishes?” Mom asked without even looking at me.

“Yes, Mom,” I answered softly.

Dad wasn’t here... he was always at work during the weekdays. And maybe that was better. At least when he wasn’t here, I didn’t have to see him pretend he couldn’t see how they treated me.

“Good. Now do the laundry.” She flicked her hand like I was a maid she paid for.

“Done it, Mom.”

She turned her head slightly, disbelief etched on her face. “Already? Fine. How about the backyard?”

“I cleaned it earlier.”

Her eyes narrowed. “The plants? Did you water them?”

“Yes, Mom. That too.”

Andrea snickered quietly behind her polished nails.

Mom sighed like it was exhausting just to deal with me. “Then cook for dinner.”

I blinked at the clock. “But… it’s only two in the afternoon, Mom. It’s too early.”

Her head snapped toward me, eyes hard and cold. “I don’t care. We’re expecting visitors tonight. Important ones. Make sure the food is perfect. After you’ve cooked, eat early and stay in your room. Don’t you dare come out when they arrive. Do you understand me?”

Her words hit me like stones. It wasn’t the first time. It would never be the last. She never wanted me near visitors. Never wanted anyone to know I existed.

I lowered my gaze, my voice small. “Yes, Mom.”

The television’s laughter filled the silence. Neither of them cared to look at me again. I stood there a moment longer, waiting for something... anything that might feel like love. But there was nothing. Just the flickering light of the TV against their faces, and Andrea blowing on her freshly painted nails like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Cordia stirred in my head, anger burning in her tone. 'And again, you’ll let them do this to you?'

'It’s okay, Cordia,' I whispered back, though my throat ached.

'It’s not okay! You keep saying that, but it never is. They don’t treat you like family, Clary. They treat you like dirt. And I hate you for letting it happen.'

'I’m the one doing the work, not you,' I answered, forcing a weak smile. 'So don’t worry about it.'

Cordia went quiet, but I felt her fury simmering like hot coals.

---

By the time I finished cooking, my body ached all over. Five different dishes sat steaming on the table, carefully arranged the way Mom demanded. I even prepared fresh apple juice in case one of the guests didn’t want wine. I wanted it to be perfect, because if it wasn’t, I knew what I’d face.

I took a deep breath, wiping sweat from my forehead. Maybe now… I could rest.

After cleaning the kitchen spotless, I climbed upstairs to my room. The bathroom’s steam wrapped around me, and for once, I allowed myself a small sigh of relief. Darren had been gone on his mission for a week, and I missed him, but at least nothing had gone wrong.

“Since they don’t need me tonight,” I whispered to Cordia, “want to go for a run?”

Her voice softened, just a little. *Finally, something good. Let’s go.*

I smiled faintly. “Good.”

After my bath, I pulled on black jeans and a plain black shirt, clothes that didn’t matter if they got dirty. My eyes drifted to the archer leaning against the window. I grabbed it, opened the frame, and jumped down from the second floor. The landing jolted through my knees, but I was used to it. This was the only kind of freedom I knew.

From the forest edge, I looked back. Several sleek cars pulled up in front of the house, polished and black like shadows on wheels. Visitors. Important ones, just like Mom said.

I turned away before I could see their faces. I didn’t want to. Not when I already knew I wasn’t wanted there.

“Let’s enjoy our night too, Cordia,” I whispered.

'Let’s go!' she howled in excitement, and I let her take over. My body stretched and shifted, fur rippling out, paws striking the ground. White with a circle of black on my back... I knew I didn’t look like anyone else in my family. Not even in the pack.

But for once, I didn’t care.

I ran.

The forest opened for me, the wind rushing past, carrying scents of pine and earth. My paws thudded against the soil as if I belonged to the night itself. And finally, after so long, I breathed freely.

We reached my secret place... the magical falls. The water shimmered with silver light as the moon reflected off its surface. Tiny glowing fish flickered beneath, scattering light across the rocks. It was otherworldly, untouched, mine.

I shifted back into human form and grabbed my bow. Arrows were hidden in the trees, waiting for me, and I took one. My gaze found the target tree across the river, its trunk scarred with the marks of my practice.

Here, I wasn’t weak. Here, my shots sometimes found their mark. Here, I almost felt like I mattered.

For hours I trained, letting arrow after arrow fly, imagining each one piercing the cruel words that haunted me.

But eventually, the guilt crept in. Mom and Dad might notice I was gone, and then… I would pay.

So I put the arrows back, shouldered my bow, and shifted again. Running in wolf form was faster, smoother, more alive.

Yet the closer I came to the house, the stranger I felt. My chest tightened. My instincts roared.

'Do you feel that?' Cordia asked, her voice tense.

'What is it, Cordia?' I whispered inside.

'Let’s find out. Run faster.'

I pushed myself harder, paws pounding the earth. When the house finally came into view, I slowed, my breath sharp in my chest. There were people outside... men dressed in black, standing tall and formal. Their presence was heavy, powerful.

Leaders.

Cordia’s voice growled low. 'Don’t forget… your sister’s mate is the Alpha.'

My heart clenched. 'Right… Andrea’s mate.'

I darted behind a tree, shifting back and pulling on my clothes. I was about to step out when the door of the house opened.

And then… it hit me.

The scent.

It rolled across the air, sharp and intoxicating, burying itself deep into my lungs. My heart slammed against my ribs so hard it hurt.

My knees weakened. My breath caught.

'Mate!' Cordia screamed in my head, her voice shaking with shock and hunger.

I froze, my entire world tilting. The scent dragged me closer, pulling every piece of me toward the one person I should never have.

And in that moment, I knew... my life was about to shatter.