The life they gave me

THIRTEEN YEARS LATER (Kiara) The plate hit the floor before I could catch it. It broke near my feet, sending pieces across the dining area. I stared at it because I already knew what would happen next. One broken plate was enough to ruin my morning. "You useless girl." Maris grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the broken pieces. "How many times do I have to tell you to pay attention?" Her fingers dug into my skin. "I'm sorry." I didn't bother explaining that one of the younger servants had bumped into me. Maris wouldn't care. She never did. Her hand struck my face. My head turned from the force, and pain spread across my cheek. I kept my eyes on the floor. Thirteen years had taught me that looking angry only made things worse. "Clean it up." Maris released my arm and pointed at the broken plate. "Then finish setting the table before the Alpha comes in." She walked away without another word. 'Let me out.' Nyra's voice filled my mind. My wolf had been angry from the moment Maris grabbed me. I could feel how badly she wanted control. 'No.' 'She hit you.' 'And if you kill her, Lucan will kill us.' Nyra didn't answer. I crouched and started picking up the broken pieces. One cut my finger, but I ignored it. I had been awake since before sunrise. There were clothes to wash, floors to clean, and breakfast to prepare before the ranked families came to eat. The other servants had their own jobs, but Maris always found more for me. She said I needed to earn the right to remain in Blackridge. I stopped believing that years ago. I had never asked to remain here. My mother had brought me across the border because she believed this pack would protect me. Instead, Alpha Lucan Corven had decided what my life would become. "Kiara." I knew the voice and turned. Aurelia stood near the entrance to the dining area with her hair pulled back. At sixteen, she was already starting to look like Luna Evelina. "Your face is red." Aurelia came closer and glanced toward the hall Maris had taken. "Did she hit you again?" Anger appeared on her face. "I'm fine." I gathered the last pieces from the floor. "You should sit down before your father comes." I didn't want Lucan finding her beside me. Aurelia didn't move. She had never treated me the way some of the others did. She was only three when she first became old enough to understand that I worked inside her home. By then, I had already learned where Lucan believed I belonged. "I can tell Mother." "No." I stood and carried the broken pieces toward the bin. "It'll only make things worse." I had learned that lesson more than once. Luna Evelina wasn't cruel to me. She had stopped several punishments over the years, but even she couldn't change my place in Blackridge. Lucan always found a reason for why I deserved whatever happened. After a while, I stopped asking anyone to help. Footsteps came from the hall. I returned to the table and reached for the last few plates. Aurelia finally went to her seat. Lysander entered first. He was eighteen like me, and we had grown up in the same territory since the night I arrived. The difference was that he had grown up as the Alpha's second son while I learned how to serve his family. "Morning, Kiara." Lysander pulled out his chair and sat. "Did you save any of those sweet rolls for me?" His eyes went toward the basket on the table. "They're all there." I placed a cup beside him. "You ate four yesterday." I couldn't stop myself from adding the last part. Lysander grinned. "And I'll eat four today." He reached for one before anyone else arrived. "Don't tell Mother." I wanted to laugh, but I knew better than to get too comfortable. Moments like this were dangerous because they made it easy to forget what I was. Lysander and Aurelia could speak to me like I belonged with them, but Lucan always reminded me that I didn't. Luna Evelina entered next. I lowered my eyes and moved aside while she took her place. She thanked me when I poured her water. Then Alpha Lucan entered. Every servant in the dining area stopped what they were doing. I kept my head down while he walked to his seat at the head of the table. "Where is Cassian?" Lucan asked. He looked toward the empty chair on his right. His oldest son was the only person missing. "He went for a run before breakfast," Evelina answered. "He should be back soon." She reached for her cup. I continued serving breakfast. Hearing Cassian's name did something I refused to think about. He had been away for three weeks visiting one of Blackridge's allied packs with several warriors. He had returned late last night. I knew because Aurelia had told me while I was helping her put away some clothes. I hadn't seen him yet. 'You want to.' I ignored Nyra. 'You missed him.' 'I said stop.' Nyra went silent, but I knew she was right. Cassian had been part of my life since the night I lost everything. He was also the Alpha heir, and that was something I could never allow myself to forget. The doors opened behind me. I didn't have to turn to know someone had entered. Aurelia's smile told me exactly who it was. "You're finally awake." Lysander reached for another sweet roll. "I was starting to think that trip made you weak." He took a bite while watching his brother. "Keep talking." Cassian crossed the dining area. "We'll see who's weak at training later." He pulled out his chair. I kept my attention on the pitcher in my hands. Three weeks shouldn't have mattered. I had gone longer without seeing him before. "Kiara." My hand stopped. I raised my eyes and found Cassian watching me. He had changed during the years since the seven year old boy brought me a blanket. Everyone in Blackridge now saw the man who would one day become their Alpha. "Welcome home," I said. Cassian smiled at me. "It's good to be home." His eyes stayed on mine for another second. Lucan cleared his throat. I looked away at once and returned to serving breakfast. I didn't need to look at him to know the warning was meant for me. 'One day,' Nyra said. I carried the pitcher toward the other side of the table. I didn't ask what she meant because I didn't want the answer. Whatever she thought she saw between Cassian and me couldn't matter. I was Kiara Vale, the orphan Silvercrest left behind. I had spent thirteen years serving the family that took me in. And Cassian Corven was born to become Alpha.