Death By Cleaning

**Astrid**

I woke up with a gasp. My heart is pounding from the weird dream I had. The dream didn't make any sense, the only thing I remembered was seeing a blue eyed wolf. Slowly, last night's events came rushing back into my mind and I began to adjust to my surroundings. I stared around me in confusion. Sunlight sneaked in from the open window, making me squint my eyes. I recognised the old dressing mirror immediately. I was in my room in the slave quarters. How did I get back here? I began to panic. Was I caught? Am I still dreaming? I immediately pinched myself, and the stinging pain that came after, told me otherwise. I got down from the old mattress I owned and stared at the mirror and my eyes widened in shock.

I still had on the clothes I stole and put on. And it's torn appearance and the dirt stains evident on it, told me that last night wasn't a dream at all. It very much happened. I checked my thigh, but there was no sign of an injury. Strange, I thought. The fabric was torn at that area and there were blood stains all over it, but no injury. The skin there was smooth, like I hadn't been wounded at all. My head spinned in confusion. How did I even get back here?

Suddenly, my room door opened, Ophelia walked in, she looked terrified and scared.

“Madame Celine wants to see you” she said stiffly, turning to leave.

“Ophelia, wait” I reached out to stop her. She held the door knob, but didn't move.

“What is it?” She snapped.

I got slightly confused. Why was she being rude?

“ Do you know what happened last night, or how I got here?” I asked gently.

“Some guards carried you in from the forest.” She said.

“What?” Guards? Why?

Ophelia turned to me, eyes still holding that fear.

“I warned you, Astrid. I warned you not to try and escape. Now you're in big trouble.” She said. “Please, stay away from me. I don't want to be friends with you anymore.” she left immediately.

I stared at the door blankly. Why would guards carry me in? Does that mean I was caught? dread settled to the pit of my stomach.

I quickly cleaned up and dressed in my regular working clothes. Ophelia said Madame Celine wanted to see me. Madame Celine never tolerated lateness. It's better I try to avoid trouble, seeing I'm in enough trouble already.

On the way to the kitchen, I was met with stares and whispers from the other slaves, some even stared accusingly. I couldn't blame them. Word has probably gotten round the palace that a slave tried to escape.

Madame Celine came up to me, face masked in indifference.

“You've really outdone it now, child. You should know better than try to escape.” She said, shaking her head. She handed me a cleaning bucket, with cleaning materials in it. “From now on, you are clean the Alpha's room, his orders. He probably won't let you survive another day, anyways.” She said, smiling mischievously.

Dread settled deep in my gut.

Even the Alpha has been made aware of my escape attempt.

Madame Celine raised her voice loud enough for others to hear.

“This will serve as a lesson for the rest of you pathetic humans. Anyone else who tries to escape will be personally dealt with by the Alpha, just like her.”

So this is it. This is how I'm going to die.

The stoic-faced guard gestured for me to follow him, then proceeded to walking up the stairs leading to the Second floor.

Wide eyes watched my movement as I followed him up, cleaning supplies in my hands.

Slaves passed by, few of which I remembered, and began to gossip. Of course, they must have heard of my escape attempt and it is probably the talk of the palace.

We walked down a large hall with many doors on the sides, till we got to a beautiful thick brown door at the end of the hallway. The guard opened the door and I walked in, feeling nauseous from anxiety.

The Alpha's chamber is indeed befitting for an Alpha. Walking into the room, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sight. The red rug felt like soft cotton beneath my feet, and the air smelt of fresh cinnamon, expensive yet intoxicating.The chamber was large, dim and spacious. It looked ominous and dark, with the central colours being red, black, and a few hints of white. A massive king sized mattress with silky red sheets sat at the far end, commanding some sort of aura. The other side of the room extended into a wide living room, with the rugs and cushions matching that of the bedroom. Intricate art pieces hung on the walls, and I fought the urge to run my finger through them. There was a small but artistic table on the side of the bedroom, and two doors stood side by side away from it, one of which I guessed was the bath house, and the other, I didn't know. I'll check later.

“The Alpha is in a meeting.”

The guard said, before closing the door.

I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted was to clean while he was watching.

There wasn't much to clean, so I simply dusted a few things and cleaned the floors.

After I was done cleaning, I wanted to leave immediately, but the warm light seeping in from the window called to me. I walked to the window of the chamber and looked out. The view from here was amazing. Vast numbers of green trees spread out far beyond view, blending into the warm orange glow of the sunset.

I closed my eyes, imagining myself running through these trees, laughing as the wind hit my face. I felt tears pool between my eyelids. I wonder if I'll ever be free.

Nonetheless, I wanted to capture this scenery in a painting and keep it with me forever.

“Are you done enjoying the view?”

A male voice startled me.

My heart skipped and I jumped, turning back.

The Alpha stood there, staring at me, face void of any emotion.

My heart raced against my chest, and I tried to steady my heart beat.

I've only seen him during ceremonies and events, but now, seeing him up this close was a whole other level.

I could see why all the maids gushed over him.

He was by every inch very attractive.

The tunic and cloak he had on covered every inch of his body, but I doubted his body wouldn't be as beautiful as his face.

I looked down quickly, afraid of being caught looking him in the eyes.

My hands suddenly felt clammy, and I resisted the urge to wipe them on my apron.

I was suddenly nervous. Why am I nervous? Probably because I'm about to die by the hands of a greek god.

After what seemed like an eternity, he suddenly walked forward, taking slow steady steps towards me. My heart increased in rhythm and hammered against my rib cage. Calm down, Astrid. I told myself.

But how could I when the Alpha of Crescent moon pack stood mere inches from me, so close that his cologne invaded my senses and made me light headed. I slowly looked up at him. From the way his Adam's apple slightly bobbed up and down, to his defined jaw that seemed too perfect to be real, to his full, feminine-looking lips.

“What is your name?”