Chapter 23
The sound of running water and the echo of my own footsteps filled the room, mingling with the sound of my own heavy breathing as I worked. It was a thankless task, but one that I had been assigned as punishment for my supposed
transgressions.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the sound of footsteps approaching until a voice broke through the silence, jolting me back to reality.
“Maya, darling, there you are, Nadia’s voice called out, sweet and saccharine, as she peeked her head into the bathroom. “I’ve been looking for you.”
I stiffened at the sight of her, my muscles tensing as I prepared myself for whatever manipulation she had in store for
me.
“What do you want, Nadia?” I asked, my voice laced with thinly veiled irritation. “I’m kind of busy here…
Nadia stepped into the bathroom, her heels clicking against the tiled floor as she approached me with a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on her face.
“I was just wondering if you could spare a moment of your time, she said, her tone dripping with false concern. “I need help with something, you see…
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing that her kindness was nothing more than a facade.
“As I said – I’m kind of busy right now, Nadia,” I replied curtly, my hands still immersed in the bucket of soapy water. “Can’t this wait?”
Nadia’s smile never wavered as she reached out to pat me on the shoulder, her touch sending a shiver down my spine.
“Oh, I’m sure you can spare a few minutes for me, Maya.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, my suspicions growing with each passing second.
“Ugh! Fine. What do you need my help with?”
Nadia’s smile widened as she gestured towards the pile of dirty laundry in the corner of the bathroom.
“Well, as you can see, we’re a bit short–staffed today,” she explained, her tone casual despite the underlying implication. “I was hoping you could lend a hand with the laundry.”
I frowned, my grip tightening on the scrub brush in my hand.
“I’m sorry, Nadia, but I can’t,” I replied, my voice firm. “I’m supposed to be cleaning the bathrooms as punishment.”
Nadia’s smile faltered for a brief moment before she quickly regained her composure.
“Oh, Maya, dear, I’m sure Zeke won’t mind if you take a little break,” she said, her words laced with hidden meaning. “After all, as Future Luna, it would be best to listen to me too, not just Zeke.”
I bristled at her words, my temper flaring as I struggled to maintain my composure.
“You’re not Luna yet, so I don’t take orders from you, Nadia.”
Nadia’s smile faded into a cold, calculating expression as she regarded me with narrowed eyes. Then like nothing happened, she smiles. Then, her hand reaches out to grab my arm in a tight grip. I winced at the pressure, my muscles tensing. Nadia’s smile never faltered as she pulled me towards the piles of dirty laundry in the corner of the bathroom.
འརྫཇའ་༤
11:22 AM
Chapter 23
Nadia’s grip tightened on my arm, her nails digging into my skin as she forced me to face her.
“I need you to wash this laundry. Maya,” she said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “It’s not a question anymore, it’s a demand.
I shook my head defiantly, my anger bubbling to the surface as I refused to comply with her demands.
Tm sorry, Nadia, but that’s not my task,” I replied firmly, my voice laced with determination. “Find someone else to do this for you
Nadia’s smile widened, her eyes glinting with malice as she leaned in closer to me.
“You don’t have a choice, Maya,” she said, her voice dripping with contempt. “You will do as I say, or there will be consequences upon consequences. I’m sure you’re aware of that, right?”
Growing up. Nadia had always been the center of attention. Being the daughter of the Beta, she was spoiled rotten and lived in luxury while the rest of us struggled to make ends meet. She had everything handed to her on a silver platter, and she expected everyone to bow down to her every whim.
I remember how she used to boss people around, ordering them to do her dirty work for her without a second thought. No one dared to say no to her, afraid of the consequences of defying the Beta’s daughter. She took advantage of her position of power, using it to manipulate and control those around her.
But as the years went by. I began to see through her facade. Behind that sweet smile and charming demeanor lay a heart of darkness, filled with malice and cruelty. She reveled in the suffering of others, delighting in the pain and misery she caused.
I witnessed firsthand the havoc she wreaked upon those who dared to cross her path. She would spread vicious rumors, destroy reputations, and sabotage anyone who stood in her way. And all the while, she would feign innocence, pretending to be the victim while she watched the world burn around her.
And I know what she meant, when she said consequences.
She would stop at nothing to destroy me, to tear me down and break me apart. She would use every trick in the book to undermine me, to turn the pack against me and paint me as the villain. She had a way of worming her way into people’s minds, manipulating them to do her bidding without question. She would whisper lies and half–truths, sowing seeds of doubt and discord among the pack members until they turned against each other.
And so with a heavy heart, I grab the dirty laundry, and glare in her direction.
“Fine,” I mutter under my breath, eyebrows furrowed. “I’m sure doing laundry is a bit too complicated for you. I’ll be more than happy to help.”
It was kind of funny. How Nadia’s expression cracked with just that statement.
“Excuse me?”