I stood frozen, my brows pinched in confusion, staring up at the towering silhouette of Alpha Manuel’s mansion. The afternoon sun glinted off its tall glass windows, making the structure look even more imposing. The air smelled faintly of cedar and polished stone.

My heart hammered in my chest, and my fingers twitched nervously at my sides.

I turned to look at the man who had driven me here. He bent over to take my things from the trunk, muscles shifting beneath his shirt as he hauled my luggage out one bag at a time. The dull thud of my suitcase hitting the ground snapped me from my daze, but my confusion only deepened.

Why the sudden decision for me to live under the same roof as him?

I took a hesitant step forward. “Hi… excuse me,” I said, my voice unsure but edged with curiosity.

He lifted his head at the sound, his eyes meeting mine. Closing the trunk, he walked over to me.

“Uhm… why am I here?” I asked, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

He straightened, brushing his hands together as if dusting something from his palms. “According to Alpha Manuel’s instructions, you’ll be moving in,” he said simply, his tone clipped and professional.

My brows drew together in a sharper furrow. “Okay… why?” I pressed, hoping for some explanation.

Instead, his gaze hardened, and a faint frown creased his face. Without another word, he turned on his heel, strode to the driver’s seat, and pulled the car door open. The engine roared to life, and in seconds, he was driving away, leaving behind only the fading trail of exhaust and my growing unease.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, glancing down at the scattered luggage at my feet. With a quiet sigh, I grasped the handles, the weight dragging against my arms as I made my way toward the mansion’s front door.

The massive double doors felt heavier than expected as I pushed them open, and the moment I stepped inside, my breath caught.

My jaw fell open.

The place was breathtaking. Gleaming marble floors stretched out before me, polished so smoothly they almost reflected my face. A grand chandelier dripped with crystal, scattering light like captured stars across the vaulted ceiling. Rich velvet drapes framed tall windows, and every piece of furniture seemed perfectly placed,expensive, elegant, and deliberate.

The air inside smelled faintly of sandalwood, and for a moment, I stood there clutching my suitcase handles, my earlier questions temporarily drowned by awe.

“Hello, who are you?” a lady asked as she walked up to me. She was dressed in a crisp maid’s uniform, looking neatly groomed from head to toe.

“Hi, I’m Aurora,” I introduced myself, unsure what else to say.

“Oh, I know you.” Her gaze swept over me from head to toe before she fixed a smile on her face. “Alpha Manuel informed me of your coming. Follow me, I’ll show you to your room.”

I fell into step behind her as she led the way to the stairs. The mansion’s vastness made the hallways feel like a maze, and we walked for a while before finally stopping at the bedroom I would be staying in.

“Here we are.” She unlocked the door with a master key, and I stepped in after her.

The room was spacious enough, with a small, comfortable bed in the middle. Everything was neatly arranged, clearly prepared for my arrival.

I glanced around, taking in the details, before my gaze landed back on the lady. Her smile hadn’t faded, but there was something odd about it now,something fixed and unnatural, making it feel uncomfortable… almost creepy.

“No time to unpack,” she said sharply. “You have a ton of work to do. In the closet, you’ll find your uniform. Get changed quickly and meet me in the kitchen. The others are waiting for you.”

“Uniform?” I repeated, confused.

“Yes, uniform. You might not know, but any maid working in the Alpha’s mansion must wear one. Hurry up.” She brushed past me, opened the door, and stepped out.

I stood there for a moment, the reality sinking in.

Maid… I was brought here to be a maid.

I sighed.

After putting on the uniform, I went to check myself in the wall mirror beside the closet. I stared at my reflection and sighed again. The dress felt a little tight, and its length stopped well above my thighs. I tugged at the hem, trying to adjust it.

“Isn’t this short for a maid uniform?” I muttered to myself.

I tied the white apron around my waist, then sat on the bed to put on my shoes. Once I was fully dressed, I left the room.

Thankfully, I still remembered my way to the stairs. I began searching for the kitchen, and after a bit of wandering, I found it.

The kitchen was spacious and spotless, everything neatly arranged. Inside, I saw the lady from earlier along with two other young-looking maids.

“You’re late,” the lady said flatly.

“I’m sorry, it was—”

“I don’t care about excuses,” she cut in. “I want you to listen and obey instructions. First rule in this house—stick to the time you’re given. Always be punctual. Second rule—listen carefully and obey whenever you’re told to do something. Failure to follow these two rules means no meal for the day and extra work. I don’t care if you’re human or weak—you will be punished. Do you understand?”

I nodded.

“Words, please,” she commanded.

I straightened my chin. “Yes, ma’am.”

“It’s Glory,” she corrected, “and this is Giselle and Tessy.” She gestured to the two girls beside her. “Girls, this is Aurora.”

“Hello.” I started to raise my hand in a wave, but thought better of it and let it drop.

“Our priority,” Glory continued, “is to keep the mansion clean at all times and meet Alpha Manuel’s needs. Whenever guests come, we make them feel welcome regardless, and we remain on our best behavior. Am I clear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Tessy will show you around. Listen to whatever she says. I’ll assign your work once you’re done. Now, go on.”

“Let's go.” Tessy said as she brushed past me . She showed me room after room, the library with its leather-bound volumes, the cold, polished study, the long corridors that smelled faintly of lemon polish and old wood. It was a lot to absorb in one day, but I didn’t complain. Making enemies on my first day wasn’t an option.

When we returned to the kitchen, Glory nodded at Tessy. “Okay, good job. Aurora, join Giselle in the laundry room. That’ll be your first task.”

I followed the directions and found the laundry tucked behind a heavy door. Giselle was at a folding table, sorting clothing into neat piles. When she saw me, she rolled her eyes and let out a quiet, exasperated sound.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered.

She didn’t bother hiding the way her jaw tightened, or how her fingers pressed into the edge of the table until her knuckles blanched. Up close, her smile never reached her eyes, irritation sat just under the surface.

“Why are you here?” she asked, angrily, but her voice wavered at the edges as if she were testing herself.

“Glory said I should join you here,” I answered, careful and steady.

Giselle snorted. “Why? I have things under control. I don’t need to be the one looking after the newbie, why can't she…” She paused. She scanned me with a quick, measuring stare, fingers drumming a nervous rhythm against the table. “ Glory told you her rules and everything she has to say. I have my own rules which I need you to obey. Stay away from me and Alpha Manuel.”

Her eyes narrowed in a way that suggested more than casual dislike. “I know you,” she said slowly, words laced with something like accusation. “I know what you did.” She leaned forward. “I just want you to know you don't scare me, witch. Mess with me and I’ll make you regret it. Do you understand?”

I took a steady breath. What's with werewolves and being shallow all the time

I nodded. “I understand. Now, what do you want me to do here? I can go back and tell Glory you’re not happy with me being here,” I said evenly.

“Don’t do that,” she said quickly. “Just… stand there until I tell you what to do. You’re here to observe.”

“Fine by me,” I said.