Crown Of Shadows

Chapter 3- Visitors

After the wake-up call, I had sat in the middle of my child-sized cot and wrapped my arms around my knees. Too afraid to go back to sleep, thinking for sure that she would come down and kill me. I watched the little broken clock on the floor turn it's minutes into hours. After tossing and turning, I learned that it was impossible to go back to sleep. I decided that it might be better to work out the anxiety and fear. After running until it felt like my heart would explode on the broken down treadmill, showering in the cold hose water, and dressing for the day I looked at the reflection in the forgotten mirror that used to be in the main hall. My face stared back at me with sadness that ran deep in sea-green eyes. My body although toned, looked too skinny. My collarbones bones poked out a little too prominently against the collar of my shirt. I rubbed my hands on my pants and tried to smile at my reflection. It felt weird, and it didn't feel right on my face. A hand pounded on the door upstairs, and I knew it was time for me to start the day.

It wasn't often that we had visitors, and the whole pack was awake early. I made breakfast and the Alpha stood over me while I did it.

"Everything must be perfect Do you understand Ember? If you mess this up for me I will sell you to the rouges and let them have their way with you." He strolled from the kitchen like he hadn't just threatened to make a prostitute out of me. After cooking and setting the table with the finest plates we had. I rushed upstairs to turn down the blankets in the spare rooms and prepare the children. The Luna pinched and hit me when I walked past her into the baby's room. And it took me an extra moment to push the anger back under the rug. One day, I wouldn't be in this position.

No, you'll be a prostitute for some other pack that your 'father' sells you too. A viscous voice spoke from the back of my mind. Oh yea, I could be that position. I dressed the kids in nice clothes and brought them to the Luna, she looked over them and took the baby from my arms.

"The guests will be arriving any moment, be ready to take their luggage to the rooms. Do you understand?" I nodded and she grabbed a hold of my face.

"And not a WORD are you to speak to them!" She squeezed my face tight enough to hurt. Pushing me away she took her children down the stairs and I followed like a shadow.

The pack assembled to meet the visitors. They pulled up in one car, three well dressed and well developed men slid from inside the black car. I stood off the one side. Hidden from sight, they entered the hall and the Alpha approached him.

"Welcome to the Fernish pack gentleman. Please allow us to take your things." I rushed forward keeping my eyes firmly on the ground and waited for bags to be pushed into my direction, but they weren't. I took a small peek up through my lashes and the three men look from me to the Alpha.

"She will take your bags to your rooms." The Alpha smiled and the one man was still looking at me. His dark gaze was intense.

"I will assist her, they can be heavy." I felt the blood drain from my face and I looked back to the Alpha. He looked like he had sucked on a lemon.

"She is quite capable. Come we have much to discuss."And I reached for the bags again, but it was pulled from reach.

"We are not used to having someone wait on us." The same man spoke up and I felt the thread of dread enter my frame.

"Just show us to our rooms; we can get settled in and then they can talk." I looked to the Alpha and he moved away from the stairs. I quickly set the pace up the stairs and the three men followed me. I knew that little display was going to cause me great pain later. I showed the first man to the guest room and then the second. The third had seemed to be stuck staring at me. I opened the door to his room, but he didn't walk inside, standing there staring at me.