Chapter 8

Serena

“Wake up, you lazy whore,” Mathilde hissed, snapping me from my fragile dreams.

I fought to rise and demonstrate that I was alert and awake, but my efforts were in vain. Before I could respond, she dumped a bucket of ice-cold water onto my face, causing me to gasp and jolt upright.

Anger flashed inside me. I wanted to grab the empty bucket from her hands and smash it over her head. But that was just wishful thinking. As much as I wanted to defend myself then, how could I? I was wolfless and deemed to be the weakest because of it.

“It’s about time, you useless pig,” she uttered. “Get up and finish your chores. You will not eat unless you’re done!”

I got up from bed, still shivering from the coldness of the water. I began fixing my bed before heading downstairs to do what I was asked. Like autopilot, I silently took the broom and mop, started to clean the floor as if on autopilot.

Just then, Tori's voice boomed through the hallway.

"Mom! Dad! Where are you? I don't want to be la