Chapter 2 : A Grave Mistake

*Alice's POV*

*TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains mention of, and light depiction of, sexual abuse. Please read at your own discretion*

Olivia knew of my inability to shift fully, but no one knew how truly excruciating it was. In great pain, my hands transformed from human to elongated wolf claws, and my teeth became sharp and pointed canines. Such horrid changes happened to me almost every night, and I hated it because it reminded me of my true nature. Of who I was, not who I wanted and pretended to be.

I never fully shifted. At least, not fully. That could only happen if I had a sentient wolf. As such, these features only brought me pain and shame. They told me I was an alien, a monster not meant to be alive.

My nails and teeth were still growing; they pierced my lips and skin, leaving bloody wounds as gray wolf hairs began to appear on my face. They burrowed out of my cheeks, making my face heated.

My bones changed, they grew out of shape, making it impossible for me to lie upright in bed. I jumped out of bed in pain, and in that instant, I saw me in the mirror next to the bed.

A monster with wolf hair on its face, huge wolf claws in its hands, 8 inches long, gray nails as sharp as a scimitar, and a slender waist arched painfully, as if something was about to pop out of its back. Its face was deformed by the growth of teeth, its mouth was open in pain, and its siliver eyes filled with tears. Its bare skin was covered with blood from her face and hands. It looks like a ugly, digusting, cursed, and nightmarish monster.

"Noooo! It's not me!" I slapped the mirror down in horror, and it fell to the ground and shattered into thousands of pieces, each reflecting my trembling ugly appearance.

The moonlight shone in from the window and fell on the smooth and flat mirror surface, each mirror fragment shining like a unique crystal gem, like the ice castle of the Ice Queen, but their beautiful surface reflected the ugly me.

I can't accept that.

My paws trembled and crossed, and a flash of determination flashed in my eyes.

I roughly broke my nails, which would hurt me more but suppress any further deformities from showing.

It's hard for me. When I finally succeed, there was severe pain in my hands, and I bit down on my lip to suppress the cries. Eventually, the ugly wolf claws retreated into bloody white fingernails before my eyes, and I could tell it had subsided.

This was the only way I found to prevent myself from turning into some sort of hybrid creature. I couldn't let anyone see me in this form. It was like showing my deformity and ugliness to people.

Even the weakest werewolf could control themselves to maintain either a human form or wolf form. But with me, I had no choice. It was like something had taken over and had a will of its own.

I fell on the bed, covered in sweat, and only after the wave of pain passed did I have the strength to get up. I needed to clean myself off. Out of my bedroom window, I could see one of the nearby lakes.

I stood and straightened my apron, just in case anyone saw me, and headed outside. In the moonlight, the coolness of the lake eased the pain in my hands. New nails grew gradually. At least there was one benefit to my ability.

After a while, my hands became smooth and flawless again. If it were in the human world, these would be considered normal. But in the werewolf world, claws signified strength and power, and anything less was considered a disgrace.

I often asked Jones about the human world. She told me that although humans were not as strong as werewolves, they had various fighting skills and smart minds. Jones was the only reason I had stayed here for so long. I don't know if I'd make it alone.

When I questioned Jones about why she remained in the palace, she would often avoid answering, often stating that she had her reasons for never returning. But, in place of a response, Jones lent me books that my mother had left me to help me learn more about the human world and all its beauty. Someday, I'd be there.

Looking at the swaying lake, I thought about my near-impossible future when there was a sound of staggering footsteps behind me.

I quickly turned back and saw James, the son of the Alpha King and my titular brother. Judging by his swaying steps and blank expression, he was drunk. Clearly so drunk that when he saw me, he didn't recognize me and treated me like a normal maid, who he could put his dirty eyes on and fool with.

"Beauty," he asked, slurring his words. "Whhhhy are you here? Are youuuu waiting for me?" James grunted and hiccupped, and he looked at me with bright eyes.

He staggered and stretched out his hand, trying to lean on my shoulder. But I escaped his touch.

I could smell the alcohol on him. It reeked. The sounds of a party just a little north echoed through the night and it was clear where he had come from—the party for the sons of the Alphas.

They were all horrible, simply using their rank and status to win over anyone who they came into contact with. In just one month, almost every maid had been harassed by them.

I looked at him in utter disgust and pushed him to leave. It was better for him that I didn't engage. However, he grasped my sleeve and stared directly into my soul.

"Beauty, you're so sexy. Come on, let me have a taste," he whispered into my grey hair just below my ear. James' hot breath hit my skin, making me sick.

This wasn't the first time he'd done this—to me or any female—but it would soon be his last. If James was found drowned in the lake tomorrow, I wouldn't feel guilty. He deserved it.

He reached for me again, holding onto me tighter as I tried to wiggle my arm free. "Oh, she's feisty! I like feisty ones. They make things so much more interesting, don't you think?"

His grip was heavy, and I knew that a bruise would appear sooner rather than later. I struggled to get out of it, but he was much stronger. His eyes darkened as he stared at me.

"Don't play, coy, maid. We both know you'd love nothing more than to sleep with the Alpha King's son, and here I am, giving you that chance. Take it."

His hand slithered its way up the base of my servant's dress and grasped at my thigh.

"I said TAKE IT," he growled as he squeezed.

That was the final straw. I lifted my foot and kicked in between his legs. He dodged at the last minute and pulled me down with him to the ground. His heavy body pressed against me, and I could feel his hardness against my lower abdomen.

Shit! I needed to get free, but he wasn't going to let me go without a fight.

I struggled, but he pinned my arms tightly above my head by the wrist. I only had my legs left, so I kicked at him with my feet. This infuriated him, and he pressed harder against me with his legs and tried to put himself in place as he undid the button on his pants.

He bent down to kiss me, but my head swung desperately, and his face, instead, landed on the grass. My skin was crawling, and I couldn't help but vomit.

"You bitch! Now, listen here. If you don't want to die, you must pleasure me," he threatened as he grabbed a rock beside us and held it an inch above my head.

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I stopped moving and softened my voice, making it shake. If I could play to his ego, maybe I could get away from this. From him.

"I-I'm s-sorry, sir. I-I'm willing to please you, Mr. James. But you made me ache. You've drunk too much, Please, l-let me help you."

At this, he lowered the rock away from me and smirked. "You should be like this earlier. I know you, maids like to play, and I have to give a lesson. Let's start with you sucking my dick," he growled as he stood up and began to shimmy out of his slacks.

At this moment, I was finally free. I stood up and shoved him backwards, sending him flying into the lake. The water in the lake was cold and heavy, and since James was still drunk, he had trouble accessing his ability to swim. He flopped around, trying to keep his head above water, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it.

I saw him struggling in the water and stared at him with clear hatred.

"You bitch!" he screamed out, gurgling at the water that started to fill his mouth as he spoke. "My father will hear about this, and you'll be FIRED! Do you hear me?! Fired!"

"Fired?" I laughed. "Sure, if you can live long enough to go tell him. I give you, what? 5 minutes in that state in the water?"

Moonlight painted my face like an angel of mercy, as I watched him stumble, trying to get out over and over again. I walked closer to the water's edge and watched karma overtake him. They weren't kidding when they said revenge was sweet. Should I help? Probably. Would I? It was still very debatable.

Just then, there was a sound of steady footsteps in the nearby corridor. I listened as they got closer and closer, and the clicking against the cobblestone transferred to the swaying of grass as they approached.

I turned my head and saw a tall figure walking out of the darkness. The moonlight illuminated a pair of indifferent hazel eyes, and I knew exactly who it was. Simon, the new royal teacher.

Even though I hadn't met him, I heard about him from the various maids. They were consistently giddy over his appearance, and now, seeing him, I couldn't understand why.

He was tall and wore an all-black suit. His dark, slick-backed hair accentuated his chiselled jawline, making him stand out among the crowd. Although his eyes were light brown, you could see nothing but coldness shrouded with a little mystery.

Then, I remembered the scene in front of me. Sh*t. If he saw the Alpha King's son screaming in the water and me standing here, not helping, I'd be utterly destroyed.

By the time I turned around, James was almost completely sunken under, with only the top of his head showing. If I waited any longer, there would be no waves on the lake, and I'd be free of at least one of these horrible people.

Perhaps, I could delay a little.

I splashed water on my face, quickly messed up my clothes, and fell to the ground, my body concealing James in the lake.

Simon approached and stopped in front of me. Without missing a beat, tears rolled down my eyes.

"Help me, sir," I begged him, shivering like a bullied little animal. The moonlight shone on my face, making me look even more vulnerable and enabling me to play right into his hand.

Soon, just like every other pitiful male in this place, he'd be swooning by a damsel in distress, and I'd be rid of James finally.

Simon raised an eyebrow and spoke. His voice was low and husk. "And how exactly do you want me to help you?"

There was a tinge of flirtation in his voice. Bingo. Little by little, his shadow enveloped me, and his scent clung to me, reeking of sweat and natural pheromones. I could even feel his burning gaze dancing over my bare skin.

Men were really all the same.

I opened my mouth to reply when I was met with his stone-like eyes inches from my face.