MATED TO THE RUTHLESS LYCAN KING

~Gabriella’s POV~

I groaned softly as the sound of my alarm drilled into my ears. Just from the way it rang, I already knew—today wasn’t going to be any different. Another bumpy ride, another terrible morning.

The early rays of the sun forced their way through the tiny gaps in my curtain, spilling across my room like they wanted to mock me. A new day had started, but it felt no different from yesterday or the one before. I pushed my eyes open slowly, heavy as rocks. The shadows beneath them told their own story—I was tired of this life. Completely tired.

People liked to remind me that I was the Alpha’s daughter, but that meant nothing. I still did chores beneath the level of a servant. Scrubbing, fetching water, and bending my back while others strutted around in silks. I grabbed the dented bucket by my door and stepped out, heading to the well to fetch water for my bath.

As I walked, I kept my eyes sharp, shifting left and right, not wanting to cross paths with her.

“Gabriella.”

Her voice slithered across my spine, cold as ice. I froze where I stood, then slowly turned around.

“Good morning, Luna,” I said flatly, bowing my head just enough. By now I had nothing left to give her—no emotion, no warmth. My heart felt like it had been drained empty, leaving only darkness behind. Still, deep down, I couldn’t stop wishing that my mate would come soon and pull me out of this nightmare.

The Luna’s eyes bored into me, black and merciless. “Starting today, you’ll take over the maintenance of my hot springs. I dismissed the other maids, so it will be your duty alone. Begin immediately.”

My lips twitched, but I forced them still. I looked at the other maids standing behind her. They were dressed as if they were headed to some grand party, with perfect hair and clean gowns. Always the same. Meanwhile, I wore rags that barely counted as clothes. Sometimes I wondered if I really belonged to this bloodline at all, or if fate had dumped me here by mistake.

I dipped my head. “I understand, Luna. But… permit me to bathe first. I can’t start cleaning your springs in this state, can I?”

Her eyes narrowed, stabbing into me like thin needles. For a moment I braced myself, waiting for the explosion, for her insults to rain down like fire.

Finally, she said, “You’re right. Do bathe first. I don’t want your stench contaminating my springs.”

Then she turned and walked away, her maids trailing behind like spoiled shadows.

Just as expected. Nothing more, nothing less.

Talking to her always felt like balancing on the edge of a blade. One wrong word and it would cut straight through me. I clenched my fist around the handle of the bucket, jaw tightening. My mind flashed, wild and dangerous—imagining ripping out her sharp tongue so I’d never hear it again.

I told myself long