Apple Martini

Chapter 1 - Love's Absence

24 June.

Ethel gazed at herself in the mirror. Her dark curls were sticking up in all places, thin strands framing her face. Her one milky white eye stared back into her very soul, as if reminding her all the more of her prevalent physical shortcoming.

Knowing that if she stayed here and lost herself in her thoughts for any longer she would get in trouble, Ethel sighed and got to work preparing.

Today was her younger sister's big day after all. The day Alpha Regan Griffiths of the Black Sun Pack was to arrive at the Wild Blossom Pack, finalise the agreement with Alpha Thomas, and take Liana as his chosen mate and Luna.

She washed her face, before going to change into her usual plain grey attire. The dress was nothing compared to the range of clothes that Liana had at her disposal, but she was at least thankful for it being able to cover her body. Compared to Liana, who was able to maintain her healthy glow effortlessly, Ethel looked like a gaunt skeleton.

It wasn't like Ethel hadn't been fed. If she didn't mess up her duties when attending to Liana, or if she didn't question Alpha Thomas's decisions, she was fed adequately. Her meals weren't as balanced as what her sister was always treated to, but she supposed the fact that she was being given meals at all, despite her unfortunate appearance and lack of a wolf, was something she should have been grateful for.

It wasn't worth it to overstep, but she wondered why a part of her had kept doing it before. Asking for even a fraction of the gifts and praises showered onto Liana earned her disciplinary actions, whether it was bruises, cuts, the lack of lunch or dinner, or a night in the cold, damp basement of the house. And yet, while Ethel knew she would never win in her scenario, she couldn't help feeling she deserved more than...this.

And then she reminded herself of what Alpha Thomas had always told her.

The fact that Ethel hadn't been thrown out of the Wild Blossom Pack for being wolfless was already the privilege that her father had offered her, and she shouldn't be ungrateful and aim for more.

As attendant to her younger sister, enduring Liana's treatment was something Ethel could tolerate. Yes, she was demanding and sometimes scolded or slapped her in private for doing anything minutely to her disliking. But as Alpha Thomas's beloved, perfect daughter and the pride of the Wild Blossom Pack, she supposedly had that right.

Footsteps towards the door made Ethel's heart speed up, but as the knock came, she relaxed, recognising who it was immediately by its gentleness.

"Ethel? Are you ready?"

Typing up her curly hair into a tight bun, Ethel opened the door to the friendly redhead with freckles and a warm smile. The only smile Ethel was treated to in the pack that was filled with genuine affection and care.

"Morning, Cass." Ethel spoke softly, returning the smile.

"Ready for today?" Cassandra tried to keep her voice light, but Ethel could see the unease and sympathy in her eyes.

"...Yeah." Ethel paused before continuing. "...She's my sister after all...I'm happy for her."

Cassandra visibly swelled a little at her friend's subservience, but sighed softly.

"...You can always come to me later...okay?"

"Yeah, I know. Thanks, Cass."

Ethel closed her room door behind her and walked side by side with Cass down the hallway to the dining room.

Truthfully, when Alpha Thomas had first hired Cassandra to help maintain the Alpha household as a maid, Ethel had almost thought the omega wouldn't want anything to do with her.