Chapter 7 A Breath of Fresh Air

Katie's POV

"Hey! Little Miss Princess! You missed a spot here!" The head maid screeched like a banshee. Goddess, after almost two years of working here, I still haven't gotten used to her voice. Her pitch is so high that it can make someone's ears bleed. I'm not even exaggerating! One of the reasons maids are retiring is mostly because of her voice. They just make excuses that it is about the workload.

Lifting up the bucket, I mopped the area in which she insists on having a spot of dirt. My stomach is now like a washing machine. Churning and rumbling in hunger. When was the last time I had a decent meal? The head maid orders me to clean from a small place up to the biggest rooms every chance she gets. I could only eat properly if any of those four would give me food. But they are extremely busy nowadays. Every time they gave me food and asked if I had been eating properly, I always lied and said that I was. They argue that I'm getting thinner and always raise that concern the second they see me. I would reason out that I'm on a diet. So that I could be much more agile in my steps. They didn't accept my excuses but decided to let me go.

Although, quite frankly, I am barely alive. Can this be called living? It seems my life is on repeat. Like an endless playlist. Clean, eat a little, and sleep a little. The cleaning part mostly takes up my day.

Khalid has been busy again these past few weeks. And I worry about his safety. He needs to be here for his mate in case.. I truly get banished. Whenever I ask him where or what on earth he is doing, he just always cryptically replies, "Finding a solution, lil sis."

His eyes now had dark circles evident in his face. A couple of his hairs tousled his forehead. While the entirerity is a disheveled one. The overall look of his face is a whole mess. I tried to stop him and told him that I had already accepted my fate a long, long time ago. But he was so hardheaded and insisted on finding answers to an unknown question of his. As I'm unaware of what he truly seeks.

Khalid also shared that he is looking for answers about the prophecy that the rogue proclaimed. Me being what the devil wanted and the curse.. Up until now, we were clueless about it.

The boring and tiring days were bearable because of Rose and Percy. They sometimes help me with cleaning. Before I could stop them, they'd distract me with stories or bombard me with questions. The good news in my stressful world was.. Percy and Rose finally confessed to each other! I was beyond thrilled that they finally shared their feelings with one another. They are now engaged and accept each other as chosen mates. As a celebration, we took a quick run around the safe woods. The funny thing was that, as I cannot wolf out, we just jogged around the area. Rose was so pissed that her legs were sore. She wolfed out and carried me. Percy cracked up and rolled on the ground, teasing Rose all day. Despite being mates, they still bicker and tease each other.

The three of us sometimes had a sleepover at each other's place. Mine was both in the cabin and here in a maid's room. It is called a maid's room, but in reality, it is quite luxurious. The place is squeaky clean. It even had an air freshener. A window that opens up in a vast field. The forest's breeze can be inhaled. But the most important part is the warm and cozy bed. Retiring for the night is my most rewarding gift to myself.

"Awt Cheychi!" My sixteen-month-old nephew called, trying his very best to get my attention. Within a heartbeat, I threw down the mop on the floor. Not minding the head maid's death glares as she bows down to Jessica.

I happily played a quick peek-a-boo with him, and he laughed so sweetly. He threw his hands up in the air and said, "Erie!"

Shaking my head as I wiggle my hands to show him, "Aunt is dirty, my dear Khael. So no carry for now."

He flaps his hands, slapping them against his mother's wrist and shoulder. He did not understand what I said, but I guess his hands are tired of waiting for me to carry him. He looked at me again and squirmed his hands. Signaling me to carry him. I just repeatedly shake my head and show him my hands while saying it's dirty. Khael was about to cry while repeatedly screaming, "Erie! Erie!"

And now he wails. I giggled at his innocence. Was I like this when I was his age? Jessica tried to comfort him, and he calmed down a bit. Sniffling uncontrollably as his snot still leaks from his tiny nose. He turned his back to me while wrapping his small and delicate arms around Jessica's neck. His head and shoulders still gesture up and down because he just cried. We both chuckled.

"He's sulking." Jessica smiled brightly at me. She motioned for me to follow her. I was about to refuse, but she softly scolded the head maid, saying that I should already be done for the day. Not knowing what to do, the head maid just bowed her head in reverence.

Jessica's the future Luna, and now they already have an heir. Any time now, they could just seize the throne. But she doesn't like bloodbath and had asked Khalid that they should just wait for our parents to step down. I think that would be quite far-fetched. Jessica shared that she doesn't care for the power, but once her son is of the right age, she surely will get what Khael should have as his birth right.

"You should just tell me, Katie, if that old meanie is bullying you again. Why do you always keep it to yourself!?" She nags me like the older sister she is. We are now in their house. A house full of floor mats and corks everywhere. Soft corner guards on sharp edges can be seen, as can safety gates to block stairs or dangerous areas. Tons of babyproofing can be observed, and I remembered those days when Khalid was so anxious about having a child. He was both excited and scared. But I already knew he was going to be a perfect dad.

The gestation period normally takes about six months, but Jessica had a prenatal delivery. Five months, and Khael was already born. I'm just glad that my baby nephew is fine. Or else I cannot forgive myself if the curse means that my presence itself poses a threat and danger to other people. I sincerely prayed to the Moon Goddess that I hoped that wasn't the case.

"I'm fine, Jessica; the head maid is just tired as she is now old," I replied while giving Khael his favorite thing in the world. Raising him up in the air and in his cute bed.

"Awt payn?" he asks in curiosity. Eyes gleam and shine while he's bilnking. Mostly mimicking what I said. Chuckling at his cuteness as it warms my heart. Khael really is a breath of fresh air.

"Aww my baby's worried? Yes, Khael, aunt's fine." I caressed his cheek and kissed the other one.

"No, Khael. Aunt's not fine. Old meanie's bullying her," Jessica stated while shaking her head. Khael cried the next second, and I secretly smacked Jessica.

"Hey! Stop scaring my poor nephew." Now it's my turn to scold her. I lifted Khael, and he hugged me. Jessica went to my back to wipe Khael's tears and snots.

"He really likes you, Katie. Percy and Rose are always so jealous about it. The moment Khael can feel their presence, he instantly cries," Jessica shared, and we laughed out loud about it. Poor Percy and Rose.

A wind suddenly blew. And when I glanced at the window, the prohibited forest peeked out. Goosebumps are all over my skin, as I swear.. I can see a pair of red eyes lurking in the woods. The only thing was.. Those where a different set of eyes from the ones who saved me.