The Rogue King

CHAPTER ONE

HAZEL PRATT

A sudden cascade of cold liquid jolted me from my sleep, leaving me disoriented and staring in shock at my soaked dress. Was there a leak in the ceiling? Was it raining?

"Sleep, that's all she ever does. When will you ever get your work complete? We don't have all day!" Lucian's voice cut through the confusion, making me shrink back in fear.

It hadn't rained. It was my stepfather, Lucian. He hurled the bucket he had been holding, striking me squarely in the stomach. I winced in pain.

"There's work to be done!" he barked. "Yet you lay here shamelessly and even dare to sleep."

I glanced around the workload in the kitchen and wondered how they got there. The piles of plates, the soup stains on the floor, flour on the table and soiled dish cloths. I could swear I had tidied up the place before sitting down to rest. Then I may have fallen asleep in the process

But one thing I was certain of was that, I had cleaned up earlier, else how would I dare sleep?

"I-I'm sorry," I stammered, trying to pull myself together. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"I'm not your father," he spat and stared at me with disgust. "Don't you know what time it is? Look at all the mess around."

"I cleaned up this morning," I tried to explain.

He glared daggers at me. "Is that so? Then how are all these, here? Who used them? Is it me?" He demanded in a cold tone.

I swallowed and kept mute. How would I explain to him that I had cleaned up and I had no idea how all these happened.

"Answer me!" He snapped.

A lump formed in my throat but I still couldn't find the right words to say. He would never believe me anyways.

Lucian approached me and slapped me hard on the face. "I have told you countless times, to never keep silent whenever I'm asking you questions."

The tears that had been pricking the corners of my eyes dropped effortlessly and slipped down my cheek. As much as it stung, I couldn't dare place my hand on it or he would slap me twice.

"You have just one job," Aurora, my step sister, said as she came into view. "Tidy up. That's all papa asks of you and you still can't do it well enough."

Anger flashed in my eyes as she stared at me, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. It was her who had created the mess. That, I was sure of.

"What are you waiting for?" Lucian demanded. "Do you want me to lash you with the whip before you do the right thing?"

"I'm sorry," I apologised hastily and grabbed a broom. "I'll get busy now. I'll clean the mess."

Lucian sneered, his face twisted with contempt. "You should be sorry for your life. You're useless, just like your mother was." 

His words were a dagger to my heart, the pain fresh every time he spoke of her with such disdain.

Since my mother's death, Lucian had discarded any pretence of kindness. I was nothing more than a servant in my own home, forced to do all the house chores. 

No one knew my true identity, because I was never introduced to anyone as his daughter. Back then when I was younger, I used to think he was protecting me, at least that's what he told me .

I used to ask my mother why she and Lucian never introduced me to their friends but all they would say to me is that they are trying to keep me safe from the evil of the world.

But they lied. They weren't protecting me. They were embarrassed to have a weakling for a child. It became obvious as I grew.

"Soon, it will be over," I whispered silently to myself.

It was more of a manifestation than a comfort. In two days I would be eighteen and I would finally have my wolf. Then my life will fall in place as mom had assured. I would get married to the Alpha King and that would be the end of my suffering.

For now, I had to endure.

"Have you told her?" Aurora asked her father, staining the place I had just wiped with her filthy shoes.

My ear perked up at her statement. What could she be hinting at? I was so curious to find out that I forgot I wanted to yell at her for leaving muddy trails on the kitchen floor.

"What is that?" I asked softly.

Aurora grinned. Her very irritating malicious grin sent shivers down my spine and I could tell it wasn't something good. My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I glanced from her to Lucian, waiting for either of them to say something. 

"What's going on?" I pressed, trying to keep my tone low.