Aurora pov

When I was done with the laundry with Giselle, a task that was filled with long stretches of silence and the occasional cold glance, we joined Tessy and Glory in the kitchen to prepare dinner.

From the way Tessy and Giselle looked at me, their eyes narrowing ever so slightly, it was clear they didn’t want me there. They moved around me as if I were in the way, a bothersome insect they couldn’t quite swat.

It took three long hours to finish cooking and set the dining table. Glory made sure it looked like a miniature banquet, and all of it was for one person. Every detail, the gleam of polished silverware, the perfect symmetry of the folded napkins, spoke of the Alpha’s status. In this house, Alpha Manuel was king.

When we were done, Glory called my name as she stood in the center of the kitchen.

“Aurora, come.”

I wiped my hands on a towel and stepped forward.

“You’ll be the one taking over from here,” she said matter-of-factly. “You’re the only one who lives here.”

“Really?” I asked, glancing at Tessy and Giselle. Their expressions hardened instantly, sharp, icy glares that carried the weight of a dozen unsaid insults. “Why?”

Glory ignored my question. “When Alpha Manuel is done with dinner, you’ll clear the table and make sure it’s spotless. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Glory,” I replied.

“Good.” She turned to the others. “We’re done for today. Let's change.”

The three of them left together, the sound of their footsteps fading down the hall, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. Why do I have to be the one finishing up late and why was I the only maid forced to live here? And more importantly, was I even getting paid for this?

A heavy sigh escaped my mouth. The truth was, I hated being here, especially under Alpha Manuel’s roof. But I had no choice. I needed to find Laura’s murderer and clear my name, so I could finally go back to my old life.

A few minutes later, Glory reappeared, now dressed casually in jeans and a round neck shirt. “I trust you to take care of things here. Good night.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.

I followed her quietly into the hallway, just far enough to watch her leave the mansion.

If Glory had gone, then Tessy had probably left too. The house was eerily quiet , I was completely alone.

The thought of rest tempted me more than anything. My body ached from the day’s work. Moving slowly, I went to my room.

The moment I lay down, the bed embraced me like warm water. My eyes closed before I even realized it, and sleep claimed me instantly.

The shock of cold water against my face jolted me out of sleep. I gasped, my heart hammering.

“What the hell?!” I snapped, blinking the droplets from my eyes.

Giselle stood over me, holding a small bucket, a smug smile curling her lips. Tessy lingered beside her, giggling like she was watching her favorite show.

“She looks pathetic,” Tessy whispered, though it was loud enough for me to hear.

Giselle scoffed, her eyes glittering with mockery. “You’re in so much trouble. Glory wants you in the kitchen. Now.”

They turned on their heels and strolled out, leaving my door wide open.

My mind immediately flashed back to Glory’s instructions yesterday. Panic stirred in my chest. I scrambled out of bed, shoving my feet into my slippers and rushing down the hall.

I passed the dining room and froze for a moment. The table looked exactly as we had left it last night, the untouched plates still neatly set, the silverware perfectly aligned. My brows furrowed. That… didn’t make sense.

Weird.

When I stepped into the kitchen, Glory was standing at the counter, her back to me. The moment she turned and saw me, her face twisted in fury.

“You bitch,” she snapped, marching toward me. “I gave you one job yesterday evening before we left. Just one!”

“I’m so—”

“Don’t you dare interrupt me while I’m talking,” she cut in sharply, her voice rising.

I swallowed hard and stayed silent as she came closer, her steps deliberate.

“You were supposed to clean up after Alpha Manuel’s dinner,” she continued, her tone dripping with contempt. “You didn’t do it. You were the only maid here, and you still failed.”

My hands tightened into fists at my sides.

“His dinner was untouched, and the dining room looks like a pig pen,” she spat.

Pig pen? It looked exactly the same as yesterday…

“I’m so disappointed in you, Aurora. Really disappointed.” Her eyes bored into mine. “You know there will be punishment for your disobedience.”

“Yes, I know,” I said quietly.

“You’ll work in the garden all day. No meals for you today.”

My mouth parted, the words sitting on my tongue, but I wasn’t sure if speaking would make things worse.

Glory’s eyes swept over me, slow and deliberate, before her face twisted in disgust. “And what happened to you?”

I opened my mouth to explain, but she lifted her hand, cutting me off.

“Don’t bother. Just go clean yourself up and get to the garden. Now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I turned and left the kitchen, my jaw clenched, the sting of cold water still dripping down my face.

After changing into another maid’s uniform, I headed to the garden. The sunlight was warm, the air was filled with the scent of damp soil and fresh flowers.

A man was crouched near a bed of roses, trimming a blossom with careful precision.

“Hello,” I greeted softly, stepping closer.

He looked up, startled, then rose to his feet. He pulled off one of his gloves and extended a hand. “Oh, hey. You must be the new girl. I’m Josh.”

“Aurora,” I replied, shaking his hand.

He smiled, the corner of his mouth lifting to reveal a single, charming dimple. He looked about my age ,young, with an easy confidence in the way he stood.

“So,” he said, sliding the glove into his back pocket, “what brings you out here?”

I sighed. “I’ll be working with you today. Punishment from Glory.”

His brows lifted. “Ah, the mean lady. What did you do to get thrown out here?”

“I… forgot to clear up after Alpha Manuel’s dinner.” My voice dropped to a mutter. “Not that I even know if he ate. I was so tired I just went to bed.”

Josh chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s not even an offense. Honestly, we all know Alpha Manuel prefers being out rather than coming home. We hardly see him. I’ve never understood why you maids go through all that trouble making meals for him when he doesn't show up to eat them.”

“Really?” I said, my frustration bubbling up. “I knew it. Glory just hates my guts. They all do.”

He grinned faintly. “You live in the mansion, huh?”

I nodded quickly, not wanting him to press further about why I lived in the mansion while others went to their various homes.

“That’s cool,” he said. “At least there’s a living soul in that huge place.”

His words eased some of the tension in my shoulders, and I found myself smiling. “So… what will I be doing here?”

I turned toward the rows of flowers he had been tending, their petals glowing in the morning light.

“Not much,” he began, “you’ll…”

The loud grumble of my stomach cut him off.

He paused, then turned to look at me with raised brows.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I pressed a hand against my stomach, wishing it would stop betraying me. “I’m… sorry.”

“You haven’t eaten anything today, right?” he asked, tilting his head as he studied me.

I shook my head. “I skipped dinner last night… and I had no idea I wouldn’t be eating today either.”

Josh’s eyes widened. “What? That mean lady needs to chill.” He smirked faintly, then brightened. “My mate packed me a sandwich. I’ll get it for you.”

“No, please don’t.” I lifted my hands slightly in protest. “Your mate made it for you. I can’t eat it.”

“Well, you can’t work with me on an empty, growling stomach,” he said firmly, raising a brow. “Trust me, we’ve got a lot to do here.” Without waiting for my answer, he turned and disappeared into the small tent just beyond the garden area.

A moment later, he returned, holding a neatly wrapped sandwich and a warm bottle of water. “Eat,” he said, pressing them into my hands. “Then we’ll get started.”

I hesitated, torn between politeness and the gnawing hunger twisting my insides. In the end, hunger won. “Thank you,” I murmured, unwrapping the sandwich. The smell of fresh bread and meat made my mouth water, and I bit into it gratefully.

Josh watched with a faint, satisfied smile before turning back to his work.

Once I had finished, I wiped my hands on a napkin, feeling a little more alive. I stepped beside him, crouching to help trim the same delicate flowers he had been tending with such care.