Encounter(2)

Cleaning the cottages was a tough job. Our pack, the Rouge Moon Pack, had invited the Blue Crescent Pack, the strongest pack around, to train with us this year. So, I was given the task of tidying up the cottages and making sure nothing went missing.

As I entered the fifth cottage, a big cloud of dust came at me, making me cough like crazy. Coughing and wheezing, I struggled to get the cleaning bucket through the door. Once inside, I grabbed a rag and started washing the table, just like I had done in the first four cottages. Then, I heard footsteps behind me and turned around.

To my surprise, it was my sister Eliana standing there, looking sorry. Her innocent eyes reminded me of a helpless little deer as she sadly said, "I'm sorry, Odette. I didn't know Mom would get so mad. I..."

Cutting her off, I asked, "Then why didn't you tell the truth?"

Eliana hesitated for a moment before answering, "I was scared." She clung to her innocence, with a face that begged for understanding.

"What are you scared of?" I asked, my frustration showing. "Are you scared that people will think you stole the Wolfsbane? Are you scared of getting punished? Or are you scared of people finding out who you really are, Eliana?"

Eliana, who was only 5'2" tall, backed away from me, and I took a step forward, making her stumble and fall to the ground.

"Enough, Odette! Eliana has a weak heart. Why do you keep tormenting her?" Suddenly, a tall figure appeared between Eliana and me. When I looked up, I recognized him as Jayson.

Jayson, the Beta's son and my childhood friend, had changed since Eliana arrived. He seemed to revolve around Eliana, who was delicate like a rose. Our friendship had faded away, leaving just memories.

"Odette, it's been so many years. Can't you find a way to get along with Eliana? How many nights has Eliana cried because of your indifference?" Jayson accused, his words hurting me.

Accusations like these were nothing new. Over the years, everyone, including Jayson and others our age, thought I mistreated Eliana. In the past, I would have defended myself and let Eliana explain. But people believed that her explanations were forced by me, so I learned to stay quiet.

People believe what they want to believe. If they see me as Cinderella's stepsister, then so be it.

Jayson's words only made him more determined. He lifted Eliana from the ground and handed me a bag. "It's full of food. Eliana was worried you hadn't eaten, so she asked me to bring it to you. Odette, you don't deserve Eliana's kindness."

He threw the bag on the ground like it was trash and walked away with Eliana. Once they were far enough, I picked up the bag and took out a sandwich. Despite the urge to throw it away, I was hungry. I had seven more cottages to clean, and I needed energy to finish the job.

From morning to afternoon, and then from afternoon to evening, I worked like a servant. By midnight, I had cleaned all the cottages. Exhausted and covered in dust, I went back to my room. I was too tired to even shower, so I collapsed on my bed and fell into a deep sleep.

When I woke up the next day, the room was dark. Was it already a gloomy day, or did I only sleep a few hours? I looked at the alarm clock and was shocked to see that it was already the next afternoon. I had slept through the entire day!

It seemed like everyone was busy with the Blue Crescent Pack, and no one noticed I was missing or bothered to wake me up. In a hurry, I jumped out of bed, planning to take a shower, but then I realized my wrist was bare.

"No, it can't be!" I cried in distress. I had lost the bracelet my mother gave me before she passed away!

I frantically searched the room but found nothing except pillows and blankets on the bed. It must have slipped off while I was cleaning the cottages. With no time to shower, I ran out of the room to search the cottages I had cleaned the day before.

Normally, it would be strange for me to be digging around in the dirt, and people would definitely report it to Samantha. She would scold me for keeping my mother's things, and I would not only get in trouble but also likely lose the bracelet. Luckily, most people were busy at the Hall that day, so I could search the cottages without being bothered.

The rooms were dimly lit, and I hesitated to turn on the lights, afraid of being caught. I relied on the faint moonlightand carefully searched each cottage for my necklace. Silently, I moved from the first room to the fourth, until finally, I found my bracelet tucked under a bed.

Relieved, I held up the bracelet, admiring its delicate beauty in the moonlight. Just as I was about to leave, a deep, unfamiliar voice startled me.

"What are you doing here?"

Surprised, I turned towards the source of the voice, uncertain of who I would see.