Alora.
Carmen, Camila and Lana were weird. I had never seen any family like them, but then again the only families I knew were mine and Jax’s.
I never recall any time where I found my parents happy together. I didn’t know of the time before I was born but after I came, they disconnected and fought often. I had seen their pictures in the house and they appeared to be in love.
My mother had claimed I was the one to destroy their home, born wolfless and different. I had disconnected them to the pack, cast to the outskirts of the pack and made to live in the woods.
Moving in with Jax was even worse, Jax was the only child, and according to rumors, his parents, the last alpha and luna had died in a ghastly accident when Jax turned six, making him the alpha at a young age.
I was Jax’s only family.
And you knew the story already.
So watching Camila and Carmen laugh with their mother, Lana was new and weird. But at the same time, I envied them as I stood at the entrance, not knowing what to do.
“I swear, I’ll break up with this man!” The kitchen door opened to reveal another maid and from the phone she was typing furiously at, I figured it was Raya.
Raya appeared to be the same age as me compared to the twins who I knew I was older than. She had short black hair that reached her jaws. Her green eyes were fixed on her phone as she typed very quickly, not noticing I was standing at the door.
She was wearing a maid outfit, a short black and white gown with a pair of black flats. She didn’t appear Spanish like the rest. She had dark beautiful skin and they glowed as she stepped into the bright kitchen.
“Honestly he’s just playing with me!” She yelled again, throwing her phone on the counter as Lana helped Carmen back to her feet and Camila stepped forward.
“I told you to break up with him last week after he kissed that brat.” Camila said, snatching the phone from the counter and scrolling through.
“I agree with Camila for once. He’s a douchebag.” Carmen said, dusting her dress and coming to stand beside her sister and they looked through the phone.
“I know.” Raya started, dropping her elbows on the table and burying her face in her palm. “He’s saying it’s because he was lonely.” She whined.
“It’s just an excuse to cheat. If he can’t keep a long distance relationship then he should say so. I’m with the girls, break up with him.” Lana said, picking up the bowl Camila had dropped and going back to the eggs.
I shuffled my feet, running my arms as I thought of what to do. I didn’t feel like I could join in their conversations so I just watched.
“Ugh. This is so annoying.” Raya complained as Camila handed her back her phone.
“He’s ugly as fuck too. I don’t know what you see in him.” Camila said, and Carmen slapped her shoulders.
“He’s ok. And he’s Canadian too. He’s got an accent.” Carmen giggled while Camila rolled her eyes.
“Whatever, this is why I hate men.”
“Says the girl who’s crushing on Matt from soccer.” Carmen teased and Camila scoffed, but the blush in her cheeks didn’t go unnoticed as she looked away.
“See, you’re blushing!” Carmen said and Raya laughed. Camila pushed her sister away before going back to the dishes.
“I’m not, the kitchen is hot.” Camila argured, stacking the plates angrily as Carmen tried to meet her eyes.
“Really? The stove isn’t even on yet.” Carmen laughed as Camila pushed her away.
“Is Seth gone yet?” The kitchen door opened to reveal another maid. This one was beautiful, very beautiful she could be a model. She had long blonde hair and bright grey eyes. She was tall and wore a short and baggy shirt that spelled “Demon Slayer” with an animated character on it with a sword.
She had huge glasses covering her eyes that made her appear as a nerd. In her hand were about three big books, but because of my dyslexia I couldn’t read their titles. She adjusted her bag on her shoulders as she passed by me, looking around frantically in the kitchen. I realized she must be my age.
“Can you calm down about Seth, jeez, he left with the alpha already.” Camila said and Raya nodded.
“Exactly, I don’t even know what you see in him anyway. He’s really cruel.” Raya nodded, heading to the fridge to take out a bottle of milk and handing it to Lana.
“Says the girl whose boyfriend is cheating on her.” Carmen said and Raya rolled her eyes.
“At least he’s not shoving me off like some piece of trash. Seth doesn’t like you, he has no feelings. The only thing he knows is how to kill Isabel.” Raya said and Camila nodded.
Oh so this was the last maid, I realized. The Isabel who was always late.
Isabel sighed as she pushed her glasses up her nose and went to sit beside Raya.
“I know, but he’s just like that in person. I wish he would let me know him, I know he’s suffering under that facade.” Isabel whispered softly and Raya put her hand around her.
“He doesn’t want to be known. Seth is ruthless, did you see what he did to the wolf who accidentally spilled drinks on him at the last pack meeting?” Camila asked and Carmen nodded.
“He slapped her, Isabel. In front of everyone else after she apologized and submitted to him. Seth is merciless and he would never spare you a glance.” Carmen said and Isabel pushed her books on the table sadly.
“It’s just hard to forget about my feelings for him.” Isabel said and Lana stood up, slamming her palms on the table making all of us jump.
“Enough of this gossip. Did either of you even notice the new girl?” Lana asked, pointing to me.
I gasped softly, shifting backwards as every eye turned to me and I shivered at the attention. I had been enjoying their discussion and I hadn’t realized I had been left out of all the conversations and ignored or even noticed at all by Isabel and Raya.
Isabel stood up immediately, adjusting her glasses on her eyes and Raya followed, rising to her feet in shock.
“Have you been standing there all this while?” Raya asked me and I looked at the floors unsure of what to say.
“Oh. She’s deaf or mute, one of them.” Camila said and I said nothing in response as I peeked under my lashes at them.
“Stop it.” Carmen elbowed her and she rolled her eyes.
“I could have sworn I didn’t see anyone there when I walked in.” Isabel said, adjusting her glasses and turning to the others.
“Me too.” Raya said and Lana sighed before walking past them and towards me.
“Everyone, this is Alora, she’s new and will be working with us from today. Please be nice to her and she’s not mute or deaf Camila. She’s quiet, unlike you all noisy brats.” Lana said and Camila rolled her eyes and Isabel nodded.
“Alora, this is everyone. Those are my twins. Camila and Carmen, they are seventeen..”
“Don’t tell her our age, it would make her look at us as younger.” Camila frowned and Lana stepped to her.
“Don’t cut me off.” She said before smiling at me once more. “They are resuming senior year at the pack school next week. Camila is rude to everyone so don’t take offense. Carmen is nicer so please meet her if you have any issues.” Lana introduced and I forced myself to nod.
“This is Raya, she’s the biggest help here even though she’s always chatting with that boyfriend of hers. She’s very hard-working and free spirited, you’ll be working with her a lot when Carmen and Camila are at school.” Lana pointed to Raya who was smiling at me, she waved and I nodded, trying to avoid her gaze as much as possible.
“And this is Isabel.” Lana pointed at the girl with glasses. She waved excitedly at me and I nodded again. “She’s our very own house nurse. She mostly attends to the alpha, Victor and Seth especially if they’ve sustained injuries from fighting which happens very often. She helps us in the kitchen when her nose is not stuck in those science books of hers.” Lana chuckled and Isabel blushed, pushing her blonde hair past her eyes and behind her ear.
“So that’s everyone. I’m Lana, I’m in charge of them all. Everyone’s got their jobs. Carmen and Camila work on cleaning the house, Raya and I cook and take care of the kitchen. Isabel helps anywhere and also does the laundry when she is less busy.” Lana concluded and I nodded.
“How old are you Alora?” Isabel suddenly asked and Raya coughed awkwardly.
I was silent for a while as I glanced at everyone, unsure of what to respond but I saw Lana nod at me so I sighed.
“Twenty.” I whispered softly, praying they heard me so I didn’t have to repeat myself. I drew my sleeves down my arm.
“Same as me. Raya’s the oldest.” Isabel beamed and Raya flushed in embarrassment.
“Don’t say it like I’m fifty. I’m just twenty-two.” Raya mumbles and Camila smirks.
“Someone doesn’t want to be old.” Camila teased.
“Fuck you. Like you wanna be old either.” Rays spat and Camila erupted in laughter.
I looked at the floor, not knowing what to say.
“You seem to do that a lot.” Carmen said for the first time in a while and I snapped my head to her and everyone else turned to me.
“You drag the sleeves of the jacket every second.” Carmen said again and they all squinted their eyes at me.
My heart thumped in my chest as I picked my nails nervously.
How had she noticed that?
Was I doing it too often to go noticed?
I didn’t know what to say as fear shot up my spine. Didn’t they like it?
“Since when did you become extra nosy?” Lana scolded and Carmen shrugged.
“Ok that’s all. Let’s get to work everyone. It’s going to be a busy month so let’s be sharp.” Lana announced and they stood straight.
“Isabel please get changed from your anime clothes, put on your uniform. Raya, yes I can see you tucking your phone in your pocket. Hand it over.” Lana said as Camila laughed and Raya rolled her eyes before dropping the phone on her open palm.
“Carmen and Camila get changed too. I’ll see the tailor to get Alora her uniform too. The alpha and the boys left super early today so they skipped breakfast but they’ll be back tonight. I was suggesting doing lasagna for dinner.”
“It’s Seth’s favorite so I’m down for it.” Isabel said excitedly and Carmen groaned.
“Ok good. Carmen and Camila I need you both upstairs to clean the alpha’s room while Isabel starts with laundry. Yesterday a man tried to spy on the pack and you know what the alpha does. Find the shirt he wore yesterday and throw it out. Raya, I need you and Alora with me here. We have to prepare a meal for the nursing wolves in the pack hospital.” Lana said and everyone nodded before going about to start their work.
Carmen and Camila got cleaning supplies from the store and headed out of the kitchen. Carmen waved at me while Camila didn’t bother sparing me a glance as they left.
Isabel took her books off the table and entered a room I hadn’t realized was at the end of the kitchen. Probably to get changed. I figured Cement and Camila had gotten changed in the room Lana got my jacket from.
Raya walked to the store to get the foodstuffs Lana was requesting for.
I walked closer to the counter as I looked around for what to do.
“Don’t just stand there Alora, come on. I’m sure you can read. Tell me what it says here. I don’t know if that spice has expired and my glasses aren’t with me.” Lana said, handing me a small red container and I looked at the writings on it.
I swallowed nervously, how was I going to tell her I couldn’t read?