2

Seraphine’s POV

My heart was racing, beating so loud. I just lay there, staring at the ceiling in the pitch dark room. Torchlights from the guards shone lazily in the room as the other girls slept.

I cannot stay here. I am not a commodity.

I slid out of bed as slowly as I could, barely breathing. The boards under my feet creaked traitors, honestly. I held my hair back with shaking hands, yanked my ugly brown dress up to my knees. Tonight I was getting out. No matter what.

This place is nuts. Lanterns barely lit the halls and the corners were sharp enough to slice. Guards stomped around in pairs, boots echoing through the hallways. If I mess up my timing, then I’m doomed. I hugged the wall, literally feeling the cold seep into my bones, waiting for their voices to vanish. My lungs felt like they’d explode from holding my breath.

Go. 

Now or never.

I bolted across the hallway, no shoes, and my feet were silent. Slipped through a side door, thank you, universe, and landed in the courtyard. Moonlight made the palace walls look even taller, more impossible. Every brick screamed at me: You’re trapped here, Sera, get comfy.

But freedom? Just outside those stupid gates.

Of course, the guards at the main entrance looked like they’d been carved from stone, spears and all. Not going to happen. I scanned the yard there! The east wall is busted up near the stables. My heart did this weird hopeful flutter.

Run for it.

Gravel tore up my feet as I dashed across, whispering prayers to the Moon Goddess, or anyone who would listen. Almost there then 

“Hey! Who goes there?”

My whole body froze. I pressed against the wall, hoping they would not see me. My heart was beating so loud I thought they would see me. Seconds crawled by, then another guard grunted, “Probably just the wind. Move on.”

I didn’t stick around for round two. I clawed up the broken stones, scraped my hands raw, tumbled over the wall, and crashed onto wet grass. Didn’t care about the blood or the pain. I was out.

And I ran. God, I ran till my legs turned to jelly and the world blurred. Past the trees, past the empty fields, past every single cursed inch of the Alpha’s palace. The night air slapped me awake, stung my face, but it tasted like hope.

I crash-landed in our front yard, chest burning, feet shredded. Banged on the door like a madwoman. “Mama! Let me in, please, come on!”

The door creaked open. Mom stood there, face pale and eyes about to pop out. “Seraphine? What did you do?”

I didn’t answer. I just threw myself into her arms, sobbing like a little kid. “I couldn’t stay, Mama. You lied! You said I would marry the Alpha,”

Her hands shook as she yanked me inside and slammed the door, hissing. “Quiet! You want the whole village to come running?”

I pulled away, voice all scratchy and wild. “Did you sell me? Just admit it, did you?”

The silence made me realize my answer.

Finally, she whispered, “It was for our own good. Agora’s pack promised safety if we gave up. If I didn’t, your father and brothers would be dead, is that what you want?”

Her words gutted me. I could barely stand up. “So you just threw me to the wolves instead.”

Tears fell from her face. “I did what I had to do, Sera. Please, just…”

Bang! 

The door opened.

I spun around and there she was the head maid, black dress flaring out behind her like she was the Grim Reaper. She clutched this nasty-looking whip, and others behind her looked at me with pity.

“There you are,” she spat, eyes cold as ice. “Did you honestly think you’d get away?”

I stumbled back, hiding behind my mom. “Please…”

Crack! 

The whip snapped before I could finish, slicing my arm. Instant pain, lightning-hot. I screamed, crumpling to the floor.

Mom didn’t budge. Dad showed up from the shadows and didn't move either. Both just stood there, heads down, like they had already given up.

“Mama!” I sobbed, begging. “Help me!”

Another lash. My back felt immense pain, and I screamed until my voice was dust.

“Try running away again, and I’ll make sure you can’t even scream next time.” The head maid's voice echoed from behind me.

She grabbed my hair and pulled me toward the door. My mother just watched, silent and still. That silence burned more than the whip, honestly.

They just stood there, watching, as I was dragged out bleeding, crying, destroyed.

     By the time we arrived at the palace, my legs were basically noodles. The head maid, ugh, always with that pinched face, just shoved me straight into this dungeon-level room. There was no window to let air in.

“Stay put,” she snapped, slamming the door so hard I jumped. “Think about your place. You’re a servant, that’s all. And pray to whatever you want that the Alpha doesn’t hear about your stunt.”

I slid down to the floor, stone cold beneath me, my body just shaking. Those whip marks? Still screaming. I buried my face in my hands and just let it out full-on ugly crying. Never felt more alone in my life.

      Morning eventually dragged its sorry self in. Door creaks open and boom, sun right in my face. The head maid is standing there, looking like she’s already over it.

“Up. Now.”

My body protested every inch as I got up. Seriously, every movement felt like I was made of bruises and fire.

“You’re back to your duties,” she barked. “No more running. Got it?”

I just nodded. I didn't trust myself to say anything without breaking down again.

Days turned into weeks. Same routine daily. Scrubbing and cleaning on repeat until I had cuts all over my hands and my arms. Not that I complained. 

I didn’t dare.

If escape was off the table, survival was all I had left.

So I worked harder. Faster. Bit my tongue, kept my head down. And, weirdly, people started to notice. Other maids flashed me these little smiles or whispered encouragement when the head maid wasn’t looking.

The kitchen folks started sneaking me extra bread. Laundry girls would swap shifts with me. Even the guards, usually stone-faced, gave me those little nods. 

A month crawled by, and for the first time, I almost felt like I belonged somewhere. 

Almost.

The head maid called me one morning, and that smile was plastered on her face.

“You’ve proven yourself,” she says, like she’s handing out medals. “Efficient. Obedient. Tough.”

Yeah, nothing good ever follows that look.

“You’re done in the kitchens.”

My heart did this weird hopeful skip. “So, where am I going?”

She leaned in, eyes all gleaming.

“Congrats. You’ve been promoted to the Alpha’s chambers.”

My heart almost turned to stone