The Lycan Academy

Christine's P.O.V

I saw her move. Pain exploded across my cheek. The taste of blood hit my tongue.

" Are you deaf?" Madam Cora hissed. Her voice cut through me like a blade. "Or are you just stupid?" The stone floor slammed into my knees. I steadied myself before she could hit me again.

"My apologies, Madam Cora," I whispered, my head bowed. She crouched slowly in front of me, her nails digging into my chin, forcing my face up. "Look at me when I speak to you! Look at me! You are a curse," she said softly. "The pack should have buried you with your parents." My breathing stuttered as I struggled to force back tears." Now come on, scrub. Scrub before I end you myself." Quickly, I dipped the rag, scrubbed again and again. The dirt didn't leave. It never did. Keeping my head bowed, I avoided glimpsing my surroundings. Any upward glance merely confirmed my wretched place in this world. The servants' quarters sat beneath the blood moon crescent pack house, hidden, like we were. This was our domain below, unseen, forgotten. I had endured this existence my entire life. Eighteen years old, still on my knees begging for scraps. No matter how diligently I worked, muddy boots would inevitably return. As would their entitlement, as would the power I was never granted. From above, footsteps echoed across polished floors. Laughter drifted down, carefree and bright. I've heard the announcement happened at moonrise.

A young woman's voice filtered through the vents, bubbling with excitement. Suddenly, heels slammed into my bucket, water splashed over my hands. "Focus, you stupid thing," Madam Cora snapped. My fingers clenched around the sodden rag. Moonrise, of course. If the moon goddess was choosing tonight, it wouldn't be someone like me.

Heavier footsteps followed, measured and sharp. The alpha guards. My second worst nightmare in this place. Their presence always resonated differently. Pure, undiluted evil after Madam Cora herself. Their punishments were quick and merciless. I'd either get chased by the pack dogs whenever I defiled their orders, or I'd get locked up in the dungeon. But as the moon goddess may have it, today everyone was in a good mood. Even the servants bustled restlessly.