"You deserve the same fate you gave to the Alpha—to rot in a dark cellar."

Maya’s eyes bulged, and she pulled back. She didn’t want to go back to the cellar. It was dark and scary there and with the nightmare she just had, Maya was terrified. The cellar was going to make her dreams even worse.

Alaina pulled harder. It was pretty clear who was stronger, and Maya risked reopening the wound, so she gave in and let Alaina pull her down the stairway.

"Alpha Keenan is too nice! And you take advantage of that. You should be paying for your sins." Alaina muttered as she pulled her down the stairs.

Alaina’s words struck hard and even after she finished speaking, Maya could hear the words echoing in her head. Alaina was right, what she had gone through wasn’t close to what she had done to him.

She hurried after Alaina, trying to keep her thoughts in check. If she lost her footing, she knew Alaina would not hesitate to drag her across the floor. Her shoulder was already hurting; she would try her best to avoid more injuries.

"You’re absolutely right, Lady Alaina," Bess interjected.

Lady Alaina.

Bess only referred to Alaina in this manner, but Lady was a title given to noble ladies. She knew Alaina wasn’t royalty, but she wasn’t exactly one to judge, as neither was she. However, she noticed not everyone addressed her like that. The cook, Agnes, called Alaina without any title.

Maya didn’t have time to think about this as they were nearing the cellar. She wondered if this was punishment for not washing the dishes last night.

Once again, she was blamed for something that was no fault of hers, but this time around, she suspected Alaina knew Agnes was the one to blame.

She did her best to gather her wits and brace herself. It was just the cellar. All she had to do was close her eyes and count. They couldn’t keep her there forever; eventually, they would have to let her out. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

However, instead of the cellar, Alaina led her into the kitchen. Maya was puzzled. Was Alaina going to make her wash the dishes Agnes had waved off?

They had barely run into anyone on their way here, not even servants, and the mansion was quieter than normal, so that every sound they made seemed to echo.

Bess pushed the doors of the kitchen open in time for Alaina to drag Maya through. As soon as they walked in, Alaina pulled Maya forward and let go, leaving her to flail around as she tried to secure her footing.

Everyone in the kitchen stopped and turned around to look at them. Agnes was behind the counter ready to start the fire for cooking. Servants were in corners slicing different vegetables as they got ready to prepare breakfast.

Agnes had a look of distaste on her face as she turned to face Alaina. "What are you doing here, Alaina? It’s too early for your shenanigans."

"Agnes," Alaina said and stamped her feet. "Bess tells me you disputed my orders for her to wash the dishes last night."

Agnes jerked her head toward the table, and the maids immediately resumed their duties, chopping and grating as needed. A maid could be seen filleting a fish while another plucked the feathers off a large chicken.

"She can’t wash dishes," Agnes reluctantly responded after making sure the other maids were doing their jobs.

"That’s not for you to decide, Agnes. Don’t forget I am in charge here."

Agnes visibly rolled her eyes. "This is my kitchen, and I refuse to let you make my work difficult. I refuse to let her in here. She can’t even wash herself, yet you expect her to wash my dishes." Agnes looked Maya up and down.

"You don’t decide to go against my orders Agnes. Luckily for you today, you don’t have to worry about her touching your dishes," her tone was sarcastic as she spoke. "She won’t make your work difficult; rather, she will relieve you of your duties. She will be cooking!" Alaina said with glee.

Gasps echoed in the kitchen, and whispers broke out. Agnes shot the maids another glance, and they all went quiet, returning to their work.

"If this is a joke, Alaina, it’s too early for that. As you can see, we have merely just begun, and the Alpha will be awake very soon. I’d rather not answer to why breakfast isn’t ready."

"Do you not hear me, Agnes? I just gave you an order!"

Agnes sighed and placed her hands on her waist, looking from Alaina to Maya, who was shaking in the corner with hair that looked like a bird’s nest. Her eyes were half open, and she looked like she might fall asleep on her feet.

Agnes didn’t have sympathy for her, and she hated what the High Alpha did to her son, but it was hard to ignore how pathetic the supposed daughter of the High Alpha looked. She wasn’t even putting up much of a fight.

Unfortunately for Agnes, Alaina was a spoiled brat she was familiar with, and she wouldn’t stop until she had her way. She would have to compromise, else breakfast would be late.

"The chicken soup," Agnes said with a sigh. "She will only make the chicken soup."

"Delightful. I am glad we could come to an agreement, Agnes." Alaina smirked as she looked at Maya. "You are cooking the chicken soup, and Agnes, you’re not allowed to help her. Bess will keep watch!"

"I’d prefer you take your dog on your way out. You lot are already crowding my kitchen."

"Dog?" Bess muttered at the insult, but she couldn’t do anything in retaliation.

"She stays," Alaina replied, and Bess looked even more offended when her mistress didn’t defend her. "If I leave you without supervision, you’ll chase her off as soon as I turn around, right?"

Agnes scoffed and walked back around the counter, ignoring Alaina. She didn’t have any words to spare for her; she had already interrupted her for long enough.

"Bess, you know what to do. Tell me immediately if something is wrong."

"Yes, Lady Alaina."

Alaina turned to look at Maya one last time before rushing toward the doors. Bess shut them behind her mistress, and the doors sounded too loud in Maya’s ears.

"Hey!" Agnes rudely called to Maya from behind the counter. "You are cooking the chicken soup. Get to work now. Bess, give her an apron and cover that bird’s nest of a hair."