Twenty-two

Scrub scrub scrub

The soapy air bubbles foamed with every stroke on the marble floor I brushed with vigour. Few people passed in a blur but unpaid no mind scrubbing eagerly to get an early head start on a busy morning.

Five days had passed since the human winter attacked the western pack. They talk about the heroic alpha who saved them all.

"Tch," I hissed to myself. "Hero my ass" I scrubbed harder pouring every ounce of rage burning in my blood. It had been five days since I saw him.

Since he blatantly rejected me. My hands gripped tightly on the brush, the strokes faster and quicker than before.

"Scrub any harder and your reflection might peel off" I came to a stop tired and worn out from the constant scrubbing. Esme stood before me with a pale of water and scrubs. A bright smile plastered on her face as she got to her knee.

"What has got you in fuss" she inquired with a narrowed glance. I had picked up my scrubs resuming from where I had stopped.

"I am so eager to clean today" I responded in an edgy tone.

"That's what you said yesterday too" she scrubbed her corner waiting for me to answer.

My hands came to a stop once again as flashes from when I last saw him crossed my memory A new wave of anger boiled once again at the thought. I gave her a pointed look, "I guess I must really love cleaning". I could never tell her I was rejected by the alpha. I preferred what happened to remain only with me.

The floor shined spotless, I looked at it satisfied. Hoping with all my heart that he passes by here at least once and trips on his butt. That would be a sight to see. I nodded. Just then the launch bell rang.

"Let's hurry or we will be late for lunch," I said to Esme who gave me a quizzical look.

After I had disappeared that day after waking up from consciousness. She had been constantly worried. I didn't blame her either. Deciding to go along with my charade she got up and we headed to the dining hall. At least I could get my mind off it with food.

During lunch,

We were lucky enough to get a sizable meal. I set the wooden tray down on the table as I rubbed my hands together in enthusiasm. Carrot soup and a loaf of bread. I happened to grab a large loaf at that. Grinning from ear to ear I dipped a piece of the bread into the soup taking a bite. It wasn't a high-class meal but it sure hit the right spot.

Esme chuckled at my delight, " glad you're enjoying the food at least" however, we spoke too soon. A hand slapped onto the table toppling over my bowl of soup onto my skirt. I jumped up, my gown soiled and my jaw dropped.

"What the hell?" I screamed, wiping my hands in the air to flick the spilt soup onto me.

"Watch your tone with me" she spat angrily at me. I was beyond stunned.

"A gentle tap on the table wouldn't have hurt" I still couldn't believe my lunch was gone just like that.

Stacy was right behind her with a flowering gaze. "Bitch" she cursed, but she sliced her glare shutting her up. Then narrowed her gaze on me.

"Where were you during the attack?" she asked bluntly. Her voice echoed loud enough to draw everyone in. Their curious gazes fixed on us intently.

I raised an eyebrow, "trying to survive" I said word for word not sure what she was planning.

"And for a moment I thought you were low-ranked and reasonable." She flicked her hair to the side, pouting pitifully at me.

"Couldn't tell if it was a compliment?" I said in a flat tone.

"It so happens you are that low you had to use the opportunity when the alpha was saving everyone to fall victim and try to win him in bed." Gasps from everywhere around the dining area erupted. My orbs widened, How did she know?

"I never-" I was cut off.

"Don't try to deny it. I was there when you ran out of his room after he rejected you" Stacy stepped in, proudly with her devious grin.

The voice grew and everyone focused their attention on us.

"How low of her"

"Why would she do that"

"She is a bitch after all"

"I call dibs on her"

One by one, their disgusting comments barged into my head. They both with satisfied grins watched my face as I curled in horror.

"T-That's not what happened" I cried out. They didn't listen to me. No one listened to me.

She muttered, "Next time watch your place and stay in line like the weak runt you are. You are just a bitch after all" she concluded. They walked away leaving me in this messy chaos caused by them. The comments overwhelmed me so I ran away avoiding the questioning gazes and inappropriate touches from the male and the hateful snarls from the females.

Outside the dining hall, I bumped into a few people who were on their way into the hall. The unfocused look on my face as I saw their questioning gaze interpreted into a mocking face.

I didn't bother to apologise but walked away far from the sights of them.

Different emotions jumbled up inside me. The worst-case scenario had happened and I was labelled a slut. I screamed into the ground tearing apart the green grass on the ground. I scratched and pawed at it repeatedly letting all my frustration from both him and her pour onto the innocent grass on the floor. My hands were dirtied with mud. I didn't care.

Esme ran to me holding my hands from tearing further into the soil.

"It's okay, it's going to be okay" she confronted pressing my face into her chest. I shook my head.

"It wasn't like that." I wanted her to believe me. She nodded, "I know,"

The thought of having to put up with the gossip and the menacing glares. I wondered where everything went wrong. All that was left to do was throw the original plan. I needed to get the emerald gem from the treasure room.